Ahhhh...Indian Summer!!

Well, after an unseasonably cool (okay COLD) October, November is batting a thousand in making up for it. I can't believe last Sunday we were riding in the arena in short sleeved T-shirts and we were plenty comfortable (it was 74 degrees). The day before I actually pulled out a lawn chaise and sported a sleeveless polo and bare feet while I read in the bright, but low-angled November sun. Weird! (...but oh so appreciated!) Of course we ride like there's no tomorrow. Because we know our backs are to the wall and this will not last. Inwardly we hold our breath...outwardly we laugh giddily as though we are getting away with something. IT IS APPROACHING MID NOVEMBER IN WISCONSIN AND WE ARE RIDING IN SHIRT SLEEVES!!! All the while, looking over our shoulders...but I do not spy Old Man Winter yet!
The grass is green, autumn color is past it's peak, some leaves still remain. The woods are thinning out, the bean fields are cleared and our expanse for riding increases. We gallop like pony express boys across the bare fields. The footing couldn't be better, so the cross country jumps will stay up for now and we fly over them in the autumn sun. The din while we wade through the bed of leaves riding through the woods makes it impossible to carry on normal conversation. Deer bounce away as we pass. Easier to see them now with the thinning vegetation, but will be even easier once the corn fields are picked. Tuesday morning I rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth, breeches on, quick breakfast, pulled on my Ariats and 45 minutes after leaving my bed I was riding to rondevous with my young neighbor. I returned home almost 3 hours later after we explored some new trails connecting our farms. Again, today. This time with a friend who hasn't ridden in a long time. Tomorrow, again. Why, there's simply no reason not to. None!