As the weather has turned hotter, we got up and out earlier to avoid the main heat of the day. Today we started going around the loop the other way around, beginning at the entrance to the campground and heading east. This part of the loop is open, so the sun was hot beating down on us, but it was early enough to still be comfortable. By the time it became hotter, we had reached the more shady area. We didn't do much trotting and cantering today, though, because we didn't want to stress the horses with the heat. They still have some of their winter coat, though it's coming off fast, but it's more than what they should have in 80+ degree temps, so we stayed at a walk for the most part. It was a very nice ride, with one stop to get water at a hand pump about a mile before we reached the campground, where we rested for a few minutes. Interestingly, by the time we got back, a number of other campers, with and without horses, had arrived, and all were much more friendly, forthcoming and conversational than anyone we had experienced from the trail riding group yesterday. I guess there must be something about the competition that prevents people from being as nice as they probably could be. Anyway, we switched the horses into new stalls so we could clean the old ones better, and spent the evening relaxing and getting ready for our departure tomorrow.
