Trail Ride Through Neptune Canyon and Some Blogging Thoughts

 

I just realized today that my comments have dropped way off lately. Where I used to receive 15-30 comments, now I’m lucky to receive 6. Oddly, I’m not bothered by this, because when I check the views that each post receives, I discover that upwards of 80-100 people are viewing each of my posts. Although it does feel weird to know I have that many lurkers slinking around.

And it sure is interesting, too. When I owned a horse that caused me all sorts of problems and I was going through a ton of challenges and shared them all, boy howdy! My blog was heavy with comments. But now that my life is mostly happy, and I have the best horse in the entire world, and get to experience so many exciting and fun trail rides with real life friends, my comments have dropped off. It seems to me that people are much happier to comment and give unasked for advice on drama and hardship, but when times are good, they are disappointed and don’t have anything at all to say, not even supportively. Or perhaps these folks are just unhappy in their own lives and just jealous? How revealing this is about the Blogger Community…or perhaps this is just society in general….Hmmmm?!

But I’m not blogging for anyone else anymore. I haven’t blogged for anyone else for over a year now. I don’t care about entertaining anyone with cutesy posts or controversial subjects. Nope. My blog is my own personal journal. It’s a place for me to post my photos and stories. I’m not posting for anyone else, but if anyone else wants to read my posts and enjoy my photos, that’s just fine with me. If y’all want to comment, that would be great! But if y’all just want to remain lurking, that’s fine, too. It’s all the same to me.

So with that said, onwards and upwards to post about the rest of my most awesome, amazing, fun, bucket-list weekend!

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After we left the main canyon trail and the ridge trails, we ascended towards the gap that opened up to the breathtakingly beautiful Neptune Canyon.

Apache may be a bit slow when riding steep trails, but she is a tank, and just motors up with strength, power and perseverance. Apache has such a huge heart and is my willing partner, taking me to places, I might never see on my own. I love her so much.

When we finally reached the gap, we all climbed up and posed for a photo before dropping down the other side into Neptune Canyon.

Here is my buddy Kendra and I, with our awesome trail horses.

 

And then we were riding in Neptune Canyon!

 

Apache and I found a different trail to ride, so I could take photos of the ladies in our group from a side angle with the canyon geology as a stunning backdrop.

(From right to left: Karen A., Marsha, Karen R., Latana, and Annette)

And Casteel and her horse bringing up the rear!

 

And Kendra and Janet followed me.

At the far end of Neptune Canyon there stands a volcanically created structure called The Petrified Sand Dunes. I had ridden another horse named Splendor on this structure last February (February Sweethearts of San Acacia ACTHA Ride ).

But it was on my Bucket List to ride my own horse on the unique and beautiful Petrified Sand Dunes.

So, without even pausing for a moment, I asked my Apache mare to head up to the sandstone platform below the odd-looking structure. And Apache didn’t pause for a moment and just willingly climbed right up there for me.  

 

Let me also add that out of 9 of us, only 4 decided to ride up onto that platform. Some of the riders were too nervous to ride up there, and a couple had horses with shoes, which would have been dangerously slippery to navigate on the downward side.

But Apache never questioned why we were the riding up there alone, and she never balked and tried to go down with the rest of the horses below us. She and I were a team and navigating this new challenge together. I feel honored that my Apache mare willingly accepts my requests and takes on the challenges I give her with courage and heart.   

 

I am also so grateful that my friends were taking photos of that special moment. My friend Latana took this amazing photo and it just takes my breath away each time I look at it and remember that moment.

When we reached the top of the sandstone platform, we paused for a moment to take it all in, and I could feel Apache trembling beneath me. Was my mare’s muscles tired or was she trembling from fear?

I took a moment to encourage my mare, and love on her. And I told her how amazing she is. And then I felt her stop trembling.

 

When I asked her to scoot down the steep downward side of the sandstone platform, I could feel some trepidation from my Apache mare, but I told her I knew she could do it, and I cheered her on patiently. Then Apache carefully and slowly worked her way down that slope, while I focused on my balance so as not to throw her out of balance.

Apache was such a total rock star! I am so proud of her! And I am so appreciative to her for helping me reach another special Bucket List moment. My Apache mare truly gives me wings so I can fly!

Ok, so after we finished up exploring the Petrified Sand Dunes, we all decided to head over to the Great Wall of Warmth, so named because during the winter, the massive, tall rock wall emanates wonderful warmth from the sun.

It wasn’t cold the day we were there, but there is a cool little narrow trail that skirts the base of that wall and we all thought it would be great to get up there and pose for a photo, too. I handed my camera over to my friend Janet (the gal in the middle in the photo below)

But after the Petrified Sand Dune Experience, Apache’s courage was lost and she didn’t think that riding up the steep slope to reach that tiny trail, that we couldn’t even see from our vantage point, was a good idea.

So, she and I did have a brief conversation with encouraging words, as you can see below, and she found her courage again and willingly climbed up to the base of the Great Wall of Warmth. 

While we were climbing up there, Janet was taking some photos of those who were already up there, like Latana and her lovely mule Lilly.

And Karen A., Marsha, and Karen R.

And my buddy Kendra and Apache’s BFF, Bailey Boy.

And soon Apache and I were up on the narrow trail and joined them.

See what I mean by narrow trail?

But Apache was phenomenal!

 

And finally 7 of us were all lined up on that narrow trail at the base of the Great Wall of Warmth for our photo shot, while Janet and Casteel took the photos.

Our Cowgirl Weekend Spring Fling to San Lorenzo Canyon was a total blast! After our ride in San Lorenzo Canyon, we came back for a BBQ and some partying fun at my friend Kendra’s ranch in the mountains. (From left to right) Casteel, Annette, Karen R, Kendra, Marsha, and Latana.

And my contribution to that evening’s meal was a tray of S’Mores Pudding Shots, made with Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka! Mmmmm!

 

But our weekend wasn’t over quite yet. We still had Sunday’s ride the next day, and that would be quite the adventure!