morning rides

Thanks to the fact that the levee is being repaired, I can get close to the Missouri River once again.

Click to make this picture larger and you'll see a heron taking flight.

The dozer men have made big headway with their repair work.

Of course, I was much too early to find anybody operating the bulldozers.

I often wonder how farmers get their rows so straight.

It's pretty darned hot, even at 5 A.M., for a ride. But that's when I've been going because it doesn't get any cooler as the day wears on. Yesterday I rode later, and was sorry of it. The temperatures were already sweat-inducing.

On that ride yesterday, I met up with an older couple in their pickup near the levee, heading out of the bottoms.

Pulling over, Cordie rolled down her window and told me with a smile, "I'm trapping 'coons."

Turns out she's been trapping them in her garden and bringing them to the river bottoms to turn them loose.

"They're terrible this year. You have corn in your garden?" Raccoons are notorious for ruining sweet corn crops.

"No, but they're taking my ripe tomatoes right off the vine!"

"They need shooting," I told her.

"I know," she agreed, "but nobody will show me how to shoot the gun!"

So this morning I noticed, from a distance behind the levee, Cordie's pickup. I saw her get out and go to the back end of the bed, and I knew what she was doing. As she and her husband headed away, Blue and I saw a half-grown raccoon cross our path in the distance, heading rapidly toward the river.

My morning ride

I ride early, now that summer temperatures are upon us. Wouldn't you know, the horses were at one of the furthest reaches of our place.

I rode to Napoleon and took pictures of the Missouri River from the elevator property there.

This was around 6:30 AM.

That's the G&S store in Napoleon. When we moved out here in the 70's, it was run by a fellow named Manuel. They kept a few groceries, and had lunch meat you could have sliced to order, many varieties: liver loaf, olive loaf, my favorite one, Iowa loaf. In spring they had bulk garden seeds, and I always bought my seeds there. The place had an "old-time, country store" flavor. Other people bought it and tried to keep it going, but after a few years they had to close for lack of business. It's sad to see it sitting empty now.


I was back home before 8, and found Cliff out in the shop already; the newest dog, Annie, woke him up whining after me when I left. I have to tie her up or she'll follow me onto the highway.

Good thing Cliff went to bed at 10 last night!

today's ride

With more daylight hours, I'm getting time to ride in the evenings after my two granddaughters go home. Today their dad got off early, so that gave me more time than usual.

This land is owned by Farmer Steve; that house is where he and his family lived until sometime after the mid-70's.

I tried to imagine what it must have been like to live in such a place, with a view of the Missouri River bottoms that goes on for miles. What was it like to awake in the morning to this scene? But of course, it's the river bottom, so no doubt it flooded at times.

I rode near the river, just because I don't usually see it at this time of day; and I can never get enough of the river.

As I rode along the dam, I saw quite a little crowd over at the next levee: Farmer Steve was planting something, and his son was burning dead weeds off the dam. His wife had just driven down to see how he was doing...
.... along with a couple of grandchildren. Now, here's what I really regret: The kids petted Blue on the nose and I forgot to take pictures. The oldest girl asked if she could ride Blue, and I told her yes, as long as I led him. She was all smiles. Then the tiny, youngest girl wanted to ride, so we put her up in the saddle and told her to hold on. Her face was wreathed in smiles.

"Oh, I wish I had a camera," the grandma said.

I pulled out my camera and handed it to her.

Unfortunately, she didn't press hard enough; so the picture didn't get taken. I found this out after I got home from my ride. And that little girl has a million dollar smile, believe it.

Hopefully they can bring the kids up here to my house before long, and we'll try again.

I discussed the old farm house with Mrs. Steve; she told me the flood of '73 ran them out of that house, and said that they are still trying to make up for damage done and money lost in the flood of '93. I'm so glad I don't farm for a living.

She agreed that, yes, it was a lovely place to live... except for the flood factor.

As I rode off, Farmer Steve went back to his planting.

I'm very appreciative of the fact that these people welcome me on their place to ride my horse. Great folks.

(Click on any pictures to make them larger.)

IN SEARCH OF A SUNRISE

This morning I woke up before 5 o'clock, as usual. I was on my second cup of coffee when I remembered the granddaughters wouldn't be here before school, and I suddenly realized I could take a morning ride!

When I went to get Blue from the pasture, I knew perhaps I should have started earlier... day was already breaking.

But I don't get this chance often, so I figured I might as well go for it. I could hear Blue thinking, "Hey, lady, you just got OFF my back less than twelve hours ago."

And the sunrise did hold possibilities, even yet.

We had to wait for a long, long train to go past, in order to head toward the river. Blue loves trains, for some strange reason.
We hadn't gotten as far as the river yet when I noticed the sun was coming out of hiding, and was officially "up", peeking out from behind the river bluff on which I live.

Heading toward home, I noticed what a long shadow my horse and I make, this early in the day.

Ahh, Springtime

I rode to an orchard over seven miles from my house today. My intention was to get pictures of the peach trees in bloom, but alas, the owner said I was three days too late. Oh well, it was a nice ride, and I did get a few pictures along the way.

Blue obviously likes dandelion greens. I took this picture while sitting on him.

Then I got off and took another shot.


There are some really old tombstones here, overlooking the Missouri River bottom.


There's no place like a graveyard for a snack. Click to make the picture larger and I think you can read the date on the tombstone.


I've been told that building used to be a hotel, some 150 years ago. I can't imagine our little town needing a hotel, ever!

Riding along the scenic byway, five miles from home.

pictures from todays ride

There's a group of abandoned houses and outbuildings down toward the Missouri River where my horse, Blue, and I love to nose around. Here are a few shots from today's ride. (hint: click on ANY of these pictures to make them larger.)

Someone lived here once.
Perhaps a smokehouse?

This has to be the outhouse (or toilet, where I come from).

Somehow this little handle-less coffee cup made me sad. Don't you wish it could talk?

The same with this Maxwell House (good-to-the-last-drop) coffee can.


Blue waits while I make a pit stop....... and I wait while HE makes a pit stop. (Talk about your action photos... this is a shot of Blue peeing, from my view on the saddle.)