Adventuring We Go!

Ber looking out at the great beyond.

Monday, Ber and I ventured out onto a trail at the ranch.  We have gone over to the arena, but this was the first time crossing through a gate and seeing what was out there.  I was waiting for the herd to settle down a bit so that my removing Ber wouldn't cause too much upset.   Ber, he wasn't worried at all about being taken out. He is the bottom of the pack, so I didn't expect him to mind.    The others, they were back in the pasture calling for him and worrying. 

He turned for a "horsie" (horse version of a selfie).

Horsing around!

 
  The ranch is 1500 acres of rolling hills with oaks and grasslands. There's a dry creek bed going through a valley, and a semblance of a road going along the creek bed. I felt this was the best choice for our first venture, since the gate is right next to the Red Barn where the horses are located. 









The grass is all dry now, so it is this tawny yellow-gold color.  When we set out, it was about 80 degrees and climbing. The forecast was for 106 degrees (Fahrenheit, of course).  With the heat, there wasn't much out and about, save a couple birds in the bushes.

and there's the great blue yonder....

Throughout the whole ride, Ber showed his steadiness and enjoyment of adventure.   He was curious and interested in his surroundings, without tension in his body.  He startled just three times, where his body kind of jumped a bit and he looked closely at something. Once was a flicker flying up from a tree, once was a log that appeared suddenly when we rounded a corner, and once was a hole in a tree that looked different when we came back the other way!    All three times he looked and then resumed his journey. I stopped him many times along the way to give him room to look around at things.   

 

Heading back to the pasture.  Relaxed, enjoying the journey.  

This was our first of what I hope to be many enjoyable adventures at this ranch. How lucky we are to have this place to explore!   How lucky I am to have this horse Ber to share these adventures with.  He turned 11 this year, and he's matured into a pretty lovely boy.  Being a part of a herd has put the icing on the cake as far as his steadiness and relaxation goes. He seems to be very content right now.

In other news, I am continuing to search for a job, while also enjoying time to settle in and explore life in this new town.  Jay works as an ER nurse, and works six 12 hours shifts every 2 weeks.  It is a pretty sweet schedule, in that he has a lot of time to do what he wants during the week, though those long days are pretty long!  Yesterday, after dinner, we had just enough time before bed to walk to the golf course 1/2 mile away.  Jay putted and pitched and I went for a 30 min. run.    We met back up and walked home in the twilight, marveling at the wonder of it all.
 

The joy of rolling in sweet grass...

I am grateful beyond measure for this opportunity....to see this version of my life unfold, to feel like a kid again every day when I wake up, wondering "what will this day hold?"    Right now, I am going to walk to the nearby bakery to pick up a few loaves of day-old bread for the freezer, and then ride my bike to the horses to check on them and see what Giovanna wants to do today....