we shall ride

Or at least, I shall ride. The William doesn't ride horseback, and even if he did, I can't imagine the stable would want a strange dog near their horses. He will have to content himself with admiring them from a distance. So, I guess that's the 'royal we' in the title. How appropriate. The thought of riding soon makes me feel quite regal.

I knew there was a large state-owned recreation area not far from here, one that covered almost 5,000 acres. I'd heard that it had trails and an equestrian campground. I never knew that it also had a riding stable! As you'd expect, I'm thrilled.

No, of course riding a stable horse isn't like riding your own horse. How could it be? You're strangers; there's no bond of trust and understanding between you. Also, stable horses are accustomed to inexperienced riders, so they've learned to ignore the shifts in position that would be signals from a knowledgeable rider. I expect they'd go mad if they didn't!

It doesn't matter. I haven't owned a horse in decades, and it's unlikely that I ever will again. I'll take my pleasure as I find it, and enjoy an hour in the woods and fields on a rented mount.

It may be sooner than you'd think! This has been a surprisingly warm winter, and the weather is softening already. I expect that four weeks from now, I'll be quite ready to hitch up the trailer and head for the campground. And ride while I'm there, too.

Roll on, spring!