2 Rides in 2 Days

On Saturday morning, I sent a text to my Cowgirl friends: "Going 2 the Dunes 2 day 2 ride..."

Got a text back from Cowgirl Dee: "Who is this??" Ego deflated (evidently I am not in her "Contacts" list...), I texted back "Zdravich" and began preparations for going to the Dunes. By the time we got there, Dee and Dolly were already on the trail. As we were grooming "The Girls" (by the way, filthy from shedding and laying in the muddy pasture), two riders came in off the trail. We had been looking at their trailer with intense curiosity the entire time. So I decided to ask them about the trailer. As it turns out, it became one of those classic parking lot encounters at the Indiana Dunes....we got to talking about horse trailers, rides, escapades, horse issues. etc... and the time just flew!! We were still there talking when Dee and Dolly got back from their trail ride. The conversation continued with all 6 of us, and it was so much fun!!

The unique trailer was from Belgium (you can see a bit of it on the far right of the above photo) -- it was called "Brendarup" (or something very similar). It is made from fiberglass, and therefore very light. She could pull it with a minivan!!! Expensive though, about $12K!!! Maybe less expensive than getting a trailer and truck strong enough to pull it.... Dolly, Dee and I all have the same cowgirl hat -- John bought this hat for me as a gift, and Dee and Dolly liked it so much that they got one, too! So now we are triplets! Unfortunately, Dee did not have hers with her on this day, so here is Dolly and I modeling our matching hats. Look how beautiful Dolly is...

So after we all sufficiently socialized, they all left, and John and I took our trail ride. As always, the Dunes are a wonderful place to be....

The look and the trails change from season to season. In the Spring, it can be flooded and just beautiful with water and budding plants...

Because it is a sort of wet ecosystem, there are a series of bridges to cross on the trails.... We had a great ride! The Girls just loved having a chance to get out and explore the Dunes again. (Here is a photo of an acutal "dune" on the trail). Believe me, the photo does not do it justice...

On Sunday (today) we rode the abandonded railroad line near our house, and through the woods of our property. It was the warmest day so far this year for us -- close to 70 degrees!! It was one of those days when everything falls together -- the horses are into it, the weather is great, you feel good in the saddle...it is all working for you! We are so thankful and so fortunate to have such great riding opportunities so close to home!!