Hi Friends,

Today we are celebrating one year with our new friend Pete. Brenda first spotted Pete on Craigslist last November, with the help of a photo showing him playing with a big rubber ball. The photo had me sold from the beginning showing him as full of fun and personality.

In the past year Brenda and I have enjoyed many wonderful rides with Pete. He loves to go riding and always is the level head but still full of fun. He has taught me much about riding and horses and I learn something new every time we journey out.

So to celebrate the first year of life with our new friend Pete ... I started taking lessons from a Parelli Instructor today. I figured it was time to take real responsibility for his future and make his life better by improving my horsemanship. It was a great 2 hour lesson and I even have homework for Pete and I to work on before the next lesson.

Brenda and I are happy to have Pete with us and looking forward to many more years of fun and family rides.

Happy Trails,

Don & Brenda (and Pete)

Hi Friends,

As this amazing Summer comes to an end, Brenda and I spent Sunday out in the Equine Park with Pete and Dually. We knew it was probably the last hot sunny day we could get out with the horses and we were right.

We decided to take the horses out a couple of hours before sunset so we could seethe Sun and it fell behind Slide Mountain. What a great ride...

Pete and I had so much fun and seemed to really be communicating from start to finish. Has it only been 10 months since we became friends? I still have so much to learn but am determined to get all the knowledge needed to become a real horseman for him.

Brenda and Dually had a really great ride as well. They are still in the bonding stage too and have come along way as evidenced by the smooth fun ride today.

We walked down by Washoe Lake and Pete and Dually walked right in. Then they just continued down the lake shore in the water like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Pete was wearing his Easyboots and made some pretty good splashes that that made us smile. Maybe not so much for Brenda and Dually as they got the brunt of the spalsh. But is was hot and it felt good and we will remember it for a long time.

I couldn't help being proud of Pete and all that we have learned this Summer. I am sure he knows all the things I am just learning and has put up with my slow learning curve, but I am still proud of him.

So I guess this wraps up the Summer of 2009. Sad to see it go and trying to get excited about riding in Winter. I guess the learning curve continues.

Peace and Love,

Don & Brenda

Almost forgot, here are a couple of videos from the ride.

Hi Friends,

We got Lady back in February so Brenda would have a good horse to ride. After we got her we found that she had very tender front feet and she has been getting regular care from our trimmer (High Desert Hoof Care)to get her back in action.

Well today was indeed a great day as we were able to take her out for Brenda to ride for the first time. She was a little spooky at first as this was the first ride into the Equestrian Park at Washoe Lake. It was great to see her relax a couple of times and enjoy her ride.

Here is a short video from my Android phone to show you how goos she was looking.

Later...

Don & Brenda (Pete & Lady Too!)

Hi Friends,

Well it seems we spent much of our time shooting off little sparklers and not as much time taking pictures during our fireworks spectacular. But at any rate here is a short slide show with the photo's we did manage to get. We are already planning to do it again next year but maybe with a bigger budget this time...maybe $45.00. Wow, the thought just sends chills up my spine (is it up or down your spine?).

Get your ooh's and aah's ready here goes...

Much Love,

Don & Brenda

Hi Friends,

We are back home now after a almost perfect vacation. In the next couple days I will add some video's from vacation that I am still working on. And I will probably ramble on and on about this and that. But that is part of the fun of vacations, right?

Today I took Pete out for a ride after being away for a week and it was wonderful. He really is a one of a kind horse to me and Brenda. Here is a short video I make with the Google Phone. Short but fun to make and always fun to watch when you can't get out to ride.

More soon, have a coolio day.

Don & Brenda

Hi Friends,

Just looking at some of the pictures we took this vacation, and founf this coolio shot of one of the smores we made our last night at the coast.

I'll tell ya' the taste of smores is one of those little pleasures that we too quickly forget.

These were awesome!

Still on the road ...

Brenda, Don and Ashley Too!

Hi Friends,

Wow, Friday and we are really enjoying every minute of this vacation. Today we checked out of our Hotel ready to travel back to Medford. But the way I look at it, going from one place to another in a straight line is boring. So this morning we turned left instead of right and checked out the Port of Gold Beach to explore the driftwood piles and look for coolio rocks and such.

Then we traveled in the other direction and checked out the amazing beaches by Pistol River. Beautiful huge rocks are standing in the Ocean and make picture taking a breeze. It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been and could spend days there just wandering along looking at the nature and all this wonderful place has to offer.

Then it was away from the coast and the mild 60 to 70 degree days and back through the redwoods to Medford and a 102 degree afternoon. Quite a contrast.

Tomorrow we will check out the 4th of July festivities in Medford before heading home.

Took a bunch of pictures again. Posted them to our Picasa page (I am really starting to think Picasa is the greatest) huge storage space for our pictures for free. Thanks Google! Here is the link to the pictures if you want to check them out.

Have a Coolio 4th of July!!

Don, Brenda & Ashley Too!!