Hey Babe!
Another good night sleep, chores, breakfast, the usual routine. Then I saddled up Flash and we were off just after 11:00 on a 16.8 mile ride up to the north end of the forest, to ride some more trails I haven't been on, though I had to take some more familiar trails to get there. I had distinct memories of us in a couple of places, like where we stopped for lunch, and going over several bridges. It really felt like you were there with me today! Our goal was the Burnt Creek trail, which had half a dozen spots where trees were done that needed to be gone around, but most of the trail was just lovely. Flash did great, though it was a bit slow going, and for awhile I thought we would be late getting back to camp, then we hit a long sandy road, and since we were now headed toward camp, he took off, and we did a lovely gait for several miles and made up some time. This is truly a beautiful forest! I have always thought of this place as one of the best in the country, and having come back here now after nine years, I can honestly, it still is! I could be here all summer and not ride every trail out here. There are miles and miles of marked trails, and miles and miles of unmarked "renegade" trails, and there's a tremendous variety from long straight sand stretches to climbing up and down steep and not so steep hills, and half a dozen rivers and creeks, not to mention lakes throughout the area. Truly stunning! Pretty sure I won't wait nine years for my next visit!Actually got back to camp a little earlier than I expected, around 3:45, got Flash put away, changed clothes, and waited for Karen G. to pick me up. I know her from Florida, she has a place near Goethe State Forest, and also a place up here. Turns out she grew up not far from where I did in the suburbs of Rochester, knew well the stable where I first became addicted to horses, and it was like old home week, even though we don't know each other very well. She drove into town to a pizza place and we had a great meal (I so seldom get pizza, it was a real treat!) and even more of a treat was that on the way back she stopped at a little place that served frozen custard! I've been looking for that since I got to NY and hadn't found one, so I was SO glad to finally get some! Of course, that means way more calories today than normal, but then again, I burned a lot riding 16.8 miles! Oddly, we started a conversation with another diner and discovered he was from North Carolina and was here for some dog trials, and we asked him if he had been to H. Cooper Black, and of course he had! So funny, because Karen and I had been talking about that place just a little bit earlier! What a small world! It was a lovely day, with perfect weather, couldn't ask for more. Frankly, I was extremely surprised the camp wasn't full, in fact, we barely had more people here than we did during the week! I was sure the weekend would be busy, but not so! I can only think that maybe with all the bad storms they had two weeks ago, that maybe people figured the trails would be in bad shape, but they actually are pretty good. Karen was showing me all the roads that got partially washed out, and one that was completely washed out, and how high the water level was in some places. In Lowville, she said there were buildings that were under eight feet of water! Well, they've recovered nicely, all the roads are open, the trails are good, couldn't ask for better weather, another fantastic day! Glad I have another week here! Anyway, time for shower and bed. Good night, sweetie! Love you!
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