let's face it

I recently met a new Blogger friend in person for the first time at Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR). My favorite local-ish place to trail ride. I had never explored it on foot, until I met Val. She has been trail riding her mules and hiking that magical area for over 30 years. 

This was my first time meeting an online friend in person. Those of us still on Blogger after more than a decade, have stuck around because we know this platform is different than other social media. Much more real, with deeper connection. You really get to know those that interact with you, and become friends. Val and I have been at the same past events, without knowing each other. Our paths had not crossed yet. I remember our saddle maker asking me if I knew her. You can't make that stuff up. I had zero concerns. I am happy to report that Val not only turned out to be a good egg, she has an amazing wealth of nature knowledge - especially at KVR.

We both love nature, photography and animals.

Our remote hike took us through a super secret hidden area. I can't tell you about it, because - well, it's a secret. We meandered on a long lost horse trail, with a winding creek beside us and a ridge above us. We saw super cool rock formations that KVR is known for, as we followed Charlie on deer trails, climbed under and over and walked through everything in between. All the while, surrounded by magical woods.

Our trail boss was this little guy, with a big personality:

Charlie

He took his job seriously and was very patient while he waited for not one, but two wondering minds.

There were so many different varieties of wildflowers growing in different stages, in every single direction. As far as the eye can see. They changed as we walked through different areas. I have never seen or been surrounded by SO many different wildflowers!! We saw dozens of different varieties of wild growing things. I couldn't begin to name or list what we saw. I was so busy being in awe, that I didn't take many photos. My senses were soaking it all in real time. After I got home, I discovered a check off list of the 283 official wildflowers that grow at KVR. 283!! Wow!

One of my favorite finds had nothing to do with wildflowers. It was a bird, just a'singing away to us. My first photo had a branch across the face, and I had to move to get a clear shot. I am including it because it shows some key ID characteristics. I was so surprised it didn't fly off. After doing some research, I am confident we saw a Towhee. Most likely an Eastern Towhee, because it has a reddish eye. Please correct me if I am wrong.

We scaled mountain sides 'er hill sides and discovered many things along the way that stopped us in our tracks. Hiking at it's finest.

Another highlight was discovering faces in the old rock formations. Let's face it, I knew we were kindred souls when Val found a face of her own (pictured here). We looked intently at the rock formations, while wondering about both of them. This was the face I saw: 

Do you see it??

So interesting!! It even has hair.
Looks kinda like a Groot, or someone from an ancient tribe.

If you couldn't see the face, how about now?

Val was tasked with finding "the hole in the rock" by her hubby. A feature that no doubt brings back memories to those who discover it.

hole in the rocks 

We shared stories of our past KVR trail rides and other experiences along the way.

so cute how Charlie checks on his mom (and then poses)
while she works her toy photography magic

there are many old unique formations

Weister Creek

this view was simply magical

something out of a mythical woodland storybook
when the sun came out, it lit up pockets of glowing green

I could have stayed right here, all day

photos just can't capture the beauty, you'll have to imagine it

Eventually we reached the established horse trails. As we got near, Val mentioned we were headed to the less exciting (or something similar) part of the hike. They were clearly more traveled, but I thought they were amazing!!

We joked about being surrounded by trillions of Trilliums. They were on both sides of the horse trail for a long section, allll the way up both steep hillsides. Absolutely stunning!

All this and SO much more to this memorable hike!! My mind wanders back often. Thank you Val for sharing the wonder of the KVR with me! 

sunday stills ~ new beginnings

 

new beginnings

this bracketed growth with funky textured cone tops
is beginning to emerge into little tree lookalikes
(click to enlarge)

See more new beginnings at Sunday Stills

here's your sign ~ build an arena

Time keeps flying, weeks have passed since my last arena update. Brad has been making good progress on the interior, and I have learned a thing or two.

Who learns to operate a fork lift with their husband waaay up in the air?
Apparently me. 

I have never operated a forklift or given a second thought to watching how they are operated, as they all but run into you at the lumberyard type stores. I agreed to lift Brad up to the ceiling so he could install the fans. Using one lever. He told me I didn't have to worry about anything else. I can handle that. Sounds easy. Well it was, until Brad was up by the ceiling. After mounting the fan, he realized the basket he was standing in wouldn't clear the end of the metal spokes when lowering him. Rut Row. Ummm, now I had to move the forklift in order for him to get down and had no idea how. Have you seen how many levers forklifts have? 

Brad had to teach me how to operate the machine verbally from up in the air. I had to move the machine a very very small move or I could damage the fan (gasp!!). Not to mention the love of my life is 200 feet up in the air with fan spikes sticking out, as visions of dumping him onto the ground swirled around my head. Okay, so that height is an exaggeration - but it is what it felt like. Every machine reacts differently, one wrong move and...no pressure!!

I passed the test, one fan mounted. Whew!

two fans mounted
Brad is still alive, and I didn't even hit anything!

exterior drainage work continues off/on


some of the interior lumber arrived

As you all know, the pandemic has created shortages and price increases everywhere. The building industry is struggling big time to get product and catch up as the world reopens. Brad stayed ahead of the waiting game and placed orders early, with prices locked in.

it was time for more fill

I found this subtle message behind the arena
(because apparently the fill pile right next to it isn't enough)

I think Brad was tired of telling companies & drivers over and over (and over) where to turn to get to the arena etc. They are still hesitant and some can't figure it out. The dirt tracks and temporary field road is obvious. It makes me wonder how some of these drivers make it through the day.

here's your sign

Brad works on the arena every chance he gets. He let me help with a few boards, otherwise we are all banned from helping him. The dogs, cats and I bug him check on him periodically. I find him peacefully working away on building his dream, singing along to his tunes. Brad is in his happy place. 

interior arena walls are going up
(mounted boards on left side)

The wood order count got flipped flopped. There is one less row of treated lumber along the bottom than planned. Brad is good with it, and the lumber count we received still works. As the arena interior goes up, we continually make adjustments. Troubleshooting and making changes are just part of the building process.

For example, see the south windows at the end (above). They were not planned. After seeing all the beautiful window light in Grey Horse Matters arena and asking questions (I am always good for that!) at the last minute, we decided to add more windows. By sharing her barn/arena info (and shed, update to come) there were some things we had not thought of. Huge thank you!! It helps to know what others do, to figure out what works for us. Although everyone's structures and elements are different, it is still helpful. By documenting our builds, my hope is it will give those facing similar decisions things to consider.

First we decided to put in three extra windows, then switched to two. Just in time, before the builders framed that wall. We are both glad we went with two windows. A third window in the far right corner is unnecessary and visually would have looked weird. Now we have some southern windows that open and let more light in! They will really make a difference.

curved half wall posts are in


wall mounted laser
when you forget the laser stand, you improvise


curved boards start to go up

different view


facing barn


sooo much fill


standing in barn
(perspective is very skewed)

arena progress up to April 26 
(16 sec) 

welcoming committee

Cierra came home a day before our scheduled vet appointment. She was greeting by an eager welcoming committee.

Harmony, Koda & Nemo

Nemo greets her first 

too much pressure

Cierra had a long day and was still in heat. She understandably wasn't in the best mood. Shortly after this photo Cierra struck out, banging the gate. Very out of character. First time we've ever seen her strike. 

Whaaat? Somebody had to tell them to back off. 

Glad Brad decided to wait to turn the herd out together in the morning.

Nemo had a few opinions about his herd being separated. He flew around the pasture, making laps and a lot of dust. It is super dry here. We are in the early stages of a drought. There was a fair amount of calling back and forth for the remainder of the afternoon. Cierra is stalled next to Nemo, so they had plenty of time overnight to exchange whatever horses tell each other.

Our little herd went out together in the morning, and all was well in their world. They just seem happier with all four of them together. In the morning there was a lot of this:

Koda and Cierra