Today's Autumn Trail Ride

We were three women looking to escape everyday life. We were heading to the historic Boston Store trailhead in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The sky was cloudless, quite unusual this time of year. As we parked out horse trailers, we could hear the vintage Cuyahoga Valley Railway chugging toward it's station at Boston Store. Everything looked so different with the leaves gone from the trees, and we could see the train pass in the distance, ghostlike in its greyness.

The temperature was about 50 degrees and the wind was brisk at times. The horses were ready to burn off some energy, but with reminders from me my Fox Totter was willing to follow her buddies. Deer were on the move as this is mating season, but no wild turkey which was a surprise. Guess the word is out about what happens to turkeys in November.

The trail is a nice variety of meadow, wooded areas, hills, some road. We crossed the Cuyahoga River, alias the "crooked river". There's a railraod crossing of course, a few steep inclines, a few small wood bridges, and an everchanging landscape that is a feast for the eyes. The out and back trip is about a two hour ride. With furry winter coats wet with sweat, the horses had that distinctive earthy odor only horse lovers can appreciate.

We talked a little and caught up on saddle problems, , barn politics, family news, horse event news, camping strategies. We shared in the sisterhood of horse lovers and it was wonderful.