Sedona

Scottsdale was s'posed to get almost up into triple digits today. Fortunately, Doug and Gwen came to our rescue. Rusty has joined an Arizona backcountry riders group on line and put a plea out on the list serve to ride on some trails in the stunning area of Sedona.

Charlie, Rusty and I left our place at about 7 AM and met Jim and Clydea on the road. We pulled into the trailhead about 2.5 hours later and rode trail with one of the most impressive views I have seen for some time. The red rock of Sedona truly is a sight.

Far was a gentleman (y'all are probably tired of hearing it, but he truly is an absolutely exceptional horse - sure-footed today and so willing and responsive). Red was spirited (Charlie and he are made for each other), and Rocky was mostly good until the end, when he gave Rusty his money's worth (spirited would be an understatement).

So, hats off to Doug and Gwen for taking five *complete* strangers out into the wilderness!

Click on the album link below, then on slideshow for a taste of today.

2007_09_30

Moving Far Up

Today was another good day, as they all tend to be from the back of a horse.

Riding Far is like going to a good dancehall on a Saturday night and dancing until close. I rode Far with Jim and Clydea at Camp Creek today - we did 11.2 tough, hilly, hot, sandy miles. All three horses got a good workout. Far was an absolute champ - eager, willing, forward, smooth and supple. He enjoyed moving out at a great speed and did nothing but accommodate my every request. We tested him out a little by having Clydea trot by, and although his walk got *extremely* fast, he did not attempt to trot to keep up with Zeb.

He had his first experience of cholla - had a few bucks and then waited patiently for me to remove them. We also saw a coyote with a complete and whole deer head in its mouth. Clydea says they are cold-blooded killers 8-0.

He ate, drank and always wanted more. Tomorrow we will go and do 15 miles...

Escaping to the Cooler Temperatures in the Mountains: Labor Day Weekend with Far & Jack

Pine Labor Day Weekend 07

Click on the photo above, then on slideshow for premium photos

As the temperatures in Phoenix hung in the 110 degree zone, Rusty and I decided it was high time to get out of the heat and enjoy some mountain trails. Kim Abbott was kind enough to lend us her ten acre ranch nestled in between four mountains north of Payson. We left Saturday and pulled into High Heaven Ranch just a couple of hours later. We were in shock: it is the most spectacular, quiet place at the end of a dirt road with nothing but trees and mountains all around.

An afternoon thunderstorm and general lack of interest prevented us from any riding on Saturday, but we enjoyed watching the clouds roll in and the temperatures in the low 80s. High Heaven indeed! After some delicious curry, it was early to bed and early to rise the next morning.

On Sunday, we started the day with organic eggs and salsa with some fresh coffee, then we set out and up and up and up to the top of the mountains behind the ranch. The views were stunning and the trail was technical. We saw other people only once, and they were on foot.

The so-called young horses performed perfectly: Jack was as bold as always, and Far was willing and gentle and eager to please. He just might be the finest horse I have ever owned!

We had so much fun on Sunday morning that we took the boys out again on Sunday evening and trotted them up the steep dirt mountain road that connects the ranch to civilization. Then back to the house for grilled chicken on the barbecue before an early night.

It rained for much of the night, with thunder and lightning. It was *very* cool! On Monday morning we cleaned house and trailered out the four miles to the Pine Trailhead and spent three wonderful hours climbing the Highline Trailand beneath the Mongolian Rim. The boys were eager and the footing was faster, and the views even more incredible!

We will return!