Traveling Roads: Easy

Easy. That’s the word you use on your horse to make him obvious to certain dangers on the trail. Or to just slow him down on an unsteady path. Easy. It’s also a certain way of living outside the city. Leaving the hectic and the stress behind. Easy. That’s how I would sum up my week at Sun Dance Ranch. And it’s been such a treat after 5 days in a busy city. The first day brought loads of sunshine, a trail ride in the forest and an evening canoe trip. And how lucky we’ve been on that first day. Canoeing on the peaceful river, leaving the sunset behind and spotting two beavers and one mommy moose with her two kids. Just crossing the river before our eyes. No picture taken (it was already too dark), but forever in my head and mind :) What followed after that was less amusing as the Queen would say. Making our way back to the Ranch through muddy waters (up to our knees) surrounded my hundreds of mosquitos. No kidding. But thank you Michelle for the save return back home ;) That first ride out in the Swedish forests was followed by many more. Either with sunshine or some light rain. But sometimes also heavy rain and thunder, spooking not just our horses. Once we even interrupted the ride to swim with the horses in the lake. A first for me. Very special. And I enjoyed loads.

What will remain of that time at Sun Dance Ranch is my a-w-e-s-o-m-e horse Apache. Jun, a Japanese guest (living in Dubai), mostly seen with his camera on his head, filming while riding. Trail Rides through the enchanting nature. At times I fellt like gnomes were watching us from behind the trees. Wondering what they are thinking. Dutch discussions I could not follow all the way through. Harmonica tunes sounding through the forest. Spectacular sunsets just outside the door. The great food and especially the wonderful hosts. Thank you Anita, Dimitry, Marcia, Manon, Michelle and Sheranie. And mostly I will remember the quiet. It’s amazing what you can hear if you just listen. You can even hear rain drops falling from leaves. I’m serious! :) Close your eyes, trust your horse, let it find the way and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature !

Now back in the hustle and bustle of Stockholm I somehow feel a little overwhelmed by it all. The sudden mass of people. The noise. It’s like you have to get used to it again. But then, I guess I just have to bring back the last week to my mind. Easy.

"Life is good. A horse makes it better."