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!

Fire

This past weekend marked the 4 year anniversary of the Witch Creek Fire which devastated many lives, ours included.  This tragic event has changed us in countless ways. 

Before the fire, we lived in a beautiful, sprawling Spanish hacienda with wraparound balconies and picturesque views.  Our two children were thriving at Light & Life Christian School and taking music lessons.  In spite of the warm weather, our Halloween decorations were out and we were making plans to spend Thanksgiving at a cabin in Big Bear.  Little did we know.

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, we went to a dinner party and had a fabulous evening with good friends.  It was the last carefree Saturday evening I would experience for a long time.

On the morning of Sunday, October 21, there was an ominous smell of smoke in the air.  Talking on the phone with my friend, I mentioned casually there must be a fire somewhere and our thoughts moved to the devastating Cedar Fire from four years earlier.  That fire had burned her brother’s house and come dangerously close to her own.

By Sunday evening, the Witch Creek Fire turned into a blazing inferno, moving swiftly down the mountain from Julian to Ramona.  We watched the news nervously and had a hard time sleeping due to the 100 mile per hour winds howling furiously around our house, the scraping of patio furniture across the balcony, and wind chimes clanging wildly.  From our bedroom window, we could see an eerie glow behind the distant mountain.

In the early morning hours of Monday, October 22, I was startled to see the distant glow had turned into giant flames marching down the mountain.  The sight was mesmerizing; frightening and magnificent at the same time.  At 4 AM, we received the reverse 911 call instructing us to evacuate.  We fled to a nearby high school and sat watching as a blood red sun rose to illuminate black clouds moving toward us.  The temperatures soared into the 90’s that day and the smoke filled air burned our eyes and made it hard to breathe.  Fearing for the safety of our kids and pets, we drove toward Temecula to find a hotel.  We got as far as Fallbrook when raging flames and billowing plumes of black smoke reached across the freeway and forced us to turn around and find an alternate route.  The roads were clogged with hundreds of evacuees just like us and what should have been a 40 minute drive turned into a grueling 5 ½ hour ordeal.

Our house burned to the ground on October 23, 2007.  As our roof crashed and burned, so did our way of life, our hopes and dreams.  Sometimes tragedies bring families closer together; other times they tear people apart.

Cuyamacas

Photo by Peggy Jones

Scotch and I in the Cuyamacas

Photo by Peggy Jones

October 15 – Horse Anniversary

This past Saturday, October 15^th, marked the one year anniversary with my paso fino, Scotchelo.  What a difference this partnership has made in my life, and, I’m guessing, his too.  His two previous owners had problems with him and therefore didn’t ride him much.  We went through a bumpy patch in the beginning until we got used to each other, and he has since proven to be Scotch, The Wonder-Horse.  He is friendly and cuddly, lowering his head to let me hug on his neck and shower his velvety nose with kisses.  He has lots of energy and loves to gait, but can also stand calmly and patiently while my friends and I stop for a picnic.  We have progressed from his refusal to set hoof in a tiny stream of water to playing in a belly deep pool and even splashing through the surf on the beach.

October 15, 2010 was a gray and misty day and started off badly.  My car was broken into that morning and my purse with all my identity was stolen.  Then there was The Incident, where my friend and I were traumatized when her horse slipped and fell on some slippery asphalt.  BUT:  Scotch came into my life that day and changed it for the better.  This past 10/15 was sunny and warm in contrast to last year, and Champagne Friend Peggy and I had a wonderful ride through the Ramona Grasslands.  We stopped at Cordiano Winery afterwards to toast the last of the golden late afternoon, the brilliant orange sunset, and my Scotchelo.  Cheers!

A Visit with My Sister

Champagne Sister (and Real Sister) Laura has a wonderful property in Sun City with horses, dogs, cats and a goat.  My Buddy, an Arab mix, lives there and serves as a great excuse for us to get together once a week.  Her house is currently decorated for Halloween with whimsical scarecrows and witches, and big, fat pumpkins and apples from a recent visit to Apple Hill.  We visit in her cozy kitchen over coffee latte´s and pumpkin bread and try to go for a ride before the sun beats too intensely.  The horses plod along lazily in the hot late-morning sun and my legs are sweating in the saddle.  Back at the house, I give Buddy a bath with the garden hose and he looks grateful for the cool water splashing down his neck and back.  Then we let him “mow” the front lawn while we sit under a shady tree with a picnic lunch.  I look forward to our visits and rides, and am thankful I have the time to indulge in my favorite pastime.