Every once in a while, I'm reminded of why I love it here in the Lexington area so much, and last Friday (Mar. 26) as I drove around the back roads of Kentucky, I was reminded of the biggest reason of all.A short back story.... My dad and I used to enjoy taking summer road trips in the 1970s, and Lexington was one of our regular stops almost every time. On each trip here, we would spend at least one day driving around the back roads early in the morning and later in the day to enjoy looking at the farms and the horses. The beauty was amazing.
When I had the chance to move to Lexington a few years ago, I remembered those drives with my dad and jumped at the chance to be able to live here. Once I got settled in, I would take many drives on my own. Soon, work and other things took precedence, and I didn't take as many of those drives as I would have liked. Then I lost my job, and the drives stopped all together.
Now after almost a year of unemployment, I have started to think that, sadly, I might have to start looking for work outside the state and move away. That is until last week, when I went out to take a couple photos for the AHP blog post I made about Woodford Reserve.On the way over to Woodford, I came across a pasture of about a dozen mares and foals. They were all running around and playing and having a grand old time. It made me smile as I watched them enjoying their day. I made note of the field so I could stop and take some photos on the way home.
A little less than an hour later, I did stop at that pasture to take some photos as planned. But, nature interrupted my plans. Or, more accurately, nap time interrupted my plans, as every foal, and almost every mare was stretched out sleeping all over that pasture. Since it was one of the first really nice days of spring, I decided to stay and wait them out. I mean, how long could all those mares and 12 foals nap, right? Well, the wait was almost an hour… and what a wait it was.
It was a cool, sunny spring day. The grass was "fresh" green, and the sky was bright blue without a cloud in the sky as far as the eye could see. A light breeze was blowing and it was very quiet. I mean really quiet. The pasture was on a road that was not heavily travelled – maybe three cars passed the entire time I was there – plus it was far enough away from any main road so you didn't hear any traffic at all. So, the only things I heard for the hour I waited for them to wake up was the wind blowing, the birds chirping, and the occasional swish of the tail of the mare lying closest to me. Talk about a step back in time…After an hour, some of the mares started to get up and graze, and their foals would get up and go visit mom to get some milk. Soon, almost all of them were up and walking around.
Then, after an hour of shooting photos, something remarkable happened. One of the mares just turned and started walking up the hill towards the barn. Right behind her a few yards, her little one followed. Soon, one by one, all of the other mares and foals followed behind them. It was as if that first mare had given some unheard signal that the day was ending and it was time to head in for the night.
It was a beautiful sight to watch as they all headed up that hill, slowly walking, occasionally stopping to munch on a few blades of grass, and then continuing onward up the hill to wherever they would go to spend the night.
Soon the field was empty and all that was left were the sounds of the wind blowing and the birds chirping. It only lasted a short time, but it is something I'll remember for the rest of my life.
It reminded me of those times long ago with my dad when we would drive around and look at the farms and all the beautiful horses. It also reminded me of why I love it here in the Lexington area so much, and why I'm going to try very hard to find work in this area so that I can stay and continue to enjoy times like I did on this day.
Driving around the back roads of this area is, without question, one of the top things to do when visiting Lexington. So, if you plan to arrive a few days before the seminar, or stay a few days after, if you get the chance, I highly recommend taking a drive either on your own or on one of the bus tours. The beauty of the farms, the miles of green pasture, plus all the wonderful horses you will see, are memories that will last a lifetime.
Photos by Rick Capone
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