The general consensus for the trail ride was that it was a success.  We had a few up and downs along the way, but overall everyone enjoyed themselves.  (Get it?  "up and downs" like as in up and down the mountainsides?  Okay, it wasn't really that funny...)  Okay, but truthfully everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  The afternoon meal was a big hit.  It was an authentic ranch-style meal with brisket and potatoes and cherry pie for desert.  Everything was homemade of course.  We ate in the shade of the front porch while listening to cowboy music and poetry.  And since it was mother's day weekend, all the ladies got to leave with a beautiful long-stem rose. 

Other excitement here at the ranch happened on Monday when we brought home a new horse in replacement of Jeremiah.  He's a beautiful strawberry roan POA with a large blaze down his face.  At 14.1 hands tall, he just barely missed the cut-off for being called a horse.  However, I like him just the size he is.  Perfect for people like me.   He hasn't been ridden in a long time, so he won't be ready to ride during the first weeks of summer camp, but maybe he'll be ready for the advanced camp.  I've been trying to ride him every day to get him ready in time.  I really like his personality and think he will fit well in the program.

Also added to the menagerie here at the ranch are 5 baby silkies and 3 baby ducks.  They are Kyle's new 4-H project.  There's been a lot of excitement going on trying to take care of them, as they have to live in the house under a heat lamp and continually be given food and water.  The ducks even get to go swimming once a day in the bathtub.  They really enjoy that.  And so do the boys.