A glimpse into our crazy life

As promised over a month ago for Emily’s birthday, we went horseback riding a couple weeks ago.  Due to some untimely weather in mid-April I ended up having to work on the weekend before her birthday (which included Easter) so it spoiled the surprise I had been planning.  Nevertheless, we rescheduled at First Farm Inn…a nearby bed and breakfast I found that would allow us to come out and learn to ride without staying there.  It’s a 30 acre farm that acquires most of its horses from race and show arenas that have been retired or abused. 

Our two hour sessiono started with becoming familiar with our horses, “Blue” Romeo (Emily) and “Bode” Bodacious (me), as our instructor tacked them up.  We learned about the horses, the basics of riding and how to control them.  Next we saddled up and went to the riding arena for some practice.  Somehow I wound up with the mega-horse and the leader of the herd so I tried to act like I knew what I was doing.  After about 30 minutes of steering practice, we headed out to the rest of the farm and rode around.  We both had fun and Emily’s horse, I think, had a crush on her.  Blue Romeo tried whooing her by biting Emily on the foot anytime she made him do anything he didn’t want to.  He messed with the wrong person because she corrected him promptly.  Overall it was a good day.  The skies were overcast and rainy when we arrived, but the rain stopped and held off until the very end of our ride.  We’d like to go back again…if Emily doesn’t go out and buy a horse before then.

Emily in riding arena          Emily and “Blue”    Frank and “Bode”

We started our 2009 wedding season last weekend with a trip to St. Louis to see one of our hometown friends, Micah, (whom I’ve known since preschool!) get hitched to the lovely Emily. As always, it was great to see the ol’ Hutch gang and catch up and I got to enjoy some dancing with my crazy husband.