Wow, Lisa! Sounds like fun! Lucky you.....mountains! I'm here in SW Michigan so it's just beautiful woods, praries and dunes for me. (Not complaining). Oh, and then there's Lake Michigan! I will be moving Indie in three weeks to where we will be exactly one mile from the gorgeous sandy beach!!! Indie LOVES the water...hence her nick name "Indie-pottamus". She swims like a fish and rolls. When she drinks from a lake or a pond, she submerges her entire face almost up to her eyes! What a dork. I'm going riding later today but my last ride was this past weekend. We went with my best friend and riding buddy Brooke (who is the only person on this earth who I can almost forget about my weight when I'm with her) and her little gray arab mare. We followed a deer path for a while and when it dead ended we said "let's keep going!" We got lost while "burning a trail" as we like to call it and ended up with more than a few mouthfulls of leaves (us, not the horses). It was fun and we eventually found our way back to the trail. I love how when I am riding I can let go of everything in the world. It's just me, Indie and God's marvelous creation. It brings to light the gratitude that I am so often lacking. Lizzie

Hey guys, Well, the intros went pretty well. That was fun. How's about we talk about something we all love? When/where was your last ride? Tell us about it! Those w/out horses would LOVE to hear! My last ride was with a new friend I met at work. She offered me a ride before my surgery (surgery was July 19th, 2005). I almost swooned with delight! She is such an awesome person, and I was super touched by her generosity. We rode to some BLM land (in Western Oregon), and rode in the mountains. It was wonderful! I have some great (okay, they were on my phone so not-so-great! ) pics of the ride. We went out late in the evening (was hot, but not too hot) and it was dark by the time we got back. The stars & moon were out, and it was so magical. I don't know if she knows how much that meant to me. We rode for a couple of hours through the trails, hills & meadows. There was this one ridge we rode up to (that she wanted to show me) that had the most breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains. I will never forget this ride for as long as I live. We would ride parts in open meadow, then back under the tree canopy, and back out in the open again. It was fun to see where we would end up next. I was one TIRED puppy, though! I hadn't ridden in so long, I was hurtin' a bit when we got back, but it was MORE THAN worth it!!! I helped her put the horses away, and feed them. I only wish I could have done more. Her and her boyfriend invited me to a biker party afterwards. Damn, I would have LOVED to have gone, but I had to go pick up my son from daycare. Maybe next party. So, how was your last ride? Take care everyone! Lisa (5'9") Lap RNY 7/19/05 360/345/296 (OMG, WOW!!!)/160

Hi Angie, EEEEKKK!!!! What a FABULOUS website!!! Oh my, I"m drooling and dreaming right along with you!!!! Thanks for the link. It has been bookmarked and will be looked at OFTEN! Oh wow, some of those horses... I WANT one of the stallions that they are going to have to geld. How fabulous would that be? Thank you again so much for sending this. Simply amazing and beautiful. Warm Regards, Lisa

Hi Angie, Friesian's are also my first love!! The breed is becoming quite popular in my neck of the woods, so my dream of having one is actually a possibility. I would have never thought! Just gotta save those pennies... (and 10's & 20's! ) It's cool to run into another Friesian lover! Take care, Lisa (5'9") Lap RNY 7/19/05 360/345/305/160

Hi Holly, Wow, that is wonderful you found a barn and a great mare to ride and do lessons in!! When I weighed 250, the barns around here would not let me take lessons. Talk about humiliation. I am so happy that you can do lessons and ride again. That's wonderful! I would love to hear about your lessons & such. Once DH is out of school, and I am down near my goal (at least under 200 lbs) I will be taking lessons again. It's been so many years. It will be such fun. Your enthusiasm has caught me, and I am smiling big for you, and looking forward to when I'll get to go riding again. Take care and have fun! Lisa (5'9") Lap RNY 7/19/05 360/345/305/160