Fallbrook Ride

Photos by Peggy Jones

We took advantage of San Diego’s amazing warm November weather on Sunday and went for a ride in Fallbrook.  The oak and cottonwood trees were dressed in their orange and gold fall foliage even though it felt like summer.  This whole area had been ravaged by the fire four years ago, but now we rode by a babbling brook with only an occasional charred stump as a reminder.  The 80˚ temperature was softened by a canopy of trees shading our trail.  There were numerous water crossings and we were all pleasantly surprised how well Peggy’s horse, Delgado did.  He almost looked like he was enjoying the water!  After riding for a couple of hours, we took the horses’ saddles off and went to our favorite spot which I have now christened Paradise Pond.  This place reminds me of my teenage years when I used to ride my horse bareback and barefoot.  There’s a little sandy beach where you can sit and have a picnic (margaritas anyone?) and the horses can play in the water.  I enjoyed soaking up the sun on a rock in the middle of the pond and Scotch looked like he was having a zen moment – just chilling.

Birthday Celebration

Last week we celebrated my little sister, Laura’s, 50^th birthday.  Yikes!  She thinks she’s old, but I will always be older!  The day was full of pleasant surprises for her.  Her family treated her to breakfast in beautiful Seaport Village, and as they sat relaxing, gazing at the ocean, she was delighted to see her son and his fiancé who came to join them.  Just then a pretty young “waitress” appeared at her side with a tray of water glasses.  When Laura looked up, she was astonished to see her best friend from Reno who had secretly flown in, just for the occasion.  

Later that morning, my son, Kyle, and I met them all in Imperial Beach where we rented horses  and rode on the beach.  There was a strong Santa Ana wind blowing and the sky was gray and smoky to the east with the smell of fire in the air, bringing up unpleasant memories.  In spite of the hot, dry wind, the sky was blue over the beach, and the ocean sparkled like diamonds in the sun.  I had been wishing to share the beach riding experience with my sister and my son for quite some time and was happy it was finally a reality.  I know my sister enjoyed it and hopefully my son did too.  Even Grant’s fiancé, who had never really ridden before and thought she was going to die, relaxed once she saw the sparkling water and allowed the ocean air and the soothing sound of the waves to fill her senses.

We all met for dinner at my house afterwards, where her sons barbequed steaks for us all.  Our dad loved to barbeque T-bones and they were always fabulous.  Laura’s sons are following proudly in his footsteps.  Another surprise was a cake her husband had specially made for her.  Laura loves to quilt and loves horses.  The cake was designed like a rag doll quilt with patterns of horses dancing across the top and sides. It was a true work of art and delicious too.

Happy Birthday, Little Champagne Sister!  Your family loves you very much!