So, I was looking at your pics this morning, looked outside at the blue sky, and went 'you know what? I'm going TRAIL RIDING today! I'll gets lots of nice pictures and make *them* jealous! Ha!'

I get to the barn, get my mare all saddled up, and head out. It's about an hours' ride to the trail head at a slow walk (the trails go through the barn area, but access is closed up right now until the small misunderstanding can be cleared with the park rangers).

Starlite was *perfect*, the day was *perfect*... we just plodded along the roadside at an easy pace until we got to the trail head. Got about 100 feet in... and were attacked by a swarm of horseflies! I mean, *swarm!* I jumped off my poor horse because she had about 10 under her belly where neither of us could get to them, swiped them off, jumped back on her, and we galloped almost the whole way back... especially after I glanced over my shoulder and saw the huuuge electrical storm front rolling in. It was raining buckets by the time we got back to the barn, and the light show started about 5 minutes later.

*sigh* I hate Florida sometimes... and yes, I'm so jealous! >.<

(side note: I realized only after that I had not only mounted from the ground without stirrups for the first time *ever*, but that wild gallop was the first time I'd gone above a trot with that horse - I'd always been too nervous to do more before! LOL)