Birthday Ride at Juan Tomas Open Space

It's been my yearly tradition to ride on my birthday for as long as I can remember. This year my birthday fell on Labor Day so at first I couldn't get anyone to ride with me because they were worried the trails would be too crowded.

But eventually. two of my riding buddies decided to join me and off we went to one of my favorite local areas to ride: Juan Tomas Open Space.

Saddled up and ready to ride!

Well, immediately, we all realized that even though it was technically a holiday, no one appeared to be recreating out in the forest, because we never saw anyone else on the trails all day.

We had the trails all to ourselves! What an awesome birthday gift for me and my Apache mare!

Loretta and her gaited gelding, Duke joined us for my birthday ride.

And Yvonne and her mare, Etta Bay were with us to celebrate, too!

Birthday trail riding selfie!

The trails were quiet and peaceful!

We rode off-trail to one of my favorite lunch locations in a meadow surrounded by tall ponderosas.

Relaxing and enjoying my birthday lunch.

Yvonne relaxing during our lunch break.

Loretta and Yvonne sitting on our lunch log.

Yvonne laying back for a post-lunch siesta!

Feeling my birthday zen! Not a care in the world!

Back on the trail again riding through groves of lush, green scrub oaks.

Such beautiful trails!

Yvonne and Etta Bay riding through a rock garden on the trail.

It was a hot day, so riding beneath the shade trees was heavenly!

There was lots of green grass for our ponies to munch.

After we rode back to our trailers, we watered our horses, then tied them to some trees in the shade.

Then Loretta surprised me with several different flavors of birthday cake!

Yvonne sharing some birthday cake with me.

And of course, we all enjoyed some ice-cold birthday beer!

My favorite local beer: Bone Chiller from Sierra Blanca Brewery!!

Loretta enjoying some birthday cake.

And after I finished my Bone Chiller, Loretta gave me one of her Dos Equis. It's a rare treat to have two beers post-ride! What a fantastic birthday ride and celebration!!

Life is Good!

Pine Flats Ride

Come along and join me for one of my favorite local rides.

Pine Flats, aptly named for all of the beautiful tall pines to ride beneath.

There was a lot of moisture this year which helped the grass grow. Lots of delicious grass for our ponies to munch while on the trail!

Such a beautiful path into the forest.

Trail Selfie!

The trail meanders gently through the forest.

I like to call this secret trail: Ponderosa Canyon...for obvious reasons!

Lush green grass everywhere!

Many people travel long distance to ride in scenery as beautiful as this! And these trails are only a few minutes from my house!

Beautiful National Forest Trails!

Such a peaceful canyon to enjoy quiet, special time with your equine friend and trail partner.

And then we climb up out of Ponderosa Canyon into the thick forest again.

Lots of fascinating trees along this section of trail.

And dark mysterious sections to ride through, too.

Apache was sporting her Cashel fly mask this day.

Odd tree stump up ahead.

Yvonne checking out the odd tree stump.

I love this section of Poker Chip Trail.

I think they call this an Us-ie?

So peaceful and beautiful.

Being surrounded by nature is where I find my zen.

I'm so grateful that my horse enjoys trail riding as much as I do, too.

We stopped for lunch at the picnic grounds.

Lunch stop with all the necessities and a few extras!

Back on the trail again!

Another favorite secret trail.

Winding our way back to the trailhead.....

After unsaddling and watering our horses it was time for ice-cold beers!

And Loretta brought us Margaritas, too!

Just me, kicking back, relaxing after another awesome trail ride!