Ann got up at 8am as she had three way Skyping to do. When she finished we got ready to go.
We headed out at 9.30am and arrived here at 10am. http://www.astraddleasaddleinc.com/
This was Ann's payback for me making her quad bike yesterday. Two hours of groin muscle and knee agony sitting on a bloody horse. We got introduced to our horses, mine was called Laredo, Ann can't remember what her horse's name was. Laredo was a big grey beast, the horse with no name was smaller and a chestnut colour. We got saddled up and off we went.
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| The Pony Express |
We were with a group of about ten riders with the owner of the company leading at the front and her mum at the back. I got pole position and Ann was behind me. We rode for an hour up a trail to an overlook point on the side of a mountain. Laredo did a good job, keeping up at the front, no name was a bit slower behind me. He would then take a sprint up the hills, which worried Ann the first time he did it, but then she knew how he operated. It went without much incident, except for one bloke behind whose horse decided to try and gallop forward ahead of others in the line. There was a commotion and cries of 'Oh god' as he didn't know how to stop it.
I tried to film some clips but it was difficult due to the terrain and slopes plus trying to hold on and guide the horse. This is the best I could do.
We stopped for a short drinks break before heading back. It was getting quite warm and having to wear jeans made it even hotter. Halfway through the second leg it started to get painful and sweaty.
Eventually we made it back. Getting off the horse was a challenge, as was walking away.
We headed back to the cabin for lunch and to relax our aches for a few minutes.
Then we headed out for our final activity with this company http://pagosaoutside.com/. This is where our earlier purchases of cheap shoes came into play (Day fifteen).
We had already booked online, so we turned up, handed over the paperwork and then waited to go. We got on a minibus that took us a mile up the road. It then dropped us off with an inflatable ring each. We walked a few feet to the San Juan river and then got in. The activity was tubing. You get in the ring and float down the river. When you get back to the main part of town, you get out, get on the bus and go back up and start again. Takes about an hour. You are advised to not take anything with you due to losing it in the river, so we left everything back at the cabin except the car keys which we left with the company.
We wanted to capture the moment, so we had planned ahead. We bought some double zipped sandwich bags a couple of days ago to help. We took the Flip Camera with us and put it in a sandwich bag and zipped it up. That way it was splash proof and we could film. It does however make the footage slightly misty at times. Also, as with the horse riding, it is difficult to hold on, try to keep the camera dry and film something steadily.
And another one.
It was absolutely brilliant. We had such a laugh. The river was a lovely temperature and the sun was out so it was very hot as well. We did two runs, so spent about two hours splashing around. I have to report that Ann capsized at one point, but I didn't manage to film it. I spent most of the time rotating for some unknown reason.
We dried off and then headed home to the cabin. Saw a family of mule deer as we drove. Got back and showered, had tea and did some more clothes washing.
Just been out on the deck to do some stargazing. It is so dark outside which makes the stars shine so brightly. Absolutely magnificent. The fact it is so dark means you also can't see anything more than about three feet away. I think I heard a snort somewhere out in the darkness and seeing that bears and mountains lions live around here and have better eyesight, we decided to come back in.
What a way to spend our last night here. We are gutted that we have to leave tomorrow. Been absolutely amazing. Would recommend Pagosa Springs to anyone.
Horses dominated - 1
Rivers defeated - 1
States Visited - 15
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