Vikings and Normans

Inger, of Desert Canyon Living, had a post from last April about the Vikings.  They not only sailed through western Europe and Normandy, but also Russia and eastward.  I'm reading a book about the Normans, since most of my ancestors were Norman, but here's a link to her interesting post:

http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2012/04/q-is-for-quest-eastward-of-swedish.html

I read yesterday that the city of Dublin was established by the Normans in Ireland.  Interesting, eh? This was a Viking ship unearthed in Dublin.  I can't wait to read more about the Vikings and Normans!

Beautiful day at the ranch

It was a beautiful day at the ranch where I board my horses.  The ranch is up in our local mountains and it takes me about 35 minutes to drive up to it.  This is one of the Peruvian Pasos out in the arena, not one of my horses.  But, he seems to be enjoying the view!  The clouds were moving in and it rained up there Friday night, so everything smelled fresh and clean.  Ahhhhh!!!!  What a way to start my 9 days' vacation!

Hello up there!

There are only a few spots to stop and pull over to take photos up on Highway 74, the "Palms to Pines" highway, so I always try to stop at one of them each trip and look at the view.  This dead pinyon was staring down at me, so I took a photo of it.  I didn't even drive up to see my horses last weekend (a 3 day weekend) because I was just too tired from my STUPID BRONCHITIS!  I had a relapse and slept for 12 hours Saturday night!  And, Sunday, I was just too wiped out to do ANYTHING, so I have to post photos from two weeks ago for the entire week!

Fall leaves around the ranch

It took a while for the fall leaves to appear on the trees around the ranch, but they did.  At least until this weekend, when the winds came!  I don't know how many are left, but I'll find out today.  This is the ranch where I board my horses, up in our local mountains.  They didn't get snow at the ranch, but temps are down in the 30's.  I'm heading up there today to buy more pellets for the horses, and I'll take more photos.  Hopefully there are still some colorful leaves on the trees.

Sunrise this morning~SkyWatch Friday~110912

Our first winter storm is moving in today and snow levels may drop down to 4,000 feet.  That means my horses may be in snow tomorrow morning!  I walked outside this morning to take a few photos because there were clouds in the sky.  Looking up toward our local mountains, I saw this cloud bank getting hit by the morning light.  SkyWatch Friday for November 9, 2012.   To stop by SkyWatch Friday, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Been AWOL, but I'm back

I've been AWOL this week.  With everything going on at school and the election, I just lost track of the time!  Phew!  Thank goodness I have a 3 day weekend this weekend!  Time to get caught up with this blog and my blogging friends!  Thank you for staying around!  Photo of leaves up at the horse ranch where I board my horses and that's Cali in the background last weekend. Cali is one of my mustangs and she's very gentle.

Tree and sunrise~SkyWatch Friday~110212

This was the view on my way to work yesterday morning....ahhhhhhh!!!!!  I'll be taking my camera again today because Sunday, with the time change, I won't be out this early again!  SkyWatch Friday for November 2, 2012.  To visit SWF, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/