Mother's Day Ride

Sunday turned out to be a lovely day and Zoe and I had a relaxing trot out - over Mount Ephraim, down through Dutton District and back through a winding woods trail. The weather was a bit undecided, so it was on with the sweatshirt, then off again -- but a delightful change from what we've been served up lately by Mother Nature. Keri and Mister 'T' were the silly team of the day. 

On our way to capture our mounts I had to snap this photo of springtime represented well in a yellow flurry of daffodils.

Keri felt like she wanted to be in the lead for a bit -- our traditional stream stroll here.. along the side of the trail.

In case you are wondering -- I chopped off her mane after our last ride -- too hot and sweaty with lots of traveling. it's not super beautiful but cooler.

We walked up a few little waterfalls. Keri was fussing some about the need for listening and precision -- but it was a positive "schooling' opportunity :)

This is a snowmobile trail, so the gates are closed when the season is over. However- as we progressed further - we found... lots of new gates.. all closed and I could have named this post -- Gated Day.  Most of them were easy to circumvent.

The horses don't mind climbing stone walls.

Someone has been up here doing a lot of work on this old road.  This big gate is brand new since we've been up here. As we approach it -- we see, whomever put the gate up made it impossible to get around it... boulders along the sides, huge deep ditches...   we study the situation -- duck under the excavator arm and bucket -- head into the woods along the side watching for a way through.

We do eventually find our way back out onto the main trail/road.  But I think from now on -- we'll come in from a different direction and pass by another gate which is a lot easier to get around.

we trot close to the top of the mountain where we get a little view. Today - we are heading down the backside - so we won't trot to the very top.

Once out into what's called Dutton District ( the Dutton family had a large farm here forever)... we trotted down the road for a bit to get onto what we call the Grover Road trail. One of our favorites for trotting and cantering- it's a narrow winding trail which dips up and down with several streams to cross. It's a fun trail.  

Springtime has a firmer grip here in Dutton District.. lots warmer, more leaves on the trees and all the forsythia is in full bloom.   This view is looking out into New Hampshire.





 it was a great day for a ride out -- as always, an enjoyable way to spend our special day :)



Betsy, Zoe, Keri and Teasel, in the saddle,  in Vermont