Riddari fra' Bonaventure Farms, my new Icelandic Horse gelding.
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We Moved!!!
15 years ago
Showing posts with label Raven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raven. Show all posts
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tamarack Horse Camping Trip
This past weekend I finally made it to Tamarack Horse Campground in St. Croix State Forest, which is located in the Hinckley, Minnesota area.
You will find that the terrain is varied, from flat land to steep hills with breathtaking views and of course....awesome river crossings.
The flat trails can be found on the Gandy Dancer trail system. The steep challenging trails are located in the St. Croix Forest system.
Pony view from the Tamarack Overlook.
The horse trails meander back and forth, up and down from the beautiful Tamerack River. The Tamarack slowly winds its' way through St. Croix State Forest on it's way down to the St. Croix River. I think there are about 20 miles of St. Croix State Forest trails.
There are three trail systems located in the St. Croix State Forest.
The Gandy Dancer Trail offers ATV/OVH trails, which can also be accessed on horseback. All ATV users we encounter were very respectful and courteous! This system has 31.2 miles of trails. These trails were old logging and railroad beds, so they are wide and fairly flat. Expect for the "whoops" and banks created by the ATV/OVH.
The Willard Munger State Trail, this system is a multi-use trail, it offers 80 miles of trails. These trails travel through St. Croix State Park, Chengwatana State Forest, St. Croix State Forest and Nemadji State Forest.
Most of the trails there are technical and very challenging. Your horse needs to be conditioned for climbing steep grades and sure footed for working on the down grades. The trails are narrow single tracks, running along the rim.....overlooking the Tamarack River. Many are old deer trails, so this will give you an idea on the width.
Many areas are so steep, that trail maintenance consists of "wooden step boxes", and if you are riding a short horse such as my Ice Pony Huginn, you find that he needed to jump from step to step to work his way up the steep hills.
The trail may not look steep in this photo, but it was!! Huginn had to do a running jump all the way up the trail. This is one of many...many so called "boxed step trails". LOVE IT!!!!
Yes, we had rain, rain and more rain, but that didn't keep us off the trails. We were blessed with a no-rain window midday Saturday! And the temps were chilly, perfect for a furry Ice Pony.
There were about 25 folks in our group, BUT....we were riding so fast and hard, I hardly had time to take my camera out to shoot everyone and everything. Darn!
For more photos, please click HERE!
Happy Trails!
Ice Pony Girl
The trip was amazing! I love.....LOVE the Tamarack trails.
The scenery is quite beautiful, especially near the winding rushing Tamarack River.
You will find that the terrain is varied, from flat land to steep hills with breathtaking views and of course....awesome river crossings.
The flat trails can be found on the Gandy Dancer trail system. The steep challenging trails are located in the St. Croix Forest system.
Pony view from the Tamarack Overlook.The horse trails meander back and forth, up and down from the beautiful Tamerack River. The Tamarack slowly winds its' way through St. Croix State Forest on it's way down to the St. Croix River. I think there are about 20 miles of St. Croix State Forest trails.
There are three trail systems located in the St. Croix State Forest.
The Gandy Dancer Trail offers ATV/OVH trails, which can also be accessed on horseback. All ATV users we encounter were very respectful and courteous! This system has 31.2 miles of trails. These trails were old logging and railroad beds, so they are wide and fairly flat. Expect for the "whoops" and banks created by the ATV/OVH.
The Willard Munger State Trail, this system is a multi-use trail, it offers 80 miles of trails. These trails travel through St. Croix State Park, Chengwatana State Forest, St. Croix State Forest and Nemadji State Forest.
Most of the trails there are technical and very challenging. Your horse needs to be conditioned for climbing steep grades and sure footed for working on the down grades. The trails are narrow single tracks, running along the rim.....overlooking the Tamarack River. Many are old deer trails, so this will give you an idea on the width.
Many areas are so steep, that trail maintenance consists of "wooden step boxes", and if you are riding a short horse such as my Ice Pony Huginn, you find that he needed to jump from step to step to work his way up the steep hills.
The trail may not look steep in this photo, but it was!! Huginn had to do a running jump all the way up the trail. This is one of many...many so called "boxed step trails". LOVE IT!!!!
Yes, we had rain, rain and more rain, but that didn't keep us off the trails. We were blessed with a no-rain window midday Saturday! And the temps were chilly, perfect for a furry Ice Pony.
Our guide was Bobbie and her faithful steed, Amadeus.
Oh...I wish I had spent more time exploring the trails! Next year!!
I so enjoyed riding with Bobbie, she rides the way I love to ride. Hard, long and fast! Thank you Bobbie for the great ride!!
The Tamerack Horse Campground is huge. It offers three loops with 55 camp sites and a large day use area. Many of which is tucked into the woods for privacy. Each camp site has high tie lines for your ponies. You will also find clean toilets! Water is available, but you will need a generator to work the water pump.
Ice Pony Girl's campsite, I shared it with Dianne. <:O]
The Tamerack Horse Campground is huge. It offers three loops with 55 camp sites and a large day use area. Many of which is tucked into the woods for privacy. Each camp site has high tie lines for your ponies. You will also find clean toilets! Water is available, but you will need a generator to work the water pump.
Ice Pony Girl's campsite, I shared it with Dianne. <:O] The best part of the weekend, spending time with friends.
"Rockin' Cowgirls"
Dianne, Beth, Raven and Sherry
"Rockin' Cowgirls"
Dianne, Beth, Raven and Sherry
There were about 25 folks in our group, BUT....we were riding so fast and hard, I hardly had time to take my camera out to shoot everyone and everything. Darn!
For more photos, please click HERE!
Happy Trails!
Ice Pony Girl
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Autumnal Equinox
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Hay Meadow Flowage
Another wonderful weekend trail riding and horse camping!
We headed out to Hay Meadow Flowage, Chippewa County Forest in the Bloomer, Wisconsin area. The old map shows only about 9 miles of trails, but there are close to 20 miles of beautiful trails. As well as lots of mountain bike and ATV trails. We saw many ATV's, but no mountain bikes. BTW....they have their own trails!
We had planned on doing a CMO, but it was just not to be. My riding pals decided that they wanted to trail ride instead. On Saturday, we rode and rode. FUN! Steve's new horse Gypsy did awesome! I think she has a crush on Huginn. <:O]
We were however able to get the Saturday CMO map and used it on Sunday to find a few plates. Dawn and Rosie got to try out their compass skills. The plate is hidden by pony boy's forelock.
I drove Dixie on Saturday, Dawn came along. What a workout that was for mini Dixie. The gravel roads were very rolling, steep in a few places with deep loose gravel. We had to get out of the mini cart a few times to make it a bit easier for Dixie to get up the grades. Her little legs were just a workin'.
OH!!!!! While driving to the horse camp, I almost hit a young black bear! It was about 50lbs, and a cute little ball of black fur making it's way across the camp road.♠
Saturday afternoon, I met the nicest couple, Jeanne and Mike. They are members of the Midwest Trail Gaiters, a gaited horse saddle club. I have been meaning to join this club for a few years now, I guess I best get my membership application filled out. It's so much fun to ride with other gaited horses and move out on the trail.
For more trip photos, please click HERE!
We had a wonderful weekend!
Ice Pony Girl
We headed out to Hay Meadow Flowage, Chippewa County Forest in the Bloomer, Wisconsin area. The old map shows only about 9 miles of trails, but there are close to 20 miles of beautiful trails. As well as lots of mountain bike and ATV trails. We saw many ATV's, but no mountain bikes. BTW....they have their own trails!
We had planned on doing a CMO, but it was just not to be. My riding pals decided that they wanted to trail ride instead. On Saturday, we rode and rode. FUN! Steve's new horse Gypsy did awesome! I think she has a crush on Huginn. <:O]
We were however able to get the Saturday CMO map and used it on Sunday to find a few plates. Dawn and Rosie got to try out their compass skills. The plate is hidden by pony boy's forelock.
I drove Dixie on Saturday, Dawn came along. What a workout that was for mini Dixie. The gravel roads were very rolling, steep in a few places with deep loose gravel. We had to get out of the mini cart a few times to make it a bit easier for Dixie to get up the grades. Her little legs were just a workin'.
OH!!!!! While driving to the horse camp, I almost hit a young black bear! It was about 50lbs, and a cute little ball of black fur making it's way across the camp road.♠
Saturday afternoon, I met the nicest couple, Jeanne and Mike. They are members of the Midwest Trail Gaiters, a gaited horse saddle club. I have been meaning to join this club for a few years now, I guess I best get my membership application filled out. It's so much fun to ride with other gaited horses and move out on the trail.
For more trip photos, please click HERE!
We had a wonderful weekend!
Ice Pony Girl
Willoe River Rider's Fall Round Up
I'm about a week behind on camping trip updates...sorry!
Wow.....time for the Willow River Riders Fall Round Up! (two weekends ago!!)
Wow.....time for the Willow River Riders Fall Round Up! (two weekends ago!!)
I can't believe fall is almost here. While fall is my favorite time of the year, it also means the riding season is winding down, and that is a bummer.
Once again, my saddle club had a great weekend a Eau Galle Recreation Area, in Spring Valley, Wisconsin.
The weather....while a bit on the warm and muggy side...was enjoyable. The trails as always were beautiful, thanks to the efforts of our saddle club members during the trail maintenance days.
The fall colors are just starting to peek out.
We had the same tank top on, pink with little horses and rhinestones. Debora rides western and I ride english. The photo is not the best, as the camera setting was changed and I had to photoshop the photo to darken it up a bit.
My friend Debora and I dressed the same, well...almost.
We had the same tank top on, pink with little horses and rhinestones. Debora rides western and I ride english. The photo is not the best, as the camera setting was changed and I had to photoshop the photo to darken it up a bit.
Raven and Debora
We had such fun riding together all weekend, and our dogs loved playing with each other.For more photos, please click HERE!
Happy Trails!
Ice Pony Girl
Monday, September 14, 2009
Labor Day Weekend Photos
Over Labor Day weekend, I met freinds at Hay Creek State Forest in Red Wing, MN. We had such a wonderful weekend. Riding, camping, driving and giggling non-stop!
The weather was perfect! Chilly!! Great for the ponies.
I do need to upload my videos, she's so darn cute. Dixie had fun driving with Margie's 14 hand WelshX pony mares and Sherry's 12 hand Hackney pony mare. Saturday night, we drove to Dressen's Saloon which has a horse campground,as well as a people campground, everyone loved seeing our three carts. It was a hoot.
Anywho, to see all the photos, please click HERE!
Ice Pony Girl
Sherry and Raven
Sherry's hubby cooked dinner one night, Kraig makes the best burgers. He's a great camp cook.
Sherry's hubby cooked dinner one night, Kraig makes the best burgers. He's a great camp cook.The weather was perfect! Chilly!! Great for the ponies.
Had fun driving Dixie all weekend, what a hoot that is!
I do need to upload my videos, she's so darn cute. Dixie had fun driving with Margie's 14 hand WelshX pony mares and Sherry's 12 hand Hackney pony mare. Saturday night, we drove to Dressen's Saloon which has a horse campground,as well as a people campground, everyone loved seeing our three carts. It was a hoot.Great fun...great friends.
Anywho, to see all the photos, please click HERE!
Ice Pony Girl
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wolf? Fox? Coyote?
All furry, all four legged and maybe in my neighborhood.
I had a friend over today who wanted to remove an old playhouse that I have on my property, as she is in need of a tack shed at her ranch. I have a cute little older play house that was built by the family who built my home, it was built for their six children.
She came over with a few freinds who were hoping to lift the play house onto some skids and slide it up on a flatbed trailer. But, her freinds thought the playhouse would fall apart, so she decided not to take it.
After she left, I headed over to my neighbors Bill and Susan's place... to chat with them. Susan is a master gardener and she walked back over to my place as I had some questions on a few things that are growing in my horse pasture. Susan was not sure what they were, she reminded me that she's a master gardener and not a weed specialist. HA!
I'll have to take a few photos of the "weeds" and post them here for you. Maybe I'll get some info from you.
Anywho, while chatting with Susan, she mentioned they had seen a large dog-like animal crossing from her place to mine.
She said it looked like a very large fox, small coyote and maybe even a small wolf.
Coyote
Wolf
Fox
I'm not worried about my ponies, as we have lots of other small critters "in-the-hood", for the dog-like beasties to eat. But, they best stay away from my barn cats!
Susan also mention that she had seen the black bear that my other neighbor saw at his bird feeder about a month ago.
Foxes, coyotoes, wolves and bears ...oh my!
Add that to the current mix of wildlife in my yard and pasture, it's a downright zoo.
Don't forget to fill the bird feeder!
Ice Pony Girl
She came over with a few freinds who were hoping to lift the play house onto some skids and slide it up on a flatbed trailer. But, her freinds thought the playhouse would fall apart, so she decided not to take it.After she left, I headed over to my neighbors Bill and Susan's place... to chat with them. Susan is a master gardener and she walked back over to my place as I had some questions on a few things that are growing in my horse pasture. Susan was not sure what they were, she reminded me that she's a master gardener and not a weed specialist. HA!
I'll have to take a few photos of the "weeds" and post them here for you. Maybe I'll get some info from you.
Anywho, while chatting with Susan, she mentioned they had seen a large dog-like animal crossing from her place to mine.
She said it looked like a very large fox, small coyote and maybe even a small wolf.
Coyote
Wolf
FoxAll four legged, all furry and all ... I think...kinda cute.
I'm not worried about my ponies, as we have lots of other small critters "in-the-hood", for the dog-like beasties to eat. But, they best stay away from my barn cats!
Susan also mention that she had seen the black bear that my other neighbor saw at his bird feeder about a month ago.
Foxes, coyotoes, wolves and bears ...oh my!
Add that to the current mix of wildlife in my yard and pasture, it's a downright zoo.
I love it!
Hum...back to the Play House. I may need to find some paint and doll it up a bit.
Hum...back to the Play House. I may need to find some paint and doll it up a bit.
Don't forget to fill the bird feeder!
Ice Pony Girl
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Weekend Snapshot 75 - Feb 9, 2009
It's a beautiful full moon
Lucy Bear playing with the barn cats.
Lucy Bear playing with the barn cats.
For more Weekend Snapshots, please click here!,
Marco Monday - 02/09/2009
Can you guess what this is?
A small piece of pine branch in my Icelandic Horse's mane.
Huginn must have been using a pine tree as a scratching post.
A small piece of pine branch in my Icelandic Horse's mane.
Huginn must have been using a pine tree as a scratching post.
For more Marco Monday photos, please click here!
Mellow Yellow Monday #5
My hubby took this shot at the local antique sled show over the weekend.
For more Mellow Yellow Monday photos, please click here!
Monochrome Maniacs Monday - Feb. 9, 2009
This photo is from the antique sled show that was held in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. My hubby Dan took the shot.
For more Monochrome Maniacs Monday, please click here!
For more Monochrome Maniacs Monday, please click here!
Camera Critters - Feb, 8, 2009
Mr & Mrs. Cardinal
On my backyard deck. They stop by every day for a meal
On my backyard deck. They stop by every day for a mealFor more Camera Critters photos, please click here!
Shadow Shot Sunday - Feb 8, 2009
Lift bridge over the St. Croix River
Stillwater, Minnesota
Stillwater, Minnesota
For more Shadow Shot Sunday photos, please click here!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Friday Fill-Ins #110
Friday Fill-Ins
1. Please don't tell UNTRUTHS.
2. Can you SING in the morning?
3. The color PURPLE makes me want to SMILE!
4. I have a craving for CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.
5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it SPEND TIME WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER SIERRA!.
6. Eyes are the PEEKS INTO SOULS.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SLEEPING, tomorrow my plans include SHOPPING WITH HUBBY and Sunday, I want to PACK FOR MY TRIP!
For more Friday Fill-Ins, please click here!
1. Please don't tell UNTRUTHS.
2. Can you SING in the morning?
3. The color PURPLE makes me want to SMILE!
4. I have a craving for CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.
5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it SPEND TIME WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER SIERRA!.
6. Eyes are the PEEKS INTO SOULS.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SLEEPING, tomorrow my plans include SHOPPING WITH HUBBY and Sunday, I want to PACK FOR MY TRIP!
For more Friday Fill-Ins, please click here!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Ruby Tuesday - Feb. 3, 2009
Red on Target
A rose by any other name...is a fabric rose!
For more Rudy Tuesday photos, please click here!
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