A great ride

This is me and Rita out in the high country ...well... the medium high country... that is, we were at 7500 or so feet. 

Colorado gets a lot higher.

I am not sure at what point it is considered "the high country".  I have lived here 15 years, but I will have to go ask a native.

As I was saying, this is me and Rita out looking for the changing aspen leaves and we found some beautiful golden glades.

Regarding altitude, I was raised at the beach.  So even 6500 feet, where I live now, is high country relatively speaking.  I have friends who live at 9000.  That is high for a year round house... but still medium high for a hike.  Well, upper medium high.

10,000 feet is "ridiculously high country" for a house, and perhaps the start of true high country.  Above treeline is the "edge of space country".

That's not my stallion I am on, that black gelding is "Midnight", one of Rita's Rocky Mountain Horses.  And they really are great for this kind of ride.  They are about 14.3, not too big, great for going around tree trunks and under branches.  We were out for 4 hours.  I'm sore.

Colorado has dozens of "14ers", which are mountain peaks over 14,000 feet.  I have not been to the top of one yet.  I was on Trail Ridge Road, in RM National Park, which is close to 11 or 12 thousand feet.  I was breathing hard up there.  I was thinking the first 14er I would like to "do" is Pikes Peak... because you can drive up there, take a few sample breaths, and if it doesn't work out, you can drive back down real quick.

I would probably not be a good candidate for any expeditions to find Noah's ark. That's supposed to be on a "17er". 

I rode my stallion...

Well, I just couldn't resist anymore.  He is so tall I had to spend a few minutes teaching him to stand still by the fence, since I didn't have a saddle on him, therefore no stirrups.  And when he finally understood what I wanted him to do, he was patient while I clambered up.  It wasn't much of a ride, just around the round pen.  Then I got off and took off the bareback pad and got on again bareback.  For awhile I just draped myself on his big neck and hugged him.  That was this last Tuesday.  I couldn't sleep that night.  It was such a thrill... :-)

Yesterday...

...we had dinner at our neighbors and it was sure fun to give them an autographed copy. They broke out the champagne.  There was a touch of fall on the wind which felt delicious.   The aspens are hinting at gold.  Tomorrow is the official release date for GoD and DoG, but people are finding it in stores already.

Another review! By

Sara J. Eubanks "Moonshadow1" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: GoD and DoG (Hardcover)

This book is so incredible in its simplicity. But isn't that the way religion is really supposed to be? Jesus' message in a nutshell is love. That's it - simply love. That's what Wendy Francisco reiterates in this wonderful book that everyone should read, no matter if you're 9 or 90. I would compare it to Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You Will Go". They both should be required reading for all students. If you haven't heard Ms. Francisco sing "God and Dog", do it now. She really hits the nail on the head with her theory. You may not agree if you don't love dogs but, if you don't love them, you're not leading a complete life. Thank you, Wendy Francisco, for cutting to the chase. May God bless you - and your dog.

YAY! The book arrived today!
Caspian was amazed at what a beautiful job the publisher, designers and printers did, and I think so too!

I cried.

Thank you to Susan Boyer for the first GoD and DoG Amazon review. Here it is:

Small Book, Mighty Message
In this simple little book, Wendy Francisco has captured many, many dog owner's feelings about their best friends and put them into a words. Straight from her heart these words came and straight into the hearts of dog loving readers they will go. God and Dog is a tribute to the unconditional love dogs give us and also a prayer of thanksgiving to God for dogs. The simple and sparse text intensifies the message and makes this book a soulful charmer that few dog fans will be able to resist. The illustrations are good but would not be half as effective on their own. Thought and word are the treasure here.

I'm guessing this book may reap some negatives from people who don't approve of putting God and Dog in the same book together---from readers who don't like God but like dogs and from readers who like God but don't like dogs. Speaking as someone who reads alot and who loves God and dogs both-- it's a terrific book. YAY!

I oredered my book from Amazon...

I can hardly wait to see what it looks like.