White Horse

Posted on June 26, 2004 in Hikes and Trails

Five days ago, on Monday, when I walked the same figure eight loop we took today, sunflowers and monkey flowers lined the paths. Brilliant blue stars erupted from the trail. Today we saw only artichoke thistles — being chopped down by a gang of oranged-vested DUIs doing their community service — and two Mexican pinks.

Spring has ended: the season of death has begun.

Along the Vulture View Trail, we beheld a pale horse, a mare. Her rider led an obliging boyfriend — who moved on foot — up the easy slope from the stables on Santiago Canyon Road. She had black triangles above and below her eyes, like a circus clown. I could see she was gentle by her eyes and her gait. We chatted with the couple for a few minutes as we waited in vain for a hawk or a vulture to come soaring up on the wind that bathed the torrid slope in cool sea air. I resisted the temptation to ask the man where his shovel was. They came back a few minutes later just as we set off to follow them. I noticed then that the horse had a dart-board sized brown spot on her left flank.

Everyone nodded and smiled again. I secretly sighed at my allergy to horses. If I could ride without hacking and sneezing profusely afterwards, I should like a horse like this one.