Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snowstorming It in Maine!

Since we are in the midst of a big storm and I am working out of my house, my schedule is my own today, so I copy-catted Betsy and Zoe and headed out into the weather! We posed for pictures in the driveway.

AhD and I had our usual entourage.

Didder was a bit hesitant and questioning, but had a good attitude heading out into the storm. On the other hand, ten minutes into it I was questioning my sanity. My cheeks and chin were frozen by the flying snowflakes and biting wind. Betsy and Zoe have a lot more guts and toughness than me! By the time we entered the back trail, I wasn’t the only one questioning my sanity. AhD became recalcitrant and stopped. I think the letters wtf were floating through his mind, and they didn’t have anything to do with winning the future. I just bided my time and stayed happy and relaxed. After a while, I convinced him that, yes, I DID want him to go out in this weather, and he actually recovered his former attitude!! :) What a good boy!

We ducked under hemlocks laded with snow and got covered. AhD has a snow mustache.

I figured the deer would be hunkering down in the trees awaiting the end of the storm, and sure enough, we scared up four of them! I wanted to get a picture as they sailed away behind us, but Didder was all jittery, so I thought two hands on the reins was necessary. The dogs just stood there, smiling at us, tails a-wagging and tongues a-panting. They never even noticed the deer bounding less than 30' behind them. Sometimes I wonder about them. I wish they would ignore porcupines the way they ignore deer.

I convinced Didsy to backtrack to see where the deer had crossed our trail. He wasn’t too sure, but he listened. Again, what a good boy!

I didn’t dare get out into the road for the last leg of our journey until a plow truck passed by. I thought I could hear one, and didn’t have long to wait. There is actually a huge plow truck in all that swirling snow.

Now look at who has a snow mustache!Back to work! ~ Susan and Didder in Maine

13 comments:

  1. Susan!! What you have to remember is that Zoe & Betsy ride together in weather like this and that always helps a horse stay relaxed...AND I believe they went just PRIOR to the blizzard. You silly girl..you are freakin me out! LOL. The last thing I want to see is someone get hurt..so please be CAREFUL, ya hear? No one here has anything they need to prove...being inspired is good, but SAFETY first and something that little gut feeling could be what saves you from a terrible incident. Having said all of that, to insure others hear my counsel (smile), I am really glad you got back safe and sound!! The storm completely missed us but we did have a nice gusty wind..with brilliant blue skies..it was lovely today.

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  2. No worries! My gut feeling was saying, "COOL!" not "uh-oh." I had my cell as usual, and my husband and kids were home due to the storm, so I had a better than usual safety net. :) I was thrilled I had the opportunity to experience the storm on the back of my handsome Curly guy! Sorry I freaked you out, but I had FUN!!! ;)

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  3. You're a brave one, indeed! But there's nothing to say I won't try that one day! I love all your pictures. Stay warm!

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  4. I am glad, Susan. We don't want anything to happen to our "Best 2010 Curly Promoter!!" =] As you know, I am a huge supporter of people trying new things and challenging yourself and each other..I just want to make sure that anyone else reading won't just go out and "try this at home" if their horse isn't ready or they feel any hesitation. I believe every small success is worth celebrating!

    I am happy for you that your ride was such a success.

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  5. Thank you for your post, it really made me laugh LOL. I can relate that "wtf look" to many horses I have ridden. They always look like "are you serious!?", I say "yes!" and they shake their head and I can almost hear them saying "alright you crazy lady". I can't believe all you ladies are braving the storm and going riding!!! Cudos to you :)

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  6. I have to echo Anastasia! I love the wtf or the birdie that horses can give and we humans think we have a corner on this. AND I am not sure if it Kudos to all you carzy ladies or perhaps a sanity check but I DO admire all your guts and courage.
    We have broken out of the deeeeep freeze but I hear it is headed east so all be safe and stay warm and know I will be thinking of you!
    Ellen cheyenne, wy

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  7. tjeee Susan are you out of your mind?? *lol* I absolutly LOVE your adventures and I was actualy telling about you to my husband today...and now I see this!!
    But like Denise said be carefull tssss I can't still believe you did that. I can do it with my horse Spirit he can look like that too but no curly's are ready for that YET....and me? hmmm I am not so sure hahaha Like winter better then hot weather but you.....omg

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  8. Susaaaannnnnnnnnnnnn!!!! LLLOLLL Weather looked totally like yours here today! What an awsome adventure!!!! I ROLLED when I read the WTF was floating between Didders Ears!!! I Love how they so very clearly communicate with us!!! Im so glad the whole adventure had no emergencies..and what a wonderful memory!!!

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  9. You chaps across the pond are putting me to shame!!!! Im such a big wuss, tbh we never get that kind of weather over here and im sure for you guys its part of the norm. Well done thou, great pics.

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  10. Wow what a lot of snow. I see so many snow pictures and here the weather is getting warmer again this weekend (10 degrees C)
    The snow mustache is cute!

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  11. Anastasia, you hit the nail on the head better than I did with the "Are you SERIOUS?!" - that's the expression! :) And for all your ladies who think I have guts and courage, thank you, but I wasn't scared so I don't qualify for the "courage" label for this ride. To me, courage is when you are scared but you do it anyway. It WAS an adventure, though! I loved how AhD questioned me BUT did what I asked. We are so much better together now than before.

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  12. NAH I love the WTF comment!! And about this ride - I have to say - WAY TO GO!! I get the feeling that by the end of this ride you and Didder were even closer in your bond. It takes a lot of a horse to do that and he pulled through with flying colours!! I'm proud of him and he isn't even mine! Congrats Susan!

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  13. Huh how cool is that?! (really cool, eh?^^). Again you are blessed having such a great landscape to ride in and such a great horse to ride on^^

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