Monday, December 31, 2012

Team 81 - Murphy and the Spots



My name us Lorie McCrone and I live in Port Crane, NY along with my husband  Joe, my horse Murphy and my 2 Dalmatians, Kellie and Dooley. I have ridden all my life and spent every summer vacation at my grandparent’s farm riding their draft horses bareback.


In 2000 I started going to a local stable and had the opportunity to ride many different horses over the course of the first year.  One of them was Murphy, who was a 5 year old gelding, 16.2 h Standard-bred/Quarter Horse cross. His owner had purchased him to compete in dressage events and spent big bucks to have him educated at a prestigious east coast stable. The day he returned his owner was eager to see his new moves and everyone was watching as she saddled him. What happened next took everyone by surprise. Murphy reached his head over the cross tie, grabbed his owner's skin with his teeth and pulled the flesh off her arm from the wrist to her elbow. That was the last time she touched Murphy.


The owner immediately put him up for sale and fully disclosed the reason he was available. Fourteen months went by and although she kept dropping the price no one wanted to take a chance.  I rode Murphy about once a week and never had a problem with him, but I did not want the cost and responsibility of owning my own horse. Then one day in June I was told it was Murphy's "last day".   He was being shipped to Alpo for dog food.  I called the owner to ask how much Alpo was paying for him and she said about 40 cents a pound ($500). I gave her the cash and the rest, as they say, is history.  And Murphy has never bitten me or anyone other than his first owner. Go figure. 


The year after I bought Murphy, I built a barn in my backyard, fenced in so me acres, and ride the hills with him almost everyday. My Dals and I have logged thousands of miles and experienced many adventures



.

332 comments:

  1. 1/2/13
    11:45 am
    1.76 miles
    1.76 miles to date

    slow going thru 2 feest of fresh snow.. dogs were smart and just followed Murphy's tracks

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  2. 1/3/13
    12:05 pm
    1.92 miles
    3.68 miles ytd

    broke through another trail.. so quiet today

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    Replies
    1. WHAT? You are adding miles already! You go girl! Must be cold, there!

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    2. yes cold! .. but no wind so it is tolerable :)

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  3. 1/5/13
    2PM
    1.01 miles
    4.69 miles ytd

    very icey .. so very slow going

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  4. 1/5/13
    1 pm
    1.57 miles
    7.26 ytd

    nice sunny day and 37!

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  5. Lorie, my spreadsheet lists you at 6.26 :-) Diane

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  6. 1/8/13
    3:30 pm
    2.56 miles
    8.82 ytd
    beautiful day! sunny and 43!

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  7. 1/10/13
    11:00 am
    6.01 miles
    14.83 ytd
    wow.. you would never know this is January ..49 degrees and lots of sunshine!

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  8. 1/12/13
    10:30
    4.15 miles
    18.98 ytd
    mud and slush .. slow going through the muck but 51 degrees!

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  9. 1/15/13
    9:30 am
    6.05 miles
    25.03 ytd
    what a great day, all the snow is gone and the ground is frozen so no mud :)

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  10. 1/16/13
    11:30 am
    6.02 miles
    31.05td
    a little snow

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  11. 1/18/13
    2:30
    6.06 miles
    37.11 ytd
    sunny bright day.. nice ride!

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  12. You are just zooming on by me! Glad you have good weather!

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  13. 1/19/13
    11;30 AM
    12.12 miles
    48.23 ytd

    awesome day! 40, sunny, frozen ground.. looped by trails

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  14. 1/20/13
    2:30 pm
    1.78 miles
    50.01 ytd
    wind was sooo bad .. should have dressed warmer!

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  16. 1/21/13
    11:45 am
    4.69 miles
    54.70 ytd
    cold but calm winds

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  17. 1/23/13
    12:15
    .52 miles
    55.22 miles
    what was I thinking!!! it's 5 degrees !!!

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  18. You're riding in 5 degrees....wow, my hat is off to you lady :-)
    Diane

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  19. 1/25/13
    11:30 am
    8.63 miles
    63.85 ytd
    great day.. no wind .. a mild 20 degrees.. saw a coyote at one of the deer carcasses... made the dogs stay close to us

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  20. 1/26/13
    10:30 am
    6.12 miles
    69.97 ytd
    nice day! lots of animal tracks today

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  21. 1/27/13
    10:00 am
    6.05 miles
    76.02 ytd
    beautiful sunny day.. what a nice ride

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  22. 1/29/13
    9:30 am
    6.01 miles
    82.03 ytd
    can this be winter.. 43 .. sunny.. no wind.. great day to ride!

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  23. 1//30/13
    10:00 am
    2.78 miles
    84.81 ytd
    wow! 59 degrees! too bad it started to pour buckets of rain.. I got drenched

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  24. 1/31/13
    3:30 pm
    6.12 miles
    90.93 ytd
    windy.. omgosh... so windy

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  25. Lorie - loved Murphy's story and the picture is very fitting! It was meant to be. Good luck in the Derby.

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  26. 2/2/13
    2:30 pm
    1.15 miles
    92.08 tyd
    horrible icy conditions .. started out and turned around at the first extended patch of ice.. I hate ice !

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  27. 2/4/13
    11:00 am
    1.01 miles
    93.09 ytd
    still very icy.. just rode on well salted road

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  28. 2/6/13
    2:00 pm
    .01 miles
    93.10 ytd
    Shortest ride ever! hit ice about 500 feet from the barn. Murpy started to slide and finally stopped. I kind of urged him forward and he would not move. So I dismounted and hit the ice with the heel of my boot. I slide under Murphy's belly and came to a stop on the other side. I tried to get my legs under me (using the stirrup to pull myself up) and just could not do it. So I crawled to the edge of the pasture and got up by holding on to the post. Murpht was still in the same spot and he just did not want to move. Finally I got the bucket and put some grain in it and shook it. He looked and started to shuffle over the ice and after 5 very slow minutes, made it back to the barn. PHEW!! no more riding until the ice is gone.

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  29. OMG! So glad you and Murphy came out of that safe and injury free!
    Diane

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  30. 2/9/12
    11:30 am
    4.78 miles
    97.88 ytd
    We got 18 inches of snow so the ice is hidden! Nice suuny day and no wind. The glare just about burned out my eyeballs ..lol!

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  31. 2/10/13
    11:00 am
    6.02 miles
    103.90 ytd
    It was 46, sunny and no wind, but punching through the now heavy snow was a real work for Murphy. Even I was sweating by the time I got back, I over dressed as I thought with all the snow it would be cold... not!

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  32. 2/11/13
    3:30 pm
    6.11 miles
    110.01 ytd
    warm again! nice ride!

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  33. 2/13/13
    3:00 pm
    6.13 mies
    116.14 miles
    great day.. love the slush! ice is melted and snow is packed and wet, and the ground is still frozen so not sinking into muck :)

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  35. 2/14/13
    2:20 pm
    6.06 miles
    122.20 ytd
    What a way to spend Valentines Day.. with my 2 Dals and Murphy. Great day... full of sunshine, fresh air and good friends.

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  36. 2/15/13
    12:15 pm
    6.03 miles
    128.23 ytd
    nice day to ride.. 48 and partly sunny!

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  37. 2/19/13
    10:30 am
    2.68 mile
    130.91 ytd
    cold and so windy.. headed to the trees for cover

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  38. 2/19/13
    10:00 am
    3.17 miles
    134.08 miles
    getting out early as was suppose to snow in the afternoon; and it did!

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  39. 2/21/13
    3:30 pm
    6.03 miles
    140.11 ytd
    cold day, but easy ride... yesterday the neighbor rode his 4-wheeler in the fresh snow so we followed the tracks!

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  40. 2/22/13
    2:15 pm
    6.12 miles
    146.23 ytd
    warmer today (40) so snow was melting and slushy. nice ride

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  41. 2/23/13
    10:15 am
    6.01 miles
    152.24 ytd
    warm quiet day..great ride

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  42. 3/4/13
    2:30 pm
    6.13 miles
    158.27 ytd
    back from vacation in the Smokey mts and missing my rides! cool day but no ice

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  43. 3/5/13
    10:00 am
    6.12 miles
    164.39 ytd
    sunshine and a nice ride makes for a great day!

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  44. 3/6/13
    2:30 pm
    6.01 miles
    170.40 ytd
    Nice day to ride. 40 and sunny.. lots of animal life running around today :)

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  45. 3/7/13
    11:30 am
    6.76 miles
    177.16 ytd
    Buckets of sweat, gobs of hair, and miles of slush.. spring is here! Slow going .. warm.. and hairy ride :)

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  46. 3/8/13
    9:30 am
    6.03 miles
    183.19 ytd
    cooler today .. saw lots and lots of animal tracks today

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  47. 3/9/13
    2:30 pm
    8.75 miles
    191.94 ytd
    Beautiful day! 57.. sunny.. no wind.. lots of coyote tracks, saw evidence that rabbit was on the lunch menu :)

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  48. 3/13/13
    10:10 am
    6.03 miles
    197.97 ytd
    Another beautiful day! sunny and warm. Hard going today as the slush and mud was about 12" deep.

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  49. 3/11/13
    2:20 pm
    1.15 miles
    199.12 miles
    Yikes what a mud pit! Turned around after trying to find a way through the muck as Murphy was really struggling and I did not want to risk an injury.

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  50. 3/13/13
    11:00 am
    There is still lots of mud today but it is clearing up. What the heck is an owl doing out this time of day!? Maybe all the wet earth is driving the mice to their tunnels.

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    Replies
    1. Geesh I should log my miles ..
      6.04 miles
      205.16 ytd

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  51. 3/14/13
    12:30 pm
    3.78 miles
    208.94 ytd
    Wow .. what a day! We had 50 mph winds (sunny but cold, in the 30's). As we were going down a wooded trail (adjacent to an open field) I heard a earth shattering crash! Murphy jumped and the dogs started running (fast!) in front in me. I tried to turn to see what was happening but Murphy just wanted to get the heck out of town! We ran through the woods as the crashes got louder and closer and we finally made it to the field. The noise just kept coming so we climbed to the top of the mound in the middle of the grass and stopped to look around. Sitting on the edge of the forest was a giant uprooted tree! OMGosh.. we were almost squashed! We slowly rode back to check out the details and found the tree completely uprooted. The last 2 days of rain had made the ground completely soft and combined with the wind, the tree just couldn't hold on. The noise we had heard was the tree breaking the branches off it's neighbors as it came crashing to the ground. This was what saved us from being hit. The tree ended up next to the trail, with branches on our pathway and even in to the adjacent field. My heart was beating a mile a minute and everyone was a bit rattled so we decided to head home (on the field trail, not in the woods) :)

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  52. OMG Lorie! How scarey for you all! So glad everyone is OK.
    Diane

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  53. 3/16/13
    10:00 am
    8.72 miles
    217.66 ytd
    4-wheeling neighbor cleared a new trail yesterday! Kind of hilly but it's fun to see some new scenery. Murphy was a little excited and wanted to get back on the well traveled trails so we made good time today.

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  54. 3/17/13
    11:30 am
    4.75 miles
    222.41 ytd
    cold raw day.. spent a lot of time going around puddles that had turned to small lakes of ice... was not a fun ride (too much stress!)

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  55. 3/19/13
    12:30 pm
    6.12 miles
    228.53 ytd
    We had 8 inches of snow overnight! very wet and heavy but the sun is out and temps are about 40 with no wind, so it was a great day to ride. The air was so fresh and everything looked so clean.

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  56. 3/20/13
    12:30 pm
    4.81 miles
    233.34 ytd
    Wow.. made a mistake going on this ride. The sun had melted some of the snow and formed a hard crust of ice. As we started out the dogs were able to walk on top of it, but Murphy crunched through at every step. About 2 miles out I looked for one of the dogs and noticed blood in the tracks behind us. I dismounted and called the dogs over thinking one of them had been injured. They were fine, so I checked Murphy and saw that the ice had cut his legs! Geesh.. I felt terrible. We turned around and I led him back on the same path we had broken going down. At the barn I cleaned the cuts and thankfully they were small and not deep.

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  57. So glad you noticed the blood before you got too far. Very happy Murphy is OK.
    Diane

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  58. 3/23/13
    12:00 pm
    6.13 miles
    239.47 miles
    Finally the ice is melting ....still chilly but the sun is warm!

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  59. 3/24/13
    1:30 pm
    8.70 miles
    248.17 ytd
    Beautiful day! Lots of slush but no wind. The woods were so quiet today it was sort of eerie. Not a bird or a critter was around or making any noise. The dogs would suddenly stop and listen (so I would too). Murphy would perk his ears and look in the same direction as the dogs. I could not hear thing but something must have been out there.

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  60. 3/25/13
    3:30 pm
    4.15 miles
    252.32 ytd
    Went riding on the upper most trail today to see if I could figure out what was going on yesterday. Sure enough I found lots and lots of coyote tracks, turkey tracks, "pink" snow and feathers everywhere! Dooley (my male Dalmatian) spent most of the ride marking every tree, bush, and clump of snow (he got so dehydrated he started to eat snow!). Kellie was more interested in the turkey remains, and Murphy was very uneasy (snorting and pawing the ground) so we did not spend much time in the bloody area. It was a very fast ride :).

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  61. 3/27/13
    10:00 am
    6.78 miles
    258.10 ytd
    Sunny and cool, great day to ride, ground is getting very muddy! Murphy and the dogs were covered, even my kegs were splashed.. but it beats sow and ice.

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  62. 3/28/13
    1:00 pm
    4.65 miles
    262.75 ytd
    Windy day! Murphy was feeling his oats today and we had a very fast ride!

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  63. 3/29/13
    4:30 pm
    4.12 miles
    266.87 ytd
    Late in the day.. but still had to ride .. so muddy! Yikes I am so glad I don't have shoes on Murphy .. they would be be at the bottom of some mud pit. It was tough going in spots.

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  64. 3/30/13
    1:20 pm
    6.87 miles
    273.74 ytd
    Beautiful Day.. sunny, 60, not a lick of wind. Had to meander around some kids shooting BB guns on the field. It made me nervous. Then the neighbor's kids were out with their electric cars. Geesh .. such little kids in some pretty, but fast toys, Murphy did not want to linger!

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  65. 3/31/13
    10:45 am
    1.0 miles
    274.74 ytd
    Oh what a day! I got to the start of my trail and realized that I had left my gps in my winter jacket! So I am just logging the 1 mile (to and from) the start of the trail. I use a paved road to make the connection and used my car to verify that the distance is 1/2 mile from my house to the start of the dirt path. So I decided to try the new 4 wheeler path that I had tried once before... when there was snow on the ground and the trail was easy to follow. Gosh almighty, for the life of me I could not follow it! There were several jogs off the path and each one led to a dead end (fallen tree blocking the path, dense trees we could not get through, etc.) but I just kept weaving my way forward thinking I would eventually connect. And no gps (I have gotten so used to using it I was getting a little panicky). Finally I just gave Murphy his head and let him go. Then it started to rain. Murphy (my little bull dozer!) was perfectly happy to plow through the brush and fallen limbs and climb over some really high logs, up, up, up he went (not on any trail at all) and eventually we come out right at the top of the path! WHEW I was glad to be home!

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  66. 4/1/13
    12:00 am
    6.12 miles
    280.86 ytd
    The ride started out a little cloudy, but calm. Then within a few minutes of riding it started to rain and then snow (really hard!) and then the wind picked up. Finally the sun came out and it warmed up. We had a little bit of everything today.

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  67. 4/2/13
    12:30 pm
    3.26 miles
    284.12 ytd
    What a cold day! We cut the ride short when it started to snow really hard. Ugh! Where the heck is spring?

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  68. 4/3/13
    11:00 am
    6.12 miles
    290.24 ytd
    Still very cold but the sun was shining! Nice slow ride.

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  69. 4/4/13
    10:10 and
    2:15 pm
    8.47 miles total for the day
    298.71 ytd
    I rode out in the morning with my Dalmatian Kellie, it was a beautiful day to ride! Kellie is getting up in years so we never go faster than a walk. So in the afternoon Murphy and I went back on the trails and did some cantering.. what fun!

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  70. 4/5/13
    11:00 am
    6.57 miles
    305.28 ytd
    I love riding at this time of year, no bugs, no heat, cool, sunny, a great day!

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  71. Awesome Lady! You passed the 300 mile marker :-)
    Diane

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  72. 4/6/13
    10:30 am
    8.81 miles
    314.09 ytd
    We went out early today and took our time meandering through several well traveled trails, stopping in the field to let Murphy nibble on the just emerging grass. What a wonderful day, with bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. As Murphy ate I watched the 2 hawks circle the area and Kellie took the the opportunity to sniff every crack and crevice.

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  73. 4/7/13
    8:30 am
    4.57 miles
    318.66 ytd
    We did a morning ride today. The wind was over the top! According to the weatherman some gusts were over 45 mph. Lots of stuff blowing around!

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  74. 4/8/13
    7:00 am
    8.78 miles
    327.44
    We went out early this morning to try to get pictures of the Horned Owl that we heard several times in the last couple of months. We rode and rode and stopped and looked .. but no owl! Still it was a beautiful morning, it finally smells like spring and the peepers (small frogs) were out in full force.

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  75. 4/11/13
    12:30 pm
    6.12 miles
    333.56 ytd
    Cool day today! but still a nice ride! Tomorrow I will be traveling to St. Louis to judge the Dalmatian Club of America Specialty Road Trial! Hopefully I can log some miles when I check out the trails set up for the competition. What a great way to spend the next couple of days .. horses, Dalmatians and lots of trails!

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  76. Wow, judging that must be fun. If you do ride, get a picture or two and a little story and I will post it for everyone to read :-)
    Have fun!
    Diane

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  77. Send the picture and story to distancederby@gmail.com and I will get it and set it up as a new post. Thanks!
    Diane

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  78. 4/15/13
    2:30 pm
    8.75 miles
    342.31
    Nice day! We checked out the upper trials trying to stay away from the rivers of mud!

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  79. 4/16/13
    11:00 am
    3.26 miles
    345.57 ytd
    Yikes we got soaked! It looked really nice when we started out but within 30 minutes the clouds opened up and I thought I was going to drown. We made a beeline home but .. wow ... I was wet, even my boots filled up as I had them on the outside of my pants to protect them from the mud .. lol. I am so glad I have a spare saddle, this one is going to take a couple days to dry out.

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  80. 4/17/13
    12:00 pm
    3.13 miles
    348.70 ytd
    Beautiful day! not a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. We rode through the fields and came to the town of Fenton leave and tree dump site. This place attracts lots of mice and so lots of birds of prey. I was hoping to see the Great Horned Owl hanging out in one of the nearby trees, but no such luck. I dismounted and let Murphy graze as I scanned the trees. He was a happy man!

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  81. 4/18/13
    11:00 am
    4.76 miles
    353.46 ytd
    Cloudy cool day, very nice ride. We took our time as my dog Kellie seemed to be moving a little slow today.

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  82. 4/19/3
    9:00 am
    2.49 miles
    355.95
    Winds were so bad we turned around after the first trial! Got home to find part of my electric tape fence had come down and I spent several hours trying to fixing it. I finally had to call my "fix-it" guy, John, to help out. The wet, soft ground had allowed the metal posts to pull out and the wind blown tape was hard to corral! This afternoon we had tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. Hope tomorrow will bring better weather.

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  83. 4/21/13
    11:00 am
    6.12 miles
    362.07 ytd
    Cool day! but plenty of sunshine. Nice ride :)

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  84. 4/22/13
    11:30 am
    4.16 miles
    366.23 ytd
    Murphy was in spook mode today! Ears up head up, body quivers, sudden stops and jerks... what gives? I actually cut the ride short as I became nervous too! I could not see anything suspicious and Kelly my Dalmatian seemed perfectly clam but kept looking back at Murphy every time he would stop and flare his nostrils. I wonder what Murphy was seeing or smelling?

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  85. 4/25/13
    9:30 am
    6.14 miles
    372.47 ytd
    Farrier was here today. and told me to watch the shale we have been riding on! So we took the "softer" but longer trail today. Great day in the sunshine!

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  86. 4/26/12
    2:30 pm
    5.82 miles
    378.29
    Great day! beautiful, sunny, cool, my favorite riding weather!

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  87. 4/26/13
    12:00 pm
    3.76 miles
    382.05 ytd
    Cool today! But the flies are out!! GRRRR and they are biting, At least I have a long sleeve jacket.

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  88. 4/27/13
    11:30 pm
    4.56 miles
    386.61 ytd
    Beautiful day, nice ride. Today was "wildlife" day! We saw a beautiful red fox running through the field, a deer, over 20 turkeys, and a pair of redtail hawks.

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  89. 4/28/13
    12:00 pm
    4.12 miles
    390.73 ytd
    Nice ride with just enough wind to chases the flies away!

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  90. 4/30/13
    4:00 pm
    5.76 miles
    396.49 ytd
    Cool day again, but flies were not out. Murphy was feeling his oats today and "danced" down the trail. It made me smile :)

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  91. 5/1/13
    11:00 am
    4.89 miles
    401.38
    Lovely day! No clouds and no wind. I got a little bitsunburned, I just didn't think about sunscreen.

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  92. Congrats on getting over 400 miles already :-)

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  93. 5/2/13
    10:00 am
    5.91 miles
    407.29 ytd
    Finally a really warm day! 78 and sunny. I left my Dal Kellie home and Murphy and I trotted, cantered and galloped around the trails. My husband could not believe we finished so quickly!

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  94. 5/3/13
    6.75 miles
    414.04 ytd
    We spent time today exploring some new trails. My 4 wheeling neighbors cut down large trees and limbs that have blocked some really great paths. It is good to have a GPS!

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  95. 5/4/13
    10:15 am
    3.07 miles
    417.11 ytd
    OK! Now I know why my neighbors cleared the paths.. it is turkey season! I started down one of the new paths and saw 2 camouflaged people in in the distance, turned around and headed home. I called my closest neighbor and found out that hunters could take toms anytime before noon. He suggested I ride after 12:00 until the end of May. Roger that!

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    Replies
    1. OMG, make sure you wear LOTS of bring orange too!

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  96. 5/5/13
    1:00 pm
    5.63 miles
    422.74 ytd
    Picture perfect day, it can't get any better than this.

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  97. 5/6/13
    1:30 pm
    4.48 miles
    427.22 ytd
    Another great day! I left my Dal Kellie at home and we flew around the trails.

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  98. 5/7/13
    12:30 pm
    5.71 miles
    432.93 ytd
    Thanks Luvriden! I think it is a great idea to wear ORANGE. I have a light weight vest that fits the bill. We went on the hilly (and usually muddy)trails today. We haven't had rain in over a week so the trail was in great shape.

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  99. 5/8/13
    12:30 pm
    3.98 miles
    436.91 ytd
    Went for a fast ride today as the forecast was afternoon thunder showers. So glad I did, as we beat the rain.

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  100. 5/9/13
    12:30 pm
    4.12 miles
    441.10 ytd
    Very humid and buggy today. Took our time going through the trails.

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  101. 5/10/13
    1:30 pm
    4.74 miles
    445.84 ytd
    Great day for a ride.. cool and no bugs. But we did have a surprise! We trotted around the corner on our path and almost ran over 2 turkey vultures... yikes! Murphy got spooked but kept his head. He screeched to a halt as the birds tried to fly away. But the trees and bushes were in the way (and these guys have a wing span of about 4 feet!)so they ran in front of us. We stopped and let them go. Kellie (my Dal) was excited but a little intimidated by their size and the noises they were making so she decided to stay behind us until they left. As we went forward I could see the remains of a turkey. I am not sure how it died (maybe the hunters, or a coyote?) but it looked fresh.

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  102. 5/20/13
    12:30 pm
    6.19 miles
    452.03 ytd
    Back from vacation (in Disney) and happy to be riding again. What a contrast, from the packed crowds, rushing around, and heat and humidity of Florida to my cool, quiet trails in Port Crane New York. We had a long slow ride today to enjoy the spring smell and great scenery.

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  103. 5/20/13
    1:15 pm
    3.45 miles
    455.48 ytd
    Another beautiful day for a great ride!

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  104. 5/25/13
    1:30 pm
    4.79 miles
    460.27 ytd
    Back in the saddle again! My husband was in the hospital for the last 5 days with hernia surgery. He is now home and doing OK so I went for a fast ride. It was COLD! only 46 degrees and 35 mph winds.

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  105. 5/26/13
    2:30 pm
    4.12 miles
    464.39 ytd
    Another very windy day and still cool, but a lovely ride!

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  106. 5/27/13
    12:30 pm
    5.91 miles
    470.40
    Spectacular day ... sunshine, cool breeze, no bugs. Went slow to enjoy the day.

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  107. 5/29/13
    1:15 pm
    4.15 miles
    474.55 ytd
    What a dramatic switch in the weather!!! It was 86 and so humid you could hardly breath. We walked the whole way and spent all our time in the woods. Tonight we had tornado warnings and spectacular thunderstorms.

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  108. 5/30/13
    12;00 PM
    6.91 miles
    481.46 ytd
    Left my old dog at home and went for a longer ride today. It was hot and humid but we went slow.

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  109. 5/31/13
    12:30 pm
    4.18 miles
    485.64 yid
    Another not and humid day! Walked the trails very slowly.

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  110. 6/1/13
    8:30 am
    6.12 miles
    491.76 yid
    Yippie! June is here and no more turkey hunters. So rode early this morning and it was beautiful. By noon the temperature was 90!

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  111. 6/2/13
    9:45 am
    3.78 miles
    495.54 ytd
    Not a bad day but it looked like rain so we moved along at a good pace. As soon as we got back we had a terrific thundershower! I was so glad I got home before the rain.

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  112. 6/3/13
    8:30 am
    4.52 miles
    500.06 ytd
    Great day to ride .. cool and no flies!

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  113. Congrats on getting to the 500 mile mark!

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  114. 6/4/13
    4:30 pm
    3.78 miles
    503.84 ytd
    Late afternoon ride on a very cool day. As I walked into the barn I discovered that someone had trashed it! Stuff was everywhere, the doors were all open (including Murphy's stall, tack room and feed storage). Every bin, box and shelf was emptied. I called the State Police and they dispatched 2 troopers .. who were afraid of horses! There was nothing missing, all my saddles and tack was there, and noting was destroyed. The troopers believe that it was someone looking for horse tranquilizers and horse pain medication. I was not the first or only place that was victimized I our area, but it sure gave me a weird feeling.

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    Replies
    1. Oooh, I just read this. That is awful! Glad Murphy didn't get out or into the grain!

      Delete
  115. Oh Man- So sorry that happened. What a scare you must have had ! I am glad all is ok other than a mess to clean up all is safe , especially the horses ! what some people will do for drugs- :(

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  116. Oh my how awful for you! Glad you called the cops and that nothing was missing and no one got hurt. Sure hope they catch the bums!

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  117. 6/5/23
    11:00 am
    4.26 miles
    508.10 ytd
    Crisp cool morning. Rode through the forest and came across countless spider webs.. ick! How the heck so these little guys get that web across the entire width of a 12 foot trail? I do admire their handy work and would rather not destroy the webs but I rarely see them before they hit me in my face. The icky part is when the spider is still in the web and they come along for the ride.

    When I get home my husband and I go to Olive Garden for lunch. The waitress takes our order and then says "You do know there is a spider in your hair .. don't you?"

    LOL! Of course.. doesn't everyone take their pet spiders out to lunch ... in their hair?

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    Replies
    1. LOL! Oh, that made me laugh. When I hit a lot of spiderwebs, I just figure I'm "breaking trail".

      Delete
  118. 6/6/13
    8:30 am
    3.19 miles
    511.29 tyd
    Did a quick ride before the rain came.

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  119. 6/7/13
    10:00 am
    4.97 miles
    516.26 ytd
    It was sprinkling but I decided to ride anyway. The fog was really thick in the trees and it was eerie to ride through it. The forest was full of really wet leaves so even though it was not raining hard I came home soaked to the skin. It was a nice cool ride.

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  120. 6/7/13
    10:30 am
    6.71 miles
    518.00 ytd
    Nice day to ride, ground was wet so we made no noise as we moved through the forest.

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  121. 6/8/13
    12:30 pm
    4.65 miles
    522.65 ytd
    We took our time today. We walked slowly around to fields and stopped to let Murphy eat the clover while Kellie swim in the pond.

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  122. 6/9/13
    9:45 am
    4.19 miles
    526.84 ytd
    Beautiful day. But lots of horse flies out today. Sprayed Murphy, me and the dog!

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  123. 6/11/13
    9:15 am
    5.61 miles
    532.45 ytd
    Cool, drizzly day, but a nice slow ride. No spider webs today or horse flies!

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  124. 6/12/13
    11:00 am
    6.78 miles
    539.23 ytd
    Very nice day to ride, sunny and cool. The neighbor had the driveway resurfaced and put up cans and caution tape. Murphy did not like it! We side stepped our way down the road and then back again .. lol.

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  125. 6/13/13
    12:45 pm
    3.41 miles
    542.64 ytd
    Rainy day, but very quiet ride. We started out with just a few drops and then the heavens opened up so we didn't go far. Murphy shook the rain off and the shake went all the way up to me! What a sensation.. I laughed and laughed.

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  126. 6/14/13
    1:00 pm
    4.87 miles
    547.51 ytd
    Left the old dog at home and rode like the wind! finished the entire trail in around 30 minutes. Murphy was feeling his oats and wanted to go fast.

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  127. 6/16/13
    10:30 am
    8.73 miles
    556.24
    Went on a short ride with the old dog and then took her home, and went for a nice long ride.

    When I came home I got a call from a neighbor who told me I was no longer welcome on his land due to the fact that I might sue him if I get injured! HuH? I have been walking/riding there for over 25 years with never a problem or complaint. I suspect that my other neighbor's adult son may be behind this. He brought his girlfriend's horse to my barn last year and it was a disaster. After 4 months I politely asked them to remove it and all hell broke loose. Yes I am the bad guy for feeding and caring for a blind horse who repeatedly tore through my fences, kicked down my barn doors, plowed through my barn and cost me hundreds of dollars in food and farrier services! (They promised me every month they would help with the costs .. they never paid me a penny).

    I just hope he stops here .. I ride on many of my neighbors acres.

    ReplyDelete
  128. Oh man, that really sucks :-( Hope everything works out OK.

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  129. 6/17/13
    12:30 pm
    5.17 miles
    561.41 ytd
    So I got over the fact that I lost a few trails.

    Today was a beautiful ride as I explored the thick forest on the town's land thinking I could cut a new trail or 2?. It had been logged about 10 years ago so there are the ever so faint trails left behind. Murphy was more than willing to plow through and I have a few possibilities! It will be hard but I have my handy saw and a tie rope to move the big branches. And so my work will begin.

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  130. Good for you :-) I love blazing new trails!

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  131. 6/18/13
    11:30
    3.01 miles
    564.42 ytd
    Spent most of my time trying to figure out the best way down a new path. It was slow going and very tedious as we tried to avoid tree trunks and fallen limbs, but Murphy was OK, he munched on a variety of leaves as we zigzagged our way. Best part was we came out exactly where I thought we would!

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  132. 6/19/13
    12:00 pm
    4.23 miles
    568.65 ytd
    I am so happy!!! So a door closed with my neighbor posting his land and not allowing me to ride on his 30 acres of trails and today another door opened with access to almost 400 acres of new riding adventures! I checked the tax map in our Town of Fenton and was got the name of the land owner just east of the now closed trails. I decided to gave him a call. He lives near NYC and visits his land exactly once a year for deer hunting. He not only allowed me to ride there, but gave me directions (GPS coordinates) on how to get to the his newly logged trails.. omg! He told me if there are downed limbs or trees feel free to moved them off the trail or cut a path around them. His acreage is all connected and runs along the Town's property line (that I already ride on). I am so excited! Bless your heart Sal ..

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  133. Wow, that is such great news!!! Happy riding :-)

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  134. 6/20/13
    11:30 am
    8.79 miles
    577.44 ytd
    Explored one of the new trails and it is very steep! We headed down an almost vertical slope that I would never attempt on a muddy day. We tried to go down at an angle but trees and bushes blocked our way. Once at the bottom we came across a small stream and followed it a mile and then saw a trail that headed back up the mountain. This was steep as well but had a nice angle to it so this will now be my down path. We eventually came out to one of my established trails that led me back home. Awesome!

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  135. 6/21/13
    11:00 am
    5.91 miles
    583.35 ytd
    Tried another new trail and found another winner! All trees so it is good for summer riding. My old dog is a little confused and Murphy is a little apprehensive but they will settle down once we do the trail a couple of times.

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  136. 6/22/13
    9:30 am
    3.13 miles
    586.48 ytd
    Getting hot and humid really early today. We did a short walk around the well ridden and very familiar "field" trail. I was waiting for my hay to come but the farmer was not sure if he was going to cut today as we had thunderstorms predicted. This farmer, Harold, is 84 years old and still works his cows and crops everyday. He only charges me $2 per 50 lb bale, as he does not have to go far to deliver it ... just 2 miles down the hill to my barn.

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  137. 6/23/13
    9:15 am
    3.76 miles
    590.44 ytd
    Rode over to one of my new trails and spent time grooming it with my handy saw. Trail is wide but the low hanging branches keep slapping me in the face. Murphy is so good about allowing me to saw the branches as he samples the leaves around him. I did have to dismount and remount a couple of times when the falling branches were bigger than I expected.

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  138. 6/24/13
    2:30 pm
    4.91 miles
    595.35 ytd
    We got caught in a hail storm on the way home! The things were marble sized and was coming down in buckets. Murphy was having a fit and I finally jumped off as he started to buck and kick and I ran to the pasture gate. By this time Murphy was making a loop and I kept the gate open and he ran through. At the barn I got the feed bucket and shook it trying to get him into the barn but the hail was so loud on the roof he never heard it. I waited the storm out as Murphy continued tearing around the pasture. Finally it slowed down and he came into the barn. Thankfully the reins had stayed wrapped around the horn and nothing was damaged, just soaking wet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my, I bet that was scarey! Glad you both did not get hurt!!!

      Delete
    2. Wow! That one sounds really scary! Sheesh! Glad it turned out OK. And so glad you've found some new trails!

      Delete
  139. 6/25/13
    9:30 am
    5.13 miles
    600.48 ytd
    Riding through the 3 H's today (hazy, hot, humid)but we took our time and rode early. This weather really brings out the big bugs. I swatted one the size of a humming bird! I am so glad I have 2 saddles, my regular one was still soaking wet, along with the blanket.

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  140. Congrats on getting over 600 miles before June is over :-)

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  141. 6/26/13
    1:30 pm
    5.71 miles
    606.19 ytd
    Raining all day but decided to ride anyway. My saddle was still wet so I used this one. It was so quiet, we rode one of the new trails, so we were on hills but not the really steep ones (too muddy).

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  142. 6/28/13
    4:30 pm
    3.77 miles
    609.96 ytd
    LOTS of rain in the past 2 days (Over 6 inches) but the sun came out for a couple hours this afternoon so I took advantage. I missed the next thunder storm by about 30 minutes. Very humid so we didn't go very far or fast.

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  143. 6/29/13
    10:45 am
    5.19 miles
    615.18 ytd
    Lots of mud today but at least it was not raining. Nice ride with only a few bugs.

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  144. 6/30/13
    9:15 am
    4.84 miles
    620.02 ytd
    Very humid day so I decided to ride early in case we had afternoon thunderstorms. Then I spent the afternoon cleaning all my tack.

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  145. 7/1/13
    10:15 am
    3.01 miles
    623.03 ytd
    I tried to do a ride today, in the rain, but as we traveled down the trails the heavens opened up and I thought I would get washed off Murphy. When we got home there was flash flood warnings the entire day. So far our area has had 12 inches of rain in 2 weeks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You watch out for those flash floods. I witnessed one once from horseback - I was able to stay on high ground, but it's surprising how quickly a little rain can become a raging river!

      Delete
  146. 7/2/13
    10:00 am
    4.92 miles
    627.95 ytd
    It was cloudy when we started out but the sun did shine for a couple of minutes. It was very humid but we took our time.

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  147. 7/3/13
    11:30 am
    3.83 miles
    631.78 ytd
    SOOOO humid and the flies were horrible! We proceeded at a turtle's pace.

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  148. 7/4/13
    9:30 am
    4.90 miles
    636.68 ytd
    Still humid but a little more comfortable.. used a head net to stop the bugs and lost of spray.

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  149. 7/5/13
    3:30 pm
    11.81 miles
    648.49 ytd
    Left the old dog home and went for a long ride. Sunny warm day .. lots of bug and lots of bug spray.

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  150. 7/6/13
    10:30 am
    5.18 miles
    653.67 ytd
    Cloudy humid day so we took our time on one of the new trails. It was still muddy. The flies were fierce and Murphy decided to do a full body shake on the down slope that was full of mud. We actually slid a few feet before he was finished .. very scary .. got to pour on more fly spray next time we ride.

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  151. 7/7/13
    9:15 am
    6.98 miles
    660.65 ytd
    Went out early and left the old dog home. We spent time breaking a new trail.. wow ... it was so hot I was drenched when I got home. Then this evening we had fierce thunderstorms and our power went out at 5:00 pm (but we have a generator so we had no problems). It has still not come back on as of 9:48 pm.

    ReplyDelete
  152. Hope you got your power back! It's awfully hot & humid here, too!

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  153. 7/8/13
    9:45 am
    3.11 miles
    663.76 ytd
    Took a quick ride the morning as thunderstorms were predicted again! Very hot and humid.

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  154. 7/9/23
    9:15 am
    5.91 miles
    669.67 ytd
    Grrrrhh .. still hot and humid, but got out early to beat the heat. Bugs are awful. I have never gotten so many mosquito bites.

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  155. I know what you mean about mosquito bites! Can't go a day without some! So much for the "science" of not getting bitten!

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  156. 7/10/13
    8:30 am
    6.78 miles
    676.45 ytd
    Out early again , but a little cooler. We took our time and stopped several times.

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  157. 7/11/13
    8:45 am
    5.01 miles
    681.46 ytd
    Cool breeze today! What a relief.

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  158. 7/12/13
    2:30 pm
    6.96 miles
    688.42 ytd
    Phew! cooler weather today, lots of clouds and a refreshing breeze. The flying insects were out in force! The green headed ones really hurt when they bite! I am afraid to use any more bug spray as I don't want to poison myself or Murphy.

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  159. 7/13/13
    6:00 pm
    4.30 miles
    692.72 ytd
    Still cloudy but the humidity is creeping in again. Nice evening ride.

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  160. 7/14/13
    11;00 am
    9.75 miles
    702.47 ytd
    Weather forecast for the next week predicts temperatures in the mid 90's! So I decided to get a long ride in today and left the old dog home. I went down one of my new trails that led me to a very steep hill and a fast flowing river at the bottom. Murphy was such a good boy and took everything in stride. I didn't want to go up the same way we went, so we explored several paths before choosing a more gentle slope back up the mountain. Flies and mosquitos were awful. But I wore a bug net hat and long sleeves and double sprayed Murphy. So they just swarmed us and didn't land.

    ReplyDelete
  161. Congrats on getting over 700 miles :-)

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  162. 7/16/13
    8:30 am
    3.26 miles
    705.73
    Went out early but the heat was already getting bad. We did the "turtle" walk out and back. Heat index at 11:00 am was 110!

    ReplyDelete
  163. 7/17/13
    6:30 am
    4.84 miles
    710.57 miles
    Set the alarm to ride early! It was completely foggy! What a totally different experience. It was spooky and thrilling at the same time .. and wet. We had a good time, the bugs must have been still sleeping (but the mosquitos were awake) and my old dog got to come too.

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  164. 7/18/13
    6:45 pm
    4.12 miles
    714.69 ytd
    Still hhh... but slowly rode the old shaded trail.

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  165. 7/19/13
    7:30 pm
    3.96 miles
    718.65 ytd
    Took another slow evening ride.

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  166. 7/20/13
    12:00 pm
    4.18 miles
    722.83 ytd
    All cloudy today, but still warm. The field where I ride has a Bob White bird singing his name every day. He looks like a quail, thick bodied, small head crest and very short tail.

    ReplyDelete
  167. 7/21/13
    6:00 pm
    8.43 miles
    731.26 ytd
    Very nice evening ride. The humidity was almost gone and the insects left us alone. Saw a few deer today.

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  168. 7/22/13
    1:30 pm
    5.53 miles
    736.79 ytd
    Humid again but cloudy so the heat was not too unbearable.

    ReplyDelete
  169. 7/23/13
    9:30 am
    4.18 miles
    740.91 ytd
    Cooler day so we rode fast today. Murphy was even feeling spunky! Left the old dog home and flew around the trails.

    ReplyDelete
  170. 7/24/13
    1:30 pm
    6.78 miles
    747.69 ytd
    Great day for a ride! Cool (70) plus strong wind equals no bugs! We took our time and enjoyed the scenery.

    ReplyDelete
  171. 7/25/13
    10:30 am
    8.19 miles
    755.88 ytd
    Really cool morning (in the 50's) and no bugs. Left the old dog home and rode the new trails.

    ReplyDelete
  172. 7/26/13
    1:30 pm
    3.01 miles
    758.89 ytd
    Beautiful day! Cool, breezey, and no humidity. We took our time to enjoy the day.

    ReplyDelete
  173. 7/27/13
    10:30 am
    3.10 miles
    761.99 ytd
    Had a nice slow ride.. not much going on.

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  174. 7/28/13
    10:00 am
    3.16 miles
    765.15 ytd
    Rode early as thunderstorms were predicted.

    ReplyDelete
  175. 7/29/23
    3:00 pm
    5.97 miles
    771.13 ytd
    Beautiful afternoon ride. Left the old dog home and rode some of the new less groomed trails. It is a good thing Murphy is just about bomb proof. I had limbs falling and some very tight spots to get through and Murphy had no problems. We trotted and cantered most of the way.

    ReplyDelete
  176. 7/30/13
    5:30 pm
    3.03 miles
    774.16 ytd
    Good day to ride!

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  177. 7/31/13
    10:30 am and 1:15 pm
    8.89 miles
    883.05 ytd
    Went for 2 rides today. Took the old dog out for a morning ride and then went out again for a long ride in the afternoon. Nice weather (70s) and no humidity.

    ReplyDelete
  178. I think you added a 100 miles extra. Should be 783.05 :-)

    ReplyDelete
  179. HAHA! you are right! Thanks for checking :)

    ReplyDelete
  180. 8/1/13
    3:30 pm
    3.03 miles
    786.08 ytd
    Rain all morning but it cleared up in the afternoon for a nice quick ride.

    ReplyDelete
  181. 8/2/13
    4:30 pm
    1.85 miles
    787.93 ytd
    Started out with grey clouds and within a 1/2 an hour it began to rain pretty hard. Then there was thunder and lightening and we headed home .. quickly. I hate being the tallest thing in a big wide open field, but Murphy can sure move faster than me so I opted to stay on board and make a run for it.

    ReplyDelete
  182. Yikes! I remember being caught once on top of a bald mountain in a lightening storm downpour. I got off & walked, but only until we got off the highest ground. Then we hi-tailed it home, like you! Those things are hard to predict!

    ReplyDelete
  183. 8/3/13
    9:30 am
    4.67 miles
    792.60 ytd
    Beautiful morning to ride. Meet one of my neighbors who stopped me and accused me of riding on his property! He has all his land posted and I have NEVER stepped foot on any of it (never .. in 25 years). He says that there are horse prints all over his land and since it has rained nearly every day he has proof. I told him it was NOT me or my horse and offered to show him my iphone and my old GPS which has all my rides for the entire year. He says he dose not believe in these devices. Really. I told him to set up a field camera and take pictures. He told me that the guy and gal who used to use my barn told him it was me! GERRRRR! Why don't these people leave me alone. I ended the conversation by again telling him it was not me and went on my way.
    Sigh. 25 years of walking and riding in my neighborhood and NEVER a complaint or concern, and now I have these 2 jerks living up the hill from me and causing all kinds of trouble. Karma .. I believe in Karma.

    ReplyDelete
  184. 8/4/13
    9:00 am
    3.02 miles
    795.62 ytd
    Cool morning (60) almost fall like crisp air. Nice slow ride with the old dog.

    ReplyDelete
  185. 8/5/13
    10:15 am
    5.72 miles
    801.34 ytd
    Great ride today! Left the old dog at home and trotted or cantered most of the trails. Cool and no bugs!

    ReplyDelete
  186. Congrats on getting over 800 miles!

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  187. 8/6/13
    5:30 pm
    4.61 miles
    805.95 miles
    Very quiet day. Didn't see any wildlife and the birds were silent. Even the bugs were bit around.

    ReplyDelete

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