Sometimes the universe tosses signs your way that say clearly “Do not do the thing.” Sometimes you gotta give the universe the middle finger, do some slightly sketchy electrical work, and do the thing anyway. Despite several Gremlins and a momentary defeat, a friend and I managed to load up my trailer and her husband’s work truck with two mares, two boy children, two Corgis and ourselves for a beautiful weekend in the mountains.

There were so many high points, from watching the stars while Tarma munched her dinner to successfully navigating some tricky technical trail together, to eating my friends delicious camp cooking and watching my son play in the clear, cold mountain creek. I’m so proud of my spicy chocolate mare, she never put a foot wrong and was willing and strong all weekend.

We completed both our longest ride (12 miles) and our most technically challenging ride this weekend, and she only had one moment when she was itchy, tired, bug bitten, hungry and done, but she still got us home safely. Thanks to the husbands for getting us rolling this weekend and to Sarah for a safe, beautiful, adventurous mountain trip!