Take Me to the River ~

Weather !!  working around this unpredictable natural event has been tricky !!  I see many of you riding these past few days in the rain.. with a gentle pitter-patter in the woods. Not so here -- half my driveway/road is in the fields.. due to heavy downpours. As Susan posted..  we won't melt :) But, Last Wednesday.. during our two days of 100 degree weather -- we might have melted then :)  The sun of course was glorious -- Thankfully, Wednesday, the day of this trip to the river, was  accompanied by enough breeze so no one suffered :)

We trotted past the little airport - along the fence, to the floodplains.  Keri and Teasel were excited -- they must have known we were headed for a cooling swim.

We reach the first view of the floodplains here.

We stop for a minute to re-apply our lavender oil - which we have discovered works perfectly for the deer fly and other nasty bugs. The oil base helps keep it on even with the sweating.

Keri gets some on her ears.

Surrounding views as we trot along the fields of the floodplains.

We are headed to the powerdam first... there's the opening for the trail next to the dead tree.

Last time we were here -- everything was ice-bound. Zoe and I posted photo's of the dam frozen over.

This is the first time we have ever climbed down onto the little 'beach' area.  There is a set of stones and rock built in like steps.. At first the horses did not want to try -- but we insisted. We took a brief swim here - these falls are very loud.

Time to head to the real destination... the river and deep water.

Here we are... after the hot trot to get here, this water is a true reward.

Does this boy look relaxed and happy ?  T loves water.

We spent quite a bit of time walking up the river looking for more deep spots.

You can see someone has a foggy lens... with the humidity and being surrounded by water -- the camera suffers a bit.

I think it was last year that Keri and I were exactly in this spot and Zoe vidoe'd us getting carried away by the current. It was much earlier in the year - as last year summer arrived early- and the water level was higher and the current strong.

Every now and then we'd climb on one of the many islands in the middle of the river. 

Sometimes, when we saw an island -- we'd each choose a different side to travel.  Here's the T man coming out from his side... keeps the horses on their toes to be separated and re-joined :)

Still walking upstream.. looking for another swim spot.



We have actually never been this far upstream before.. what a pretty spot.

Keri and I have to show off for the camera -- then we take turns documenting our swim :)






please excuse the MANY photo's -- we had so much fun I just have to share the whole experience :)

Next trip-- we are going to allow for more time and return to this spot --  we might even reverse the route and enter the river further upstream from this point at the other dam which forms the large man made lake - Stoughton Pond.  

Time to head back downstream and home.   Sometimes when the water is higher and over our saddles.. the trot home is squishy. Today -- just water sloshing in our boots.

So beautiful ! 

Here's the little exit up to the trail on the other side of the river.  We chose to ride home on the shadier side.

This is also the high side.. which gives a nice view of the river looking down. The banks are steep here.

From here the trail climbs up into the woods. I have to add the farewell view of the river ..

Then we exit out into the North Springfield dam area.

Looking back

from the dam - we look out ..  waaaay down there around the corner is where we were.

Back out onto the roads

As you all know, next to river walking -- Keri loves the sidewalk.

Once we reach the back dirt roads -- we find one more place to cool off for a minute -- then it's trot and canter home.


What a refreshing trip -- can't wait to repeat it :)




Betsy, Keri, Zoe and Teasel in Vermont