07/16/2017
I should have taken pictures! Yesterday, I took Blazer on a trail ride. We started at the Crabtree trail head, went out by Pine Valley, Grouse Lake, Rock Meadow, crossed over to the upper trail and looped back by Piute Meadow, Camp Lake and back to the trail head. On the way to Grouse Lake we encountered 3 riders coming the other way. They told me they couldn't find a way to the lake because of trees that had fallen across the trail. That's not uncommon this early in the season because it takes a while for the trails to be cleared. Especially as you get farther out into the wilderness areas. So, Blaze and I continued on toward the lake (the 3 other riders followed). Eventually we came across several trees that had fallen across the trail in such a way that the only way around was to guide Blaze over several trees that had fallen and were sitting from 6 to 18 inches off the ground and about the same distances apart from each other. He's done this before, but in areas that weren't as congested. He negotiated it like a boss and we got back on the trail. In about 50 feet we came across another "log jam". This one was about the same except for 1 tree that was laying high enough off the ground that Blaze had to jump it. No hesitation, no problem. It was then I remembered the other riders, looked back, they were nowhere in sight. They must have turned back because I could see the previous "log jam". Oh well. Anyway, there were about 8 more places where we had to negotiate around or jump over and each time, Blaze did it like a boss. This horse continues to amaze me with his intelligence, stamina and agility. I'm so thankful to God for bringing him to me (but that's another story). If you read all the way through this, THANKS, and I hope it made you smile. Next time I'll try to remember to take pictures. -Mark