Monday, May 11, 2009

The Bucket List Continues

Since seeing the movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson last year, Jim and I have managed to cross a few things off our bucket lists. Some were not too challenging, like hiking in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon...


or

visiting Corning Glass Works...

others...

like our trip to Costa Rica


and

Ireland

might have to wait for economic recovery.

However, I have a challenging one on my list that called for a little courage and I have been putting it off for quite some time. So...on Saturday, I took myself in hand and went along with my friends Laurie and Carl to the stables and...


took a riding lesson.


I was more than a little nervous about this endeavor. This was my first time on a horse. I think I may have had a pony ride when I was a little girl, but I don't even have any real clear memory of that. Before I left for this adventure Jim, my usually supportive husband, was kind enough to remind me that I am " 64 years old and my bone break more easily than they once did." I don't think I needed to be reminded of that since I have had two broken bones in the last three years. He also reminded me that I had a lot on my plate for this summer and really couldn't afford to be laid up. Thanks, honey.

As you can see, I wasn't to be discouraged and continued on my merry way. I chose this particular stable carefully. After hearing about Dennis from Laurie and Carl for the last three years, I decided this was just the place for someone like me to learn to ride. Dennis works with all ages and all abilities of people and I knew he would treat me with care and respect. I was right on target.

After being walked around the riding area for fifteen or twenty minutes by Hillary, she let go of Chance who, by the way, is the gentlest and slowest horse in the stable, and patiently told me how to use the reins and my heels to get him to go where I wanted him to. It was so cool to be able to control him.

Here I am riding with Kristen and Carl (in the background). Kristen, in spite of her disabilities, was happily riding all by herself on Saturday. Dennis has done tremendous things for these kids. You should see and hear the way he works with them. He is a kind and gentle teacher. Just what an old gal like me needs.

I met another rider who is in my age category and she was delighted to welcome me and give me encouragement. There is no doubt in my mind that I will go back. I don't want to become an equestrian champion or anything, but I would like to feel comfortable on the horse so that I could ride some guided trails when we are visiting parks out west.

While I was waiting for Carl to finish his lesson I took some pictures of some of the other inhabitants of this fun farm.


The peacocks are so beautiful even when they haven't fanned their tail feathers, but they are really noisy birds.



This little donkey was a gift to Dennis from his grateful students.



We've had a lot of rain and getting back from the riding area was a little tricky. I did make it, though I put my boots in a bag before I put them in Laurie's car. I was happy that I thought to bring my sneakers along.

Our treat for working so hard this morning was a trip to DickDonald's, as Kristen calls Mc*Donald's for lunch. That was every bit as much fun as the riding. I'm so delighted to have made friends with Kristen and her delightful mom, Ginny. What a wonderful morning.

Oh yes, I am totally hooked and will be going back soon.

~Hippo Hugs~

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next;

Virtue is doing it."

David Starr Jordan

11 comments:

Laura said...

Good for you! I am so proud of you for trying something new!

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Pam,

Well, look at you on that horse! Way to go! You look very comfortable up there. I love horses and riding, and did ride for years, as I had commented before. And the more lessons you take, the more you will love it.

Your pictures are great as always, and yes, peacocks are very noisy birds!

Happy trails!

Hugs,

Renie

PS. I'm glad you had a nice Mother's Day. I did as well.

Tracy said...

Way to go! Love the pics!

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Pam,

I stopped back to answer the question you asked me yesterday. No, I don't have peacocks, but a neighbor up the road does, and they are beautiful but noisy, for sure. And I used to have guinea fowl, (and chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese) but gave up on small barnyard animals a few years ago. And guinea's are very noisy birds as well! But they are great watch birds. Anything new or unusual in the yard, and they let you know. But now I only have two dogs and a couple of cats, and of course, lots of wild things that live in my woods, so I can actually go places without always worrying about some marauding coyote or hawk coming to my yard for lunch!

I hope you're having a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Renie

camport said...

Yay, Pam! I took riding lessons when I was a kid and loved it. There's just something about horses and how peaceful they are{if you get the right one!}.

Glad you had a good time and were able to mark one more thing off your bucket list.

:)

Winifred said...

Oh my you're so brave.

My daughter has a horse but I've never been on one. Only the donkeys on the beach when I was little. Think I'll stick to the swimming lessons.

Cheryl Wray said...

You are so awesome...and always such an inspiration!!!!!!

I was born in Texas and grew up around cows and horses, so you'd think I'd be a horse person. Well...ever since I had one buck me off when I was around 10, I have not been a big fan of them. I love to watch them, just not ride them. :-) It looks like you did GREAT, though!

(I loved this post because it made me think of my own post I'm working on right now. It was gonna be my Random Tuesday post, but probably won't be up until later this evening.)

I want to go to Ireland too!! (and Scotland, since that's where both my and Gary's ancestors are from.)

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I am very impressed with you! I would never consider getting on a horse.

I am so glad you enjoyed it, and your lunch as well.

Monogram Queen said...

Congrats on the ride! I am afraid of horses but maybe one day i'll screw up my courage!

Happy Belated Mothers Day my sweet friend!

Faye said...

Pam, I admit I have the same fear as you. Horses are great to pet, feed a carrot to and gaze at their magnificent bodies, but to sit on one???....um....NO!
Maybe someday I'll be a breave girl, just like you :)

Nancy said...

You never cease to amaze me, Pam! What a feat!!! Looks like you did quite well. We had a pony when we were kids, and we used to ride him in the empty field where my folks built their new home. That's the only time I remember riding one, adn we did it bareback back in those days! But then kids can do most anything! LOL

Glad you got to fulfill one of your dreams! Happy riding!!!

((( HUGS )))