Birthday Ride to Kentucky Camp

Happy 2010! Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and successful New Year! It has been a treat getting to know you all through your blogs and sharing a little of my life with you.

All I wanted for my birthday yesterday was to go riding and spend some time outdoors with my horse and my hubby. The weather definitely cooperated -- it was sunny without a cloud in the sky. Although, by our standards it was a little cool, only about 50 degrees. I'm not complaining, though, especially since parts of the country are bitter cold and covered in snow right now.

Even though Phoenix is 32, he still has plenty of get up and go. Well, at least enough for a leisurely trail ride. Just when I start to think that I'll need to stop riding him soon, he shows me that he still can and still wants to get out. My oldie...

Lee checking to see if we're still behind him. :)It's open range on the way down to Kentucky Camp. We came across these cows and their babies sunning themselves on a hill.I wanted to bring this little red one home! So darn cute.Kentucky Camp was a gold mining camp in the late 1800s. Later it became a cattle ranch and in 1989 the land was acquired by the National Forest Service.There are still some buildings at the camp. Some in better shape than others. This was an adobe barn that is in the process of being preserved by the Forest Service.

The camp is down in a canyon and surrounded by low hills. We stopped and found a spot under some trees to tie the horses and have our picnic lunch.We brought along some french bread, salami, cheese and fruit. We shared the apple slices with the horses. But the best part was the homemade chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmmmmmmm....

For me, it was the perfect birthday. Time spent riding in beautiful scenery with the ones you love is good for the soul. Simple things really do bring the most joy.