From Trail Dreams to Trail Reality

Today’s plan shifted more than once — trail ride, then camping, then trail ride again — before we finally settled on keeping it simple and managing the heat. I was up just after 7, already running through the to-do list in my head. Coffee first, then packing: snacks, drinks, tack, the works. Crazy to see the firepit still smoking from last night — proof of how long tinder holds its heat. Roo got a bit of grazing while we finished prep.

S hooked up the trailer, mucked out, added shavings, while I dehaired saddle pads, packed boots, and tied up loose ends. We caught Switch, though only Jimmy was eager to follow, while Roo firmly declined returning to the fat pen. B and Cooper rolled in at 9:30, loaded her tack, and caught the last two horses. Jimmy and Bird were left behind, hopefully to form a lonely-hearts club.

The dogs were unimpressed at being left in the house, but by just before 10 we were rolling toward Sandy McNabb. Another hot day. Horses unloaded and tacked, we set out just after 11:30 on a 2½-hour loop, logging over 11 km. It was a gorgeous ride with a few “moments” — Beibs started as a full-on creek flyer, then switched to a water dodger, stalling long enough at the tiniest creek to test everyone’s patience. But he made it.

refer to above picture farther down in content

water dodger and the new creek flier 2.0

these 2 epic pics by B :)

Back at the trailer, we rinsed the horses with buckets, offered them water, and cracked a cold beer. But before settling in, there was a bit of a gasp moment — the truck door was wide open and the tack room unlocked. First thought: my iPad. Thankfully still there. S was certain he’d locked everything… but thanks to some solid photographic evidence, it turns out he’d left the truck door wide open while mounting his trusty steed. (See photo above for proof 🙃).

B tidied up Beibs’ feet, then we loaded up for home with a couple pit stops — cocktails from Eau Claire Distillery, and a DQ treat compliments of B, THANKS! (ice cream for us, plus B’s chicken wrap, shake and fries she shared with S).

By 4:30, we rolled into the ranch under 30° heat. Horses were reunited with Bird and Jimmy, dogs thrilled to have us back. B headed home, and S and I tested the cocktails with leftover cabbage casserole before he napped in Big Brown and I watered plants and ordered Har’s food. We took the dogs for a short gate walk, golden hour still warm at 28°, before I turned on the back beds soaker hoses. S came to help me with a leaky hose while unhooking the trailer.

B returned around 7 to smooth more chipped feet— Switch, Beibs, and then Roo, who also had a rubber shoe removed after losing one earlier. Meanwhile, S and I wrangled the tractor bucket back on, which turned into a full production with pry bars, hammer, rags, and patience before he could finally get to moving bales.

By 9, B and Cooper were off, I settled into the blog, and a text came in from Shaina — their trip rerouted to Thunder Bay due to a medical emergency, still delayed. Poor guys.

S wrapped up bale hauling, came in for a shower, and we ended the day with a Waterfront episode before lights out.