Last Chance Canyon

Clover heads for a rinse after his shampoo in Bogart Park

OK, I'm back and better than ever.  Thanks to all who posted comments and sent emails of support and encouragement.  Back in the saddle, galloping across the desert with the three geldings at liberty following, was the tonic I needed to heal my soul.  All of a sudden I realized, "I'm smiling again!"

Horse of a Different Color!
Clover gets a cleansing bath at Bogart Park in Cherry Valley

I took the horses to Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert.  We camped in Ricardo Campground, and met the wonderful four dirt bikers who camped next door.  Penny and Loretta joined me for a ride, and Clover had his first gallop in the desert at liberty!  He's doing great and carried Loretta for 3 hours without a problem and without lameness issues.  The swelling in his hind leg is completely gone now, and he is a full member of the herd.

In the afternoon, I went for a dirt bike jaunt with Penny and Anton.  Wow, what a ride!  Scary!!!!

Total adrenaline rush and yes, I wrecked once.  I got a heck of a bruise, but thankfully, didn't break anything.  We hiked through "Burro's tunnel", which is a tunnel dug by hand by a guy over a 38 year period.  Crazy.  http://www.burroschmidttunnel.org/

I thought it was interesting that the Canyon where we rode was called "Last Chance Canyon".

Anyhow, I had a blast with my new friends.  Anton and Federica own a stable in Winters, near the Davis area, and invited me to stop by when I get to Northern California.

We also stopped by the Jawbone Store for tritip sandwiches and beers.  Nice break from the sun.

I came back to Altadena today to organize my gear before heading north again.  Donna and Paul are heading to solistice in Arizona for a week long Kundalini retreat, and they've asked me to house sit for them.  I am so happy to be able to help them out as they have done like a million kindnesses for me.

The horses are back at the Eaton Canyon Stable, thanks to my wonderful friend Sharon, who welcomes us back.  No doubt there will be more riding going on with my girlfriends there...

And Clover was renamed in the desert.  He is now known as Music.  The herd wanted him to have an "M" name like the rest of them.