I got Caroline settled in college at the University of Missouri. Once I got back to St. Louis from Columbia, the shoer came... then I packed up, hitched up the trailer and brought Eli back up here to Glen Arbor, Michigan with me. I have not been able to come back up here before during this time of year since I always had to be home when I had children in school.
It has been warm, sunny, cool nights...and a lot less people.
Eli went home to St. Louis, and Ginger too, just a few weeks ago to St. Louis and now he is back up. Eli has been doing a lot of traveling but he travels well and does not seem to mind.
Now he has a new corral behind the house. Fun! I have been riding with Becky and Cookie and I can pick up the trail right behind the house. I tack him up and go. When Eli is here at the house I ride more.
Last night I rode him by myself around the neighborhood on some of the gravel roads and in the woods. I found some good places for him to stop and eat grass.
I was not sure how happy Eli would be by himself. He always has lived with at least one other horse. He is doing fine though by himself and whinnies to me whenever he sees me behind the house.
I plan to stay up here for 3 weeks and go to White River Endurance ride this weekend for Labor Day. Then two weeks later go to Tin Cup Endurance ride. Then home to Missouri. See http://www.aerc.org/ for calendar listings of rides. I like riding the trails in Michigan--pine trees, shady trails and clear, pristine rivers.
The corral is the view from the back of the house.
Here is the view from the front of the house of Lake Michigan.