As I wrote in my editor’s letter for the PNER newsletter, late February through late March (until my birthday) is the toughest time of year for me, emotionally and mentally. We’re so close to the end of winter and signs of spring are starting to pop up, but work gets really busy and the spastic weather makes it harder to condition. The ponies are shedding, itchy, gross from a long winter and sometimes in heat. Thankfully, this year I have two big adventures coming up to plan for and that keeps me busy and motivated!

The first trip will be the Cross State ride in late May with Kade; check out the planning page I built! The second trip falls a week after we get home, an ultralight horse packing trip with some friends, something we haven’t done before. We’ll be going from a front country adventure where we’ll have a good amount of creature comforts and dinner served from food trucks, to taking only what Tarma (and Benny) can carry into the backcountry.

There’s plenty of work to do, prep to consider, lists to build, and some gear to purchase to make both trips work. Thankfully for both we have plenty of guidance and friend’s brains to pick. For the next two months I’ll cross my fingers and hope both horses stay sound and healthy, Kade and I stay sound and healthy, and the truck and trailer avoid any costly issues!