Frosty Sunday

This Sunday was the end of Daylight Saving Time. The morning was clear, frosty, the water buckets skimmed with ice. As the morning went on the sun really made a difference. The leaves were falling like snow. Turning into a nice day, we decided to go for a ride!

While I showered and got ready to go, he installed the new kitchen curtains. The mini-blinds were already up; the valance and curtains have embroidered stars, horseshoes and flowers with two different chestnut horses prancing across the bottom on muslin cotton cloth. Makes a huge difference to the room, warm and cozy.

We headed out to the Patapsco River State Park, parking in the trailer parking area at McKeldin. It was evident that this was a busy place yesterday. One truck and trailer was now parked there. Lots of people out, too, with cameras. I think today Skip and KC got their pictures taken more than any other time.

We rode out to the local tavern for lunch. We did see other riders on the trails, but no one we knew. On the way past Granite Quarry, KC lost a shoe. He is so dramatic, limping and gimping the rest of the way.

We heard a train coming, but when we got to the river crossing we could see that it was parked. That's when another train came down the tracks. We sat under the roadway bridge, waiting. The engineer could see us there, and he blew his whistle while red flashing lights were activated and the traffic guards came down. Neither of our guys even flinched, too busy eating grass. When we finally got to the tavern there was no horses tied up. We chose our favorite place to hitch up.

We sat at the bar while the boys dozed at the hitching post. The bikers were coming and going, reving their engines, but the boys were very relaxed, resting near the roadway. A couple of the patrons noticed that, too, remarking that they seemed pretty quiet.

We shared a nice lunch and then posed for pictures with the boys. We headed back into the Park, picking a nearly rock free path and KC was much better with his bare foot. Plus, we were heading in the correct direction!

On the way back we ran into old friends along the trail, stopping for a short break to chat. At this point we saw lots of riders in the woods; where were they earlier? At the trailer we posed for more pictures with hikers.

With the time change the day seemed shorter than it really was. The sun was waning, the shadows were long. I waited until full dark to feed them and even later to put their heavy coats on. It was going to be another clear frosty night. The Moon was rising, the stars shining brightly. They are getting used to the routine of getting their coats on; no more dancing with impatience or trying to nip me. Or maybe they were just tired. I know I was!