Is it summer yet?

Okay, finally made it to the computer again! Things get so crazy around here sometimes, and when I find time off, I just don't have the energy or patience to get on the internet and create a blog! Sorry! I try though, I swear.

Anyway, this past week was really great. Our first official week with guests, although the first two weeks of the season are new sessions called "Wellness Weeks." This past week (the first week) we had just two guests in addition to the facilitator for the weeek. The guests were actually sisters, and first cousins to Arlene, one of the wranglers here. They were great fun and it was a really good week. I have some time off in the afternoons typically, and so I went on several hikes and did some other activities with the girls and Heidi, the facilitator, in my free time.

Thursday was the really exciting day of the week though. The horses (about 35 in all) are kept about 14 miles down the dirt-and-boulder road towards town over the winters. In order to bring them up to the ranch, they drive them on horseback up the road. I was really excited to hear from the owner, Phyllis, that I could go along and help if I wanted to. Of course I did, and so on Thursday morning we all headed down to get the horses. I ended up riding an 8-year-old bay gelding, Cal. Three people rode in the front, to try to set the pace and keep the horses from galloping the entire 14 miles. The other three people, including me, rode in back to drive the horses forward, keep them grouped, and return those to the herd that would wander off driveways or into the woods or whatever. Things got a little hairy at times, but that was to be expected considering the circumstances. None of the riders had ridden the horses before, and the horses hadn't been ridden since October. So add that to the fact that we are running other excited horses down the road, and you can't exactly expect your mount to be an angel. But everyone survived the little shenanigans that the horses pulled, and we all made it safely to the ranch. We even had two people taking pictures and videos from the back of the car driving in front, so I'll have to share those when I get home.

Since then I've kind of fallen in love with the horse I was riding, Cal. I'm not even really sure why I like him so well. He's a pretty horse, but he doesn't have that amazing of conformation, and he's not even that comfortable to ride (he paces instead of trotting). But he tries hard for you and he's careful about where he puts his feet (which is necessary on some of the trails around here like the one I took the other day with some others). It's just so hard to resist that cute face. Especially when he follows me around the pasture....

Anyway, I'm trying to think of what other news to share. Not too much going on this week. Just two guests this week as well. I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts. This coming Sunday marks the beginning of our first week of the real season with riding. I think we are booked our first week and all of those afterwards clear until the end of August (when I come home anyway). Should be fun though.

I guess that's about all I have. I miss everyone back home, and I hope everyone is enjoying their summers! We've had very cold temperatures here, with lots of rain and even some snow! I had my electric blanket turned on high last night! Hard to believe it's June....

Until next time!

Hannah (Montana)