Hiya Darlin',
A decent night sleep except a bad dream just before I woke up, doesn't happen often, but it was pretty stressful! After breakfast and chores, I planned a route to ride one of the few trails I hadn't done yet, the Wildlife Trail, then saddled up Flash with the new saddle, now fully equipped with breast collar, saddle bags and a solution to the "lack of horn" issue, and also put his boots on, and off we went! After the first mile, we came through an area that looked like it had been ravaged in a storm, and I heard a chainsaw going on one side of the trail and a piece of heavy equipment on the other (I had also heard that some logging may be going on somewhere), but eventually left that behind. I followed the blue loop for awhile until it was time to cross the road onto the green loop, where it was much quieter and more natural and old growth. I had honestly forgotten just how hilly and steep this forest was, almost mountainous in it's switchbacks and steep drops, but as always, Flash was his usual brilliant self! It finally flattened out a bit on the Wildlife trail, which almost paralleled the interstate, so it was a lot noisier there, and there was a pair of trees down at one point that looked like they had fallen quite recently, since the leaves were hardly wilted, but I managed to get around them. The return loop wasn't quite as steep most of the way, not until the end, but it was a great workout for Flash! These hills made the ones at Biltmore seem tiny! Good for him to build up his strength, though, he's been a flatlander too long! As you know, we go through this every year, so nothing new, just another year older. Ended up reaching camp right at 12 miles, so a very good ride. Got him rinsed down and put away, rested for a bit, then took Lola for about a half mile walk. Not far, I know, but I'll make it up to her tomorrow. Settled down for the evening, satisfied with another gorgeous day out in nature! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!
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