Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Mud Month Escapades

Indian Paintbrush and Prickly Pear Cactus
What a difference a year makes! I know that old saying typically references the difference in a day, not a year, but it keeps ringing in my head as I recap the 'spring round up.'

With predictions of yet another blizzard, we made a run for it.

Sneaking off in the dark of the night, waving bye-bye to those pesky snowdrifts as they disappeared in the rear view mirror.

Flower buds on the Prickly Pears
Ten hours later we set up camp, with our happy horses, near Sedona, Arizona. Where winter is a far distant memory. Buds and bright blossoms greet us at every turn. This was my 2nd year participating in the Caballos del Sol (Horses of the Sun) ~ seven blissful days on a benefit trail ride.
Wild Mallow
  • Bonus ~ The money we raise helps out a number of horsie organizations. 
  • Double Bonus! ~ The trek to a warmer climate reminds us mountain folk that the sun is shining somewhere, flowers  blooming, too. 
I'd love to speak more positively of it but... this trip stirred up a whole lotta trouble.  For yours truly.

125 horses converged on Sedona for the annual Caballos del Sol trail ride.
Been in a bit of a messy mood ever since I returned. And, that's not really like me. To be all frustrated with the weather. And, openly jealous of my kinder-climate friends.

Jamie & Zeba
Down South, the wildflowers are blooming, nurseries are laden with pretty perennials. I find myself desperately wishing I could be planting something... somewhere... other than a greenhouse.

Has this ever happened to you? 

You while away your days, thinking you've got life all figured out. Then something happens you don't truly care to acknowledge... like a few too many years slipping by. And, then a few more.

I don't know that I could live in the desert but I'm beginning to hear other locations call my name.
The passing of years can take their toll on all sorts of things ~ including those original grand plans I felt so smug about, way back when. I moved to the mountains to ski but I felt no inspiration to ski this year. I mostly just looked out the window and wondered how soon that snow would melt.

Uh oh. It never pays to re-think your entire life but how do you stop once those wheels start turning??

If gardening and horses and all things summer strike my fancy... Why, in the world, am I living on top of a snow-covered mountain?

Red rocks of Sedona, Arizona
* Mud month is a real, true season in the mountains. A winter's worth of snow melts all too quickly turning everything into a muddy mess. Which is why we cowgirls like to get the heck outta Dodge.

28 comments:

D said...

Yep, sounds like you got some figurin' to do. No doubt you'll make the right choice. I'll gather more seeds for your next garden. :)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Di;
I'm being all whiny today... though I appreciate you having my back should I head to greener pastures.

PS! I planted your seeds this morning and that put a huge grin on my pouty face. Thanks again.

Susan in the Pink Hat said...

Just stick it out till spring and summer comes. You'll feel a bunch better then.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Easy for you to say, Susan. It's already springtime in Provo! :)) I'm just kidding. It's quite warm and pretty up here, today, too. Guess I should stop complaining and go clean up a garden bed. Or, two. Or, three...

ProfessorRoush said...

You do it (live there) because of that view!....ooops, is that Arizona?

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Prof;
Yup. That's Arizona. Plz stop rubbing it in! :))

Janie said...

Sedona looks beatufiul this time of year. You might feel better about being on top of a mountain when August rolls around. Your weather will be cool and pleasant, and I suspect Sedona will be a little toasty.
No place is perfect. I guess you just have to figure out which one works best for you.

KC said...

Hey, you sound like me today. Glad you made it home safely.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Good point Janie,
Do you have any interest in doing this ride? It's invite only but I'd love to invite you and your hubs. It's a pretty fun, time. :))

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Crabby Girls, Unite, KC! :))

jan said...

I have seen some spectacular views through your window (by photo only, alas...) Of course, our lives do pass through seasons and what used to be a given becomes a choice to make. It is nice to be able to grow things without watering three times a day, though...

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thx, Jan;
It is lovely here. All places are lovely at certain times of the year. So I should count my blessings. Or, buy an RV! I now understand why you own one! We rented our first for this trip. Great fun!

I hope you and Iron will breeze through SLC sometime this summer so we can have that garden party we've been talking about.

sweetbay said...

I can understand your wanting to move, if you're no longer drawn to skiing. Stunning view in that last picture!

Lona said...

You are not alone girl I have been whiny this spring too. Maybe your stepping out to take on Italy got you to thinking of more adventures and changes.
I admire anyone who can stay on a horse. I am a complete chicken around them. Bad childhood memories. LOL! I haven't the backside for it. That old saying of getting back on the horse just did not convince me.
The shot of the desert and the adobe buildings is so beautiful.

Marguerite said...

Kate, I'm feeling a whole lot of jealousy this year too! Partly because I'm not used to living in such a cold climate and partly because seeing all the garden blogs with their lovely spring flowers makes me a bit crazy. although i'm jealous of your horse treck adventure as well, gosh that looks like it was a huge amount of fun. hmm, that makes me sound pretty unsatisfied doesn't it and I'm pretty sure my life ain't that bad. maybe it's just late winter blahs.

Gloria said...

I really loved your pictures. I loved those pictures of cactus!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Sweetbay;
I could come live with you... it's warm there and you have horses...

Your hubs wouldn't mind, would he? :)) Tee hee.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Lona!
Yup. Italy ruined me. :)) It's so pretty there!!! And, just to set the record straight... I don't have the backside for it, either. After 5 days on a horse, I was singing a new tune of ooch, eech, ouch!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

The late winter blahs can be deadly, Marguerite. We whiners have to stick together!! :D

The Hag said...

Oh my -- I feel your pain. I left Montana to live in Arizona for two years. I loved it (well, Flagstaff winters are horrid, but you only drive a half hour and you're back in sunshine again). I am back in the land of 40 below and spring that doesn't arrive until June and it's painful. Take heart -- when they are having 110 in the shade, you'll be up to your elbows in glorious cool-weather flowers!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Katherine!
I'm envious you got to spend two years so close to Sedona. That is a lovely place. If I had an extra million, I'd live there in a heartbeat! :))

Rose said...

Ah, you're just feeling the end of winter blues, Kate. I'm sure you'll perk up once warmer weather arrives. Isn't Sedona absolutely gorgeous?! I've been there twice while visiting my daughter in Phoenix. I love to visit her in the dead of winter or in March when the cacti are blooming. But before you move there, visit AZ again in August:) That's when I appreciate my Midwest home, winters and all:)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Good observation, Rose.

I can't stand heat - anything over 85 degrees and I'm hiding indoors with an iced tea! Thx for prodding me to remember what it is I like about my cool, comfy summers.

Liz said...

I'm headed down south camping in a few weeks. I'm glad warm weather isn't that far away.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

I'm grateful for that, too, Liz. It's snowing here today.

Have a marvy time camping, wherever you land. And, take tons of pictures! Spring wildflowers should be in full bloom. :)

Wendy said...

Beautiful photos. Looks like a great trip. Sounds like you're still figuring things out...a constant process...

Sandra Gardener said...

These are wonderful photos! I loved those pictures of cactus!

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

So are you planning to move? Just remember how awful our summers are. :D

I love your photos of you and your horse. Our oldest daughter rides. She does three day eventing. I'm glad you got out of Dodge.~~Dee