On Horses

OK, so we decided that we'd take this vacation that involved riding horses. It's something that I've wanted to do for years. Diane, being the good sport that she is, said she'd humor me. We had no idea what to expect after being on horses all day. OK, so we had some idea of the places that might be sore, but we didn't know if we'd be back in the saddle after the first day! Thanks to a well placed hot tub, we rode every day and enjoyed every minute of it!

But before we go onto the pictures I have to explain what a ride is so you have a better understanding. A ride happens after the breakfast bell rings at 8:30 and you eat like pigs for about an hour. Then around 10:00 or 10:30 you meet Charlie at the barn. Then you ride for awhile. Then you stop somewhere and eat again. Really. Then you head back.

	Here we are. That's Diane and Sun Dancer on the left, me and Pepper on the right. We almost look like we know what we're doing, don't we.
	Here's a shot I saw a lot of... the back end of everyone else. That's Megan and Diane in front of her.
	This is Megan (on Beau). She came from Ohio to ride and fly fish. We had a blast.
	Here's Diane and Beau. She almost looks like she might be having a good time, huh?
	This is me and Pepper. Pepper didn't get too excited about much of anything... except eating by the side of the trail and being back at the ranch!
	Here he is again. I think maybe we woke him up for this shot!
	Here's Charlie. She was our genuine wrangler and trail guide from Montana.
	Here we are on day 2. Charlie took us to a place called "The Bathtub". It's just a short hike (straight up hill at around 4000 ft elevation). The hike will "kick your butt" she said. She was right.
	But we made it. Here we are after the tub had been filled by warm mineral water.
	The tub was just about perfect for me.
	And here's what we had to look at from the bathtub.
	Here's the start of day 4. This kinda makes you want to break out into that Bonanza theme, huh? This is me on Call, Megan on Joker and Diane on Beau.
	This was the destination for day 4, Lake Something or other. Note the light dusting on snow in the higher hills.
	Here's Charlie at lunch by the lake.
	Here's Megan.
	Here we are ready to head back.
	Recognize this shot yet?
	Here's Megan and Joker before the final ride on day 5.
	Here's the view from the lunch spot in a high mountain meadow.
	This is a little trapper cabin up in the middle of nowhere.
	These are just some wild flowers by the side of the trail.