2022/4/30 Brown Ranch in Los Olivos with the SYVR

 

Time for a visit to a slower pace of life.

Up to Foxen Canyon in Los Olivos, to the Brown Ranch where cows amble and coyotes howl, between the more civilized neighboring acres of famous vineyards.

We did a scenic 6 mile loop, mostly sticking to the ridges of the canyons, so lucky that the Santa Ynez Valley Riders are friends with the ranch owner and allowed to traipse about on this very private place.

Time slows to the strolling speed of horses and mules.

To orient where we were, the triangular brownish mountain on the center of the horizon is Grass Mountain, directly above where Michael Jackson had his famous Neverland Ranch. Now, that's a landmark!

As usual I arrived early, since TobeMule needs extensive tacking up that takes extra time. 

Our host Mr Brown came over to say howdy and revealed to me the astonishing information that his father owned a famous racing mule named Ruby and he was the jockey!

Tobe and I approve!

Then Mrs Brown and their ranch tenant the local veterinarian Ingrid Wolf came over while doing their morning constitutional with their dogs.

When I came here with the SYVR several years ago this lot was filled with horse trailers and we had 40+ people out on the trails. But nowadays clubs can barely rustle up a posse for rides, even on places as special as this.

Tobe usually declines water on adventures, but his pal Mosca always takes an opportunity to splash around even if she doesn't need or want a drink.

So we headed out with just the five of us riders, to explore around on the ranch roads and look for the views we know await us.

Lance Brown declined to accompany us. He says he spent enough decades in the saddle, he's pretty well done with it.

Having never worked cattle or anything else from my mule, all my time spent aboard him is purely for the pleasure of seeing landscape I could not get myself to on my two legs. 

Four legs good!

First thing we saw were these curious elevated tanks, mysterious ranch equipment.

And then right on cue, cattle lounging in the shade.

It was a fascinating assortment, at least one a white Brahma but I am not bovine savvy enough to identify any other breeds.

This one took up a protective stance and we quite sensibly stayed on the road and did not challenge his authority.

Tobe and I agreed he had horns and looked ready to rumble. No need for a bullfight, even if this was a cow. We didn't inquire after her pronouns. Neither did we slow down for a visual inspection of parts.

Well, actually, we did slow down enough that our riding companions sped on up the trail.

We don't mind. I never want to ride alone, but by "riding drag" Tobe and I get the best of both, solitude on the trail and safety in numbers.

Soon we started to get to the top of a ridge where we could look down at cultivated areas below. The regularity of wine grapes seen through the skeleton of an oak tree still hung with Spanish moss.

What a feast for the eyes after a week of intense tattooing!

In all directions, beautiful nature and long vistas.

The chaparral woodland in an unbroken progress to the horizon.

The family we were riding with also stopped to take commemorative photos.

And I got a nice one of my stalwart pal Jamie on her feisty Mosca the HorseFly.

As can be seen from the map above,  we just kept climbing on ridges, revealing new long views. This is straight West toward the Vandenburg Space Force Base and the Pacific Ocean on the horizon.

At this point there was a trail off to the right that Tobe kept telling me was the way to go. He and I have ridden here twice before, and he never forgets anything. 

So we followed the trail boss even though we disagreed.

Does it all look the same? I was actually happy that there was a trail boss other than me taking responsibility for the route.

But there is nothing like a mule who is becoming exasperated that his non-verbal suggestions about which trail we should be on is being ignored.

He kept looking at me and then looking at the trail on the other slope, like a dog staring at your dinner dish trying to get a treat.

Then we headed down into a little shady valley that they referred to later as "that place where we saw the wild pigs that time."

Which was, in fact, a little ravine with water and oaks, a nice change of pace.

But that didn't last long, and we emerged to climb a track that had us surrounded by an unkindness of ravens.

Eerie to have them soaring and swooping and cawing around us, yet I did not identify if there was a particular carcass they were waiting to scavenge.

Then suddenly we were on the property border, looking over at the cultivated tidy land of the wine vineyard adjacent.

Most of the Brown Ranch seems like it is just like it has always been, but clearly the pressures of making the land productive are transforming the neighborhood. 

The Los Olivos District is a designated  American Viticultural Area situated in Santa Barbara County, California, approximately 30 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. There are 12 bonded wineries and 47 commercial vineyards with 1120 acres under vine.

But when we turn back toward our starting point we are in a field of wildflowers: California poppies, tidy tips and farewell to spring.

Back across a pasture, through a gate and back to the rigs where animals and humans can have a lunch under the shady oaks before we return to civilization.

Grateful to our gracious hosts for a day spent in their little corner of heaven.

And THEN off we go to join the 101 freeway, which is already in progress.

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2022/3/26 Mountain Trails at Midland School with SYVR

 

Tobe Mule and I ventured up and over to the Santa Ynez Valley, where a bright sunny day awaited on which to explore the trails on the 2,860 acre property of the Midland School.

Joining 5 other members of the Santa Ynez Valley Riders, we followed a trail along Figueroa Mountain Road and headed up toward Grass Mountain.

These trails are open to the equestrian and hiking public by reservation, and used by students at the private school for training in cross-country running.

The school is a college prep institution for the children of the elite. Students can participate in horseback riding as well as growing food in a 10 acre garden, in addition to "innovative experiential learning." Their Latin motto translates to "THE STRENGTH OF POWER." More info can be found at www.midland-school.org 

The season is turning, and spring green still remains in the landscape as we set out for our path upwards.

On the first part of the trail we walked through lovely oak meadows, with the scent of sage in the chaparral community around us.

And always above us rose Grass Mountain, silhouetted against the sky. At this time of year there should have been a poppy display on the slopes, as there currently are in other parts of the Southern California mountains. But the lack of rain or some other factor has apparently stopped this year's bloom.

This is a photo I took in March 2016, on a similar trail ride when the poppies were splendid.

The trails are maintained by the Santa Barbara Trails Council that I am proud to do volunteer work for, and we are grateful for their hard work keeping up the trails. I do wordsmithing, editing documents, while others are out with shovel and saw. All helping in the way we can to improve access for the public to the precious beauty of our area trails.

Sometimes that can mean blocking off a dangerous section of the trails and carving out another path. With the drought taking a hard toll on the oak trees this is a constant effort.

We saw a LOT of hikers on the trails, and without exception they were cheerful healthy people who looked like they were having a fine day walking in the woods.

I can't help but feel they secretly harbored a bit of envy when meeting the mighty Tobe Mule and seeing how easily I ascended the slopes on his back. He does all the work.

This man and his dog get my high praise for perfect trail etiquette. Many people have to be asked to pull their dog off the trail when a horse or mule is passing by. But he had his lovely companion trained to sit off trail facing away, so as not to meet the eye of the oncoming equine and appear a threat or challenge.

Good dog! Good owner!

As we ascended in elevation we could see the magnificent views of the horizon that the back country affords.

And looking down we could see the easy trail through the valley floor that we had started with, before we began our ascent on the more difficult trails.

And narrow it did!

But never a problem for the sure footed Kentucky mule. Sometimes a bit unnerving when he seemed wider than the trail, so that my foot appeared to dangle out over the edge and drop-off, but as we say "Worry is a poor counselor" and has no place on a trail ride. You must place faith in your equine.

Ascending above landmarks, switch backs and steep climbs, they are long miles.

And then thankfully the trails hit a plateau of sorts, and we walked through lush grassy meadows open to the sky.

Easier traveling, perhaps even a chance to let the animals have a snack and rest before continuing.

And although we were not so ambitious as to attempt the actual ascent of Grass Mountain, its presence on the upper horizon was always an inspiration.

As are the companions on their variety of animals with whom we share the trail.

Turning in the other direction we could see all the way out to the Pacific Ocean.

My guess is from that vantage point we were looking due West, across the Vandenberg Air Force Base, now renamed the  Vandenberg Space Force Base.

But forgetting the tensions of world war politics, we continued on our way. Indulging in that most precious age-old method of transportation: an equine excursion.

Until, that is, we came across this downed tree that completely blocked the trail. 

We made our way around it by descending a steep slope, and I have reported it to the trail angels of the SBTC to have the situation assessed and dealt with. The tree may be cut through, or a new trail created. They will know what to do.

From this point the trail continued to slope downward, and many times crossed over a stream. Water, such a welcome sight.

Presently the animals got a spring in their steps and picked up the pace, as they all recognized that we were not far from the staging area. Tobe Mule knows well that means the end of his day's work, a pile of carrots, and a ride home.

My thanks for him and his four good legs that take me where my insufficient two cannot get me, and for the organizations and people that make my riding safer.

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