Fall Has Arrived

When I was melting from the heat, I knew Fall would eventually come.   What a relief to feel the cool night air and the afternoon breezes!  The colors on the hillsides are beginning to be stunning.  Today I got out for my first hike/adventure.  I went to Highland Springs Park, which is about 5 miles south of where Ber and Gio live.  So I went to see them and brush them, went for a good hike, and then came back and worked with both of them.  Here is a photo journey of the day, starting with the horses.... Yes, they both feel as soft as they look. Their winter coats are coming in like velvet!  (If you click on pictures, they increase in size)

Ber's all done with getting his mane braided.

Gio

Gio all braided. She wasn't feeling well today--got a bit too hot for her in her winter coat.

At Highland Springs, the vegetation was beginning to put on a show for fall.   Here is some of the color:

Some kind of lichen in the pine trees. Brilliant yellow.

Sun coming through these red leaves was incredible.

These haven't turned red yet.

Another yellow lichen.

I hiked a trail that went all around the lake. This is a map of the trail:   Highland Springs Trail Map

Here are a few choice views of the reservoir:
 

Highland Springs Reservoir/lake

Reeds along the lake.

Every lake has a rope swing!

At what seemed like a dam of some sort, I got a clear view of most of the lake in one direction: 

Highland Springs Lake overview.

And a clear view of Mt. Konocti in the other direction:

Mt. Konocti in the distance. 

 The loop trail around the lake is about 3.5 miles.  A nice, rigorous but not overly so trail.

Back at the horses, I took Ber out and we had a fun ride.  I just worked Gio a bit, lunging her and walking her.  Earlier in the day she was breathing really shallowly and rapidly, and she didn't eat all her breakfast.  I think with her winter coat, she may have gotten a bit hot today in the fall sun.  She seemed fine this evening.

After our ride, modeling the new saddle pad.  I noticed how his halter picks up the orange leather on the saddle. Kind of Halloweenish.

And that concludes the photo journey from today.   Next weekend I hope to go on a hike on Mt. Konocti.  That should provide some spectacular views! 

Ber being cute, nodding his head for the camera.