The July Bazaar

Willowwind got lots of attention over the last few weeks as Clara's exclusive mount. Even though she's not a pinto, wow, is she pretty! We're so glad to have her in the herd!

She's gotten to run most of the championship courses now. She even competed against another champagne TWH one day. (I don't remember which did better.)
 

She made steady progress through the experience levels, each one getting its own sparkly celebration.

She participated in some quests, such as this one where we had to keep tracking down a creepy scarecrow.

She won her first ribbon out in Goldenhills! (Appropriate, right?)

And here she is on Friday night, doing the rear and sparkle one last time.

In the midst of Willow's training, Star Stable held another bazaar! We were surprised it came so soon after the last one... and kind of sad, because we knew it'd be really tough to justify buying another horse already. This time, they only discounted 3 breeds rather than 4: the Belgian Warmblood (again!), the Dartmoor Pony, and the Percheron. Their sale area has room for 4 models, so they just doubled up on the Belgian Warmblood.

The Belgian Warmblood seems to be a crowd favorite on the game. They look great in motion and come in some cool coat colors. We'd probably already have one by now if their idling animations didn't bug us. They toss their heads a lot and do this thing we call the shark bite: where they reach up and chomp the air.

So... we decided to pass. Again. We do love warmbloods and really want a sporty-looking warmblood (no offense, Frosty. We love you just how you are) in the herd eventually. We'll probably hold out for one of the newer warmbloods to come on sale someday... hopefully the Dutch Warmblood? Please, Star Stable?

Next up, we took a long look at the Dartmoor Pony. 

We think they're super cute. Not quite as cute as the Gotland Pony or Jorvik Pony, but a close third. =) Being the newest pony breed on the game, everything about them seems more streamlined than the older pony models. Ponies are also extra useful on Star Stable, since there is a ponies-only championship and a ponies-only training race. For all these reasons, we were quite tempted to buy one of these guys. 

What stopped us? Another idling animation we just don't love.

They do this thing called the Flehmen response, where they raise their heads and curl up their upper lip. We know real-life horses do it for a variety of reasons, but a big one is breeding-related, so we don't find it cute.

That left the Percheron.  

We loved the idea of adding in a French breed with the Paris Olympics on the horizon. We also thought it would be fun to have a draftie that could wear leg gear. Star Stable's Percheron just wasn't wowing us enough to commit, though. Their manes and tails are pretty clumpy, and their muscles seem oddly more defined than Star Stable's other horses. So, no Perchie either.

All that to tell you that we're saving our star coins and remaining at an even 10 horses for now. That's a good thing, or at least that's what we're telling ourselves when we see others riding around on their new Belgian Warmbloods, Dartmoors, and Percherons.

The other horses are back in the rotation now that Willow is fully trained. Even though they enjoyed their vacation, I think they're happy to be getting out and about again.

Frosty had fun competing in a series of championships this weekend. He even made it through the Baroness's championship, which we still need way more practice on. (It was not pretty, ha ha.)

He also got to do more chill activities, like grooving outside the disco while Clara was on the dance floor, and galloping down the beach to take Clara to a good fishing spot.

I think Tigertin wanted to underscore for us that another pony was unnecessary, because she proceeded to give us another gold in the Silversong Pony Championship and win the "fastest time of the day" prize in the pony training race.

You rock, Tigertin! <3

We are so proud of our 10 wonderful equines! Here they all are:

Willowwind and Western Adventures

Back during mid/late June, Star Stable brought back the bazaar for another whirlwind week of discounted horses! The breeds featured this time were the English Thoroughbred, the Connemara, the American Quarter Horse, and the Tennessee Walker.

We passed over the Tennessee Walker in favor of the Paso Fino last time they were on sale, back in October. (Love you, Riverrock! <3) Little did we know, we'd get another chance within a year! This time around, it was no contest - all our eyes were on the Tennessee Walker. (We love the other three breeds in real life but are not especially impressed by the Star Stable versions.)

Back in October,  Bethany gushed about the red roan pinto.

We all do love this coat - how could we not? However, we are far from alone - it seem to be the most common TWH being ridden around on the game. So, we decided to pick a different one for variety's sake. (Felicity wasn't thrilled about this, but she was overruled.)

The two contenders were the chocolatey silver dapple:

and the peanut-buttery amber champagne:

It was a super tough decision that almost came down to a coin toss. We even came up with names for both! However, since there seem to be fewer champagne horses on the game than dark horses with pale manes, we eventually agreed (on the last day of the bazaar, no less) to go with champagne.

Welcome, Willowwind!

Here is Clara proudly riding her for the first time!

Due to lack of special events and very limited playing time (read on), it's been taking us longer than usual for Willow to gain experience. This seems to suit her just fine, though. She seems pretty chill.

Mom and her human fam just got back a few days ago from an awesome vacation in Oregon. Many of the Michigan contingent travelled there together to attend Mom's cousin's wedding south of Portland, then vacationed in Bend for a week afterwards.

Day 1: flying to Portland, driving, and the rehearsal dinner

Definitely not in Michigan anymore!

A very early morning (3:30 am!) combined with gaining 3 hours made for an exceptionally long day. 

Day 2: the wedding!

It was an idyllic summer day! Beautiful ceremony, delicious food, and lots of dancing.

(Mom didn't dance, ha ha, but she enjoyed the music and watching the dancers.)

Day 3: visiting Agate Beach, then driving to Bend.

Contrary to its name, Oregon's Agate Beach is sandy and relatively stone-free: not an agate to be seen.

Mom enjoyed the cold water and mist, watched various pet dogs frolicking, and observed some tiny shrimp-like creatures swimming around.

They then wound their way through towering coniferous forests and impressive Cascade mountains to the high desert. (Three cheers for non-drowsy Dramamine! Mom would've been miserably carsick otherwise.)

By evening, they arrived at their rental on the Deschutes River.

Day 4: scenic drive and a dusty hike to the top of Ann's Butte

alpine forest views

lots of snow piles remained this high up, despite the warmth, flowers, and lots of bugs

meadow mountain view

the desert trail with its crackle-barked ponderosa pines

everybody's shoes quickly turned brown from the dust clouds

at the top of Ann's Butte

Day 5: Lava Butte

So many jokes, but this was super cool. Mom and fam took a shuttle bus to the top of this one, thankfully - it would've been a long, taxing walk.

Lava Butte is actually a cinder cone that spewed loads of lava thousands of years ago. What you're seeing in the foreground is part of the extensive lava field.

They walked around the rim of the crater and admired the views, then took the shuttle back down. 

They also explored the museum-y building at the bottom and walked a winding trail on the lava fields for a bit until it got too hot.

Mom bought her one souvenir of the trip in the gift shop here: a little chipmunk. <3

He hung out with Ruby for the rest of the trip.

Day 6: Smith Rock

This has a more Arizona feel than Oregon! It was also formed by volcanic activity.

It was a hot, steep descent to the bottom. Everybody was grateful for the small patches of shade and then the sprinkler going at the bottom, ha ha.

They walked on the shadier side of the river and took in the views. 

This is a popular place for rock climbing, for obvious reasons, and they did see two climbers on one shady rock face.

Day 7: Pet Parade in Bend and floating down the Deschutes River

The Pet Parade was very well attended! It was dominated by dogs and their owners. 

It consisted of a section for large dogs followed by a section for small dogs.

After that came "Odds and Ends," which featured some more exotic pets, such as:

a bearded dragon on a skateboard

a wallaby

a donkey

and horses!

In the afternoon, Mom and several other family members took a leisurely float on a lazy stretch of the Deschutes River. Mom says the water was super cold, but it was so hot by this point in the week that this was not a bad thing. (The daily highs got steadily warmer throughout their trip. It was in the high 70's when they arrived and high 90's by the end.)

Day 8: hike around Todd Lake, visiting Bend

some sections of the trail took them through shady forest

and some through picturesque meadows with wildflowers and baby streams

the relentless mosquitos and wet shoes (so many muddy and marshy patches!) reminded them that this was real life, not a fantasy, but wow, so pretty!

Mom was less impressed by downtown Bend, mostly because it was blazing hot and they never did find any touristy shops. (No Bend souvenirs for us.) However, she did quite enjoy standing on a breezy bridge and watching tubers and surfers in action on a more exciting section of the Deschutes River.

Day 9: visiting the High Desert Museum and Mount Bachelor

The museum had more traditional exhibits inside but also exhibited a variety of animals both inside and outside. Some, like the ravens, chipmunks, and ground squirrels, were "free" and just naturally there but were still very interesting to Michigan-dwellers.

The ground squirrels look like big, chubby chipmunks!

Some of the most memorable animals on exhibit:

a one-legged? burrowing owl

(either that, or it was channeling its inner flamingo!)

some very active turtles

river otters - always a crowd favorite

After lunch back at the rental, they drove to Mount Bachelor and took a chairlift up!

The views were incredible! 

They also welcomed the 10+ degree temp drop and the wind.

Hooray for snow in July!

Day 10: driving back to Portland

The first section of the drive, from the Bend area and up through the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, was gorgeous! 

The second section was mostly through view-blocking dense forest but still pretty. 

They stopped briefly in the middle of nowhere to stretch their legs.

Mom got up close and personal with this tree. <3

Day 10: flying back home

Goodbye, Oregon!

so many irrigated circles!

popcorn clouds!

flying over Lake Michigan

Here comes Michigan!

Almost home! <3