Alive with spring!

There is nothing like a good ride on a early spring day to make me think, yes I am blessed! I'm riding a mighty fine horse. We're trotting along through the sand and loping around the sagebrush.

I saw my first curlew of the year. Just trotting along the ridge top with the only sound being the curlews eery whistle as he flies over the area scoping out a nesting spot. The views are fantastic as always. Now the prairie and high desert just doesn't interest some folks, but I love it. I love the solitude, the quiet, and nature. It's just me and my horse! I can see for miles and miles. Far in the distance the snowy mountains outline the land as it meets the blue sky.

The yellow bells and phlox are beginning to bloom amidst the tender grass shoots. Some little critters tiny little paw prints leave tracks scurrying everywhere. The land is coming alive with spring. What a great day!

Fine for Whining

Remember that old Chris LeDeaux song, Five Dollar Fine for Whining? Well I may as well put my fiver in the jar right now because I am whining!! OK so I knew last weekend was a fluke with all the gorgeous weather, but I want it back!!! Only in Idaho do they classify 25 mph winds as a breeze!

Last weekend was one of those rare days in March. Great weather. Lots of fantastic rides on good horses! Combine that with the company of friends and my daughter Andi, and I had lots of fun!! In the morning while driving over to Tammie's I saw a magnificent Bald Eagle in a big cottonwood tree! And the bonus?? While riding Blackjack we came upon a herd of 20 antelope. Later about a dozen deer! None of them stuck around for a Kodak moment though! I managed to get three horses ridden over that weekend!

And the view of the Snake River has to be one of the prettiest and I love it every time I walk back down to the trailer parked less than 1/4 mile from it's banks. The water was so smooth and blue! Sno capped hills amid a few clouds off in the distance privided a lovely border to the view! Yip, can't wait to go ride and see that view again this weekend!!

ATTITUDE

Horses are funny. They all have their individual quirks, likes and dislikes. The younger gelding, Z Blue Lightening, has always been a pretty easy going guy. He grew up in the shadow of his cousin, Thunder. His horsanality was quiet, polite and kind. The opposite of the big red attention hog that is always shoving Blue aside and chasing him around.

But I have noticed as they rear and play and push each other, that sometimes Blue wins the game of "I CAN make you move" and Thunder will lope away. Not for long though as he will come back to reclaim his spot and they continue their King of the hill game.

I've always felt that underneath that sleepy exterior of Blue's is a fire that just smolders. I knew one day the spark would turn to a flame of it's own. And this spring, Blue has woke up! After a long trot to the top of the hill he struts and there is a "nanner nanner" in there trying to get out. Blue is far from finished. He is just warming up and looking for more to do. He is almost 7, looks fit and racy, and he wants to go! With a sling of his head he says "Turn me loose." Blue dances in the middle of the trail, his butt bouncing in the air with enthusiasm. And when all that didn't work he decided it was time for a lively game of kick the dog! All this after about 9 miles. Yup the boy definitely needs some serious miles!

Attitude! "I'm tough! I can do anything!" As Blue comes into his own it'll be fun - providing I stay on. ☺