Goal 4: Horsback Riding Accomplished!

I went on my very first horseback riding trip!!

Not only was it amazing, but at the end of it, I felt like I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Icelandic Horses on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Perhaps the best way to start, perhaps the easy way out: for my first ever horseback ride/trail ride I was on Icelandic horses, which are significantly smaller than standard horses. It is harder to be intimidated by horses that are so cute. They almost felt cartoonish. Though as we repeatedly learned - they are not ponies.

Verena, the woman who runs Viking Horses, the horseback riding company. We chose Viking Horses, because they were based near Reykjavik, the resounding positive reviews on Trip Advisor, and because they seemed like a smaller, more personal horseback riding experience. It was without a doubt, absolutely the right choice! Verena from Viking Horses picked us up at our lodging, making it already feel luxurious. We had no worries about getting lost, getting turned around, or accidentally driving into a ditch and missing the ride.

Right away, it was clear that Verena is super kind and gentle as a person - which is just what you want in your instructor. She is from Bavaria (Germany) and spoke about how Iceland felt like home. I have to say, I completely understand how that could be true. Iceland seemed very Pacific Northwest in a lot of ways: rustic, a bit less urban - even in the urban center, coffee shops everywhere, mountains. Things I miss.

Phoebe from the UK, our riding buddy

We arrived to find that we were riding with only one other person - a lovely young British woman, Phoebe, who adventured to Iceland solo. Phoebe was a delightful and sparkly person - providing interesting discussion, thoughtful questions, and generally just loving Iceland and the whole experience.

So, we were three riders. Two had previously ridden (Lauren a couple times a long time ago, Phoebe quite a bit a super long time ago) and me. Thankfully we were all either rusty and/or slightly apprehensive - a well matched group. Viking Horses provided all sorts of gear for us - gloves, jackets, cover pants, and bandana-like hair covers. We now looked the part.

We had introductions to the horses in the corral, and got to know our horses a little bit. Christina, an assistant, was also helping keeping us and the horses calm as we got to learn how to lead them, talk to the them, and ride them. The instructions were brief, but very spot on. I felt like I was getting all the information I needed without extra distracting fluff to get lost in. They told us about how to use our tones of voice and remain calm to keep the horses calm.

Photo Credit: Lauren Charles

At this point, the reality of what I was doing starting sinking in with each instruction. Momentary panic was likely represented by blood draining from my face because Christina started telling me that I was going to be fine. I was picturing the fall from the horse - if I could find a way to get on in the first place (where was the step stool to get us up there?). I took deep breaths and tried to remain as calm as possible - as Verena was reminding us that horses can sense our tension.

The moment arrived to mount the horses. Of course, Phoebe was up in the blink of an eye. Then Lauren went up a hair slower, but it looked like it happened in one smooth swoop. Just no problem - up and on the horse. "Okay, I can do this!" Leg in stirrup. Got it. Then.... I looked around. No idea what happened next. How am I supposed to get myself up? Honestly, I'm still unclear about this. I tried at least 3 times, and was dismal in my attempts. My visions of being a natural-born horsewoman - crushed!

Photo Credit: Lauren Charles

Christina kindly offered her (very tiny) thigh and let me use her as a step stool. After reassurances that I would not crush her, up I went! Not smooth, not remotely elegant, but on the horse!

Photo Credit: Lauren Charles

We practiced riding around the corral to get for the horses and ourselves to get a feel for each other and the ride about to come. We learned how to stop, turn, and go quicker. Verena and Christina were supportive, but didn't coddle us. They patiently told us how to do it, and then expected us to do our part. It was a welcome change from the often over-accommodating American way, and just what I needed.







Let me tell you about my horse! Apparently good for beginners, a follower, named "Sprinter." Go figure. Christina assured me this must have been a joke by the first owners, he was slow - I shouldn't worry. Um... okay.

It became clear to me over time that he likely got that name by sprinting for treats - as he loved to snack every chance he got - meaning trees and bushes along the way. He clearly had favorite spots and would speed up to get there for a nibble.

Honestly, he was a very understanding and forgiving horse - letting me stumble through everything and have spikes of anxiety.

"I trust my horse, I trust my horse, I trust my horse" was my riding mantra.  And worked every time. Even on the very steep, very icy hills. I trusted my horse and we did very well. Well, we didn't fall or slip.


We had plenty of time to get acclimatized and used to the whole set up, and then off we went! Adventuring.

We went through snow & ice up and down hills, and the horses dealt with it beautifully. I suppose Icelandic horses would, but I was endlessly impressed. Sprinter preferred new snow to ice, which I appreciated.

After going for quite a while, I was pretty sure we were winding down. And then we ducked below a road through a tunnel - and we went over a cute mostly frozen creek into old lava beds. As seemed typical in Iceland - turning a corner brought all new vistas and an entirely new terrain. Just stunning!! We got to ride quite a bit longer and it was all I could have hoped for and more.

We learned the Icelandic Horses gait and special trot (which I had nothing to compare it to, but found it delightful to go fast - even if I felt the impact for the next few days - worth it!). Lauren's horse was a little reluctant to speed up, whereas Sprinter was more than happy to not be left behind.

I was surprised and really enjoyed getting to know the personalities of the horses. They were very social and clearly had relationships with each other. There was some friendly competition as they'd occasionally decide who wanted to be in the lead or cut each other off to get ahead. It felt like bumper-horses more than once. I think we were all careened into the (very small) bushes and trees at least once. We may have trusted our horses a little too much. But we all laughed through it all.

At the end we were taken back to home base, Verena's home, and were provided with traditional Icelandic treats. Skyr - in the yogurt family, but so good, covered with cream and blueberries. Absolutely delicious. We also tried flatbread, cheese, and ham. And Icelandic chocolates. Yum.



They have summer rides at night which sound incredible. I'd love to come back and do summer ride, or a northern lights night ride or really any ride. It was just wonderful.

I also wish I was a little less afraid of taking my hands of the reins so I could have taken more/better photos. Next time!

Already looking forward to trying a full size horse sometime! I still have no idea how to get on. Plenty more to learn! But I feel a bit more prepared should I ever find myself at the end of the world with only horses to escape the apocalypse.

Best of all - I love that the standard for my vacations has been risen!

Classic 9 of 40: Lord of the Flies

Why Lord of the Flies?

I have bought this book at least 2 or 3 times and have never made it through. Correction: had never made it through. It's one of those books that gets referenced all the time - "It's like Lord of the Flies around here!" Of course everyone knows the basic premise and through references I felt like I kind of already knew the story. And I mostly did. But... there were additions and nuances that I didn't know. And the ending I didn't know (and won't share here, of course).

Thoughts on the book:

This was absolutely a worthwhile read. No regrets. It wasn't super painful to get through. Interesting, but not a real page turner for me.

The good: The more I thought about it, the more I realized how many interesting ideas were contemplated in the book. It was a lot more layered and nuanced than I gave it credit while I was reading it. Fear, Leadership, Jealousy, Group Think, Justice and Society, Savagery and primal instinct.  Those are just the highlights that I noticed. The more I think about it, the longer the list gets.

But also, the power of a single voice; the power of the individual. Moral rights and wrong in face of survival, desperation, the crowd. Individual identity (as opposed to the power of an individual - Samneric, for example), the perception of others.

I was most captivated by the power of fear in decision making and leadership. It's hard not to make parallels as we are in the midst of a presidential election with the demagogue currently the front runner for the Republic ticket.

Mr. Golding did a seamless job portraying the slippery slope between Group Think to Mob Mentality. You could feel it brewing before the tipping point, but knew there was no stopping it. Just so well done.

The not-so-good: This was nowhere near what I would consider a good read. I never felt like curling up on a rainy day with this book. The premise felt so full of potential. And yet, the story felt so dry. A lot of it felt like drudging through. Maybe it was supposed to? Maybe we felt the idleness and trapped-feeling of being stuck? But until the very end of the book, it was far from gripping and engaging.

Recommended for?

This seems like the perfect required high school reading book. Or college level for social dynamics/leadership/organizational behavior. You could use this book for the basis of a dozen different college papers. Having said that, I'm still glad I read it. It's a short book and worth the read if you were never required to read it.

2016: Here We Go!

I've thought a lot about what I want to accomplish or bring into my life in the next year. Mostly it boils down to Art, Music, and Green Space.

1) Make Art 

• Why? I'd like to use more creativity; I'd like to be more creative. 

• How? 
• Do something creative at least once a month.   
• Paint Nights, water coloring, crafting, photography, writing, knitting.

 


2) See More East Coast 

• Why? I've lived here for 3 years and haven't made it to a lot of the East Coast - not to New England at all! I don' know how long I'm going to be staying out here, and would like to do better at seeing more of this side of the country.

• How?  
• Take at least 1 East Coast trip per quarter - day trips, overnights, longer. 
• Go to NYC at least once, go to at least one new state on the East Coast, see more local sights. 

3) Go see Art 

• Why?  I live in an amazing town filled with free art, and full of urban opportunities that I should be embracing better.

• How? 
• Going to museums more often, go see live music (symphony, jazz, any thing), plays, etc.

4) Adventure & Green Space 

• Why? I want to get started facing some of the adventuring on my 40 before 40 list!

• How?  
• Try at least 2 or 3 adventures this year. Face some fears this year. What list, you wonder? Zip lining, rafting, salsa dancing, boxing, martial arts.   
• Get out to parks, forests, whatever green space I can find. At least once a month!

5) Read & Ride

• Why? 
• Reading: I want to continue to push my reading boundaries. I really enjoyed reading more nonfiction and am afraid without another goal this year, I might get distracted by other books (there are so many good ones), so a new goal. 
• Riding: I want to continue pushing myself to get on the bike. I'd like to try a century ride at some point - maybe this year, maybe later. But I'd least like to do another partial century. I'd like to learn to ride faster and better. 

• How?
• Reading: Read at least 4 nonfiction books this year. In addition to reading 8 classics (trying to keep on track with those 40 classics).
• Riding:  Complete a partial or complete century ride.