The first day of fall

The first day of fall, and you would never know it in Seattle with another beautiful summer day and a high of 84. I keep telling myself to take one more outside ride before the bad weather hits, but the nice days keep on coming.

I'm still surprised finding myself riding down this city street and thinking about how different the view looks from a horse. At first I was hesitant (OK, scared) to make the ride to the park by myself. It's amazing what humans and equines can get used to. Sizzle plods down the asphalt or sidewalk as if she's done it her entire life, and nothing much seems to bother her. And like all smart horses, her pace picks up on the way BACK to the barn!


When we hit the trail she gets more alert. Except for the occasional loose dog, it is tranquil and pretty in there, but for all she knows, this little park could be the wilderness with a cougar behind every tree. Which isn't too far fetched-- there have been repeated cougar sightings at the Microsoft campus in Redmond over the past few weeks. Although some local wag commented "It's a snow leopard, and Microsoft is scared!"

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0/2009914784_dogssearchmicrosoftcampusforcougar.html