As my time in Colorado draws to a close, the
desire to explore is growing exponentially.
Yesterday I was thinking that while I have ridden in the canyon below
the ranch, I have not really taken my time poking around its massive meadows
and caves. So I emerged from my bedroom
bright and early this morning, donned a smelly pair of cowboy boots and lassoed
my palomino gelding, Capelli D’oro. In
less time than it takes to walk the dog, I was on my pony and heading south…down,
that is. Over rolling, jagged rocks and
sweeping meadow, Capelli D’oro bore me into the gaping mouth of the rugged canyon.
After exploring a cave-like split in the
sandstone’s cliff face, I rode deeper into the canyon until I came across a
sweeping meadow. Despite the thrill of
climbing the cliffs and the awe of finding a spectacular view, the meadows
remain my favorite parts of the canyon.
Not only do they give you room to appreciate the vastness of the ravine;
they also provide Capelli with the opportunity to gallop. There are few things in this world that I
enjoy more than soaring over a prairie on the back of a spirited horse.
As the day grew into
the afternoon, the rain clouds passed and left us to bake in the noonday
sun. Despite my appreciation for the opportunity
to work on my feeble tan, it didn’t change the fact that I was getting
uncomfortably warm. But on our way home,
I began thinking about the bears and cougars.
Soon I was glancing sheepishly into the trees and caves, wondering if
there were any hungry cats lurking in their shadows. Then, as my sister’s mare caught my eye, I
realized that Capelli and I had nothing to worry about. I didn’t have to outrun a bear.
All I had to do was outrun the mare.
;)
;)
~K
Glad I was not riding the mare....
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