California Dreamin': Rancho Oso

View from the top of one of the trails

I took Jordan on a 3 day trail riding/camping weekend in Rancho Oso (Santa Ynez area) with some friends. To those that have been swimming and hiking in that area with me before, it's also known as Red Rock. ;-)

In those 3 days we rode about 12 1/2 hours! We covered some serious ground! I learned a lot about myself and my horse in those days... Since he's been in a herd he has become more friend-focused, and that meant he became nervous if he was being left behind on the trails. He wanted to be first, where he knew everyone was safely following, or at least 2nd or 3rd if he had no choice. If he was 2nd or 3rd his preferred place was with his nose directly up the arse of the horse in front of him. This made him unable to see where he was going, so his sure footedness was in question. At times the trails were extremely rocky, or loose shaley, steep, uphill, downhill, etc and in one particular spot it was so scary that I nearly ralphed from fear. Fun times right?

However I am pretty convinced I would never have been that scared in that spot had I not experienced the infamous Willy the Wonder Horse incident, where Willy (a horse) went off a cliff while on a trail ride right in front of my eyes. On the first day I rode Jordan in my Dr. Cooks bitless bridle and I nearly ripped out both arms trying to stop him from a dead run on a fiesty gallop!! But Jordan and I did make it through it all, he learned how to rate himself, go into (and joyfully drink, paw and play in) water, go by cows, deal with the odd mountain bike, etc. and all while carrying my (progressively more sore!) butt! ;-) I really could not be more glowingly proud of him! I learned that I am somewhere between a trail wimp and a decent trail rider. I learned that hoof boots can be a royal pain in the ass and will fail at the worst possible times and make non-barefoot believers question both your profession and your sanity. :-P

All the drama aside, the trails were absolutely beautiful! We climbed thousands of feet at times for amazing views, and areas were so lush, cool and green in the shade ... with babbling brooks, butterflies, birds, and purple, yellow and orange wildflowers. I felt sometimes like I was in a Lord of the Rings movie. It just doesn't get any better than feeling that way, and riding my beautiful wonderful horse through it all!!

On Saturday night Jennifer and I went to Cold Spring Tavern, which was super charming. It was a real live stagecoach stop in the late 1800s California, and it really feels like you are

going back in time walking in ... no hokey attempts, it was the real feeling! The tavern backs up to an actual cold spring, so there is the sound of running water over the rocks year round, and the site also offers an outdoor seating area and live music bar nestled amongst the trees and vines. Another LOTR feeling there! The old Ojai Jail is maintained on site too. We had a yummy dinner, I got salmon with a lemon saffron sauce with toasted almonds and garlic mashed potatos and veggies. Mmm. For dessert I had a hot apple pie, which was actually hot spiced apple cider with liquor and whipped cream. Mmmnn!

We stayed in a cabin on site, a few hundred feet from the horse's corrals, and enjoyed the comforts of a bed and small refrigerator as well as hot showers. Although I should add that it was quite hot weather and a cool shower actually felt best. ;-)