I always hope that with each post I can be inspired by something. Something that will make you all want to read and feel how I feel. I always hope I can continue to do that.
As always, my summer with the horses as been well beyond my human expectations. Each and every day I spent with them was truly a blessing that I hold to my heart. For the most part each and every guest has become a very close friend, or a soul mate of sort, someone that was there and re-discovered or someone I just met, bonded by not only the horses, but the mountain. I feel very blessed. And for those few that did not “get it” I wish you well and hope you have peace in your life like those of us who did find it on the mountain this summer.
I had planned to do an early September trip, but because of the death in early July of a very close person in my life, I have decided to forgo that trip and instead return to my native state of Michigan, sharing the memory of him with some close friends. I know the horses will understand. It is something I need to do.
Life is short. I know we have all heard that term before, but this summer, perhaps, it has effected me even more than ever. I have spent my summer with some of the most wonderful people I have thought I could never know. Some will be with me as best friends for the rest of my life, and I cherish that thought. I am also looking forward to the new ones I am yet to discover.
Each of us never know how much time we have on this journey of life we call home. We need to make the most of each moment, feel it, and be happy with our decisions.
There have been many people on the mountain this year, but few remain to camp with the horses. For whatever that reason, I hope it continues that way. I would like to think that the horses choose who they want on their mountain. Please let it always be that way.
I leave you with a few photos from my last few trips, and know that I will be back soon and yes, I will share with you. Isn’t that what life is all about? Sharing and giving. I try to remind myself of that everyday.
And even when I am not on the mountain, I still am. Thanks Meg, for capturing that thought.
I promise, as this summer becomes fall and the fall becomes winter, I will continue to share with you the photos I took throughout this most meaningful summer.
Sandy
Sandy you share so much. It’s a beautiful gift to receive every time you post. This post made me cry for some reason. I think I could feel the majesty of the place through your words and certainly the photographs. Kohl is gorgeous, even mud caked. Lakota’s spirit will always follow you! 🙂
Thank you!
Have a safe trip.
Thank you so much Nanina!
Sandy, I am sorry for the loss of your friend and hope your trip is blessed with many sweet memories.
I think to truly love, there has to be understanding, commitment and respect. Sandy, you are a perfect example of love for, understanding of, commitment to and utmost respect for the horses and their homeland. We are fortunate that you can so clearly express your emotions as many of us who follow the Pryor wild horses also have a similar emotional attachment and deep love for each of them. Each minute shared with the horses has been a blessing for me. It is a time and place of physical healing, spiritual renewal and harmony – a sacred place and time. And that time has been richly enhanced with your friendship and during the time that I have spent on the mountain with you.
Your photos are wonderful, your writing skills are great, but your driving skills are no less than awesome!! Thanks for the Burnt Timber experience!!
Thank you so much Laura! I look forward to spending more time on the mountain with you both!
We came for the horses, we will come back for you!
Thank you Cedric!
Absolutely magical. I will make it there some day. Thank you!
Sheri Spokane, WA
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you Sheri!
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
As always, your photographs are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them!
Thank you Kate!
I’m sorry to hear about your friend, I’m sure it must be hard 🙁 Take some time for yourself, I think we all (horses and human) understand.
I love those intimate photos of two horses who are close to each other like Miocene and Nirvana (or it could be I’m a sucker for roans 🙂 ), and I love the close-ups. 🙂 Can’t wait for your account from this summer! 😀
Thanks Clarissa!
Sorry for your loss Sandy. 🙁 It’s always hard losing somebody you love but the horses won’t be going anywhere and they’ll still be there when you return. They’ll understand.
It was so great finally meeting you as well and getting to experience the horses with you in person. I hope to be able to return soon. 🙂 Love those pictures of Julia, I’ll have to send her the link!
Thank you Amelie!! Look forward to seeing you again!!
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. I’m glad you got to spend so much time with the horses during that hard time. They will be with you in spirit on your trip to Michigan. Lakota must have known you needed some comfort when he told Kohl to follow you. It looks like she was trying to give you a visual of him too when she caked herself in that mud. If she has a “S” filly in the future I think she should be named Sandy. Just saying 🙂 I love the pictures you’ve shared and I look forward to you sharing more stories and more photos when you have time. I noticed that you captione Odakota’s photo “I hope he survives.” Has he not been doing well lately?
Thank you Sarah. For the last several weeks, I have been worried about Odakota. He seems to lag behind his band most of the time. He seems smaller than he should at this age and Graciana is not showing him the attention I think a mother should. Most to of the time he is standing with his head hanging down. It seems that Aurora and Outlawlass are looking after him more than his own mother. The last few days I was there though, he seemed a tiny bit better. I just pray he can be strong and survive.
I wonder if maybe he ate some kind of poisonous plant or somethine. I think I have heard the flowers on the lupine are poisonous. He does seem to be listless in photos especially compared to Outlawlass and to the way he was when he was younger. Hopefully he can be strong and survive.
Oh no, that doesn’t sound good. 🙁 I’ll keep him in my thoughts too!
Beautiful post, Sandy! Sorry for your loss – hope you have a healing trip to Michigan. As always – THANKS for sharing!
Thank you Ruby!
Loving thoughts to you, Sandy, and condolences on your loss. No matter where your trail leads, may you find peace, love, and lessons for life. Thank you for sharing your images and thoughts so others might appreciate and cherish the horses and the exquisite piece of earth they reside on. Safe Travels!
Thank you Diane!!
So sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful pictures of the horses with us.
Thank you so much Karen!
Sorry for the loss of your friend, Sandy. It will be good to share good memories with others.
Like Sarah, I wonder why you mentioned hoping Odakota survives. Do you have an inkling of trouble, or are you just hoping in general?
As always, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the horses and the mountain. I always think about that saying the Indians had that ‘when you are in ‘Crow country’, you will fare better than if you are anywhere else”. when I am on the Dryhead, or on the mountain, I FEEL that it is most certainly true. 🙂
Thank you Linda. I answered about Odakota in the comment of Sarah’s above.
Beautiful photos! I love how beautiful all the younger horses are maturing to be! Love that blaze on Ohanzee, and Olivia is such an adorable little spitfire 🙂 thanks so much for sharing with us, I look forward to see more pictures 🙂 does Ketchikan still look to be pregnant? I like Odyssey as a name too, seems to suit him very well 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Hopefully the peace you found on the mountain follows you back home.
Hi Sandy
I am sorry to hear of your loss.
I love looking at the pictures in this post and especially Olivia. She is such a spirited one. I was wondering what you meant by your comment of Odakota. I so hope he will get better. He really touched my heart during my time on the mountain this summer as he was struggling a bit there as well and I felt Graciana could have been more caring. But he recovered then and hopefully he will do the same now.
I liked also seeing the pictures of Gringo/Tecumseh band. Of all the bands I feel that I got to know them the least. I haven´t heard but has Gabrielle had her foal yet?
Any news of Coronado?
Sandy that you for that lovely headshot of Innocentes. I’ve never seen her face first close up before. Wow is she pretty!