Hi-Yo Silver!

Do you have a "Bucket List"?  I do, and I am slowly but surely ticking things off my list.  I am right now doing the biggest thing on my bucket list--traveling in our RV from National Park to National Park to see the grand and glorious United States--well part of the U.S.  To be perfectly honest I'm not so sure we'll get east of the Mississippi.  Plus the majority of the National Parks are in the Western and Central United States.

Another "hot" bucket list item was learning to horseback ride.  My family actually had a couple of horses when I was under 12, but I must have seen one or two siblings get bucked off so I've had a fear of horses for over 50 years.  I needed to push past the fear and take lessons because another item on my bucket list is taking a dude ranch vacation which would include horseback riding on the open range.  Yup, I wanna be a cowgirl.  Yeehaw!!!  The dude ranch vacation hasn't been planned yet, but horseback riding ... just got started today!  Picture this ... me, horseback riding, with my Glock strapped to my hip (scary, huh?)!!

When I found a deal on Groupon for three horseback riding lessons at Fitzgerald Horses in Gardnerville I decided it was time to take the plunge and purchased the deal.  It took me a few months, but I finally had my first lesson today and guess what ... very little fear!  Yes, I'm still afraid of getting bucked off a horse, but that was the sum total of my fears today.

Gary came with me to photograph the experience for this blog ... isn't he great? 

Here's a photo of your typical barn cat, queen of her universe, perched on a hay stack, surveying her sovereign estate and waiting patiently for a brave, misguided mouse to scurry across the corral.  Poor mouse might make a dainty, tasty morsel for that fat cat!  But let's face it, that's her job--keeping the corral mouse-free.

I started my orientation by Bridgette asking me to hold the rope while she put the reins and bit onto my ride today, Durango.  She told me Durango likes to smell your hair and sho-nuff, Durango started to sniff me and my hair.  I just stood there and let him have at it and worked on not getting nervous about having such a huge animal standing next to me. 

Bridgette also told me that Durango is a "lazy horse" so I wouldn't have to worry about him doing anything crazy which did make me feel better.  One thing I didn't want to do today (or any day for that matter) was ride a buckin' bronco.

After she finished bridling Durango, I climbed up the handy-dandy steps to mount the stately steed.  I was just a bit nervous, but Bridgette did a great job explaining how to sit in the saddle and hold the reins properly.  There's actually an art to saddle sitting and how your legs are in the stirrups.  Who knew?

We started off at a nice slow stride with Bridgette providing ongoing instructions while she held onto the bridle as we ambled around the arena.

Eventually, she moved to the side of the arena and let me and Durango have a go at it on our own.  It really was so much fun.  I loved riding Durango at this nice gentle pace.  In the first picture below, I'm working at turning Durango.

 

Look at this perfect equestrian posture! 

Here, Bridgette has me standing up in the stirrups to get my thighs to grip the sides of the saddle while I get my heels down and toes up in the stirrups.  I'm actually just trying to get up so I'm leaning forward too much.  It is very important to have your thighs gripping the sides of saddle.  This becomes "critical" when you start trotting ... trust me on this one if you want to stay in the saddle.

I guess I must have been doing okay because Bridgette then asked me if I wanted to trot.  "Trot?" I said nervously.  Not sure I'm really ready for trotting, but if she thinks so, why not?  Well, I do have a long list of reasons why not, but I'm going for it anyway.

For trotting, Bridgette secured a lead to Durango and I coaxed him to the center of the arena.  He did NOT go willingly; I really had to work him to get him there.  Remember, he's a lazy horse and he knew he was going to have to "work" once he got to the center of the arena.

My first trot almost had me paralyzed in fear!  I grabbed the pommel and wouldn't let go and could barely pull back on the reins to slow him down because of my death grip on the pommel!! When we finally got Durango to a stop, I said, "Okay, that was not as fun as the leisurely strolls were."  I took a breather, Bridgette gave me more instruction, and then I said, "Let's try that again."  We did and I got more comfortable each time we did it, but it is a lot of work.  You're using your whole core when you're horseback riding.  And now, your butt and the saddle are slapping one another as you bounce up and down.  It's important to get your body and the horse into a rhythm.  You can trust me on this one, too.

Here are some photos of me trotting on Durango.

 

All in all, it was a successful first horseback riding lesson. Bridgette was an excellent, patient instructor and I can't wait to go again.  Unfortunately, I'll only be able to fit in one last lesson before we leave for Colorado, but at least I feel more confident and less fearful. 

During the training, Bridgette first taught me to ride at a leisurely pace while learning how to turn the horse.  So we practiced wide open arena turns and then tight turns.  Then we practiced backing up, which isn't very easy because horses do NOT like to back up so I really had to work at this.  Then we went on to trotting.  We probably did short trotting turns about 20 times.  After trotting, Bridgette set up cones for Durango and me to practice slalom turns because turning a horse requires pulling the reins the direction you want to head and then pressing your opposite leg against the horse's side while gripping the saddle with your thighs!  I found out my left leg is very weak compared to my right leg.  You also have to look in the direction you want to head.  There's so much to think about.

We ended our session with a few leisurely laps (boosting my confidence) and then I dismounted without using the steps. I was a bit hesitant, but had a successful dismount so I think I'll be more confident next time.

Here I am giving Durango some well-deserved love for giving me such a great, easy ride and not bucking the system too much. I even gave him a few treats for treating me so well.

Loved this lesson from Bridgette.  Loved horseback riding.  And can't wait to get to Colorado where Gary can take some lessons and we can go riding in the local mountains.  He said he's ready and I know I'm ready.  So cool!

Psalms 20:7 // Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.

Proverbs 21:31 // The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but victory belongs to the LORD.

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's off to LA I go!

I just started a new home business, H2O at Home, that sells non-toxic, eco-friendly, biodegradable house cleaning and body care products.  These products are safe for you, your family, your pets, and not the least, the environment.  The basis for cleaning is water (thus the H2O) and these very high-quality microfiber cloths.  They have done studies and the H2O at Home products will cut down your house cleaning time by 40% ... that's right, 40%!  And, you can get rid of 90% of the toxic chemicals that are lurking under both your kitchen and bathroom sinks throughout your house.  Unfortunately, the U.S. has very little standards for cleaning supplies while Europe has some very good standards.  The majority of our products are made in France and meet the European cert standards.

So, now on to my trip to L.A.  I decided to spend a week in L.A. because that's where I had friends who I knew would host some parties for me.  I really don't know many people in the Carson Valley because we haven't been here all that long. So, I sent out a "plea" and three people graciously agreed to host parties for me.  That's why I decided to make the eight hour drive!

I got up early Friday morning so I could get on the road early and arrive by 4:00 p.m. in L.A.  I was greeted with this stunning sunset.  I'm imagining they have these sunsets all the time, but I never see them because now that I'm retired I am committed to sleeping in until 8:00 a.m.!  Doesn't it look like the sky is on fire?

 

It was an 8-hour drive I was undertaking, but I also wanted to take photos on the way so I could show you how beautiful this part of the world is.  Most of the photos were taken in California, because where we are in Nevada is only a short distance to the border.  My first photo opportunity was just before the border at Topaz Lake.  I caught it with the clouds and early morning light.  So beautiful!

 

Driving on from there you get to see more of the beautiful eastern Sierras along Highway 395, which basically follows the Sierras.  Here are a few shots randomly taken from the car along the highway.



 

Not far from there is the overlook to Mono Lake, one very interesting place!  Here are a few shots from the overlook before you start heading down the mountain.



Mono Lake (MOH-noh) is a large, shallow saline soda lake in Mono County, CA. This desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp that thrive in its waters, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp.

The human history of Mono Lake is associated with its productive ecosystem. The native Kutzadika'a people derived nutrition from the larvae of the alkali flies that live in the lake. When the city of Los Angeles diverted water from the lake, it lowered the lake level, which imperiled the migratory birds. The Mono Lake Committee formed in response, winning a legal battle that forced Los Angeles to partially restore the lake level.

Mono Lake formed because it lies in the Mono Basin, an endorheic basin that has no outlet to the ocean. Dissolved salts in the runoff thus remain in the lake and raise the water's pH levels and salt concentration. 

Mono Lake is believed to have formed dating back to the Long Valley eruption. Sediments located below the ash layer hint that Mono Lake could be a remnant of a larger and older lake that once covered a large part of Nevada and Utah, which would put it among the oldest lakes in North America. At its height during the most recent ice age, the lake may have been 900 feet (270 m) deep. Prominent old shore lines, called strandlines by geologists, can be seen above Lee Vining and along volcanic hills northeast of the current lake.

Further down the road heading towards June and Mammoth Lakes, the Sierras are simply stunning.  Snow-covered peaks line the azure sky, making the monotonous drive a sight for sore eyes.  Don't tell anyone, but I actually took some of these photos while driving, setting my phone on top of the steering wheel.  I did make sure there were no cars around me, though, so if something did happen, it would only happen to me and no one else.  Now doesn't that give you some comfort?

Here are photos of one of my favorite parts of the drive, Red Rock Canyon.  Around this area you have a multitude of off-roading areas that get high usage from RVers and off-roaders.  That's why there's such a thing as Toy Haulers -- RVs that will accommodate your off road vehicle inside when on the road.

Well, I arrived in LA and was greeted with a usual LA sight ... lots of traffic.  No wonder I have no desire to live in California anymore!

Not only was there lots of traffic, but I had firsthand witness to two ridiculous driving incidents.  One, a person willfully and knowingly ran a full-on red arrow light.  I mean, there was no room for interpretation on this one.  It was full-on red.  I have not seen one person in the Carson Valley even get close to running a red light.  Second, I was driving northbound on Crenshaw between the refinery when someone decides they really want to be heading south, so they drive right over the center median and head south!  I mean, when have you seen that one before?  I've never seen anyone do that before.  Really, he couldn't wait until he could make a legal U-turn?  That's LA driving for ya'.

And, of course, the reason I was in LA was to bring H2O at Home to LA people who could make a choice to be toxic-free in their homes and really be eco-friendly ... not just pretend.  Here's the product display I set up at my sister, Kitti's, home for her party.

As I mentioned, all three parties were an amazing success ... thank you to my three hosts, Kitti, Paula and Robyn, who did an amazing job of getting people there.  Because once they are there, they will see from my demonstrations how awesome the products are and will surely buy, which all but one person out of about 30 did, in fact, buy.  THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

So, it was time to head on home, back to the safe and sane Carson Valley.  Here's a picture showing the long road home through the desert.  It stretches forever!

And then more pictures of the Sierras, this time heading north, homeward bound.

This is a beautiful stretch just past Mammoth through a thick forested area.  I also really love this part of the journey because of all the evergreens that line the highway.

And then, near the town of Walker is the lovely Walker River.  This area was devastated by the 1997 flood.  Numerous trees were mowed down by the powerful river waters that rose to highway level.  The flood destroyed 10 miles of Highway 395 and really demolished a truly beautiful, scenic area as well.  If you click on this link you can find more information on this flood that also hit the Carson Valley as well.  https://www.google.com/#q=walker+river+flood+1997+video

Here's a shot of Topaz Lake on my way back home.  This is about 3:00 p.m. while the other photo I took on my way to LA was taken around 9:00 a.m.

And how about this cool sign letting me know I've now arrived safely back into the state of Nevada, my home state!

And, finally, the Carson Valley ... the beautiful Carson Valley!  This picture was taken at the top of the last hill before you start heading down into the valley.

It was so great to see so many good friends and family and to spend time with them, but I have to confess, it was also very, very good to get back home again.

If you want more information about H2O at Home, please email me.  I'd love to explain more about these truly amazing products to you and get you on the road to removing all the toxic products from your home so it is safe for you, your family, your pets AND the environment!

Psalms 36:5-9

Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.  How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; and You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.  For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.