Rearview Mirror: RAMBLE ON

Goodbye Grasslands

I know life is supposed to be about changes but I personally hate them. I know what you’re thinking. I should be used to this by now. I have gone through so many changes in the last five years, I feel like I’m constantly spinning in circles. Hmmm, maybe that's why some people think I'm a little dizzy. And no, I’m not used to it, thank you very much. I hate change. And stop saying what you resist persists because I hate that too.

So here’s my latest upheaval. The stable where I've been riding the past three years made some changes which prompted a lot of boarders, including me, to leave. I will always have beautiful memories of this place high in the Escondido hills. We rode trails with sweeping airplane level views and I found kindred spirits and friendships here. I was introduced and fell in love with the Paso Fino breed which prompted me to buy my wonderful horse, Scotchelo.

How you doin?

Take me home, country road

This is also where I discovered my beloved Cordiano Winery, which became a second home to me. I couldn’t think of a more perfect day than going for a great ride, then watching the sunset with a glass of wine at Cordiano.

Like I said, I didn’t want to leave, but change was underfoot. Again. Time to ramble on...

I chose Bandy Canyon Ranch as my horse’s new home.

View of the front gate from the back of the horse carriage. I scored a free ride.

This place is a resort. I'm not kidding. There are amenities here that we could only have dreamed of.

Ready for your bath, Scotch?

Tack rooms have porches to sit and contemplate life, your naval, or a glass of wine. Your pick.

We found a creek with a waterfall in back of the property

A covered bridge (it's an old train car) leads to a round pen for the horses.

Where's that confounded bridge?

Bandy Canyon has the oldest adobe building in San Diego. It's a gorgeous Spanish style hacienda with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, comfy sitting areas and an outdoor patio; soon to become a nice restaurant.

Palm trees shade a Koi filled creek, making it feel like a tropical paradise

Am I in Hawaii?

Large grassy lawns contain hammocks just in case you get tired or lazy.

Kyle wants this to be his bed

Weddings are performed here every weekend, as I discovered when I was riding towards the arena with Led Zeppelin blasting on my iPhone. As I rounded the corner, I saw a wedding party sitting sedately in chairs on the grass and a bride and groom making their way down a makeshift aisle. Soft (boring) music played in the background and all eyes turned toward me as I fumbled to turn off Zeppelin. Guess they didn't think "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" was an appropriate wedding song. Some people's tastes are just hard for me to understand.

GILLY?!

A large, very sweet white draft horse named Gilly pulls guests around the property in a carriage. I laugh every time I hear her name because it reminds me of Kristin Wiig's character on SNL. I seem to be the only person at Bandy Canyon who knows that skit, so I laugh alone.

There's a shaded enclosure where friendly goats, bunnies, guinea pigs and chickens live.You can sit in there and pet their soft fur. It's very calming and peaceful.

This place has such a nice vibe, you can't help but feel relaxed when you are here. Even the workers agree with this statement. I know because they told me so.

Goats herding an employee back into the tack room. Sometimes they think they own the place.

Even these two crazy kids enjoyed spending a recent afternoon there with me.

I feel like a kid again. Wait. I still am.

Chester&Chelsea love it here too

It seems significant that Bandy Canyon was also affected by the Witch Creek Fire. It means we have something in common. I'm not sure which buildings burned, because it's all been refurbished and is so beautiful. There are cabins to rent and a pool with a bar.