Perrydale Trails LLC

11/11/2024

10/30/2024

This would be me as a horse-crazy little girl ...

And now as a horse-crazy old gal, I still enjoy plenty of horse dreams.

But out of respect for my dear husband, I leave the spurs in the tack room.

10/20/2024

Huntin' season at Perrydale Trails ...

By the way, poor Al Paca's head will need a shampoo. Apparently, my visitors' horses have been, let's say, OVERLY-friendly.

And you know who you are. 😁

10/07/2024

And ... it's a wrap for this season! It's been a fun and all-too-speedy summer full of riders to Perrydale Trails. Thanks to you all, we broke another visitation record for our 12th year of business. We love seeing our faithfuls who come every year; it's always fun to catch up on their latest news and for me to see their progress. Then, there are the fresh faces of new visitors: more who fulfilled their bucket list wish of experiencing how special Perrydale Trails is. Everyone says it with a big smile, "We'll be back!" I love hearing that!

Thank you all for making me one happy girl.

09/30/2024

The Perrydale Trails Favorite Couple List includes Matt and Kathleen Jepson. They recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary here.

09/22/2024

Here is the highly-anticipated outcome of my Halloween visitors, Marci and Megan. And they even brought a new pal to introduce to Perrydale Trails - who said, "Heck yeah, I want to be a Bandito too!"

We had 20 riders today, with the Salem 40 Something Cowgirls making a big showing, as well as a few new faces here. Not sure how long it took for the Cowgirls to realize those girls weren't guys. Did you know you can draw authentic mustaches with mascara -- while you're driving down our three miles of gravel road?

The Halloween Trail was big hit. Photos coming!

09/22/2024

Marci Voorhees and Megan Gipson are two of the 11 riders scheduled today. Marci informed me last night that they will be wearing Halloween costumes for their ride. So, don't let these sweet and innocent faces fool you, too ... but ... I can hardly wait to see them!

Stay tuned!

09/21/2024

Am I weird for playing with skeletons?

09/21/2024

Whew, it's been busy these past weeks with folks trying to get a ride here before we close October 6. These are only a few photos in this reel, but you get the idea this is where you come to have fun with your horse!

Note to visitors: I've emailed hundreds of photos over the summer. If you didn't get them, check your spam folder, and if they're not there, contact me.

09/21/2024

It's that time again! Towards the end of our season, we transform one of our areas into a Halloween Trail. See you soon, our last day is October 6!

09/20/2024

Yesterday, Christina Mauk and Shannon Ricketts made their first visit to Perrydale Trails. I was unable to get out on the courses to take their photos, but I caught them as they were returning to their trailers. All I wanted was ONE picture with everyone smiling ... and here is what we got!

09/12/2024

I was working on some obstacles this evening, and when I looked up and off to the east, there was a most beautiful sight! The huge clouds reflected the soft sunset colors, and the wind that had been nonexistent lightly lifted the flag on our cowgirl. It was a lovely tribute to this day: 9/11.

09/09/2024

Besides being a pretty morning, here's something else to make you smile on a Monday.

I so love my wonderful pals!

09/08/2024

I subscribe to RVTravel.com; they publish a handy daily newsletter. Besides providing useful tips for maintaining campers and trailers, there are articles about traveling safely throughout the United States. Today's news included this article which succinctly describes what we trail riding folks have to put up with:

Below are actual comments left on U.S. Forest Service registration sheets and cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:
~ “A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call.”
~ “Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.”
~ “Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse.”
~ “Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.”
~ “The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.”
~ “A McDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead.”
~ “The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.”
~ “Too many rocks in the mountains.”

09/06/2024

One more month left - October 6 is our last day for this 2024 season. Perrydale Trails filled the bucket list for 300 visitors so far! How about you?

09/05/2024

We shall title this picture "The Leap of Faith."

P.S. You're supposed to walk over the mattress :-))

P.S. #2 Which I'm pretty sure was the original plan.

09/03/2024

Yesterday, Harley and I enjoyed a peaceful trip through our trails, accompanied by Andy, our wonder-dog. It was one of the very special times: Harley was so happy to be out together. He gets bored taking visitors out on tours, or standing while I give lessons. That's when it's time to embarrass me, and "forget" that he knows to whoa immediately and to move over with a light touch of my legs or reins. Honestly, he's like the naughty kid in the class who misbehaves for attention! But once Harley and I are done with the tours and we turn away for a ride by ourselves, he's spot on with every tiny signal. His demeanor changes into, "Mom, I love you and I'm so glad to have you all to myself!" We'll practice a few obstacles, and his precise attention to detail makes me beam with pride. Yesterday, we spent our free time riding in the forest. I let the reins loosen, and Harley wandered almost every trail. I just was a happy passenger. Even after an hour plus, he didn't want to go back to the barn. It was an amazing feeling!

We did a bit of bushwhacking in one area, checking a possible new trail. We broke out into a clearing, when suddenly I heard a whipping sound! It was over and done with fast. It sounded like when you throw a loop with a lariat. I stopped to figure it out. Harley turned his head to look at me as I'm peering in all directions. Andy wasn't worried. Hmm... maybe I imagined that sound? So, we rode on for another 30 minutes and ended up in the neighbor's field. There was that sound again! This time, I caught sight of Harley's tail as it swished to the side. Mystery solved!