Golden California

The Toms are out and about, displaying and searching for the Hens. Their tail feathers fan in splendid display, eager to win over the girls in the courtship rituals or perhaps to intimidate the rival, less endowed males. I continue my attempts to capture a Tom in his full glory, but my presence seems to dampen the mood and they wilt away....

Ah, California, the Golden State. I once believed that the 'golden' referred to the rich history of the Gold Rush Days, or maybe the golden opportunities presented, but..... as the scenery above sadly illustrates, 'gold' is merely a fancy Californian term for 'dead brown'. The gold creeps from the valley floor, climbs the rocky foot hills, taints the forested hills and canyons, finally to reach the high Sierra. It is a gradual but profound change. We will see no rain from May until October. Sometimes just a sprinkle to tease us into giddiness, but not enough to quench the earth's thirst.

Sunday after Church we trailered the horses down the grade to a wonderful old cattle ranch which had been purchased as a park for equestrians, hikers and bicyclists. It is beautiful, already turning California golden. We don't ride this park much in the summer due to the scorching heat. The trails meander along the American River, mostly high on the hills overlooking the river. In a few areas, the trail meets the river's edge where one can refresh and splash in the water. This particular trail ride was a short one hour ride....

And you thought only cars could get flat tires???? Cheyenne had a very loose, twisted shoe. Jerry, cowboy that he is, carries his farrier supplies in the horse trailer. He pulled the shoe, pounded it back into shape on his anvil, trimmed Cheyenne's hoof and replaced the shoe.

Four nails into each side of the shoe, through the hoof, tightened down and good as new.

The 'flat' shortened our trail ride, but we made it to our next adventure on horseback in plenty of time

to be continued...........