Riding Out to and Up "Lone Tree Road"

Santa Ana Mountain and Three Sisters Peaks

I decided to go for a bicycle ride up towards the peaks on Lone Tree Road.

It was a nice mentally relaxing and exploring ride taking in all the views.

It was a steady climb with the road becoming steadily worse.  The downhill return will need to be very careful.

I knew I wasn't quite ready to do a climb like this. But, I thought, "What the heck".

I took plenty of water and two apples (I didn't have any bananas).

Dos Picachos Ranch

When I came to this fancy ranch gate with the initials DP on it I briefly thought that I came upon a long lost rich twin brother.  But, on closer inspection it was Spanish for the two big peaks in the background.

Two Peak Ranch

The driveway or road from the gates to the large estate ranch house complex in the distance was all paved.  I would guesstimate it to be about 2 miles.

I came upon this other cattle ranch entrance with a sign on it that said, "Smile you're on camera".  I walked up took a bow and smiled.

The eleven mile climb to the end of the road was beginning to give my "not yet ready" legs some problems.
 

Shady areas were far apart and few on this road.

Reaching a point where I thought I was at the top gave me hope that I was nearing the end of the road and the end of the climb.

It was a false hope.  The road started to descend into a little valley between the hills and then it started to climb up again.  There are some very steep short inclines in the road that began to turn my legs into jelly.

"Las Cimas" ranch.  The summit or Top

I came upon this other ranch sign whose name in Spanish meant the summit.  I thought I was at the end of the road.  The sign lied.  There were a few more steep bends in the road.  I had to get off the bike and walk the last couple of bends.  Walking wasn't much easier at this point, but it was better than losing control of the bike and falling off.  I must admit that I was beginning to think of turning back.  But, I felt that I must be close to the end and would hate myself if I didn't finish the task at hand.

Around the last bend I saw a valley and a 10 mile road marker.  I could see the road in the distance and what appeared to be a barn.  I thought that the end of the road must be there one mile away.

The end of the road

It was.  The road ended at someones ranch.  I sat down and ate my last apple.

The ride back was for the most part downhill.  I met two PGE trucks on the way back.
It was a nice day.

Surviving the 4th of July

There was a lot of "horsing around" lately.  We tagged along while some of Maria and Linnea's friends went on a Sunday trail ride.
 In addition I want to mention that Linnea has been working with Merlin a lot lately. Merlin is a quarter horse who is shy and insecure. In making him more confident she is taking him out to walk around the block, or she rides him almost daily. Getting him ready for a day ride soon..

We hiked for three hours up and down the hills in Harvey Bear Park.  Ralle was a "champ"!  Talk about staying power he just keeps going.  Ultimately we were all tired let me tell you.

Another so typical American West kind of outing was to the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show.  Typically Linnea rides in the parade but did not this year.  She was there every day during the eventful week end however.  We too had an opportunity for some excellent tickets.

There was the customary calf roping........

as well as children (of all ages, between five to eighty-five) showing off they're riding skills.

Not to forget their "outfits".

There was bronc riding

with several brave souls trying

to "hang on" for dear life!

There was barrel racing

and bull riding!

There was Tri Tip Sandwiches and beer, Nachos and Ice Cream!

You too would be hungry after a ride like this.  We felt starved just watching.  Team Penning is yet another popular event.

Now the 4th of July is past.  Celebrated here with a back yard BBQ consisting of steaks, corn on the cob, Jalapeño peppers, zucchini on the grill along with cole slaw and the quintessential dessert of blueberry-strawberry shortcake with a big dollop of whipped cream to include all the colors of the American flag.  Traditional ending of the day fireworks!  Not much to Ralles liking obviously, but he survived it.  With the cherry orchards around here using mock gunshots regularly, for weeks on end, in an effort to scare off the birds, he has gotten used to the sounds of gunshots believe it or not.  Yea, only in America!  Right.  What can I say...... Happy summer to you all!
Cherry season pretty well done.  Apricots now.  Peaches next!  A delicious time.

Ralle has Gone To The Dogs!

It has been A Dogs Life or should we say we have all gone Dog Gone Crazy!  Guess to be totally correct it is all of that.
First weekend here we went to the agility trials at Casa de Fruta.
Then there was the Rib Fest.....Weekend after that takes us to the Hollister Dog Days.  An annual event promoting responsible pet ownership.  There were booths where all sorts of information could be found.  Schutzhund demos, food galore,

Ralle is ready to take the "Canine Good Citizen Test".

lot's of people and dogs, dogs, dogs!  Both Ralle and Buddie tried out for the American Kennel Club "Good Canine Citizen Award" and naturally made it with flying colors.

There was heeling left, right, about turns, distracting situations such as a person and a bike, another dog,  a person with a walker , etc. Then a long down where we had to go and hide from our dogs for three minutes,  a recall among other things.  Fun!  Buddie and Ralle were STARS!

Ralle earned his Good Citizen Award.

Ralle got his button and is now waiting for a Diploma from the AKC.  Good dog Ralle and Buddie too.

Between the weekends there were some walks at some parks.

Taking Ralle to Christmas Tree Park is always a fun outing for him.

Then there was a week end for "The Wag and Walk"

Some of us (Buddie included) were off helping take care of the youngest grand kiddies down south near Los Angeles while their Mom was off on a Swedish visit.  But,

David, Maria and Ralle were in attendance for wagging and walking.  OK!  Perhaps Maria and David did not wag so much.....

Old Timers

Can say though that David was especially happy to check out some of the old trucks and farm equipment on display.

So, who knows? Maybe he too wagged a little!

Registering for our Canine Charity walk at Granite Rock Quarry.

The "Wag and Walk" is an event benefitting pet adoptions, spay and neuter clinics and  helping fund local pet shelters.

The attendance was good.  Dogs of every shape and size..... All right Ralle was the BIGGEST!

People walked, some ran with or without a pet companion.

Ralle, family, and good friends.

This fun group of people who came to walk with Ralle included one of Maria's favorite co workers.

Ralle enjoying the California Sun.

Cheering on at a Lure course race.

Yet another weekend we were off to the races!

A primarily sight hound event.

"Buddie", Ralle's buddy.

With Buddie trying Lure Coursing for the first time.  He LOVED it!

The surroundings were nice. Everyone had a great time.

Bixby Bridge in Big Sur.

So its true.  We have gone to the dogs.  In the "dog days of summer" oops, NO

The "dog days of summer" do not occur until the end of August or early September.  I stand corrected.  So there is a lot more DOG days coming up.