Since we're head over heels in love with New Mexico we decided to kick off the new year in fine form ~ by joining the New Mexico Trail Riders for a 3-day horseback ride.
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| The wild, wild west is alive and kickin' ~ down New Mexico way. |
Coming from back east it seems weird that a state would be celebrating their 100th birthday. Seems like that should have happened a long time ago. (Minnesota has already celebrated their 150th.)
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| We saddled up at the historic San Acacia Schoolhouse. |
But, everything is different out west. Where there is a rich history, but not a very long one. New Mexico became the 47th state to join the union, on January 6th, 1912.
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| What's left of the original San Acacia Church |
And, the locals are such a proud bunch they've coordinated huge celebrations all over the state.
This last weekend, I discovered that the people are as warm and wonderful as their weather. Winter doesn't really exist this far south. Even with snow on the ground, we enjoyed blue skies and balmy temps.
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| We were filmed riding to the top of Indian Hills, the geographical center of New Mexico. |
And, I gotta tell ya... I am
so glad that I joined them for this ride! Because the first few weeks after the holidays are usually such a let down.
De-Christmas-ing the house. Shutting off the outdoor lights. Glaring at the bathroom scale and trying to forget the buckets and buckets of scrumptious holiday treats that found their way into my greedy little hands...
This time of year everyone is committed to one kind of diet, or another. We're all making pledges to do this, that, and the other thing better than we did in year's past.
And, I suppose I
could should be doing that, too. But, I just can't bring myself to be that kind of a nazi this year.
And, I hope you've decided to be kind to yourself, too.
Because life is too short to be worrying about such things. Let's just resolve to have fun.
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| One very cool Grandma. |
I like your attitude, Kate! I think being kind to yourself is a great resolution, and if you are, then everything else will follow. I did resolve to go on a diet Jan. 2 and to exercise more...and I've sort of stuck with it so far. But it's a form of being kind to myself, too--I want to have more energy to keep up with the grandkids, and of course, for gardening this spring!
ReplyDeleteA belated Happy New Year to you! By the way, I'd love to have a greenhouse, too, especially the last photo you showed on your last post:)
What a wonderful way to start the year. It looks like so much fun. That hat is rockin'.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Kate! I did not make any resolutions this year, I know they are always too hard to keep. The trail ride sounds like great fun! Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, Looks like you had a fantastic time. Love your attitude, be kind to yourself. I think it is great advice and I will try some. Jen.
ReplyDeleteThx, Rose!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be kind to ourselves. And, 'tween gardens and grandkids, I think you've come up with a terrific goal. :)
Hi, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteDressing like a cowgirl is half the fun of these outings! ;>)
Thx, Eileen!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to another year of your lovely wildlife photography.
Happy New Year, Jen;
ReplyDeleteYes, please be kind to yourself. You had a hard 2011 and I'm hopeful that 2012 brings you bright flowers and lots of good times.
I really needed to read about your trip in order to warm up after spending an hour seeing photos and reading about my son and my friend in the midst of Alaska's snow storms.
ReplyDeletehttp://gullible-gulliblestravels.blogspot.com/ in case you're interested.
Oh, your trip looks lovely, especially since outside my window it is snowing. Great way to start the new year!
ReplyDeleteHow fun...those pictures are so unreal...especially the old church...almost like a movie set :-)
ReplyDeleteYou know you had me with "centennial ride," right? Yes, I ride a different beast, but you had me, lock, stock and barrel! Have I ever mentioned I grew up in the Land of Enchantment? In fact, I was working at the newspaper there when we celebrated the 75th year of statehood. Man, does that ever date me!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm heading over there now, Rilly;
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how much snow our Alaska friends have received!
At least you're getting some snow, Melospiza;
ReplyDeleteIt's like autumn around here. In January! Warm, no snow, very weird for a ski resort...
Hi, Scott;
ReplyDeleteI met a rider from Oregon on this trip!! Didn't even know her but she hitched a ride with me from the ABQ airport. That's one of the many things I love about the horse world. How open and friendly everyone is. I'm heading your way to do some riding with her later this year. :))
Get out, Snowcatcher!
ReplyDeleteWhy did you leave? I'm just in love with New Mexico. IF I could transplant my garden I'd surely move there in the coming year. (That's a big IF.)
This looks like great fun, great exercise, pleasant weather and a lot of beautiful scenery. What's not to like?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
That sounds like the best resolution I've heard thus far - be kind to yourself. We could all use a dose of this I think.
ReplyDeleteThx, Janie;
ReplyDeleteI hope we can figure out a time and place to ride together this summer. Would be great to meet you in person. :)
Thx, Marguerite;
ReplyDeleteLet's make it a movement. :D
So glad you enjoyed your trip here! Even though the state is 100, Santa Fe is 400 years old and Albuquerque is 300 years old. Crazy, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I found your Centennial Trail Ride post. Wasn't it so much fun?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we met? I met so many people that I can't remember everyone's names! Do you have any photos of you riding during the event?
I bet you remember me: The gal wearing the colorful helmet covers riding the little grey mare? I wore a horse print fleece jacket, too. I rode on the lower canyon trail on Saturday.
Yes, we're all very proud of our beautiful, and unique New Mexico down here, that's for sure. I'm so glad you were able to come down and ride with us and hope you can do it again. Lots of great rides are coming up this year and in some amazing locations.
Oh, and yes winter does survive here in New Mexico. We've had snow on the ground at our house for over 40 days now from two blizzards that dumped over 3 feet of snow on us.
Of course, we live up in the Sandia Mountains above 7,300 ft.
Which was the reason I decided to come down to ride at San Acacia, to escape our snow, cold and ice. The weather was gorgeous down in the valley! It was just what I needed.
And you're right "Because the first few weeks after the holidays are usually such a let down."
I call January "Hump Month". Just got to get through it somehow! :)
~Lisa
Wait a minute....Kate? Kate from Utah?? I did meet you, right? And I kept forgetting who you were. I swear my brain was filled to the brim and kept spilling over with all the names and faces I kept trying to keep track of that weekend. lol!
ReplyDelete~Lisa
Oh, Lisa... you are cracking me up!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's me. I think I'm invisible because I have not seen a single photo of me on the ride. But, I swear I was there! I hope to see you in Feb. I'm gonna talk Dacodah into loaning me a horse for the ACTHA competition. I'm a member but I don't want to trailer my horse that far...
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. I'm glad we're connected!