Belle
Last week at the barn in North Bend, there was a foot of snow on the ground and the temperature didn't go above freezing for days. The pastures were slippery and wet, so the horses stayed in their stalls unless they were being ridden in the small indoor arena. I didn't bother to make the long drive and I missed my routine.
I suppose arena riding is better than no riding at all, and the best riders never get bored going round in circles because they're always challenging themselves and their horses to learn new things. The serious dressage riders I've known find trail-riding dull, not to mention a waste of good training time.
But riders of a lazier persuasion enjoy nothing better than a quiet amble in the woods. So Dolly and I were happy to finally get out for a ride again on Sunday morning. Of course Belle and Spanky would have preferred to stay in the barn with their friends eating hay.
North Bend isn't technically a rain forest, but the woods around the barn look just like this. In the winter light it's like riding along the floor of a green, mossy ocean. And this weird weather! After last week's harsh cold the soft air and filtered sunshine felt more like an early spring day.
This morning is still partially clear in Seattle, but my peek view west toward the Olympic Mountains looks mighty dark and ominous. The weathermen say inches upon inches of warm rain (and record high temperatures) are headed our way. It's going to be a wet and sticky week.
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