TWO FUN RIDES FOR SEPTEMBER!! SEPT 11 and 26, 2010

We are so lucky: we are going to have 2 September rides to enjoy – this Saturday and the also Sunday September 26.

This next ride is coming up fast: September 11 to be exact … that is THIS Saturday! Due to a scheduling conflict between our Georgefield venue (where we were supposed to be) and the local rifle range, we will instead be holding this Saturday’s ride in Earltown, 20 minutes outside of Truro. The Georgefield ride has been postponed tentatively to Sunday September 26 (details will follow at a later date).

Because this is a last minute venue change (as it was only just realized that we were not able to avoid active times on the rifle range in Georgefield on the Saturday date) on very short notice a brave host has ‘volunteered’ their farm in Earltown. Our hosts, Peter Watson and Bea Guimond, have not yet moved onto this lovely piece of property, but they have wanted to invite our group for a while and hope that this will be the first of many horse related activities that they will be able to host in coming years.

I am describing this ride as an ‘Exploration Ride’, as we have not had time to create the ‘perfect loops’ for our type of rides, and there are a lot of the trails that are begging to be explored. So we have planned out an easy starting loop, but there are lots of possibilities for a longer/more adventurous ride as we go along.

This site is in an area that offers lovely terrain, some spectacular views (watch out Bev – you may have competition here!), miles of trails and little-used dirt roads. The trails are mostly turf, and although for this ride the canopy may be a little low in some areas, much of the trails can be trotted or cantered, if you want. The dirt roads vary but they are all very low traffic and are decent for horses, with only few short rocky spots which can mostly be avoided by picking your way. The scenery is lovely – tended woodlots, streams, panoramic views, hills (not as steep or challenging as South Mountain or Rawdon, but hills none-the-less).

There is lots of good parking. There is no running water (ie – running out of a tap) on site, but there is spring fed water available near the parking site and there is water available on the trails. There are no washrooms on site – so plan accordingly! On the loop there may be a very short highway section – and I mean maybe 100 ft – but it has a good shoulder. If anyone doesn’t want to do it they can avoid it by backtracking, or it is possible that I can arrange an ‘escort car’ for the short distance. And lunch will be a tailgate party, as usual. The only difference is that the only cooking facilities will be whatever you bring, yourselves.

Directions:

Take rte #102 past Truro and exit at 14A (Tatamagouche & Onslow). Turn right at the stop sign.

Go approximately 4km. Turn left on #311N (towards Tatamagouche).

Go approximately 29 km to Earltown. Turn right on #326.

Go approximately 1.1 km to civic #244 on the right. There is a small brown garbage box with 2 civic numbers painted on it: #242 & 244. That is the right place. It will be marked by balloons (I’ll try for red ones). Follow the balloons until you get to the parking areas. Don’t be worried by the apparent gravel pit, this is the right place.

See you there!

Christie