Point Reyes, California Part 2

The way was very well marked and there is a very large network of trails in this park. Hikers, bikers and equestrians with no motorized vehicles allowed. Many of the trails are for horses and bicycles only. We started at the Five Brooks Trail Head 6.0 miles ago and at this point it was 0.7 miles to get to Wildcat Camp on the beach.

The trail is drying out, the trees are further apart and the sunshine was streaming through.

We've reached the summit of our climb through the wet rain forest surroundings, and catch our first glimpse of the ocean. The narrow, slick-with-mud, steep trails were now behind us. I was giddy with anticipation......

We frequently dismount on rides to give the horses a break, especially on the steeper down hill trails. The horses seem to enjoy it and we get to stretch out our tired limbs and rest that part that sits on the hard leather seat. This was long, tough ride and we all appreciated the breaks.

Just zooming in on the coast ahead and below. My focus and settings aren't that great on the trails, most of the time it's get out the camera and shoot fast while my mare is walking along.

Cheyenne kept wanting to look out to sea, his mane blowing and his nostrils flaring. The blues were incredible but I haven't taken the time to adjust the color on this picture.

The remainder of the ride to the coast is along this two track dirt road. There is a camping site next to the beach that folks can hike into and the road is used by the Rangers to service the outhouses and check the campground daily. The road runs the entire way but it is a much more scenic route to ride or hike the trails.

Steep switch backs take us lower quickly. It is dry and windy, and the vegetation is completely different on this furthest west slope of these coastal mountains

Here we are, finally at sea level. It was lovely.

One last bit of narrow, steep path, just a few steps from the sand and the Pacific Ocean.



To be continued............

Point Reyes, California, Part 3, The Pacific Coast

We made it! Tracks tell that we weren't the first riders on the beach that afternoon.

Our destination, the Pacific Coast. The waves were high, the wind blowing and the roar of the surf constant. Both horses were on high alert.

First close-up look at the big noisy ocean.



Once she figured out the waves weren't attacking, she focused her attention on the globs of kelp littering the sand.







As we s l o w l y walked aong the beach, my mare kept watch between the waves, the kelp and the small rocks that tumbled down the cliffs beside us. Horses point their ears in the direction of their interest, her ears were spinning like little wind mills. I did not take bunches of pictures, there was the greater need to use all of my skill to keep my hot, red-headed, firecracker of a horse between my legs!

It was a great time.
I think I need to return to this sweet place.

HAPPY TRAILS!

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...........