Weekend of August 26-28 2011

Friday evening I packed up the truck and loaded two horses, Star and Angel, in the trailer and headed to Elk Rock State Park. After taking care of my horses and setting up camp, I cooked myself a steak and fried potatoes and onion. Sitting there eating my supper and having a conversation with Sam Adams while watching the stars, all I could think of was my youngest brother's saying, "I wonder what the poor folk are doing now?" It was a very enjoyable evening.

Saturday morning my friends Bobbie and Courtney and their families came up to camp and trail ride. After a few set backs everybody got there and we had a quick lunch then it was saddle the horses and get ready to hit the trails.



This is Courtney doing the motherly thing and leading young Ty on her good mare Lucy. They missed out on the ride but went out later by themselves then rode with the rest of us on Sunday.

This is a picture of Bobbie on her young horse Levi. This was Levi's first trail ride but you would never have known it. She handled like an older horse and did very well. Bobbie is a hand when it comes to horses as is Courtney.

Bobbie had to help me get on my horse, Star as she was acting very fresh and had a bit of an attitude. She did a little rearing and carrying on but once I was in the saddle she settled down a bit.  Star keep wanting to fight the bit and toss her head. She also didn't want to stand still but the soft sand on the trail and a very wet saddle blanket changed  her attitude. It is a good thing she settled down as I was already calling her Alpo.

This is a picture of Brandon's back. Brandon is Courtney's husband and lead our little group Saturday afternoon. He also provided the entertainment when a deer spooked his horse and Brandon became a certified tree hugger. He was a great sport about the whole situation as we retold the story around the campfire.

This is Bobbie's daughter Josie. Josie does very well and not only looks like her mother but has the makings to be a top horsewoman like her as well.

I didn't get a picture of Bobbie's husband, Marty, or her son, Nate. Both rode with us and had a good time. Marty told me he hadn't been on a horse in a long time but he just might have to change that.

Back in camp we had a coop supper. Courtney and I got the dutch ovens going and she made the cheesy potatoes and onions while I made blackberry cobbler. Everybody grilled various meats and a good meal was had by all.

Sunday morning after a camp breakfast of bacon, eggs, and biscuits we hit the trails again. The picture above is of Courtney with Ty in front of her leading us down the trail. Brandon is behind her, and Chase, their oldest son, is behind Brandon. Chase can be a very fine young horseman when he wants to be.  

Here is Josie and her little cousin followed by Bobbie on Levi.

Sunday I rode Angel. She was fresh and ready to travel after having been running with the broodmare band all summer. She was easy to control and she did well.

It started to look like rain just before noon so we went back and packed up. It was fun to share some time with my special friends. It was a weekend of good friends, good food, some tall tales around the campfire, and some horse back riding. Life just doesn't get much better than that.