Horseback Riding Adventure!

Something I've always wanted to do is to let the girls experience what it's like to ride on a horse.  Luckily, we live right down the street from This is The Place Park, where they have horseback riding trail rides.  It was pricey, but I think totally worth it for this adventure.
I was so excited to see Avril and McKel's awe when we pulled up and got to see the horses up close.  Our guide seemed very knowledgeable and experienced with horses, which helped to set my mind at ease.  Admittedly, I was a little scared about the girls riding on their own.  As the girls mounted the horses, I could see that they were slightly nervous as well, sitting on these beautiful, powerful creatures.
The scenery along the trail on the mountainside was breathtaking.  It was certainly an amazing experience.  HOWEVER... at one point, this mom just about died of a heart attack.  Mike seemed to have a horse that was slow and stubborn.  His horse stopped along the way countless times to eat.  This irritated McKel's horse, who was ready to get up and go.  The two horses seemed to have a quarrel, and continued to pick on each other.  At one point, McKel's horse got angry and bucked in the air... I heard McKel scream and hang on for dear life.  She has quite the grip, because she was able to maintain a hold on the horse when he nearly bucked her off.  I looked to see her hanging off the side of the horse, holding on to the reigns.  Brave girl.  Rude horse!!  It was honestly one of the most terrifying moments I've had as a mother.  Maybe second to the time that McKel rode down the sidewalk full speed on her bike, with no helmet, and crashed in to a rock wall with her face.
Anyway, the guide was able to calm the horse down, and McKel's horse got grounded.  He tied her horse to a tree and left him on the trail.  Then Mike and McKel rode together on my horse and I got stuck with the slow horse who would stop to eat every chance he got.  But we felt much safer.  Phew!  No more ER visits for McKel!  And we could enjoy the rest of our lovely ride :)

Mike and the girls, ready to ride!

Cowgirls!

McKel on top of the world

learning to hold the reigns

this girl is ready!

mounting my trusty steed

:)

So excited to go on this ride!

My hubs

Isn't he cute??  And so is my husband!

Love that smile...

Avril's turn!

Cowgirl Avril :)

She's ready to ride!

McKel's horse comes over to see what's going on...

Hmm... little girl and BIG horse!

Avril is excited to go!

Let's do this!

heading out on the trail...

McKel and the guide headed up to take the lead...

so fun!

here we go!

So glad that we got to experience this as a family.  I'd definitely do it again (if we were rich), and if I wasn't so terrified that the horse would give us a good scare again...  I will treasure this memory though.  It. was. awesome.