Indian Summer

I did not find a ride for Butch today, however, I did find one for myself. I rode Bud, a Butch look-alike. Bud is a Missouri Fox Trotter and has quite a different feel to him. I missed having Butch along today for our journey to South Valley Park. This Jefferson County open space is located south of Ken Caryl Ranch and north of Deer Creek Canyon. It lies west of C470, a foothills roadway. I think of South Valley as a mini Garden of the Gods. It has many red rock formations some balanced rocks, a few small arches, and miles of easy trails. The scrub oak leaves were sadly beyond peak, so there were no glowing colors to capture in pictures. The sun was shining, the sky was that Colorado blue, and it was more than breezy at times. Who can I send a request to have this weather continue?

Butch is smiling. I swear it.

FUBAR in Fhotoland

If my camera had only captured appropriately what my naked eye saw, I would of had some great photos to share of the changing aspens at White Ranch. My photos were, for the most part, FUBAR.

Today, the Denver metro area was graced with weather that seemed like early summer. Butch and I, being without our own means to pull our trailer at present, hitched a ride with two friends. Well, really four friends; two human and two equine. We made the short trip to White Ranch, another Jefferson County park, which happens to be a short drive from where I stable Butch. Can you believe it? No wildlife was spotted. Just alot of bikers, hikers, and joggers accompanied by their canine pals.

Our ride was great, the aspen were glowing, and the sun was smiling down upon us. Colorado doesn't get any better than this!

Oh, by the way, behind AJ and Zip the horse, there were snow capped peaks. You CAN see them, right? Stupid camera.

Where oh where has the sun gone?

Today, Butch and I headed to the top of North Table Mountain. The climb to the top is good conditioning for my equine friend and I do notice more ease in his breathing as he climbed the 1 1/2 mile slope to the top. We did a loop on the summit, but still only scratched the surface of the total available acreage. Encountered many deer; some with impressive antlers in groups of three to as many as twenty or so. Butch would whinney at each group. What, did he think they were his kind? So hence, another cute deer picture. But, where oh where is the sun? We have not seen it since last Friday, the 10th. Makes for chilly days.

The trail ride was uneventful, but not so my drive home. I should've taken pictures of my totally dead vehicle as it sat steaming and leaking its' body fluids. I was so rudely rearended from someone traveling at least 45 mph. My poor Durango looked very horrible. I, and others, were stopped for a traffic signal. All humans of all four involved vehicles were not hurt. Good thing.

So, Butch and I may be without wheels for a while. It seems rental car companies have a policy of not allowing towing with their cars/SUV's/trucks. I believe, however, for this upcoming weekend we have successfully mooched a ride from a friend. So............... there will be more pictures forthcoming.............perhaps of something other than deer!

Does this remind you of another place?

Today was the ultimate in gloomy and dull. With 93% humidity, a temperature hovering around 40, and a steady drizzle intermingled with rain/ice, I quickly became a bit chilled shortly into my one hour of hand grazing Butch. He seemed, on the other hand, to be quite comfortable with the weather we were dealt. I was unable to ride with my usual Saturday group of friends, as I was conveniently locked out of the tack room by another boarder (thanks a bunch, Jean).

I went through the Burger King drive thru on the way home, as I do way too often (gotta stop that), and once again looked ahead to this scenic image. It is located on the west side of South Table Mtn. in Golden, CO. Coors Brewery sits at its' base. Does this picture remind you of another place? It reminds me of Devil's Tower located in Wyomying. I haven't been there, but anyone who has seen the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind would immediately be reminded!

It was a day off for us.

It was a chilly, but sunny and slightly breezy Thursday. Butch had the day off from carrying me around. As I hand grazed him for about an hour, I marveled at the anatomy of the horse; so much muscle entertwined with perfect vascular and skeletal systems; each breed with a different purpose. The horse, for me, is a near perfect creature. So much curiosity and intent in their eyes. Their ears always moving and alert.

It must be critter day.

Butch and I traveled the short distance of 2.5 miles along the trail that meanders at the north base of Table Mountain. Once up into the meadow, we headed to the east to get a sweeping view of Denver and the plains. If you look past the Denver skyline, you can see the five large "golf balls" that are on the grounds of Buckley Air Force base in east Aurora. On our return, we spotted a coyote skirting the trail and a lone doe; both trying their best to blend in and not be seen. I was hoping to again see the large hawk or falcon that breezed past us last week. It lighted on a nearby rock outcropping and watched us pass with a bird's eye curiosity. BTW - my camera was straight on with the coyote picture. He was on a steep slope.

Butch. It's such a simple name, really.

My adventures begin with the acquistion of a horse that, aside from my husband and Buddy the boxer, has become the love of my life. His name is Butch. It's such a simple name, really, but in no way does this wonderful equine justice. He is a sorrel quarterhorse with a flaxen mane and tail, three white socks, a wide blaze, and a oh so soft pink nose, that burns in the Colorado sun if I'm not vigilant with the application of sunscreen.

Butch and I have just begun to scratch the surface of the many miles of trails we will be riding together. In the eight weeks that I have had him, we have ridden at Bear Creek Lake Park, Deer Creek Canyon Park, Lair of the Bear, all Jefferson Country Open Spaces; South Mesa Trail, a Boulder County Open Space; Lory State Park, Soderburg Trail, Bobcat Ridge, in Larimer County; and North Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado which happens to be at the base of the stable where I board Butch. Our rides have been anywhere from 5 to 13 miles.

While I have not taken any pictures to photo document these rides, I will begin to do so with each outing and will, thereby, be introducing and sharing with you all the beauty that is Colorado as seen from the back of my equine partner and trusted friend.