On a day hazy with smoke from fires, with a 40% chance of rain in the mountains, and a general lack of initiative, we ride in the Cedars, an expanse of arid juniper and sage land close to home.
Our usual route, about 8 miles, takes us down to a creek with a beaver dam, where Daisy can refresh herself with a swim.
Non-native plants (tamarisk and Russian olive) have mostly taken over the creek bank. A few native cottonwood trees remain, but no dwarf willow, which would almost certainly be here naturally.
The only plant still blooming is rabbit brush.
This area has been overgrazed in the past, but Indian rice grass and some other native grasses survive.
For us, though, the sand hills and two tracks make for a ride that’s easy on horses and riders, and always good for a lazy day.
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On a day hazy with smoke from fires, with a 40% chance of rain in the mountains, and a general lack of initiative, we ride in the Cedars, an expanse of arid juniper and sage land close to home. 
Our usual route, about 8 miles, takes us down to a creek with a beaver dam, where Daisy can refresh herself with a swim. 
Non-native plants (tamarisk and Russian olive) have mostly taken over the creek bank. A few native cottonwood trees remain, but no dwarf willow, which would almost certainly be here naturally. 
The only plant still blooming is rabbit brush.
This area has been overgrazed in the past, but Indian rice grass and some other native grasses survive. 
For us, though, the sand hills and two tracks make for a ride that’s easy on horses and riders, and always good for a lazy day.
That road looks perfect to wander down. You have no idea how jealous I am every time I view your blog. What a treat to have such a great companion to explore your world on.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I could get lost with the above & the scenery ... beautiful ride. TY for taking us along.
ReplyDeletePop over & meet a new blog lady @ shabbycottageshoppe.blogspot.com
TTFN ~Marydon
October 6, 2009?? The photos are wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and a real sense of your 'lazy hazy day' in the saddle. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJanice.
Oh it must be wonderful with lazy days like this :)
ReplyDeleteI miss my horses!
HI Janie,
ReplyDeleteI see you have orange on the horses for hunting season. Lots of storms coming through CO, too - have to be off the trails by early afternoon. Thanks for the relaxing ride.
Great post, Janie! And I love your photos, as always! Thanks for taking us along! Give Daisy a hug for me.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Sylvia
Looks like a pleasant ride and I always enjoy the scenery you show us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful part of the world you live in! One of these days... (sigh)
ReplyDeleteI always think I live in such a spacious free part of the world until I view yours. Truly makes the stress levels lower.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking That so looks like the place and plants that I memorized in Field biology in Rexburg Idaho I went to your profile and saw you are not far from there
ReplyDeleteHi Janie, I sure did enjoy your lazy day 8 mile ride and I'm glade to hear the trial was made easier for riders.
ReplyDeleteWe have trouble with non-native plants invading this area also.
Thanks for letting me hitch a ride:D
Thanks for tagging us along to your beautiful world. Beautiful scenery. Glad it did not rain.
ReplyDeleteEbie's World
Janie, I cannot imagine you two EVER being lazy... Even if you didn't go WAY up in the mountains ---you still got out and took a nice ride. That's not being lazy I don't think... Anyhow ---I loved seeing the pictures where you rode... Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I love that rabbit brush. REminds me of French broom.
ReplyDeleteThe role of beaver dams in the natural hydrology of the riparian corridors throughout the west is a fascinating topic, and a legal one as well. Those dams helped expand the flood plain and add natural storage into the system. We have the same problem with the non-natives by the way ... it's pandemic.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like another great ride! I'm glad the hazy part of our world is gone now.
ReplyDeleteLazy day??? Sounds like a big day to me. Lovely views. I hope you got the much needed rain to keep the fires at bay.
ReplyDeleteI would say this is a perfect place for a 'lazy' ride. The scenery in your last picture is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteNow that's wide open space! I really enjoyed this post and the one about Boss being a "cowy" horse - see, I learned something new today thanks to you.
ReplyDeletewhen I was a kid all the kids in the little town I grew up in would get together and ride in the cedars just above our town. sometimes we'd take our gear and camp out. good times!
ReplyDeleteDo you ride every day?
thanks for the birthday wishes.
Sounds like the perfect "lazy" day!
ReplyDeleteEveryone certainly deserves a lazy day now and then. This looked like a relaxing ride.
ReplyDeleteYour lazy day of riding would probably exhaust most other people!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful country in your part of the world, thanks for sharing!
Lily Hydrangea is right, your lazy riding is not for lazy people:) I am quite impressed with your knowledge of the bushes/plants in the area. Your world is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy world entry is up here.
I love this country scenery very much!
ReplyDeleteSuppose you have to ride close to home sometimes. Except for the salt cedar and russian olive, it looks like a nice place. Glad Daisy got in a swim.
ReplyDeletebeautiful world!
ReplyDeleteI love easy day rides! :-D
ReplyDeleteJanie,
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful, laid back day for all of you .. Daisy, too!
Frankly, your lazy days seem more active than my busy days!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better than walking/riding in late summer, early fall days...nothing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this lovely ride with us Janie.
Blessings and smiles
There is nothing better than walking/riding in late summer, early fall days...nothing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this lovely ride with us Janie.
Blessings and smiles
Lovely photos. So real cowboys still exist...reminds me of all the cowboy films I have watched. You are so lucky to have so much space!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun lazy day!
ReplyDelete