October 2026

My goodness, how is it November already? The year is wrapping right up.

Things I need to post about:

• A random road trip with Hannah (sans horses!)
• Riding Hannah's horses at Ringwood
• Taking Max to Christie Hoffman
• Exploring Clover Hill Park (and getting attacked by vultures... twice)
• Riding at the St. Michael's Preserve
  
• A grand horseback adventure at Washington Valley (and nearby Dunkin Donuts)
• The subsequent hike Mike and I took there in search of my hoof boot
• Taking the boys to an obstacle clinic and accidental cattle play day
• Max's first (and second!) NACMO ride

In the meantime, here's everything else that happened in October. I'm so glad we packed this much adventure into one of my favorite months. I feel like we soaked up every bit of fall we could before the time change. 

The goodest boys.

Photos are a bit out of order, but we did some driving sessions with both Max and Usidore. Hannah found a great deal on a cart that was being used as a Halloween decoration, but turned out to be the real deal. She picked it up for like a hundred bucks. It fits Usidore!

The sunsets were pretty epic at the farm.

This horse likes to be caked in mud as much as possible.

I loved the fall colors during my lunchtime walks with Bonnie.

Mr. Merlin's blue eyes at golden hour.

Max got hooked to the big cart twice. He is getting used to the blind bridle too.

Usidore in the Meadowbrook with me.

Mike with Chippy.

The most diligent hose supervisor of all time.

I got tired of the scraggly three-hair forelock so I shaved it off. Now I need to wait for his bridle path to grow in. He looks like he flunked out of the military.

I've been trying to identify this stuffed animal I had in the 90's. This was my drawing of it. 

Google lens successfully found it! 

We got an orange vest for hunting season, then promptly failed to go trail riding.

I love this tree.

This spot always makes me think of Herbie.

I won this halter on Top Trail Horse. Technically it isn't Max's prize, but it looks good on him.

First time in the Meadowbrook.

Driving at sunset. 

The two at home are still living their best lives.

A new lawn deer.

Sweet old lady face. This is Misty.

So lucky that this is the property we live on.

Bonnie agrees.

Chip learning about fence repairs.

I'm lucky he doesn't have thumbs.

All my horses end up being so NOSEY. 

Apparently we did a lot of driving this month. It's fun to have an enabler.

Usidore is proving to be super fun to drive!

Driving is haaaaard.

This place in Pennington has been doing a Halloween thing on Friday nights that involves this giant spotlight. I can see it from the barn 40 minutes away and from the house. This was from the sushi parking lot.

Mulberry enjoys her daily free roam of the farm.

After two long weeks, it was great to get back on my own horse.

Cheesin'.

This display at the local diner. I think it's meant for children, but I am basically a child, right?

 I won't tell you what I thought this was from behind.

Some of the neighbors get really into Halloween. I love it.

Are we sure this is a dog?

Finally moved my office downstairs! Getting work out of my living space has been amazing. My own corner of the house is nice too.

Bonnie was skeptical at first.

She does like the deck though.

She finally settled back in her favorite spot under my desk.

I got a yoga space back. Overlooking the horse paddock. Bonnie investigates.

She was very concerned the first time I did yoga. She just kept sort of teleporting around the apartment while looking increasingly distressed.

So many concerns.

Our ballooning pals over the farm.

More long lining for Chippo.

Fall colors and moonrise.

No bones.

It's firepit season!

In the ladies room at a restaurant we visited recently.

Mulberry again.

Mike texts me, "Chinese spy balloon outside. Come look." It was a weather balloon but still eerie.

Hannah and I had a brilliant night ride at the Gorge. The moon was full and so bright that we could see clearly around us. I wish photos and videos could capture the magic of these rides, but they just don't. The shadows through the trees, the moonlight on the river, the horses outlined in silver, the sound of their breath and hoofbeats. Just amazing. 

So bright we could see the colors on the leaves!

The view from my office.

This will eventually be Mike's office, but for now Bonnie is treating it as her own personal play room.

The backyard again.

Oh look, more driving!

Loving this huge outdoor arena!

More great fall colors!

Usidore is so cute!

Seriously, this dog is hilarious.