We're fortunate to live in an area with such vast land and sky. Enlarge the photo above and you'll see a ribbon of trail stretching to the distant ridge tops.Mischief and I are both wearing orange since this was taken in mid-October of last year, during deer and elk season. The orange was meant to ensure a hunter didn't mistake us for big game. We didn't actually see a hunter or anyone else on this ride, but better safe than sorry.
Below is a photo of a bristlecone pine that grows on one of th0se ridge tops.
If you're interested in more information about bristlecones, we did a blog post on them last fall. Click here to read it and see closer photos of needles and cones.
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir
To enjoy skies from all over the world, click here.
The sky is beautiful and the tree is amazing. What fun you must have exploring!
ReplyDeleteHi Janie, Utah is such a gorgeous state. I saw a neat advertisement from Utah recently. Looks like a really neat place!
ReplyDeleteI thought you were wearing orange in October so that my UT Vols would win some games.. They need all the help they can get! ha
Hugs,
Betsy
I am not sure there is much that would be more liberating that riding on a ridge like that--no one else around. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSeems a little scary to me to ride a horse on a tight trail like that but it's probably second nature to you. It sounds so GOOD to get out of the house and MOVE right now after the long (and getting longer) winter in these parts.
ReplyDeletemost lovely shots of the vast countryside of UTAH...beautiful in so very many ways.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
Great shots as always!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures
I agree that the sky is gorgeous where you live! LOVE that bristlecone pine. It has tons of character.
ReplyDeleteWow what a great place with fantastic landscape, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh you are lucky to have that open space to be your playground.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that quote.
Big sky country, there really isn't a lot to match it whether it's over land or sea! I like the quote by John Muir. Thanks for sharing Janie. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Oh my Janie. How utterly gorgeous! I can't imagine living in such a beautiful place where I could wake each day and see those mountains. Thank you so much for sharing your photos and stories!
ReplyDeleteWhat a trail ride right along the dusted ridges. WOW!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous country, but I've never seen a pine tree that looked like that! All of the ones here are the long-leaf yellow pines or short leaf white pines, but the trunks are ruler straight. Interesting variation!
ReplyDeletesimply beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo's!!
ReplyDeleteHappy SWF
so pretty
ReplyDeleteI love the ridge top hike and the bristlecone. But then, I love anything that makes me think of hiking. A few more months and the snow will be gone in the Sierra Nevada and I can get back to my favorite mountains but your trails look pretty good too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing view!!!
ReplyDeleteNice shots,have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThose are both beautiful shots. That's a good idea to wear orange. I'm pretty scared of hunters certain times of year. The tree is so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like both photos. You do live in a marvelous place. Nice quote by Muir there.
ReplyDeletethat last looks like a joshua tree. kinda it looks like it had to work hard to grow there doesn't it
ReplyDeleteIts like having the whole world at your door, seeing this much space.
ReplyDeleteLovely picture. Thanks for sharing
Hi Janie,
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you and Mischief just rode down from the sky! What a great photo - would make a good poster.
Absolutely beautiful! Love the big skies.
ReplyDeleteMy Skywatch Friday: Sunrise Over Plum Island
Any tips on bristecone I.D? We have a lot of whitebark and limber pine, and have heard there's a few related oldtimers around.
ReplyDeleteThat last photo is gorgeous to me, with the tree against that blue sky is just stunning. Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteYour's is my favorite for the week. How fortunate you are to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
ReplyDeleteAmazing scenery.
ReplyDeleteSydney City and Suburbs
Yes, you are fortunate!
ReplyDeleteYou have presented a lovely shot for this SWF, I enjoyed seeing them.
That's a great picture of the mountains, especially after I found you and Mischief on it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo of the ridge top. I'm a sucker for trails and I love how this one winds around on the ridge.
ReplyDeleteI love picture of the tree. It is very gnarly. It has probably been there a long time.
Thanks,
The structure of the tree is beautiful, even more beautiful is the sky above it that you're sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend!
Looks like you're riding off into that marvelous sky.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful country. If it only had water, I'd move there in an instant. Of course that would ruin the country's splendor (... the water, not me -- I tread softly). Thanks for sharing such great scenery!
ReplyDeleteUtah! Great shots of awesome country!!! Love that sky too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sky and a great tree
ReplyDeletethose bristle cones are awesome!
ReplyDeletethe 1st pic is spectacular!
Janie: Wonderful photos from the great open country. What a neat view of the pine tree.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote - it makes me want to rush out into the wilderness!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful...I would love to live there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenic photo...esp enlarged...Ilike the old bristlecone pine also...
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty area and a very cool tree. Good idea to wear orange that time of year!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, wise to wear orange in hunting season ;) Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for sharing your wonderful world!
ReplyDeleteThe tree and sky combination are fantastic. Thanks for sharing with us all in Sky Watch Friday and thanks for your kind comments on my blog earlier.
ReplyDeleteOh! That tree is so beautiful!! Bristlecone Pine
ReplyDeleteSwaminarayan Temple in Dwarka
Great post!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Whutta scenery you've got for horsebackride. You're lucky to have access in such a mindblowing place. But you probably all ready know that. Great add to SWF. You have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe view in that first picture is absolutely gorgeous. Utah is in fact a beautiful state.
ReplyDeleteWhat an impressive photo -- especially when enlarged! I've always loved the west, and now that I live in Kansas, I'm just that much closer! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photo for SkyWatch, thanks for sharing.
Breath deeply in this natural wonderland. What a walkway to go for a stroll ending at the horizon.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the orange clothing. Every year, that is a long time ago, my father went hunting in Switzerland. He wore grey, green, brown and other drab colours to melt into the country site. One day he was resting. An other hunter shot right through his backpack! He was so lucky. From then on he would wear a red cap. I have always heard that some people were accidentally shot. Good to give your faithful something orange to wear as he is very vulnerable on four legs!