Actualization!

Wow, holy wow! It's been 3 months since my last blog post, and what a 3 months it's been! I am moved to tears, there is a welcome pressure in my chest that the time is near, all the time, sweat, anticipation, trepidation....... I am leaving in three weeks for the "test and tune-up ride". I smile and tell everyone it's the "small ride" that the "big ride" is next year, but I know better. This is the most difficult piece of the washington portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Greg is constantly reminding me that there is more elevation change in a shorter distance for this portion than the rest of our planned Oregon-Canada trek. And let's not forget "the catwalk". It's impressive, sure, but I remember The Devil's Causeway of Colorado and smile. These are the things that move blood from my heart to the living tissues of my body. This is Who I Am.

Breathe.

Greg showed me the map of Section J (Snoqualmie Pass to Stephens Pass... or I-90 to Hwy 2 if you haven't lived) this morning as it hangs in his office. I felt like a child on Christmas morning. For the record, I don't like Christmas.... I kind of loathe and dread it, actually, but THIS was unmistakeable as that feeling - I should have been wearing onsie pjs and slept-in pig tails. I tried to focus as Greg was walking me through our trip, pointing out potential campsites and grazing areas, sites of concern, the infamous catwalk, a possible difficult water-crossing... all I could see were spectacular vistas, ripe huckleberries, breathtaking heights, awesome landscapes (in the literal meaning of the term "awesome", if anyone still knows what that is). The only thing strong enough to pry me away from that map, out of that room, was the promise of Lunettes internationally reknowned pancakes - a treat and an honor not to be missed!

After thoroughly enjoying my breakfast we made for the hills. Tuxedo has been with us just three short months, and has proven again and again that his true worth is in his steady nature, sound body, sure footedness, and in the size of his heart. What a horse. Not a ride goes by (and there have been so many) that he doesn't prove to me again that he IS a force of nature. Stength of a viking, serenity of a monk, heart of a saint. Oh, and I'm convinced he's at least 1/8th mountain goat. He brings to mind the NFL linemen that study ballet to aid their balance and agility. :)
"Steep bank, no problem; it's made of rock, I eat rock for lunch; it's as tall as me, bring it on; it's a 70 degree climb, I love a challenge!"
You'd have to see it to believe it, but this horse - without missing a beat - approaches, navigates, climbs - and he loves it, every last bit of it. Nevermind that Greg's saddle has shifted forward and all the weight is now squarely on TOP of his withers, nevermind that horses with more experience and in better perceived condition have gone to their knees on these same rocks, nevermind that we've ridden 12 miles of up/down/around to get here and there's still another 4 to go, he never fails us and always comes asking for more. In fact, he has taken to balking at the gate being led back IN to the pasture, and when we've released him after a 16 mile ride over the roughest terrain the island has to offer he hangs around looking for a hose squirt to the muzzle, a rub between his jowls, or - his personal favorite - a peppermint cookie.

Cheeseburger, of course, is a dream, but I expect that of her. Tuxedo has surprised me, and more than exceeded my expectations. We've come a long way, the 4 of us. Greg will share with you what he calls the "horse drama", which has been, for the record, nonexistence. Yes, he got dumped the first week I had Tuck, but he was doing something I had advised against - and he listens much better now (I am speaking of Greg here, Tuck has always listened).
And there were a handful of times when Tuck questioned Greg's leadership and tried to back up or turn around rather than take a particular trail.... this is not "horse drama" this is "horse training". And it's all come along splendidly. And really, the honest truth is that Greg has changed more than Tuck. He has become a more active and engaged rider, forming a partnership and filling a leadership position that Tuck needed to succeed. Don't tell him I told you, but he's becoming quite the rider. Rather than shower him with praise I will go along with his stories about the horse drama and how great it is that Tuck has learned so much... :)

I've got one more ride to squeeze in tonight. This horsey stuff is pretty spendy, so I've got to hire myself out at every opportunity. AND it keeps my fit so my beloved Cheesie doesn't have to lug me AND Lunettes internationally reknowned pancakes up the mountain. She appreciates, I'm sure, all my hard work ;)

The Big Decision....

Another writing assignment from Greg - Was there a time when we went from aquaintances to friends?
When did you really decide on PCT and did you think that I would ask to go along?

No, immediately, and no.

I am pretty big on being blunt, so I'll have to say that I still view Greg as more of an acquaintance than a friend. . . Not because there is anything I dislike about him - quite the opposite, in fact. Just that there hasn't been anything...... I don't make friends easily, and there are only a few people in my life that I truly feel are friends - most of those relationships date back 10 years or more. No offense, Greg, we're just not there. I have a feeling that after 500 miles on the trail I will consider you either friend or foe! :)

As for the big decision, it was pretty fast and clear, like lightning had struck! It was just another day, I was brushing and saddling horses for another ride with Greg. He showed up this time with a book, The Trail North. I love to read, and was touched by his thoughtful gift. I started reading it as soon as I got home that evening.... and kept reading..... and kept reading into the late hours of the night. I woke early the next morning, it was 4 or maybe 4:30 and I couldn't sleep, so I sat at the kitchen table and finished the book. I was swept up in the adventure, the solitude, the peaks and valleys. I could taste the cool mornings and feel the grit of hot dust in my teeth. The book closed and my laptop switched on, I was reading now about more recent horseback trips. 3 hours of clicking and reading, searching, dreaming, absorbing. I logged onto facebook: April 14th, 6:59am:
"Well, Greg Hertel, now you've done it! I've been up since 4:30 reading articles, blogs, sites about people who rode the Pacific Crest Trail......... Dammit."

That was it, I knew I had to do it and the wheels were spinning determining when and how. Why? Never crossed my mind, unimportant, people waste too much time on why. If it moves you, do it. If you can't, step left and through - there is a way. I didn't expect Greg to go with me, that was a complete surprise - a welcome one, certainly, he is an invaluable resource for the planning, permits, researching trail conditions - and he is good trail company, this has already been established - and it's just plain smart to have another person along.

That's all for now, I must be off! The sun is shining and I've got miles to ride!

Over the hump....

This will be a quick post, as I am exhausted from a long.... week. I brought home Tuxedo today, the 12yo Norwegian Fjord / Quarter Horse gelding who marks the first purchase for the PCT ride. As he stands, with just a little conditioning he will be a perfect pack horse. He stands at or just over 15H and I estimate his weight to be around 1300lbs. I will get clearer measurements and post them soon. More important than his height, weight, or even his immense width is the size and quality of his joints and hooves. He has large, clean hocks and knees - and beautiful, big, solid black feet. He's an easy keeper who, despite his size, doesn't need to eat much.
At the very least he will easily carry all the feed and most of our gear without any trouble. In my heart, however, I am hoping that he will become a suitable mount for either Greg or myself. I think he is a super horse with a big heart who just needs time and miles to bring it out in him.
....... and he matches my mare! :)

How it all began

Greg asked me on our ride today if I would write about our first ride and the events leading up to it....

It’s a rare day when I’m not in my boots and jeans. When I say boots I am, of course, referring to Ariats – are there any others? I do own a pair or two of sexy knee-highs, but my Ariats are most often on my feet as I am usually riding before and/or after work at the hardware store and all the days in between. I am comfortable with them and the horse tattoo that too-often prompts the question, “Do you ride?” Or the statement, “You must like horses.” I forget which of these Greg used last summer, but I gave him the same indulgent smile and affirmative answer I hand off to everyone who approaches me this way. I grow weary of it, but it does offer me a way to connect to people and assert myself to them as more than just the girl at the hardware store, which is something my wild nature fights against at every turn. Usually it stops there, sometimes I am offered what I call ‘the usual’:

I rode a horse once, he ran me off under a tree.

I grew up with horses.

My cousin/niece/father-in-law rides.

They share their anecdotes, I smile and nod at the appropriate times, we move on. I snoozed through Greg’s spiel until he offered a motorcycle ride in exchange for a horse ride. –WHAT- That’s new. There are people I know who ask me for rides, but I’ve never been asked quite like that by a complete stranger – unless they are inquiring about riding lessons, which I offer, and those are usually by introduction. I resisted the urge to laugh as I turned down the motorcycle ride (does not interest me) and was going to turn him away completely but his ‘pluck’ entertained me and I took down his number, saying something about calling him when the opportunity to ride came along.

As I remember it a few months passed. I sold the sturdy little Mustang that Greg may have been able to handle and was left with my very green Quarter Horse mare and racing bred, very young Thoroughbred filly. I had all but forgotten about the umpteenth person who said he really did know how to ride when he ran into me at the store and brought it up again. As luck had it I had just reacquired a nice, quiet gelding who had been in my care before and I figured, on a whim, that I would give this guy a shot.

It was hunting season, so we had to haul away from my usual trails, which is just as well as they  can be challenging. It’s not that I thought Greg was lying, I just thought that his version of a “good” rider and mine were light years apart, as is usually the case. I saddled both horses…. No, I think Greg saddled Buster (the quiet gelding) and that was the first tick in his favor. If you “know how to ride” but can’t saddle a horse then you can’t ride. It shouldn’t even need to be said, but people never cease to amaze me.

Anyway, I got him on his horse and everything adjusted without incident. We headed down the trail and Buster, who is big and clumsy and lazy and adorable, trotted briefly to catch up to my mare. Low and behold there was Greg…. Posting. It was that moment that really got my attention. Had I actually found someone with the time, inclination, and ABILITY to ride? I ride with people several days a week and often several times in one day, but lessons don’t count. I can never work on my own horses, I must always be watching and coaching. Then there are my “favorite” riding buddies who are just as busy as I am, so it’s hard to connect. Greg is retired, and wants to ride, and doesn’t complain when I have to change plans at the last minute to accommodate a “paying gig”. He rides pretty much rain or shine, and helps a little more with the chores when my hands are in shades of blue.

Over our winter of riding I have discovered other things about Greg that have earned him a spot on the list of people I call to ride. He’s a great conversationalist, tells a good yarn, doesn’t mind when mother nature dumps buckets on us 6 miles into our ride, enjoys the thrill of finding a new trail almost as much as I do, appreciates the horses as they are and for what they are, and he gave me this really great book that has lit a fire under my ass to get living!

Taking shape

I'm beginning to think planning this venture is going to be half the fun. I love horse shopping! No, still haven't found the right one, but the options have rolled out in front of me, and I have only to choose. I have been offered a client's horse, one that I am very fond of, and solidly confident in his physical ability and mental capacity for this venture. . . and he's just a gas to ride. The drawback? I would be training this horse, for free, for at least the next 4 months. The money I'd lose from training is much more than I would have to spend on a new prospect. Option B may be the Enumclaw auction held the first Sunday of every month. In the April auction a 15 hand 4 year old Mustang filly (PERFECT for me) sold for $75!!! She would have been JUST the ticket. And even after gas and ferry I'd only be into her about $500. But it's a gamble - the horses could be sick, drugged, lame, crazy - or I could spend $400 on gas and ferry to find that there's nothing suitable for me to buy.
I've seen some promising ads, but nothing good enough to warrant the costly trip to the mainland, and the horsey budget continues to shrink in direct relation to the list of gear I'll be investing in which seems to be growing faster than the weeds in my garden!
Speaking of gear, I've decided to ride in my Isabell Werth Wintec dressage saddle. I know it may sound crazy at first, but it's extremely comfortable for me, has an adjustable gullet and Cair panels for the horse, weighs less than my Bona Allen western saddle by about 15 lbs, and it's synthetic, so it'll be easier to care for on the trail. Greg will be maxed out for weight with him and a western saddle, it will be up to my mount and the pack horse to carry feed for three horses, and all the human gear and food. 
The first thing I'd like to have accomplished (aside from finding a horse) is a gear list..... I've got a few things in mind:
Pack saddle and bags/boxes
Stowaway Bags for my dressage saddle
Rain sheets for 3 horses
Feedbags (nosebags) for 3 horses
Collapsible bucket (for watering when horses can't get to the source - could double as feed container)
Tree savers
Sheepskin for lining saddlebags, hobbles, etc
Oh, it goes on and on. I'm anxious to start buying what I can, little by little, but am waiting to figure out the best values, reading up on what worked well for other riders.... Really need to get out on a Backcountry Horsemen ride so I can pick a few brains. :)

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass - East

In preparation for the Washington State leg of the Pacific Crest Trail Greg Hertel and I are planning to ride Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass. We are loosely planning the last week in August / first week of September. This leg of the PCT should take us 4 days, and will be a great "trial run", as well as a spectacular experience, I am sure, on its own merits. I am beginning the hunt this morning for another horse, or two. Cheeseburger should be a shoo-in. I've read that the horses who are physically unsuitable will break down after the first 100 miles, so I intend to have her vetted after our 74 mile trek to see how she holds up. The concern is her knees, she's just a little flat, and all the elevation change (the downhill bits) could wreak havoc. As long as they hold up she will make a fine mount for Greg or myself. She is stout, fit, an easy keeper who doesn't need to eat much. She's got an efficient, ground-eating walk, and is willing and eager to get through all the obstacles of a trail.
My Thoroughbred filly is completely unsuitable, for a mount or a pack animal. She is too reactive and flighty to be of much use, though I'm sure a trip like this would be to her benefit - I'd rather not die finding out. :)
I need to find something in the next 4 to 6 weeks so we will have time to condition and train!