I left 2016 with some anxiety, just lingering worries; little thing after little thing building up into a giant emotional rainstorm. However, the New Year is a nice starting point to begin fresh again; even if it is technically just another day.

My daughter, sister and myself had made plans to travel from Oklahoma to Arkansas on the first of January, spend the night, and then mine for crystals at Sweet Surrender Crystals in Story, AR. The day before our departure on the road we discovered there was a 90% chance of rain in Arkansas so we changed plans, deciding to stay in Oklahoma.

Still wanting a small adventure before school, work and adulting started again in 2017 we decided to go horseback riding. I have not been on a horse in about 19 years and my 9 year old had never been on one, but wanted to very much. I searched a few places and resolved to go to The Riding Stables at Draper Lake in Oklahoma City. 

Our Journey began at about 3:30 in the afternoon and my daughter jumped on her horse with no fear (per usual for her). As she walked her horse “Socks” around the immediate area she had a perma-smile on her face.

Having lived on a farm when I was her age, I remember the excitement of the new and slightly fearful encounter of first riding on an animal so large. It is quite exhilarating.

My sister had not ridden in a couple years, but like riding a bike, she was back to that feeling of being “on top of the world”.

My horse’s name was “Okie,” and he is a young spirited creature that just wants to GO. He was also a leader and seemed to always make sure we were taking charge of the whole group. Also, like most youngins’, he saw a shortcut to our trail about mid-way through our little trek and darted off; he wanted to get home quicker. Silly boy; we had to reroute back on track to the longer road.

The best part of the ride for me was nostalgia. When I was younger I used to ride a big red horse named “Tommy,” and it was on those exact same trails at Draper Lake that we rode. It brought back a lot of good memories and now I get to share new ones with my little girl.

 

After about an hour and a half we trotted back to the stables, said our thanks and went home. It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful way to welcome in the New Year.

Hello 2017.