Giddy-up

So, here's some video. I screw up right from the start, thought you'd get a kick out of that Scott.

Happiness

The thing that I absolutely love about riding is that when I am in the saddle I think about nothing else but that moment. Yesterday, I had my first regularly scheduled lesson at my new barn. I had the opportunity to ride a show horse who gave me a nice challenge.

He is a 6 year old American Saddlebred gelding - big and bold at 16.2 hands and there ain't nothing "push-button" about him. I had to work for every nice gait and it was so damn fun. His trot is so big that I thought a couple of times I was going to end up down on the ground...16.2 hands wouldn't have been so nice then. But, I managed to stay on yesterday.

The first way around the ring was a little ugly. Actually, it was a lot ugly. I was humbled by how much I suck at riding and how much I still have to learn. But, by the second way I started to figure him out a bit and we had a couple of nice passes. Adam got it on video and I will try to upload some later. I know, I know - you're all on pins and needles.

Anyway. Yesterday was the first time since we arrived in Oregon that I felt completely at ease. All of this new-ness has left me feeling vulnerable and a little scared at times. I've had to push myself to leave the house to run errands in all of this traffic and craziness and I am very happy that I have a place to go to where the people are chill and into the same things I am.

Kobe was a happy boy too. He came along and got to run around with all of the barn dogs. The ride home was killer because in addition to having an ear to ear grin we got to listen to a cd changer full of new music thanks to Gary and Loni.

Yesterday was one of those days that I felt very lucky to be alive and in the place that I am. For your viewing pleasure, a view of Mt. Hood with the sun setting, taken on our way home last night.

First Day of School!

We've been waiting for this day for quite some time...I can't believe it's here.

I am crazy excited for Adam and very proud. They don't mess around at this school, he's going up today. It's a beautiful day to fly.

Off he goes...

A lovely little diddy

Sometimes, a song catches my ears and I just can't let go until I find out who the heck it is and then play it obsessively over and over and over again.

So, I heard one such a song on a darn Mac commercial and found it on (cough, sorry Maggie) itunes last night.

If you heard it and wondered who it was too, her name is Yael Naïm and the song is New Soul. If you have no idea what song I'm referring to, have a listen here - I bet it'll put you in a good mood. A catchy song.

Day Trip #2

Yesterday, I cracked open one of the books that Jen and Marc gave me before heading west, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland. This book kicks ass. I found a hike that looked pretty cool, showed my partners in crime and they agreed. So, off we headed to Mt. Hood National Forest to hike the Clackamas River Trail.

Along the way, Mt. Hood is staring you right in the face...This is about two minutes away from our house. Looks like a big cloud, but it's not - it's a freaking mountain...

Before we arrived at our destination, we found some kayakers along the road and stopped to take some pics. Here's one at that spot, without the yakers first...

Along our hike...
We thought we were getting out of the way of the branch...Not so much. Nice one of Kobes though. Kobe, what do you think of this hike?
I love how emerald green the water is...

So, there you have it...Thanks Marc and Jen for the book. I think we're going to try another one today. And, this is day trip #2 for all of our visitors.

Let the exploring begin...

We went on our first mini-adventure yesterday, out to the coast. It sure is pretty, but Kobe said that the sticks on the West coast taste the same as the ones on the East coast. He's not as easily impressed as we are. I did take some pictures, but we don't have the camera transfer-thingy set up yet. I should be able to post them tomorrow.

On our way to the coast, we had the awesome experience of driving through the Tillamook State Forest and stopped several times to check out the Wilson River, just beautiful emerald green water. So, we found our first day trip for you know, all of our visitors...Hint, hint.

So, all is well. The trip across the country was mainly uneventful and we are settling in. Although, our stuff isn't here yet and we've been here for almost a week now. Thankfully it is arriving tomorrow, the novelty of "camping out" in the living room is quickly wearing off.

Road Trip!

What tunes do you find essential to a road trip? Fill me in...I'm about to go on a long one and need to start getting the all-important music together.