Busy weekend

Harness?  What harness?

Weekends are always busy, but this one was more so than usual.  It started with a track meet...

and ended with a trip to Heritage Square in Golden, Colorado.  While we were there, we spent some time splashing around a kiddie pool in the giant hamster balls.

Without a doubt, this was one of the weirdest things I've ever done! 

We also conquered the suspended obstacle course,

climbed a rock wall, 

and did some fancy trampoline bungee jumping. 

Between the track meet and the amusement park, I also went to the stable twice. 

James... 

and I had a great time riding Rev... 

 or should I say Carrick?

...and feeding him his noms. 

I really, really, really meant to work on that harness, but as you can see, there just wasn't enough time.  Today is a new day, though, and I promise there will be progress pictures in the near future.  Probably.

US Air Force Academy Equestrian Center

Harness?  What harness?

Today's grey and drizzley weather should have driven me into the studio for a marathon tackmaking session.  Instead, I found myself making an impromptu day trip to Colorado Springs with my friend, Carol.  

We planned to spend our time hiking the Manitou Incline and visiting the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.  Instead, we ended up at the Air Force Academy and Old Colorado City.  

Don't ask.  Just go with it.

Anyway.  This is the entrance to the US Air Force Academy.  

Located on thirteen thousand acres of forest land with elevations reaching more than eight thousand feet, this is a ruggedly beautiful area filled with wildlife.  I was hoping to see a bear or a mountain lion, but had to settle for a single deer.  Oh well!

We were good little tourists and went to the Chapel... 

and the Cadet Area. 

However, our itinerary--such as it was--also included one of the USAFA's less famous attractions...

the Equestrian Center! 

We drove to the rental office to get information about the rides.

The prices are surprisingly reasonable, and you get to go out without a guide.  We didn't have time to ride today, but it's going to happen.  Trust me on that.

We spent some time walking around the rest of the Equestrian Center.  This trio of beggars live right next to the rental office. 

Cute! 

Double cute! 

Cutest? 

These barns are filled with horses belonging to active duty military families, retirees, DOD Civilians, and cadets. 

Center aisle. 

The sign says please don't.  TJ's face says please do. 

Because this is a military base, every building regardless of size is numbered.  This is the judge's stand next to the riding ring. 

According to the sign...

this pretty barn is used for quarantine.

These are the current residents. 

I really, really enjoyed my unplanned visit to the US Air Force Academy.

I can't wait to do it again, and next time I wearing my riding boots!

Procrastination

Harness?  What harness?

Surely, Danielle would be just as happy with a couple dozen miniature chocolate chip cookies!

Pictures from today's ride

Today Mary Jo and I rode out to the eagle nesting area which is just past the Coal Creek Arena.  Because this part of the trail is closed most of the year, I had not been out there before.

This is the tree with the eagle's nest in it.   Sadly, there were no eagles to be seen today.

On the way out there, however, we saw (and heard!) lots of low flying Air Force jets... 

and one big bull snake.

Rev hardly seemed to notice the jets or the snake, but he was deeply suspicious of all the storm related damage.

This debris field was all kinds of scary... 

and neither he nor Scarlett wanted to go past the collapsed prairie dog fence. 

Mostly we kept to the top of the trail, but we did drop down into the riverbed on the way home.  All the water crossings were wider... 

and deeper than usual! 

Rev did this without batting an eye, but of course all the pictures are of Mary Jo and Scarlett!

Also on the way home, we saw a big bird flying over the trees.  At first I thought it was a hawk...

but when we got closer, we could see it was a turkey vulture. 

And there wasn't just one of them up there.  We counted six separate birds circling over this part of the riverbed.  I wonder what was down there?   

We didn't investigate.  That part of the trail is flooded, plus both horses were unnerved by whatever it was that attracted the birds.

Yee haw! 

Heading home.  

I know I've said this before, but I am just so happy with my current real horse situation.  I loved every part of today's ride and can't wait to do it again!

Donuts by Hart

I already knew that Danielle Hart makes some of the most exquisite, braided tack...

this hobby's ever seen. 

However, who knew that she was just as talented...

in the mini-donut making realm?

For more amazing mini food, check out Anne Field's most recent blog post.  Squee--it all looks for real!!