Just Me and Marie

I had considered riding with Susie and Barbara today as I have not seen Barbara in ages. But, I did not get up early enough to do the trailer hook up routine and meet them on time. So, I took it easy this morning, then headed out a little after noon time. I took my time and gave Marie a good grooming. She was pretty grubby from our ride yesterday still. I put on her boots, saddled up and off we went. I didn't have any real solid plan in mind other than wanting to go out to Tarr's Mill and see how low the water was. I took the main trail right to Tarr's Mill and tied Marie up at the top of the hill that looks over the East Cathance Stream as I wanted to do some exploring on foot down by the stream. I just started down over the hill when I looked back to check on Marie and saw she had rubbed her bridle part way off. She's famous for doing that so I quickly went back and put the bridle back on.

Once I had Marie all set and she seemed to be done rubbing on the tree, I went back down to the stream and walked around a bit. The water is just so incredibly low with the drought we are having this year. I've never see it like this in the 29 years I've lived here. I went back up the hill and got on Marie and rode her down to the stream and we rode down the stream bed to the dam. That's when I realized I'd left my fly whisk where I'd tied her up. So we rode up the hill by the dam and I circled back to retrieve my whisk. I went back to the pipe line and took a left to explore down that way. There were some ATV tracks to follow. I've been that way before but couldn't get far without running into a questionable swampy area. I was curious if it would be dry enough to cross. It was and I was able to go quite a ways before running into a really good sized swampy area that even in this drought, was wet enough still to stop any forward progress so I turned around and went back to Tarr's Mill and then headed home. I explored a few more side trails that I knew were dead ends but you never know when a new trail gets put through by the ATV riders. They were still all dead ends but nice riding nonetheless.

It was just such an absolutely lovely day. Warm and sunny with a light breeze. The air had that wonderful fall smell and with the leaves turning color and no one else out in the woods to disturb the quiet. And to be blessed with a horse that is as steady and trustworthy out alone as my wonderful Marie. I wanted to stay out there forever. I took my time and rode fairly slow with just few short canters and a bit of trotting. I was out 3 1/2 hrs. and did 9 mile.