What a great day for a trail ride! There was a great cool breeze requiring the need of a jacket while tacking up the horses. Regine K. and I arrived with Sadie and Quia followed by Maria M. with Trovi. Sharon H. came in next and brought her new horse, Beau, a gorgeous Quarter horse. Last to arrive was Esther D. with Dana. Ester, Sharon and I were part of the crew that trimmed the single-track trail on August 27, so we were anxious to see how it looked. (After that workday, I had cleared the firebreak out of the trailhead of overhead branches, so we rode that first to see what it was like.) After we crossed Miccosukee Road, we headed for the single-track trail and were impressed with the work we had done. The trail was still pretty clear, but we noted that the underbrush is really thick in places and trying to encroach on the treadway. There was also a huge tree that had fallen across the trail during one of the storms we have had since our workday. We rode all the way to the gate where the single-track ends and then took the main trail to the grassy area that takes you around to the road crossing leading to the Thornton Road Trailhead. We decided to ride to Thornton Trailhead and discovered the flashing light at this crossing is not working. (We have made several attempts to get it fixed but may need to meet the crew to show them what the problem is.) We were able to get across the road ok and noticed there were a lot of rocks on the main trail. It caused some problems for Sadie, who is somewhat tender footed, but she was able to use the sides and avoid a lot of them. We arrived where the trail goes along Miccosukee Road and under I-10 and Regine, Maria and I then rode under I-10 while Sharon and Esther waited for us. When we started back, Regine was worried about Sadie as she was slightly limping on her right front because of the rocks. She finally got off and checked all her feet and removed a few smaller rocks. I explained she probably had gotten a bruise because when she got off the main trail, she was much better. We rode the single track back to stay off the main trail and after crossing the road again, we headed down the main trail for a short way until we could take a trail through the woods back to Crump Trailhead. All in all, it was a good 3-hour ride with good weather, good company and good horses!
Sue N.