Val's big adventure

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:22 pm

Well, not REALLY big but still...

My best friend's daughter and sister have been after me to come up

for about a year and a half. (Since my friend's memorial) Well a couple

weeks ago, I finally said to heck with it I'm going. I gave them a few

dates, and this Saturday worked for all of us.

They are taking me horseback riding in the Sierras!! It's supposed to

be really hot (which I LOVE!!) and I'm going to be on a really big black

horse named Zephyr. Not sure how many hands, but when we set it

up, they both told me to practice my leg stretches!

I'm taking my

saddle, it's good size but if it isn't comfy for him, they have saddles

there I can use.

I'm only going for the day, I want to be back to help with Tamsen's

needs, but I am so looking forward to it.

I went through some boxes of ribbons, and picked out one for each

of them, my friend and I won them in 1973!!

We got first

place in something called Pony Express race, it was a relay where

we handed off a set of saddle bags. I really don't know how

nostalgic Jerusha and Lynn are, but I wanted them to have these,

I'm not sure if Laurie ever kept any.

Anyway, I'm planning on taking the digi, and maybe just maybe I'll

bore you all with some pics when I get back!!

:-6

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:29 pm

Oh you better post some pics of that!! I want to get a look at Zephyr, too!! A stallion, or do you know yet?

I'm so excited for you Val, it sounds like you're going to have a wonderful day!! Damn, it's been years since I've been on a horse. What fun!!! Have a great day, and take LOTS of pictures!! :yh_dance :yh_dance

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:38 pm

BabyRider wrote: Oh you better post some pics of that!! I want to get a look at Zephyr, too!! A stallion, or do you know yet?

I'm so excited for you Val, it sounds like you're going to have a wonderful day!! Damn, it's been years since I've been on a horse. What fun!!! Have a great day, and take LOTS of pictures!! :yh_dance :yh_dance

You know, I didn't think to ask!! Jerusha rides a 21 year old Arab stallion

but Zephyr is Lynn's horse and she kept saying HE so I dunno.

It was funny, Jerusha kept trying to get out of me what I was "up for"

'cause I guess she's still a little unsure of my capabilities. "Sometimes

Lynn and I like to CANTER"...

She's sweet. I've never actually

ridden with her, and when I rode with Lynn it was years ago. My friend

Laurie had lupus and was on steroids for many years and hadn't ridden

for years before she died. It was always my plan to win the lotto and get

a nice horse and buggy so she and I could go driving... :-1

I miss Laurie so much, but it will be nice to have her daughter and sister

there 'cause we all feel pretty much the same and we can talk about

Laurie a lot!

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:58 pm

Val, you will have a lovely time sound like so much fun, yes pictures please.

Enjoy your big adventure..

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:08 pm

Have a great day out, Valerie!!!!

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:49 am

Enjoy yourself.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:58 am

Hope you have a blast, Val:)

jbbarker1947 · Post by **jbbarker1947** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 12:35 pm

Send pictures!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:23 pm

Lots of pics of you and the horsies!:)

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:04 am

Have a blast Val, enjoy, & do take pix!!:)

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:58 am

That sounds like a great day Val. I hope you have a blast !!!

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:46 pm

Val, So . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .:p

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:50 pm

Wake up Val we need an update on your adventure..:-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 6:30 pm

Horsie pics! please!:)

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:00 pm

I didn't get too many pics... but I will probably get them up tomorrow.

(I need a little help and don't want to ask just yet!

)

It was a beautiful, beautiful day. I don't have enough superlatives to

really describe it. I left here about 7, it's 2 1/2 hour drive. Warm, then

hot, dry weather, and the mountains had that peaceful air that just

surrounded me. My horse was the best I've been on in YEARS. Thank

goodness there were some flat boulders at the place we went, I used

them to get on, and he stood stock still next to the boulder for me. He

did a little of the dancing gait for about the first 20 mins, and then

when he learned he had experience on his back, he settled right down.

I would give him a correction at first, but after he settled down, he

needed no more and I rode with hands down and quiet and loose rein.

Another really nice thing was being confidant in Jerusha and Lynn, and

so I could be comfortable and not worry about them. We rode for 4 1/2

hours, I am a teense sore but not bad, I got up this morning and did a

short (2 mile) walk to warm my muscles up, and all my sit-ups and push-ups.

After we got back, Lynn dropped Jerusha and I and her horse off, went

to drop off her 2, and then we all decide to meet for pizza. We went

to pick up Jerusha's little boy, the kid is a budding Nomad, I swear.

He is only 4 years old but had Jerusha and I in stitches. I actually played

rock paper scissors with him, his idea, and when he got paper and I got

scissors he pushed his little hand forward so I could "cut" the paper

with my scissors!! I could have just SQUISHED him.

I got to have my favorite weather of all, especially after the sun went

down, in the mid-80's but with no sun, just feels GREAT.

Lynn said "Open invitation" to come back whenever I want.

(Jerusha's little boy Wyatt wants me to have a SLEEPOVER!!) :-4

I didn't make it home until 11 but I was sure tired and happy...

Heavy sigh...

P.S. The ribbons I took up that my friend Laurie and I won (33 years

ago!!) were a big hit, neither of them could believe I still had them,

and we all got a little teary... but the good kind.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:38 am

I am SO glad you had a wonderful day Val. Strive for more, these special meetings are something to treasure. :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:17 am

What a dreamy day! You must do it more often, you had such fun!

cars · Post by **cars** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:25 am

Sounds like a wouderful time Val, it's good you enjoyed yourself!

Why not take Wyatt up on the invitation for a Sleepover!?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:59 am

Val, next time you go, call me. I will find a way, somehow to get there. I haven't been on a horse in years, and all the riding stables around here are full of passive, plodding old farm horses. Nothing with any spirit.

I'd sell Bullet's bike to get there! :yh_rotfl