Horses, horses and more horses!

This was one of the first guys we met when we arrived at Blackberry Farm!

We got home yesterday from Tennessee.  It was one of the best trips that I have been on and can't wait to go back again, yes, it was that good!  Of course having lots of gorgeous horses to ride and carriage rides, wonderful organic food, beautiful mountains to look at, southern hospitality, and great functions to attend, what more could I want?!

We had a good flight down and they were waiting to pick us up at the airport.  There were several other couples from Maine and New Hampshire that we know that landed just about the same time we did only on other airlines so we all went to the Blackberry Farm together which was about 30 minutes away.  We checked into our 'cottage' and freshened up a bit before heading out to the stable to see the horses.  I put on my new jeans that I got at Tractor Supply (they actually had LONGS!), my smelly boots and new belt with silver conchos and buckle.  Oh my, did I ever think I was stylin'!  snicker, snicker......

This doesn't look like any cottage around here but I didn't complain!  :o)

I wanted to bring home this closet!!!

I want this bathroom too!

There was a nice screened in porch on the back with a big fireplace.  It was too hot to use it but it was nice to just sit out there.

The horses were gorgeous, mostly big-behiney quarter horses which I love.  They were so well taken care of, had an excellent staff to see to their every need.  I'm the one in the yellow shirt with the long legs that are sticking out too far!  My horses name was Rooster and he was a 10 year old gelding, or maybe 9 or 8, I can't remember.  :o(

This is Carla our guide and she and her husband John head up the equestrian program at Blackberry Farm.  She does an amazing job and in this picture was giving us a little Horsemanship 101.  You'll see a picture of her hubby John who gave us a tour of the place in a carriage with a big horse named Rock in harness.  Everything was pristine here, the tack was spotless, the horses were groomed well, their feet were done properly, all in all the best place we have ever ridden while on one of our trips and we have been to many.

Look at this beautiful guy with the brand.

This is one of Carla's horses.  She and John do a lot of fox hunting here and have been to Scotland, Ireland, England and other places to hunt.  No, they don't kill the fox, they have a glass of champange once the fox is in his hole! Phew! I was glad to hear that!

We headed out and saw some of the most glorious sights of mountains, streams, fields, animals, beauitiful buildings on the property, organic gardens, free range chickens, sheep which they use the milk to make melt in your mouth cheese, truffle dogs that hunt for the truffles, ponds, fences and a covered bridge.

We had a great ride and everyone got back in one piece which always makes it nice.......ahem...... I've been on rides where that hasn't been the case.  One trip we were on the president of the company was on a horse and the saddle came loose and he slid right around the horses belly and hit the ground.  Yikes!

The first night there we had a wonderful outside dinner with bluegrass music playing in the background by a local band.  They were nice fellas and even offered to come to Maine and play if we'd pay their way..........

The tables were so pretty with the pottery vases filled with flowers.

They fed us so much food it was insane, I am not kidding they kept bringing out platter after platter of different things to try and ended the meal with pecan pie that would just bring you to tears it was so good!

There is much more but I guess this is enough for tonight.  I will continue in a day or so.  The lake house is almost done and the furniture is supposed to be delivered on Wednesday so DIL and I have a busy day planned.  Can't wait till it's all put back together after such a disaster this winter.  When I first saw it after we found out everything had been ruined by the flooding I didn't think it would ever be the same but now I think it's going to be even better!  Yeah! 

Will get around to visit everyone tomorrow.  Today I was knee high in laundry from the trip plus had to spend time with my guys and give them some exercise!  I probably missed them more then they missed me with Funsize, Ana and Dad taking care of them while we were gone!!!  :o)