A Favourite Ride

I suppose most people prefer the sunny, warm days of spring or summer as opposed to the cool, windy, cloudy days of spring or fall. I prefer the later. They're more exciting. There's something happening. I think this is in part due to how you spent time with me as a child.

I remember you looking out the window as we prepared for the ride. I could tell you were wondering if it was a good idea to go ahead with the plans or just scrap it for another day. But you decided it wasn't that bad. "It could rain, but we're not going to melt".

I wonder which horse it was. I remember it was definitely not the pinto. I think maybe it was Thunder, the chestnut..

After you had her saddled you mounted her and reached an arm down to my small five year old hand. With your pulling and my climbing (and Thunder craning her neck as if to say "What the heck was going on back there?") I finally fell into the saddle behind you and off we went.

We were in no hurry and Thunder carried us at a meandering pace up Saunders Road.

It started to drizzle then, just enough to dampen everything, then a break in the clouds let the sun start evaporating what had fallen. When this happened, the odors were concentrated; the smell of the pavement, trees, creosote from the telephone poles and Thunder herself, all mingle with the scent saddle leather and saddle soap.

The occasional dog would come running from its home and bark at Thunder's heels. She never did react much, but then again that was her easy going temperament, and the dogs never did follow us too far from their homes.

You steered Thunder right, turning up Drinkwater Road. The sound of Thunder's shoe’d hooves, "Clip clop, clip clop" in a steady rhythm was enough to make me drowsy and I'm sure I dozed in and out of sleep. It's a wonder I never fell off.

At the end of Drinkwater Road we had to climb a steep bank which lead up to the railway. Thunder's pace changed to one of effort, she plundered forward and up we went. We couldn't help but lean forward, partly to keep from falling backward off the saddle but also in imaginary help to her. The saddle creaked as leather strained against leather and the awesome power of her undulating muscles under us was a reminder of just what a powerful being a horse was.

When we crested the top of the hill, the tracks lay before us. After you listened for, what I guess was any sound of train activity, we started to follow the rails. Thunder's hooves making a new sound on the packed gravel for me to enjoy.

The sun would come out occasionally and beam down on us through tree branches making us feel warm. Then it would disappear behind clouds again and there'd be a gust of wind. The wind in the tree branches sounding like waves breaking on a beach. The tree branches dancing and sometimes seeming like they were reaching out, trying, grabbing at us.

We didn't speak much, there seemed to be no reason to.

Eventually the tracks lead us to Kitsuksus Road and we headed down the winding street. Somehow I knew where we were but arriving there was like magic to my young mind. We had only ever gotten there by car before. I couldn't seem to make sense out of this alternate, unconventional and unfamiliar route arriving at the same place.

You pointed out houses of people you knew, the "big kids" school is what you told me A.W. Neil Secondary School was as we passed by. "Someday you'll be going there." you said.

We turned right onto Compton Road and followed it until we passed the little corner store at the Compton/Beaver Creek intersection. Then turned right onto Beaver Creek and passed Gill School where I was currently attending kindergarten. Oh how I wish school was in session so the other kids could see me riding with you!

Beaver Creek eventually brought us back to Saunders Road and to our house where we started from. I was happy for the ride but sad it was over. You held onto my arm and helped me repel back to earth. Then told me I should go wait inside for you.

I remember going in the house and sitting on the couch. I'm sure I was asleep long before you had Thunder's tack put away and came inside.

Of all the rides you later took me on, this was always my favorite.

When the weather is just right, or when I hear the sound of horses hooves, I'm right back there again.