Rather than doing the usual Saturday chores, Lee suggested we go to Austin and do something different. We call that spontaining. Being spontaneous, but more active.
So we drove to Austin (a thing we usually avoid), visited the wonderful camera store there and chatted with the friendly staff, bought Girl Scout cookies because I support them and could enjoy a few cookies, looked in the comic book store, which is really a gaming store, and enjoyed some memories of my past life.
With my weird attachments to places, I find returning to my old stomping grounds rather difficult. I get very sad, nostalgic, or something. But, I powered through it and checked out all the changes in greater north Austin. I still miss everything about the place except high property taxes and awful traffic.
We ended the day with a nice visit and dinner at my favorite small sushi restaurant (which is still fantastic and patronized my mainly Japanese people), with our friends and former business partners, Carol and Russell.
It’s sushi all right. Salmon, mmm.
We had great conversation, supported each other, and enjoyed the food. I’m so glad we are making the effort to see people. Even they aren’t going out as much these days, and they used to be so social.
We look like old friends.
Consider hanging out with a friend or two. It’s a privilege to be free to do so. And do some spontaining!
I wonder about me sometimes. I ended up working weird hours today, because I intended to walk for an hour and ended up taking a long horseback ride on it. It made for a long day all right, but it was worth it. I can sure be spontaneous!
Me and the not-too-thrilled Dreamer
Yesterday, I talked to the concierge at the condo place, who really didn’t seem enthusiastic about the idea of me walking up the mountain to the local riding stable. That annoyed me. I know I’m not 20 anymore. But I’m in better shape than I was then!
It’s just a mountain, not the highest one or anything.
So this morning after my first meetings, I wanted to get away from the loud construction trucks (they are rebuilding the road), so I headed up to the ski slope service road and hoped I’d hear some birds and see some flowers. I did, indeed! There were loud Steller’s Jays and crows, and some truly gorgeous flowers dotting the ski slopes.
Wild columbine and it’s fly pollinatorsRose hips from the Woods RoseThis is a Labrador Indian paintbrush! Silvery lupine, our bluebonnets’ relativeI think scentless mayweed is a sad name for this pretty flowerThe twinberry honeysuckle is my favorite Sticky goldenrodGorgeous Rocky Mountain fringed gentianCharming mountain bluebells (tiny)Rocky Mountain beard tongue. Weird name.
It was a bit of a climb to get there, and there were more loud trucks, but when I saw horses, it was all worth it!
Lots of horses.
I decided that, while I was there, I might as well ride. It turned out the only other people there at that time had booked a private ride, so I got one, too. I’d been afraid that I’d be in a big line of horses. But no, little palomino Dreamer and I just followed one butt, that of Ethel, a young draft mare just learning to lead groups.
Both nice horses, though a little scruffy.
Kayley, the young woman leading us, was very personable and fun to talk to about our horses. I did spend a lot of time alternating between enjoying the beautiful woods and mountain streams and trying not to look down when we were in the edges of the steep trails. At least Dreamer did respond to my aids and keep to the inside of the trail.
Going up!
The horses were so sure-footed. I was thankful! It was a lovely experience and exceeded my expectations. We crossed water, went between trees, and had a blast!
She saw something!
I’m glad I came when I did, because the next ride was full of people. There was a tiny kid, too. He probably wouldn’t even realize he should be cautious on the rocky slopes.
The views were worth it.
I truly enjoyed the walk back down. I went on the little paths by the woods. Boy did that disturb the squirrels!
So pretty!
When I got back I was quite tired but felt great. I had time to take pictures of tiny, vocal birds.
Chipping SparrowAnother Mountain ChickadeeHungry chickadeeSuch a face!Pygmy NuthatchUnmistakable nuthatch silhouette
After working, I roused my tired body to go down to the cozy lounge and had a glass of wine and some conversation with nice folks. It’s fun to meet all these travelers! I’m glad I left the condo to get some new scenery!
The Hermits' Rest 