I am not even sure how to describe my excursion. Here are a few choice words: stupendous, phenomenal, life affirming, incredible, gorgeous, and exactly what I wanted from my Hawaiian vacation.
In case you don't know this about me, I love horses. I have loved horses since I can remember anything in my life. I don't get to ride very much but when the opportunity presents itself I try to take advantage. So when I saw this excursion, I knew I would be on it - even if it meant going without my Mom (there is no way she would ride).
I headed to the meeting area and it turned out there were 13 of us on the excursion - guesses on who the odd one out was?
I was immediately adopted by a woman who left her three kids to come on the cruise with her husband. She was feeling like being a Mom, so I let her. She was super sweet and I really enjoyed talking with her. I even accidentally ended up in her group for the ride - which I was very happy about as the group and the leader were much "better" than the other group and leader I found out later.
We all piled in the van and headed out for our 40 minute drive to the stables. It was a very nice drive and as we pulled into the stables I knew I made a great choice for my excursion. I was given a mare named Happa who I dubbed Happa, my Happy Hawaiian Horse. We were a great team and I was the only one who didn't lose their horse to the grasses for grazing at any point on the two hour ride. The leader basically told me that Happa likes to be talked to and she doesn't care if she loses the group. Well that works for me. I love to talk to my horses and I was more than happy to hang out in the back and just relax and enjoy the ride.
I want to point out that I cried many many times on this ride. The scenery was like nothing I have ever experienced anywhere. The peace and serenity of the ride was beyond belief. But the best part... the leader pretty much let us travel at our own pace and since I was last in line there were numerous times I was all by myself just riding my horse contemplating my life on earth.
With that said, I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.
Happy Dangrdafne on Happa, my Happy Hawaiian Horse
Happy Trails Happa
Leave only hoof prints in your heart and on the Earth
Next up: Last night on the ship
5 comments:
Somehow I have never ridden a horse on the beach, but you & Happa seem to be having such a wonderful meander that I NEED to do this someday. I don't exactly have a formal "bucket list" but this will happen. Thanks for sharing! : )
You make me want to be in Hawaii.
Great post.
What an amazing adventure! How peaceful it sounded...so freeing. Riding alone and seeing those sights...contemplating life. Awesome. The scenery is just breathtaking. Framable photos.
I'm so jealous...
WOW! This is just fantastic! I would have cried too. I get it--all that beauty around you and enjoying the techno disconnect! It's just beautiful.
So many great pictures!
@STY - I have always wanted to ride across a beach on a horse - I would have loved to gallop through the surf but that wasn't allowed :( Maybe next time :) I really can't find the words to describe how it felt - life affirming (for me at least) is the closest I can come. Awe inspiring.
@TJ - Let's go now!!
@Mrs. P - Thank you for your kind words. I wish I could capture the silence and the sounds - the waves crashing below us during that second pic of me on Happa had me in tears. Just so incredibly amazing.
@TT - It's funny when I think that I am going back to do this whole trip again in 2015 with my hubby for our 15th anniversary, I kept thinking/knowing I am doing this exact excursion again. I have to.
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