Hey Sweetie!
At the party last night, I met a woman from Maine who winters down here, a former endurance rider, and we decided to try to ride together today. I needed a little catalyst to get me going, since I'm still really tired from all the activity last week, but I just can't let Flash sit much longer, so we agreed to meet over at the Black Prong trailhead at 10:00. I was a few minutes late, darn it, but we weren't long leaving, so we headed out pretty quick. I decided to do some of the northern trails backwards from how I usually do them, so we started by crossing the street and going along 337 for a bit. We chatted and got to know each other, and was grateful her horse, though not gaited, moved out really well, so she and Flash were matched. Amazingly, Flash didn't feel compelled to be in front of her, which was astonishing! They went side by side walking for the first couple of miles, calm as could be. After we crossed back over the road, we started to pick up speed, and I gotta tell you, it was an absolute delight to ride with someone as enthusiastic about speed as I am! We gaited/trotted for a long way, again, side by side as if they were a matched team, despite their extreme breed differences and the fact the trails were just wide enough for two. Of course, we had to slow down for some areas that were torn up, but then we got a lovely section, and I mentioned it was a nice place to canter, so we took off and again, cantered/galloped side by side the whole way! What a fantastic ride! We saw a baby alligator about 3' long out on the green trail, and I saw a gopher turtle on the trail next to Helen's house. Nice to see some wildlife. We finally got back to the trailhead, got them some water, chatted a bit more, and then I went on my way home, completing a nearly 13 mile ride. I couldn't believe how well Flash did! He always pushed to be out front, but not today! Wonderful! Well, enough superlatives... Got back, rinsed him off and put him away, then started pulling out all my sewer hoses, plus the one Chelle lent me yesterday, to see if I had enough to reach her sewer trap. Alas, I was short about 10 feet, so I got online and ordered another 15' section, to arrive tomorrow. Gotta love Amazon! By then my energy was petering out, so I relaxed for a bit, watched a little TV, then settled down for the evening, my usual hot tub, shower, and soon to be bed! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!
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