Thursday, November 29, 2012

Beach Drama


                                                 by Laura Crum

            The other day we went riding on the beach. This is our “go to” ride in the winter, when the hillside trails get muddy and slippery. This time we went to a new beach (one where we had never ridden before). The day was cool and cloudy with the sun just breaking through in long shafts of light. A big storm was predicted. We started our ride up on top of the cliffs, and the view looked like this.



            Epic sky, don’t you think? Reminded me of some grand Biblical movie extravaganza where Moses calls out to God to part the Red Sea. This would be the sky in the background of that scene.


            We headed down to the beach on a well marked access trail that proved no problem. It was a very low tide so lots of lovely firm wet sand to ride on. The sky was just as dramatic once we were down next to the water. Sunny looks out at the Monterey Bay.


            The horses all seemed happy to be there. They marched out eagerly, pricking their ears to look at birds and clouds and such, but never spooked at a thing. We were all having fun. Wally and Twister.


            We long trotted and loped, we cruised at the walk, we stood and looked at the view. Henry and Sunny look down the beach at Twister. Looking south towards Monterey.

            We did not see one other person. We did see many gulls and pelicans and sand pipers, as well as other shorebirds. We saw dolphins jumping just beyond the surf. We rode south for an hour or so and then agreed it was time to turn back. Headed north towards Santa Cruz, looking at birds.

My companions—my son and Henry, Wally and Twister.


            As we rode down the beach I was aware of how happy I was. My little yellow horse is a great trail horse and he is equally good at the beach. He marches along, feeling good, happy to move out, but relaxed and under control. And I am relaxed and enjoying every moment of my ride. I am so grateful for this at this point in my life. I can’t count how many times I have ridden hot, spooky, anxious young horses at the beach. At the time, I didn’t mind so much. But I am acutely aware of how much I enjoy riding a steady, reliable horse now. This, I thought, is what it feels like just to relax and enjoy riding along the beach on a horse. Some people long all their lives to ride horseback on the beach And I am here now and absolutely happy. And then I took a picture so I would remember. It’s a little blurry but it captures that joyful moment for me. Thank you, Sunny.


            All the horses were stars. We had no drama but the sky and sea. And I am so grateful. It was a lovely day. So I thought I would share it with you. Cheers--Laura

8 comments:

  1. So let me get this straight... you get to see dolphins from horseback? I'm not sure we can be friends any more.

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  2. Do you love it when the only "drama" comes from the environment?

    Me too.

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  3. I'm with Dom, you had to post this at a time when I would just love to see the sun, even for half a day? I used to think you cared about us.

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  4. Dom and redhorse...--You know, when I wrote the post I thought it was sweet, and I thought the photos were pretty and everybody would love it and then I put it up and went, hmmm, it kind of looks like I'm bragging and/or trying to make people jealous. Which I wasn't, just sharing our lovely ride and how much I enjoy riding a steady eddy little horse these days. But, yeah, the thought crossed my mind. And then NOBODY commented. And I thought, oops, maybe it did sound like bragging. Sorry.

    Seriously, you guys made me smile. Yes, Dom, I saw dolphins leaping in the surf from the back of my horse. But I don't get to ride the likes of Rose the Grand Prix mare. I'm totally jealous of your riding skills. So maybe we can still be friends?

    And redhorse, if it makes you feel any better, its pouring here now and predicted to stay that way for days. No riding for me for awhile...and lots of horrible mud.

    Aarene--That was my sentiment exactly!

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  5. You are so lucky! And not another person? Where are they all? Glued to their computers and TVs.

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  6. My favorite part of this post? All the shots have horses in them (almost all anyways) and the Ear Cam ROCKS. :) I'm not a beach person-- but I think I could totally get into riding a good, steady, calm horse along a beach one day!

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  7. Alison--It was amazingly empty--though that particular beach is pretty private.

    Mrs Mom--I love shots with ears in them, too. I think you would have enjoyed our ride. Phat Boy would have fit right in with our round little ponies.

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