All posts by darrylbiby@gondtc.com

Conditioning ride up Mcginnis creek

It was a beautiful day to ride up Mcginnis creek yesterday. This area is off limits to vehicle travel until July 1 so it is a nice place to take a conditioning ride. With temps in the 90’s we didn’t push the guys to hard, but did take a trail that got us up on a ridge so we would have some decent views of the area. There is a lot of new growth in the area following the fire’s. Many little pockets open up for viewing, but we did not see any wildlife on the ride. This is a great looking area for deer and elk but I suspect the heat had them tucked into sheltered areas out of view. The horses did a good job. Freckles got ponied along though and he got pretty lazy on the way out, felt like he was going to pull my arm off many times. This was Connie’s first real ride following her wrist surgery so she was pretty happy.

Sow and her cubs

We’ve made it back to Apgar View Ranch after being in ND for springs work on the farm. I’ve been trying to acclimate the horses, so am riding every day for short 2 hr periods. After returning with Freckles yesterday I rode out to the pasture because I had left the gate open. This sow was ambling up the road with her two cubs. When this photo was taken the cubs were behind the tree. Right after I snapped the picture with my phone Freckles saw the bear and proceeded to have a fit, so all photo op’s were over. The two cubs ran out on the road with mom and she saw or heard Freckles having his moment. I had never seen a horse act like that before. He blew up his mane and tail, and held his whole body in a manner that made him look huge. He was blowing snot out of his nose like a dragon. The sow took this in and did not waiver. I expected her to gather her cubs and dive into the forest, but she did not alter course. At this point I felt it best that Freckles and I head back toward the barn. There have been numerous bears sighted in the area this spring, so we’re going to have to be cautious with our excursions.

Looking back at winter of 2014 – 2015

The view from our deck

On a day skiing in Glacier Park I got some nice pictures. This was Lake McDonald and McDonald creek.View from the Blankenship Bridge

The horses enjoyed most of this mild winter

But for awhile,Tanner was starting to wonder if it would ever quit snowing.

Connie was contemplating a new addition, but still up in the air on this nice fellow.

Always fun to stop at the Huckleberry Patch for huckleberry ice cream, and then message my daughter in law Whitney who loves the stuff.

Sam and Layla always on guard.