Finally, the snow was out of the high country. We could take the horses and hit the trail.
For me, it’s like an itch. I have to scratch it. I get those itches to travel, hike, bike, ride….. I am an itchy person, you might say.
It has been seven months, since I had seen a mountain trail from the back of a horse and believe me there is nothing like it. Talk about feeling free and in charge!
We packed sandwiches in our saddle bags, cameras and bear spray (it is that time of year) and loaded the trailer with horses who hadn’t been ridden in a long time. Drove an hour to the trailhead and piled out giddy with excitement.
All Aspen could say is “Mom are we ready”, “Mom are we ready?!”
The East Fork Valley of the Absaroka Mountains is stunning with its many elevations and varied climates. The floor: high mountain desert, climbing into mountain timber and meadows and then above the tree line to alpine landscape.
We made our way through aspen groves and climbed through the timber to where we could see for miles: Gannett Peak to the south, and a valley of beautiful ranches below.
The smell of pine, aspen and forest floor mixed with that of the horses and saddle leather are some of the most enchanting smells in the world. Especially for one who grew up in their midst and longs to be back ‘in the saddle’ again on every occasion possible.
In a high mountain meadow we stopped for lunch and marveled at our good fortune. Stepping into the wilderness after sitting in front of a computer for days on end is like pouring sparkling water over ice to quench your thirst from being in the desert.
By the time we got home, we were tired, happy and ready to take on whatever the world sent our way.
Mother nature… thank you for the lift.
Originally published on the first contemporarywesterndesign.com website June 2007
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