Pear Pad Beach

Wednesday was my last day in North Carolina. Fortunately, I'd booked an evening flight, which gave us just enough time for a short morning ride in Manteo.

We were joined by a group of Rachel's friends, who'd kindly sourced a horse for Rylie to ride.

I rode Ember...

and Rachel was on Pebbles and leading Breeze.

We mounted up and headed out.

Since time was short, we didn't wander through the woods.

Instead, we took the direct route to the beach.

Up to this point, the ride had been a little somber, but everyone perked up at the sight of the ocean.

I thought we were going straight to the water's edge,

but instead we hung a left and followed a little wooded path...

to another part of the beach.

Kathryn...

and Erin went straight into the water.

Naturally, I followed suit.

So fun.

In the last five years, I've ridden on the beach in three different countries, but let me assure you, this never gets old.

I could have stayed there in the water forever, but eventually we left that beach, 

rode past a little graveyard...

and popped out in grassy spot overlooking a rocky shore line.

Rachel said everyone needs to get their picture taken here at least once, so we made that happen.

After that, I took one last shot of the water between Ember's ears.

Then we rode back through the trees...

and along the road...

to the awaiting trailers.

It was a good ending to a complicated trip.Thank you, Rachel and the entire Fail family. I loved riding with you, and I can not wait until we do it again.