Friday, April 1, 2011

Anza Borrego to Pasadena


I don't know how I managed to miss posting on the blog during my stay in Anza Borrego, California's largest state park.  Here are some photos from those good times there.  I was there before and after Carlsbad and just before Altadena/Pasadena.

Rainbows in the Desert

Camping in the Anza Borrego Desert Park outside Borrego Springs.

Magic takes a snooze at the Vern Whitaker Horse Camp

Midnight wears a blanket after his bath.

Chow time!


Sleep Magic

Time for a shave!
Nobody shaves when camping though do they?

You don't see the bottom of a horse's hooves too often.
They have all been barefoot now for awhile.
Almost time for a trim and new Eponashoes!

Food is sparse in the desert isn't it Maggie?

Friendly folks along the trail....

Another horsewoman relaxing in her trailer.

I want to have a sailplane ride in this beautiful place!
Warner meadows, on the way to Pasadena.

What a beautiful, magical place.
Full spring bloom.

I had to stop at this place in the middle of nowhere.
No, they do not sell medical marijuana.  Yet.


This nice girl, Catherine, sells cigarettes through a window.


Another nice place to ride someday.
On the highway south of Banning.

California Horse Camping

All of a sudden, driving condition deteriorate.

Beautiful views from this highway...
























Maggie Speaks on Facebook

Hello Everyone.

I am Maggie, but my real name is Northerly Magdalena.  I am told that I have been registered as a full blooded Morgan mare under that name.  I was born in Minnesota, and then moved to North Dakota when my humans bought me from the breeder, Kay Hegge.  Her ranch was called Northerly Morgans and all of us Equines who were born there were given the first name of Northerly.  Everyone calls me Maggie though.

I travel around the country with my human.  I used to live in Colorado, and that was nice, but I like to travel a lot more than staying in one place.  It's fun to see new places and meet new people.  Right now I'm living at a nice place in Pasadena California.  I live in a stable with my half brother, Midnight, and my cousin, Magic.  They love me and protect me and I like to boss them around sometimes.  I am in charge of them.  I used to kick at them sometimes, but I don't have to do that anymore.  They pay close attention to my feelings now, and all I have to do is put my ears back a little bit and they do what I say.  That's the way things are supposed to be.

My human has asked me to open a Facebook account, so we got that done today.  If you are on Facebook, then send me a friend request and I will confirm it.  I think it might help me get votes on "America's Favorite Trail Horse".  I'm auditioning for a reality TV show and somehow people need to hear about me so I can get lots of votes.  I'll keep you posted here, or my human will let you know.

Here's a photo of me and my human when we went to Griffith Park in Burbank California.
That's the San Fernando Valley behind us.
My human has lost weight lately and I'm really happy about that.

I really liked that place.  The views were really good and the trails were nice and wide open so I could run fast.  I always beat Magic and Midnight in races.  We had to drive on the freeway to get there, and I always like to see all the different cars and watch the people from my spot in the trailer.  Sometimes small humans will look at me through their windows.  I like little people, especially when they feed me carrots and apples.  Yum.

OK, so check me out on Facebook.  If you have any questions for me, let me know.  I also have my own email address now, so you can write to me directly.  northerlymagdalena@yahoo.com


The Equine Nomad makes the abc channel 7 news in Los Angeles!

I went for a ride yesterday in Burbank, CA.  As we unloaded, a reporter and a camera emerged from a van, and asked if they could interview us for a story about the heat in Los Angeles.  Record breaking temps these past couple of days...


Here's the link if you'd like to see me and the horses on TV!

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=8046540

Training for "America's Favorite Trailhorse" Reality TV show



Ready to ride in Eaton Canyon

Here we are, in Altadena, near Pasadena, CA.  The horses are at a wonderful stable - the Eaton Dam Stables.  Sharon is one of the owners and has really made us feel at home.  We are training every day for our audition on April 9 for a reality show competition to be held in Texas.  The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) is sponsoring the show, and auditions are being held all over the US this month for "America's Favorite Trail Horse".  Maggie and I signed up to audition at Monty Roberts ranch near Solvang.  Here's a link to the website if you're interested in more information about the show and the auditions:

http://www.actha.us/index.php?option=com_association&view=guest&area=afth

I am staying with my wonderful friends Paul and Donna, who live in the Pasadena area, near the stable.  I have a comfortable room in their home, and access to everything I need to prepare for our big audition next weekend.

Paul and Donna's house, and my new friend Gina

We have met a lot of really nice people on the trails where we ride,  and have done some great rides with a few.  Here are some photos of some of the folks that have been riding with us.

Paul and Donna are ready to go on Magic and Midnight.
They are my gracious hosts in the area.
But they are also good riders!
We went all the way to the top of the mountain.


This is Diablo, a beautiful Azteca stallion owned by Marco.
Marco, doing his rearing trick with Diablo.
I wonder if I can teach Maggie to do this?

My new friend Gina, who took some photos for me.
We rode up to a big waterfall, and Gina hiked the whole way up!
Thanks Gina!

Marco and his two daughters, Summer and Lexus .
(I hope I'm spelling her name right).
The Eaton Canyon waterfall is in the background.

Here is Erica, my new friend from the stable.
She is riding her spotty appy named "Pony".

Paul taking the saddle off...

Donna figures it out...

Maggie's new good luck jewelry.
She'll be wearing this for her audition on April 9th. 

Midnight surveys the situation.

It was a sweaty ride to the waterfall in Eaton Canyon.
Maggie eats those trails for breakfast!

See you later - stay tuned for news of the audition next Saturday!