One our final day at Taos Horse Getaways near Tres Piedras, NM, we decided to to head out for a 2 hour ride after breakfast and then pack up to drive back home.
I saddled up my Apache mare beside my truck.
It was a beautiful sunny day and we took advantage of the beauty by exploring the rock playground.
Apache and I posing on a boulder table.
Apache the One Eye Wonder Horse!
Since I had the GPS, I led the way and guided the ride.
We rode through lovely green grass meadows.
And up and over boulders.
And through boulder gardens with tall ponderosa all around.
It was fun to ride up onto boulders and rock hop. I think Apache enjoyed it, too!
Posing pretty on the boulders.
This was a funny moment. Apache stood so close to a stump beside her left side, that I had to take my left leg out of the stirrup and just rest it on top of the stump. haha!
We rode west towards Taos, just meandering along old trails.
Trail selfie!
Some of the rock formations were pretty cool.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place...er....another rock!
Three of us posing together on a boulder platform. Apache was looking very regal!
The rest of my riding companions rode up to a rocky ledge and took a photo of Apache and I far below.
Apache and I then wandered off to explore and eventually the rest of my riding companions caught up with us.
Beautiful green meadow with wildflowers.
Apache and I were leading the way.
Beautiful forest!
One of my riding companions decided she wanted to ride back to the trails we had ridden the day before because she had seen a "Halloween Tree"...basically a dead tree that looked spooky.
The sky was growing darker and we could hear thunder and we really needed to get back to the cabin and finish packing up our stuff for the drive home. But we agreed to ride for a little while and see if we could find that tree so she could take a photo of it.
So against my better judgment, I agreed to follow along and help them find the same trails we had ridden yesterday.
Thankfully, half of the sky was still blue and sunny.
Looking towards the west, towards Taos, the sky still looked sunny.
But we did end up having some excitement on the way back, after we finally found that spooky dead tree. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up and then a flash of lightning surrounded us, followed by the loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard...especially from horseback! I almost popped out of my saddle it startled me so bad. Apache just sort of hopped and then splatted in place. She actually handled it better than me. Of course, I don't live outside and have never been exposed to thunder and lightning right on top of me! Thankfully Apache took good car of both of us, and I took a couple swigs from my whiskey flask, and was able to regain my composure to relax for the ride back to the cabin.
We all had a great weekend with some phenomenal riding!
Life is Good!
