The top news today is that Rowen and I started our summer riding program at the Ridge River Ranch this morning. Violet took us out there after breakfast before going to spend the rest of the morning with Dillon. We were sorted into the intermediate riding group again this year, and while it might be cool to try some of the riding that the advanced group does; I know those kids are all the really serious riders, and almost all of them have their own horses.
Since we started out the first session of the summer with the usual tour, safety and ranch rules talk, and the rider sorting; we had a bit less than an hour for our first trail ride. I know all of the trails now, thanks in part to the photographic memory, but riding them again and again isn’t at all boring when there’s always something new going on; new kids to meet and talk with; and our trail ride leaders keeping us entertained while quietly helping us all to be better riders.
Patricia won the draw for picking us up this week, and we stopped in at the computer store for an ice cream break and story time with Rowen’s parents before going back to my house for a pre-lunch swim. By then, we had a two-night camping adventure in my back yard M0ms-approved, so after lunch, we started setting up our tent and rounding up the usual supplies. More swimming was involved to stay cool, and we took Ethan and Ehlana out for an afternoon ice cream treat at the Emporium. Once our camp was ready, we biked over to the park to play until dinnertime, and then we spent the rest of the evening at home except for a short canoe ride with Mom, Violet, and the twins.
Rowen and I have mostly been on our own since dark, and we’ve mostly been listening to music, chatting, and playing on our computers. It’s mostly been quiet by the river, though there were two canoe round-trips that passed our tent; the first shortly after dark, and the second starting shortly after eleven; though they couldn’t have gone very far before coming back again. Violet and Dillon stopped by to say goodnight when he came over after work at the Inn, but then they were off again to meet up with Jake and Stephanie.
That’s about it for today. Rowen and I are both ready for some sleep now, so we’re packing up our computers and going in for a quick washroom break before climbing into our sleeping bags.
Live from Witch Falls; this is Cassie and Rowen, wrapping up yet another great summer vacation day and signing off!
