A True Spring Day !

Yesterday, we rode in T-shirts !! What a great day-- After lessons and before Zoe has to meet her children at the bus-- we had a brief window of trotting time and we intended to just do our 6 mile loop. I saddled up Keri and Zoe grabbed OYY Ivan. We had our first obstacles of the day before we even left the yard.

The excavator is here- putting in telephone poles so I can make some sturdy gateways and bar-ways here and there.. burying them more than 5 feet down which is more than I could ever manage. Here, the big digging machine is loading the poles into the trailer to take them across the street.

Since April is the 'Month of Obstacles' , we are always on the look out for any little hurdles or obstructions which will qualify :)

Just a little way down the drive-- Sophie the pig is scouting out grubs and shoots of greenery.

And the ducks are back in the little pond- sometimes they fly up when we ride by, which could precipitate a minor spook- but today they are lazily waddling away.

Back roads are still pretty muddy. I am thankful I don't live out this far-- I'd hate to have to travel this in my car. As we trot a little further, we hear the trail calling... and see there has been enough melting so we can get up and over the snowbank blocking our nearest favorite trail-- so we abandon the road loop for something more beautiful.

We ride through shadows and sun~

clear trail and deep snow.

Sometimes Keri is the leader- other times brave Ivan. We find lots of meltwater and brooks.

We pass by the little beaver pond,

come out into the field and trot home.

Just for fun- we try the stone steps in the backyard..

Too easy !

I hope spring has arrived wherever you may be and you are enjoying it ! I think the only negative sign of spring I ran into today was several whirling bunches of blackflies--