Owen and I took a quick trip to Fort Robinson to escape the smoke. We went with some old friends, who we've known for over twenty years now.... Hard to believe it's been that long! We rented one of the houses at the fort for the humans and the dogs, while Dancer and Raven stayed in the old brick cavalry stables.
The first day we all went for a ride to a cool viewing spot with picnic tables up in the buttes. I'd never been there before, but Owen had run it on a previous trip and knew the dirt road was suitable for horses. So Phoenix and I rode Dancer and Raven, respectively, while the others hiked. Rizzo ran with me and the horses, and Pascal was on a leash so the younger girls could pretend they had a dog.
Raven looks so good in her rainbow beaded tack.
I love riding with Rizzo. She stays right with me, taking short trips into the tall grass on each side in search of interesting smells, but she always comes right back. The only hiccup was when we were headed into the trailhead, and there was a minivan with a family in it that had lots of kids. Rizzo really loves kids and we don't have many at my place. She actually ran up to the family, gave each kid a snuggle, and then hopped into their minivan! I had to call her back and she did come, but she clearly enjoyed living with kids in her previous homes.
Another indicator that Rizzo loved living with kids in previous homes was how much she enjoyed my friends' daughters. There was so much snuggling and kisses and playing with Rizzo's toes and lips and generally adoring Rizzo. Rizzo was even granted a stuffed animal and a pillow on an extra bottom bunk bed so the girls could appropriately adore her.
Sleeping in bed with the people is also a highlight of traveling for Rizzo. Pascal was sleeping in his crate, because he still has enough puppy brain that he would go to sleep for a couple hours, then wake up and want to wrestle. The crate gives him a clear indicator that this is night-time and we are quiet during the hours of darkness and not bouncing around on the bed trying to play. I feel a little bit bad, since Pascal was so well behaved on this trip, and somehow we made it home without a single photo of him!
The second ride was on Sunday, and we did in in pretty awful wind. Owen ran, I rode Raven, and both Pascal and Rizzo came with me. We did a fast loop around the hills by the river, and then headed back to the barn to go hide from the wind in the trailer. So no photos from that ride, though Raven was awesome trotting and cantering the four miles and the dogs enjoyed themselves tremendously.
Our last ride of the trip Owen had to sit out due to an upset stomach. I rode Raven, ponied Dancer, and had both dogs with me. I did the previous day's loop in reverse, and just walked. It felt so good to be out in the gorgeous setting with all the trees at the height of changing color with some of my favorite animals. This type of ride is spiritual for me. It's quiet, it's just me and my animals, and I really do feel the spirit when I'm enjoying the creatures who taught me everything I know about God.
Because I only have two hands and I was riding Raven while leading Dancer it was hard to get photos. I got this one (with both dogs in the distance though they weren't actually that far away) with at least both mare's heads in a shot with the trees. Owen took the one of the three of us before we started the ride.
I love Fort Robinson and can't wait to go back.
