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!

Silver City or Bust!

Here is a picture of Tammy & I in front of the Idaho Hotel and Bar, built in 1866, in Silver City.

Last weekend we trailered part way up to Silver City then rode up 4 wheel drive and bike tracks into Silver City. The off road route took us by old cabins and mine shafts to Linehan Flat, past Webfoot and to Jordan Creek, then into town. It was like riding through a time machine back into the old west. "Silver" is an old mining town from the late 1800's that once had a population over 10,000. Now only a handful of the old buildings still stand. Some are being restored. One of the gals riding with us, Dani, has a house up there and that's where we stayed. No dirt camping for us! The horses had a big corral with trees, we barbq'd and had a wonderful adventure exploring Silver. We went all around town, checking out the old buildings and the cemetary, taking in the flavor of the old west. Then Sunday morning we traveled out a different path up War Eagle, past a lot of old mines, cabins, tailing piles and topping out with a view that was unmatched anywhere! After that I think it was downhill all the way back to the trailers. What a great ride and adventure! I sure am lucky to have adventurous friends!

BOGUS BASIN

Last Saturday, July 5, we went up to Bogus Basin, NE of Boise to ride. The road gets pretty windy and steep for about 13 miles. We dodged bicyclists all the way up to the parking area near Schafer Butte. We rode for several hours, enjoying the pine trees and shaded areas and beautiful vistas from the hill tops. It was a very clear day and you could see forever! It was different riding alongside the ski lifts. We had to backtrack several times because our logging tracks ended and the brush was too thick to try to figure out where to go. One track ended about 100 yards from the cat tracks that we needed to take us back. It was getting late and no way was I turning around. It was 50 very steep yards then it was just uphill, but I led Hollie up. Josette sent Roseanna up behind me. They're tough and I sure didn't feel like trying to figure out how else to get back to Schafer from there if we had to back track again! Luckily we found a couple springs with water for the horses. I couldn't resist a picture with this sign "Last Chance", it just seemed so appropriate. What a great ride, hope we get to do it again!