Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Rain does not make life in the barn very happy. Patch the puppy bounces and frolics and could care less about the water and mud, of course. However, we humans are less than happy to find it shaking from him and landing on us while we're doing our chores. Thankfully, Patch would prefer to be inside the barn, happily 'herding' the manure fork from stall floor to wheelbarrow. But when the cleaning is done, it's time for Patch to head back to his room so that he doesn't end up beneath pony feet when it's time to ride.

Despite how she may look, I'm certain that Tika loves being indoors rather than out in the weather. She's simply showing her displeasure at having that unruly forelock of hers combed out. Look at those eyes! Every bit as much expression and emotion as Patch.

And speaking of expression...would you look at this?! Honestly, every time Tango comes out to be saddled, he starts sticking his tongue out. What a character! I'll bet some of you remember Tango as a baby, way back when Sandy was down at Curt's, and that adorable colt was born?

Drip, drip, drop. The rain just does not stop. Thankfully I've got both Curt's arena or the riding club for this dreary season. Cannot wait for sun.

City Boy and I weren't too far up the road when it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't have my zoomie zoomie lens. City Boy merely rolled his eyes and continued up the highway. It was cold and damp and pretty-gosh-darned miserable out there. We probably weren't more than 15 miles up the highway when we pulled off and into the state run hatchery. From there, we walked to the riverbank and spotted a couple of bald eagles, along with this youngster perched on a snag. The baby sat there not paying us much heed, his mind intent on scouring the river for salmon.

Salmon are coming upriver to spawn right now. Once the females have laid their eggs, and the male has fertilized them, the salmon die. In the hatchery, the same thing is going on, only there are no eagles diving down to benefit. We, however, spotted several.

It was cold to the bone up there. Snow was falling in the foothills and the rain nearly cut straight through you. We didn't spend much time outside of the car. Who needed photos of eagles, anyway? Who's idea was it to climb that miserable mountain in such wretched weather?

We turned around and headed back toward civilization. Well, at least back toward home, which thankfully was just 20 minutes down the hill.

But wait!

What's that? A bakery up here in the tall, tall timber? Hmmm...must stop. Must check. What have they got that we maybe must have?

Oh, yeah!
This was definitely my idea.
Definitely.

What I'd Like to do Today

I'm taking the day off. Sort of. I've been down at Curt's helping with chores, cleaning stalls, riding horses, and of course working with Tika, nearly non-stop for the past few weeks. But not today. Today, just as soon as horses were watered & fed, and immediately after I finished my mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, I headed for home. City Boy asked what we were going to do today. I didn't have a plan...but now I think I do. It's eagle season in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm going to see if I can talk him into a drive up river. Ought to be great fun in the rain!

What are you doing today?