David Canyon Ride

I hadn't been to David Canyon since 2017 because the Forest Service keeps doing tree thinning and prescribed burning there and I try to avoid all that.
But I wanted to ride in David Canyon this year before my hip replacement surgery (more on that in a later post).
So I invited a riding companion to join me. It was a beautiful day!

There's this one peach colored boulder down in the canyon that always causes Apache to stop and give it a wary eye. But most of the boulders don't concern her at all.

Because I have a photographer's eye, I am always seeing great places with interesting backdrops, to place a subject. My riding companion was happy to oblige so I could get my shot.

And a Trail Selfie!

Apache and I led for most of the ride. Every so often, I turn around with camera in hand.

Apache loves to lead.

And I love to lead because it feels like we are riding by ourselves with only beautiful nature in front of us.

This makes me very happy.

The scrub oaks hadn't leafed out in their brilliant green splendor. But it was still beautiful.

Because Apache and I are always taking our time and I am always aware of my surroundings, I noticed Kung Fu Panda perched on a branch beside the trail.

I'm always amused and entertained by anything we see while on the trail.

Post-ride photo of my incredibly awesome One Eye Wonder Horse, Apache!

Life is Good!

David Canyon Snowy Cart Ride

On a beautiful sunny January day, four of us decided to head to David Canyon to drive some horses from fun, little carts.

All hitched up, waiting to go.

It had snowed about a week earlier, and even though there was no snow at my house about 15 minutes away, David Canyon is a deep canyon and acts as a deep freezer, holding the cold air down below and keeping the snow from melting. So, we got to ride the carts through the snow on this day.

But because it was sunny, it didn't feel very cold at all. And the brilliant Fall color still holding on, sure warmed everything up even more.

Posing for photos along the trail.

Doing some off-roading.....

This is the intersection that I've ridden across countless times, but I had never ridden south of this intersection.

But we rode south on this day. And it was absolutely gorgeous!

I was basically guiding the ride as they had never brought their horses down this way in the canyon. And this was also their first time cart driving in David Canyon, too. I decided we should ride all the way to the far southern gate. I was curious to see if it would be a military gate or an Indian reservation gate.

It ended up being an Indian Reservation gate. And it was locked.

So we turned around and drove the carts back the way we came.

We rode past the intersection.

Posing for snowy photos....

I, of course, was in heaven with all the ponderosa pine trees!

The sun was hanging low in the sky by the time we arrived back at the trailhead, but what a fantastic day we had!

Life is Good!!

David Canyon Ride

David Canyon has been mostly off-limits this year due to tree-thinning projects, but David Canyon still remains as one of my favorite local riding locales. I just hope the Forest Service eventually gives David Canyon a rest, so nature lovers can enjoy it's beauty.

So, when an opportunity to ride in David Canyon presents itself, I am always thrilled to head into David Canyon to ride and explore.

It was Loretta's first time to ride in David Canyon, and even though I guided the ride, Loretta mostly led because she rides a gaited horse that moves much faster.

The trail is very narrow with steep drop-offs in places, which made me a little nervous when Apache's blind-side was on that steep-drop-off side of the trail. But I needn't have worried, as Apache was very careful and paid attention to my right leg and my voice.  

Yyonne and Etta Bay joined us on this ride, too.

I always enjoy riding through thick stands of Scrub Oak, because deciduous green plants are not as common as pine trees.

Loretta and her gaited gelding, Duke.

Beautiful trails to explore

Lots of tall trees and shade on this trail.

We finally made it down to the bottom of David Canyon, where we all enjoyed the tall pines trees and grass filled meadows.

Yvonne and her daughter Roxanne.

Me and my Apache mare.

As we rode up the other side of the canyon, we had to negotiate our way over and around many boulders and rocks.

Enjoying the views out over David Canyon looking out towards the south and west.

It's a trail where horses have to be sure-footed and very careful.

Apache, the One Eye Wonder Horse!

Enjoying the vistas over to the east, looking across the AFB lands in the distance.

After riding for a couple hours we stopped for a lunch break.

After mounting back up again, we saw this odd handmade artsy structure.

Up we climb!

Trail Selfie!

Enjoying all the greenery alongside the trail.

We even saw some wildlife, a couple of deer that stood very still and watched us ride past them.

Lots of boulder steps to negotiate.

Loretta and Duke riding up through the rock garden.

Yvonne and Etta Bay making their way through a rock garden.

So beautiful and green!

Lovely red leafed plants with views of the Manzano Mountains in the distance.

My beautiful Apache mare!

Roxanne and her gelding, Shadow.

Loretta and Duke.

There was even a bit of Fall color on the trail.

More Fall color.

Back to the trail head. Apache tied up to my truck, as one of my friends had offered to pick us up because the parking area isn't very large.

Post-ride beers for everyone!

Our horses hung out with us in the shade and rested while we visited.

Wonderfully relaxing post-ride gathering.

Apache resting.

Cheers!

Apache and I together in David Canyon.
Life is Good!