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It’s actually my first proper visit to Mom’s since I’ve been back in the states so I wanted to make it a special one and spend the weekend with her. When I asked what she wanted to do she answered without hesitation, “Let’s Ride Horses!”
Kinda perfect really because less than an hour before we had that conversation, I had ordered her a pillow from Amazon, for her living room… Yes, DAUGHTER WIN! -- Mom had her own horse when she was about 17 and when I was a kid she had me in lessons as soon as I was old enough to sit in a saddle…
PROTIP: Celebrate Mother's day a day or two early if you can, there are no crowds or lines or mayhem, it was PERFECT. So we woke up early, packed our stuffs, got her cattle-doggo Bogey all set for a ride and set out on a beautiful cool and sunny spring morning
… but first, breakfast!
Mom had a place in mind tucked away in a small town in the mountains surrounded by antique shops and that “general store” feel. We were both hungry by the time we got there and of course we couldn’t decide what we wanted to we kinda ordered haphazardly and just shared everything.
Buttermilk pancakes, a pepper scallion mushroom and swiss omelet and western style potatoes, a coffee and an orange juice for her. Ugh, it was SO good, but we wrapped up quickly to get back to doggo (don’t worry the windows were open and it was a cool day, Bogey slept on his bed in the shade).
Next, we decided to give the good boy a treat and take him to the dog park! I’ve never seen a more beautiful dog park in all my life, acres and acres of open fields, NOTHING like the little pens they have in NYC, damn the dogs who live out here have it good! Apparently, the land was donated by a local farmer.
Bogey can get a little cranky and too amped up around other doggos who are going crazy, so we did a lap around the property, and said hello to a few pupps who wanted to meet through the fence.
Since we were in the area, we decided to make a quick stop to get Bogey his food supply. It’s such a different vibe out here, much more relaxed, folks who have been farming for generations and generations, really reminds me of where I stay with @teamhumble in the UK… but ya know a bit more, ’MURICA. (The folks are extremely nice though).
Bogey checking out the selection..
Me brushing up on my end of days survival skills…
After that, we realized we were out so early that it was just barely 11 am! The stables don’t open until the afternoon, so er decided it would be nice to explore a place called High Point, which is, you guessed it, the highest point in NJ! From up here, you can see New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
As you can see, it was an absolutely STUNNING day...
There are little hiking and walking trails all around and you can also take photos of doggos like this one.. he loved it up there, I’m sure he felt like the king of the world…
We even met a lovely little lady, who was only about 4 months old! What a doll, she's going to be big girl!
On the way back down the big mountain, we noticed a little campground which I couldn’t help but check out. I’d love to check out the daily rates for that @pullalong situation with my @teamhumble someday. Always good to have little places like this in the back of your mind right?
FINALLY, it was horsey time! Yay! But pepper was pretty pooped, and since the stables are just across from Mom’s apartment, we dropped off the boy, had a quick snack, and changed and headed out (damn I wish I had brought my hiking shoes!)
beeeeeets!!
Of course, Mom knew most of the folks who worked there. One woman was even a fellow dog trainer and they caught up for a moment while I took photos… as per usual.
This one was my favorite of course, because that woman on the left, is Dale Evans, wife of Roy Rodgers, the badass cowgirl I’m named after (of course with a slight spelling difference ;).
Soon it was time to meet our travel companions for the next hour, Mom brought her own helmet (she’s super safety conscious after a bad horseback riding accident she had when I was a kid) and soon we met our new friends.
Her horses name was Dakota, a medium sized boy who you could tell had a serious personality. And mine, Mr. Duke, an older lad, and boy was he a big guy! Being 5’9 myself, I usually don’t have to use the steps but there was no shot I would have reached him without them.
Duke definitely the Ron Swanson of horses, quiet, relaxed and marched at his own pace, which I was absolutely fine with. It had been at least 15 years since I had ridden, and with my back in the state that it’s been, I wasn’t looking for anything on the scale of Dances With Wolves, I was just happy to be riding along and taking in the trail. When ever we’d work up to a straightaway where we could all trot, at the end I’d go “Yay Duke!” and give him a nice pet on his neck, he was such a sweet boy, our guide was cracking up.
Our guide said he was one of her favorites and that he’s great with little kids, I’m pretty sure If I had completely fallen asleep he would have just taken over and got me where I needed to go, that’s some OG autonomous driving technology right there.
Aww duke!
I gave him a nice pet and a hug around the neck when we got back and he flicked his tail as ya do when you’re a horse. <3
We walked out and Mom said to me, "I’d take that over a trip to the nail salon any day… I wonder what they charge for 2 hours??" <3
We came back, and she chilled with her pillow, we had a few beers with dinner, played HQ and introduced her to the British sitcom “Only Fools & Horses”, and although there are no literal horses in that show, it was the perfect end to a beautiful day.
I hoped you enjoyed our adventures!
Until Next Time!
Dayleeo
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