A seventeenth I know: so that e'en the shy maiden
is slow to shun my love.
Håvamål 161
The Song of Spells
"A better burden can no man bear
on the way than his mother wit;
'tis the refuge of the poor, and richer it seems
than wealth in a world untried."
Håvamål 10
Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests
Meadow Riders
"Fed and washed should one ride to court
though in garments none too new;
thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks,
nor yet for a sorry steed."
Håvamål
Welcome. You must like horses, too. Come along, then, for a great trail ride. The pictures sat around for too long, so it's time to relive the moments.
I told about A-P Ranch Western Guest Ranch, a wonderful Western Guest Ranch near Merritt, British Columbia, Canada, in A Ride in the Forest.
They offer trail rides of various durations. I went out with them first on a short ride and then came back for more.
This time the ride was longer with a packed lunch and the trail left the woods for some spectacular scenery. The day was pleasant and...
Well, let's let the pictures lead the story.
Things were a bit more quiet the day I came by for a little more ambitious outing than earlier. Nelson, one of the owner's sons, was ready to take us out. He brought his own mount out first with his side kick, Buck the trail dog, scooting out of the barn anxious not to be left out of the fun.
This beautiful horse is not a young animal, but still going strong. Nelson told us something else: the horse had never been shod.
It was a warm day with a gentle wind fanning us and just enough clouds to keep the sun from sizzling. It was quite pleasant hanging around the corral, getting to know the horses and chit-chatting with the wranglers.
Jessica, our wrangler from the previous ride, brought our lunches and lent a helping hand with the saddles and tack.
All the gear and facilities at the ranch were in top condition. The tack room speaks for itself: not a thing out of place and everything in good order.
They also have a collection of western boots so I found a pair that fit and put my sneakers aside for the duration. I don't care much for walking in such boots, but they are great for riding. The pointed toes really do make it easier to get the feet in the stirrups.
A true cowboy never dismounts for trifles. Gates are generally navigated from the saddle. I suppose the horses learn the drill pretty quick, but it's neat to watch how effortlessly it can be done. Nelson showed us how, smooth as silk.
Up the trail from the gate, we spotted a couple of mule deer does feeding in a clearing. They were almost completely camouflaged, but their flicking ears and tails gave them away. They saw us before we saw them, of course, but didn't seem to mind. They were still there when we disappeared round the next bend.
That was not all. Shortly after, we were moving up a little switch-back stretch and Nelson pointed down a side trail. There, standing in the middle of the trail was a little black bear. He was moving his nose about trying to get our scent and learn what was in front of him. Apparently he didn't like what his nose told him because he turned around and trundled off into the bushes.
The trail led us up and out of the trees and we started winding our way though tall grass and wild flowers. I dropped back a little to get some pictures. Our horses were pretty well behaved and not quite so prone to drop their heads for trail side snacks as those on the previous time.
Nelson's was a steady strider and that set the pace for the rest of us. The horses like to stay together so if one makes tracks, the others soon follow eager to catch up.
Slowly but surely the trail eased off to level and we rode into a large, beautiful meadow. At the centre was a truly magnificent old pine tree. It spread its branches heaven wards as if saying "This is my land, my kingdom"
That old tree is like a magnet for the spirit, it draws you near. You can't help yourself but want to get close, sit in its shadow and smell the scent of pine sap and meadow flowers on the air. And maybe lose yourself in a dream.
Nelson showed us to a small corral in an aspen stand. The horses knew what was going on and almost looked like they had their favourite spots.
Ranch horses and trail horses need to be relied on to stay put with minimal tie downs. Mostly it works, but not always. One of the horses was a true escape artist and Nelson just let him lose. The horse wouldn't usually go very far and this way was easier on horses, equipment, corral and people.
Still, the horse managed to get one of the stirrups hooked over the end of one of the corral beams which could have caused some excitement if Nelson hadn't spotted it in time.
Here's trail dog Buck taking a lunch break with us. Buck was a very well behaved dog of uncertain pedigree and didn't beg much during lunch. Someone gave him a cookie which he promptly buried right there and then. Made me wonder if there wasn't a tiny bit of squirrel in him under all that thick fur.
The ubiquitous Whiskey Jacks were never far away, so maybe they figured out what Buck had done and partied once we were gone.
We had been sitting on a little bench made from a plank nailed to two small logs. As I got up, the whole thing became unbalanced and two people slid off as if on an off-balance see-saw. I didn't think I had eaten that much...
Lunch over, we started getting back in the saddle again. The tall aspen trees made a great backdrop. Aspen are neat looking trees and their leaves tremble easily for the slightest wind. In among the aspen, you're always in a constant background sound of rustling leaves. A very soothing sound.
My horse, Richard - Dick among friends - and I were starting to get along famously and decided to check out the view while Nelson went to get the escape artist.
The view was marvelous. The whole valley was laid out before us. I could see hawks working the side hill and a raven making a beeline for I don't know what.
Even the horse seemed to enjoy it. Of course, Dick may have had his attention on other things. After all, he was walking around in his food.
The trail from the meadow brought us back into the trees again. Here we're taking a short break in a clearing. Dick is snackin' and the Norseman is grinnin'. Never had to use that slicker tied to the saddle. Looks like things were working out mighty fine...
For a stretch, we ambled along an old carriage track. I was just enjoying myself and not paying a lot of attention to Nelson who was starting to open up a bit of space.
Buck kept scooting around checking out this and that and sometimes sidled back to get our attention. He didn't like dawdlers, that was clear. I got the point. I speak dog from way back...
Lower down, Nelson took us through a little side trail with tall, damp grass and spindly, dead aspens. Bit of a contrast to the dry, airy vistas we had passed through earlier.
Shortly the trail turned onto one of the ranch roads where we spooked a big deer. I caught a flash of it and could hear it disappearing through the bushes. With great leaps and considerable agility, it was gone like a ghost.
What a day it had been. A fun horse to ride, great trails and the wildlife, well what can I say. Just so much to see and enjoy.
Bye all, see you again one day!
If you want a nice ride with great people and a terrific terrain, I recommend A-P Ranch Western Guest Ranch
Tell 'em the Digital Norseman sent you.
