Last week had several beautiful, warm, abundantly sunny days, so, of course, we made plans for riding! This time of year, it's necessary to take advantage of any improvement in the weather, because we just don't know when a dose of winter will return.
Check out those glorious blue skies!
Because of the windy, cold winter weather and the muddy trails it brought , this was only the second time I had ridden in two months!
Oh yeah! I was very happy to be in the saddle again!
And look! Notice, I was even wearing a t-shirt on this ride! It was really that warm!
My friends, Yvonne and Gin joined me at Gutierrez Canyon and Apache and I led the ride.
The beautiful blue skies even peeked at us through the trees every chance they got!
On the canyon switchbacks, we always get a kick out of waving at one another and taking photos.
Yvonne and her lovely mare, Etta Bay.
After a couple hours of riding, we stopped at our favorite lunch spot for a leisurely lunch beneath the tall ponderosas.
We have stopped here so many times over the years, that I have no doubt if I dropped the reins, my Apache mare would walk right over to that small tree that I always tie her to. haha!
We can't even ride past this special lunch spot without Apache trying to veer off the trail. She definitely knows the drill!
Apache enjoys leading most of the time and moves out relaxed and happy. And when she's happy...I'm happy, too!
One of my most favorite aspects of riding in Gutierrez Canyon are the stunningly gorgeous vistas of the east side of the Sandia Mountains.
The trail hugs the side of these small mountains and are open to the beautiful views. I never tire of it.
The new trails that were built over the last two years are so fun to ride as they curve into and out of small canyons. I love riding them throughout the year because each season brings different scenery. Right now, the scrub oaks are bare, but within the next two months, new green leaves will sprout.
While the desert has it's own beauty, I am a true mountain girl. I need to be surrounded by trees and shaded trails that travel up and down mountains and through thick forests. I think Apache is a mountain horse through and through.
Gutierrez Canyon does have a fun little arroyo/mini-canyon to ride through. When my kids were little, I often took them here to hike, where they would sneak around at the top of the canyons shooting at one another, pretending to be cowboys and Indians.
Now, I get to ride here anytime I like. And it feels like home.
My friends enjoy riding here with me, too.
Yes indeed.
Life is Good!
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