Wordless Wednesday

New Horizons

This past weekend, the mare and I set out for some new horizons we could ride to, without using a trailer.

We have trailered to these area's before; to ride the vast service roads to thousands and thousands of managed forest lands. They are but a few miles away from my barn.

We had not attempted to ride there... just to the nearby "Trails Shangrila". BUT-Those  trails are far too wet and sloppy to get to now...so to be able to reach these service roads,  we had a small amount of our own local roads to ride. 

I never like to ride on roads, a certain amount of common sense foreboding to doing it for me....back country, speeding vehicles, and sometimes-low visibility for them-before they see us!

Of course, I ride prepared with Flashing lights on my helmet, blinking red lights, on the back of my saddle, my very bright neon road service vest, with glowing reflection strips on it.  I try to be smart about it.

This time too...it was Super Bowl Sunday...nobody was out!

It is gorgeous out there!

You can see three mountains, when it not overcast as it was for most of my ride.

I left the barn at 1:30pm....arrived to the first main road into the Forest lands at 2:30pm. We made great time...We trotted and cantered a little, where we could. The mare was so darned fresh from the start(trying to buck in our driveway!) I knew this ride would be perfect for her..NEW and long!

It was COLD...in the shade I noticed FROST on my mare's face, just below her eye!!!

We had a very nice time out there solo this day.

AND

It did get sunny by 3:30 PM, as we started to head for the front gate to the properties.

The nice thing is...we head west to go home on most our rides and so- yea....it is the best to always be...... wait for it........Riding Into the Sunset!

Home by 5pm

No ROLLKUR

PLEASE visit Grey Horse Matters to read about this unfortunate and inhumane riding practice. She ( and many others on my blog roll) has links to videos of it being used, should you not be familiar.
 I am praying very hard that intervention comes swiftly for all lovely horses!

Shadow Shot Sunday Rider

Little by little, the sunshine has appeared itself  here in the West...emerging from the overcast days.

I don't care what that little bugger of a groundhog said....we can hang onto hope can't we!

To go view other's light and bright shadow shots...Click  here HEY HARRIET ~

Sunday Stills Salsa

Now how fun is this!  Ed , our underwriter of "SUNDAY STILLS", has Chosen "Hot sauces" or "SALSA" to be the focus of our cameras this week.
I realize that this could be dancing, or the tremendously popular condiment I found out began in the 1500's. The Aztecs, Mayans and Incas contributed firstly to it's development.
All I know from there is- we love it in our household and next year, wish to have a garden to make it ourselves...till then, enjoy these pics of what we now consume for Salsa-the condiment.

This handily packaged grouping came from our local "Baja Fresh"  healthy fast food place.

 Salsa is truly one of mans best creations- from nature!

This salsa was home made and gifted to us. It had so much garlic in it, it's a wonder the cat even sat on our laps!

I found this one at a local grocery store..and we really love it's taste. It is made here, in Portland, Oregon!

Now Salsa dancing is another multi -origin favorite!
This was a painting on a wall of a Mexican dining facility. It was so pretty, I moved plants and a table to get the shot of it before the waitress came back!

Viva la Variedad,

Viva la Salsa!

Do have some Feisty fun and visit others Unique views of the world famous dance/condiment, by

 CLICLKING the TITLE!

It'll give you a SMILE

Please go on over to DI's place at Le Puy and watch a really cute and cool video has she...a horse agility course~
It puts a bit of a twist on Natural Horsemanship! Maybe this is what I should do to get into shape!!! It looks to be a workout!
Have fun..it made my husbands night to see the guy!