Fresh snow fell on them thar hills this week.

This week has been rather busy, as we are hay feeding twice a day, graining once a day, and still medicating Shaiela and Rusty twice a day for the effects Pigeon Fever (they are getting much better). This past week has definitely turned into the annual wet/mud season, and the 14" high muck boots have come out of the closet. Weather has been Oregon mild, but we have had rain and drizzle most nights and early mornings this week. Right now we are having an evening thunderstorm with a helluva light show to go with it.

Now driving the Double Deuce into town Monday-Friday, I am seeing what people have been telling me for years... "It is cold, gray, wet in College Place and Walla Walla; and you guys have sunshine and springlike weather out here at the ranch, what gives." Yep, I have told quite a few folks that are amazed at our micro-climate, this is normal for us.
It is pretty amazing, that so many days it is gray and freezing to the trees two miles to our west, through town and north into Walla Walla, while here at the ranch we have sunshine and a beautiful view of the snowcapped mountain to our east so many days during fall and winter. Again another blessing, we so much appreciate, living in our stretch of the Walla Walla River Canyon.

One afternoon this week, when we had wet and gray most of the morning, I went out to work with Rusty, just after noon, and found the geldings having a big time, just hucking and bucking round their pastures. I watched them for a minute or two and realized they were really wound-up and went back to the house and got my camera. Took a few pictures...


This is one reason Kittee and I know that a horse is not meant to live in a box. These guys are 1000+ pound creatures made to run free and graze pasture on a 24/7 basis. They are herd animals... having one is no fun, for the horse. Horses: most interesting pets to have around, and then they will take you for a ride if you wish.


It was pretty funny to watch as the geldings were running a bucking around and around in their pastures, throwing mud clods into the air, as they frolicked. The mare herd was doing a little running around but mostly watching the gelding as though they must be going crazy.

Later in the afternoon when I returned from my bus route, I went out to feed and pet the herd I found the mares hucking a bucking. Goldie and Misty were rearing, running, and sliding on the wet ground and I probably watch Misty leave the ground bucking/jumping straight up off the ground at least six times. They were feeling good!!! What a joy to watch.

With the electricity flying around outside this evening, flashing our backyard bluff, I am signing off; Good night

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Stardate 110908

Sunday
Last evening we had quite a T-storm pass over the ranch. Lightening was sending fire across the sky, and once we had a double barrel blast of thunder that sounded like two cannons going off just outside the house. The house shook, most of the windows in our house rattled. What a storm, not allot of rain out of it though.

Just before the storm hit last evening I checked the ranch email and found that the NWQHA club "mud season's" indoor arena riding has started and that arena would be available today. Hip Hip Hooray!!


Kittee and I started the day rather early, she went out to feed horses, I prepared a hardy ranch breakfast. After breakfast we both went out and tended to horses.

Today turned out to be a very pleasant day, starting with rain and then a few on and off showers, but the temperature was in the mid to upper 50's and Kittee and I cleaned the mud off Misty, Nugget, and Derby, loaded them in their trailer, and headed for the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds indoor arena. We had a pleasurable almost 2 hour ride until one of our NWQHA member got thrown from her bolting "green broke" horse. After that our riding time was just about over so most folks dismounted and starting loading their horse to head home.

It is good that arena riding time has come just in time this year to keep us in the saddle, while it is getting cooler and much wetter around the area. While Kittee still has a hurt shoulder, I think she is more comfortable riding in the controlled environment of the arena than out on the open trails. We both ride this arena without riding vest as hitting the sandy dirt, would be nothing like landing on hard turf... would not be fun, but would not be hard.

Happy Trail,

life around the ranch this week--- Dale