Last year we got a lot of snow early in the season. We did not break trail, which meant that we rode very little all winter, or for four months to be exact.

We are pretty determined to not let this happen this year. We’ve gotten just as much snow this year as we got the same time last year, maybe more.

A sign of intelligence is to learn from your mistakes – and not breaking trail last year was a big mistake. So we decided we’d work at keeping the trails open this year. In my absence, Pete got Hrimmi out and broke trail after the first storm. I got her out yesterday and rode Siggi’s Trail. It was getting late, so I did not ride the other trails.

Alys and Tyra with Shadow

Today dawned clear, cold, and windless. The temperature was 8˚ F when I went out and tended to the horses, although it seemed colder. Pete and I got Raudi and Tyra ready to go and headed out at 10 :00 a.m. The dogs were with us.

It was an amazing ride. The Talkeetna Range is now snow covered, this contrasted with the bright blue, cloudless sky. The sun’s now low in the sky, making for shadows.

The horses seem to take great joy in doing their job, which today involved slogging through heavy snow. The dogs, they don’t really have a job, so they followed, doggedly, in our hoofsteps, taking the easier, high road when the opportunity presented itself.

The spruce and birch branches were snow laden – in some places we went under arches. Pete, riding first, knocked the snow off the branches which raised them a bit.

On Tincan we came to a double low lying branch. Pete was in the lead. He bent his top half, thinking that he would make it under the branch, but ended up baling into the deep snow. He went poof as he hit the ground, landing on his back. It seemed to me to happen in slow motion.

He laid on the ground for a few seconds – it seemed a lot longer. I suspected he was wondering if he was okay. I thought, he just landed in a cold feather bed.

Tyra, dear Tyra, looked down at him but remained motionless, then turned her head in his direction. Pete got up, remounted, and gave her a treat. The pair then moved off. I asked Raudi to move forward, using my legs, and she went off trail, into the deep snow. I then decided to dismount and walked us both under the branch. I then remounted and of course gave her a treat.

The rest of the ride was uneventful. I was impressed with how the horses did in the now differing trail conditions. I would have enjoyed the ride more had I been better dressed. I was wearing a warm enough coat. And I had the right head-, foot-, and hand-gear; however, as Pete pointed out to me, I neglected to wear fleece under my nylon riding pants.

It's supposed to be sunny again tomorrow, so again I’ll get out early. And I will be sure to dress warmer.

Next: 318. 11/19/23: Like and Unlike Yesterda