It happened on October first

They were lined up, ready to come inside for the first time since last fall.  About this time each year they make it abundantly clear to us that it's time for being inside at night.  Gone are the warm summer nights where they choose to stay outside, and anxiously wait to be let back out after their evening bit of grain and vitamins.  Whoosh! Out they go, back to pasture to eat their hay...

Now they're waiting by the gate each evening when we head out to do chores, impatient while we clean, nickering to us whenever we make eye contact.  We want in!  We never have to wonder for they always let us know.  So interesting, these creatures of habit...

We also had our first fire in the wood stove.  There's a definite nip in the air, the evenings are getting longer and we've had rain pretty much every single day since the first.  Even fog a couple of times, and the leaves are gone from our tree I showed in my last blog post.  Totally gone.  And the walnut is trying to catch up.  How amazingly quick it all happens, this turning of the seasons.

We've anxiously been watching the long-range weather forecasts for the last week or so, because we're leaving Saturday for our last bit of vacation.  When I first started tracking the weather, the night time lows were down around freezing and days were mostly cloudy and even some rain.  That's not what we were hoping for.  Camping in the cold and rain with horses and dogs is not fun.  But we had the time off and chose to remain hopeful.

We're hoping our luck has changed for the better, because although it's raining today it's supposed to dry out until the day we're headed home.  Night time lows are now predicted to be in the low 40's, not 30's and day time highs in the mid 70's.  Perfect!  And since they've had some rains we're thinking camp fires will be allowed too.  Now we're talking!  *fingers crossed*  Because now we're committed and really looking forward to our time away.

I've decided to take everyone's good advice and take Missy.  My steady little mare who's so easy to ride, relax and just enjoy my time.  I just had her trimmed and re-shod a few weeks ago in hopes that I'd still be able to do some more riding before monsoon season, and it looks like I just might get lucky.  Central Oregon, even if they get rain, they don't have mud.  The soil is volcanic rock instead of much dirt, so footing is always good.  Riding in the beautiful Ponderosa Pines, red volcanic soil and bright,blue skies is exactly what the doctor ordered!  And camping alongside Jack Creek will be just about perfect.  I am really, really looking forward to it.

Jack Creek

Metolius River couple miles down the trail

There really isn't much else to report of late.  We've just settled back into "winter mode" where we head to the barn as soon as we get home, clean stalls, feed horses, dogs, cat and then into the house to prepare a quick dinner for us, and build a fire in the wood stove to take the chill off the house.  A few hours later, we hit the sack for a little rest and wake up to do it all over again.  And I think the horses are creatures of habit - ha!  Is it any wonder I get so excited for a little break in the routine?

Blessings all,
until I return with memories of grand adventures...

I hope!