Musical Family "Art by the Side of the Road"

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  ~Pablo Picasso

Hi Friends,

Last time we visited Medford, OR I found this family of musicians playing just off the main drag by the library. What a wonderful way to add warmth and fun to your downtown space. It invites you to explore the rest of the downtown space.

What a treat!

Don

Our Silver Saddle Ranch Adventure

He knows when you're happy He knows when you're comfortable He knows when you're confident And he always knows when you have carrots. ~Author Unknown


Hi Friends,


We had planned to take the horses out to the Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival last weekend. We hooked up the truck and trailer and had most everything in place for a wonderful ride in Genoa. Then we were off to bed for a few hours of shut eye ...


Somewhere between laying down and getting up the next day the wheels fell off the cart. Neither of us was able to get any sleep and we tossed and turned most of the night. In the morning, both of us exhausted, we decided not to get up early to get to the Genoa ride. Instead we would see what the afternoon brought us.


We gave it some thought in the morning over coffee and conversation and decided to give the Silver Saddle Ranch a try. We read about it a few weeks prior and it sounded like just the ticket to keep our weekend ride dream going. East of Carson City on the East side of Prison Hill we found this little oasis of trees and green fields that was just about perfect. Except for few walkers and some folks with dogs we had the park to ourselves.


We parked and checked out the facilities map and headed off by a little creek lined by just blooming plants. The trails were very nice, mostly dirt and sand (with some areas of small rocks) and mostly wide enough for two horses side by side. There was a great trail that ran around the perimeter or the working ranch and then finished with a short section right down the middle of the alfalfa fields. It was almost more than our horses could stand. Like kids in a candy shop, they munched on the sweet feed.


Then we tried the trails that take you into the sandy/rocky part of the park. There was a slight incline that gave the horses a bit of a workout, but it was nothing more than we could handle. Silver Saddle Ranch has the old fashioned drop box type of restrooms like you will find in most parks, and they are in good shape.


We did bring our own water, but found a spigot there if you need water for your horses (or you). We sure had a great time and plan on visiting again soon. Well maintained and a ranch forman on site, this is a nice safe place that we and our horses loved.


Hope to see you on the trail ...


Love and Bliss,


Don


Took this video to share. It captures some of the fun we had

Spring From Lake Tahoe

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin

Hi Friends,

Work took me back to Lake Tahoe today, thank goodness for the company making mistakes. After a night of pretty heavy snow and some more added in the morning it looked beautiful. One of the best things about Spring snow storms is that they only last a short time and then we get right back into the Spring experience.
I stopped today at a overlook that I used to always stop at to catch my breath. Lately I had flown right past this spot because I found myself on the wrong side of the highway. Today I needed a good catch my breath break and found it at Logan Shoals near Cave Rock. I really could have taken an hour or two here but had to get back on the road.
I did stay long enough to breath the fresh air and took some video to share with you. If you find yourself at lake Tahoe and need a moment of bliss check out Logan Shoals yourself.

Peace, Love and Bliss
Don

Back Over Donner Pass

Hi Friends,

Just put together another short video of my last trip over Donner Pass. Thought  It is getting late in March so these snow storms will be coming to an end soon, and I will be running to Vacaville on bare pavement again. The Spring and Summer are what make these storms a bit more bearable.  With every trip over now I can see the trees turning green again, many with colorfiul flowers on them as they get ready to celebrate the return of warmer days.

On this trip CalTrans had maximun chain requirements up for the trucks and the roads were covered with ice and a top layer of snow. It was actually not a bad trip over, but I do like to take it a bit slower than the rest of the drivers on the road. My trailer is usually empty heading West over the hill so it has a tendency to slide around a bit more than those with a load. Then again, my thinking is that I drive like an old man so I can live to be an old man.

So it is off on another adventure over Donner Pass heading West. This time I left the video at normal speed and the sound is on so you can hear the rumble of the chains.  It tells a story about a day in my life and reminds me of the glory of Spring and Summer and the warmth of the Sun.

So strap in and grab a warm beverage and lets get on the road.

Don

Lets Go Truckin Over Echo Summit

Hi Friends,

Well it was a wonderful day in the mountains so I thought I would share this trip up and over Echo Summit on Highway 50. If you checked out my last post we were knee deep in snow and chained up on Donner Pass. What a difference a couple days make as today brought us temperatures in the 60's and beautiful blue skies as far as you could see. Knowing there are days like these make those snowy days bearable.

I pushed play as I neared the 600 foot marker and filmed my ride over Echo to Myers. Oh, then I sped it up a bit so you wouldn't have to watch all day. If you look close you might see the two bears hiding along the side of the road.

Until our next adventure ... keep the shiny side up!

Don

Up and Over Donner Pass

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.  ~Lao Tzu

Hi Friends,

It has been such a mild Winter so far and it is almost over. I have been waiting for some time to make a video from my dash cam of a run over Donner Pass in the snow. Well I was finally able to put together something for you the other day. It is not high cinema or award winning, but it was fun to make.

These late Winter storms can be interesting. It might be 60 to 70 degrees one day and I can be throwing chains the next day. That was the case this week.  I was riding the horses with Brenda on Sunday and loving the warm sun then on Tuesday we were driving 60 miles with the tires making their chain noise on the pavement.

There was not that much snow, but CalTrans must figure if you let the drivers run wild they will hit something or worse. I understand and just take my time getting over the hill. You will probably notice there are a bunch of cars and trucks that are flying past me. It bothered me at one time in my life, but not any more. I figure my job  is to get the load over the hill safely and it will take the time it takes. One of my first bosses at Mohawk reminded me regularly that it was just rug and nothing more. Lives did not depend on it and a couple extra hours would not make that big a difference.

It is kind of fun driving most of the time. When the season gets toward the end and we have been chaining for a few months, I tend to get tired of it. Mostly I get tired of the smell of the road grime and the wet. Sometimes it feels like I am wet for months.  Then comes Spring and I smile and enjoy watching the season change back to green and life return to the roads I drive. Soon the Winter grind is forgotten until October brings it back. Bliss!

Thanks for stopping by. Be kind and follow your bliss.

Don

Where Did My Spring and Summer Go?

How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days.  ~John Burroughs

Hi Friends,

Where o' where did my Spring and Summer go?

I know it seems like everyone says the same thing as they get older, but man has this year gone by fast. It seems like we were just enjoying a wonderful Spring weekend in Ashland, marveling at the flowers budding after last Winter. Now the Sunny season has slammed it's door and we have entered the icebox of Fall and Winter.

I managed to get my work done early a week ago, so I thought it would be cool to have lunch with Brenda. I got to the park early so I took a walk and grabbed some Fall goodness to share with you. I wanted it for myself as well. I will look back after I have been frozen to the bone in a couple months to remind me of the light that is at the end of Winters tunnel.

Fall along the Truckee River in Reno is always a treat. The big Cottonwoods are full of golden leaves and the Truckee still runs strong along its path.  This day the air was still warm and the Sun was shining bright bringing everything to life, and adding a bit of sparkle.

What a wonderful fun filled year so far. I am looking forward to what the Winter will bring and to planning the fun for next Spring. Here is to what has been and to making the most of what is to come. Make the most of every day you have and don't fret the things that have passed.

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don