ABC Wednesday has now reached the letter ‘Q‘ once more, and I must admit, I struggled to find something from the archives for you. In the end I remembered the holiday we took back in 2008. You see, it was the first time we decided to book a trail ride while we were in the US, and because OH had never really learned to ride, and it had been decades since I had been in the saddle, we decided to find a stable where we could get some practice in beforehand, and we found the Sovereign Quarter Horse stud and riding centre.
They have some gorgeous horses.
And I soon found that I loved riding Western style, even more than English style! Here I am on the lovely Della for my first lesson.
And when we finally got to Bryce Canyon and our trail ride, we found that the horses there were lovely too. We found them standing quietly in the corral, waiting for us.
Now, I was convinced that it was on this holiday that we’d stayed in a guest house where they had the most beautiful American quilts on the beds, but after much searching I found that it was not so. Here is the quilt I remember, but it was not in Solvang, but somewhere in the wilds of Pennsylvania! This is called the Cardinal room.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
That was a different holiday entirely. That was the one where we drove up to Niagara, where quantities of water continually flow over the edge of an escarpement, quite possibly making you quiver with delight – or apprehension, depending on your nature, and how close to the edge you happen to be.
If you go on the Maid of the Mist tour, you will get quite wet. It actually snowed while we were there, which is why the sky is overcast. Unusual, apparently, for October.
Anyway. OH decided that he was fed up with the wind whipping his hair into his face and asked me to plait it for him. Did you know that in the old days, a man’s plait was called a queue?
Sailors used to wear their hair in a queue to prevent it getting caught while they were working. Of course, they used to dip theirs in tar, but for some reason, OH didn’t want me to do that.
That picture wasn’t taken in Niagara, of course. You can tell by the palm trees. That was from the other holiday, the one with the Quarter horses!
The final picture looks like Union Square in San Francisco. Love your choices for the letter Q and you have some great photos, but where is Depp???
photowannabe´s last blog ..ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Q "
Great photos, – a very interesting post. I especially like the quarter horses and the queue – a satisfactory solution for windy days.
Hildred and Charles´s last blog ..
the queue I knew from old episodes of Bonanza, of all things. Great pics.
Roger Green´s last blog ..Q is for Questionable Content
What a great, fun post! Terrific shots! I really enjoyed all of them! Looks like some great trips!
Enjoy!
Sylvia
Sylvia Kirkwood´s last blog ..Evening, Wisdom and Beauty
Ahhh…gorgeous horses, indeed. I love your choices and you captured all so beautifully. I agree…the bottom photo does look like Union Square in S.F.
carolynUSA´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday / "Q"
I bow to you, Oh QUEEN of the Alphabet!
The horses really are beautiful, and I must say, you look quite at home in the saddle!
ethelmaepotter´s last blog ..In Living Color
You look quite comfortable in the saddle, Jay! A great collection of Q’s, but where is Johnny??
Rose´s last blog ..OOTS: Late, late Edition
I didn’t know plaits was known as the queue….love your entry on Q!
Jama´s last blog ..ABC Wesnesday: Q
Glorious tripping you do! Lovely photos.
Tumblewords´s last blog ..Q for ABC Wednesday
Hi Jay,
Quality & quantity here. Wonderful photos! I especially enjoy reading about your personal travels & catching a glimpse of you having fun! I’ve never learned to ride (but want to), only been on a pony. PA is known for its quilts especially in Amish country.
Gel´s last blog ..Neologism Winner Thanks Bob Levey
I love your Qs. I used to plait my own hubby’s hair – when he had more of it! Those quarter horses are gorgeous.
Dragonstar´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – Q.
Some great pictures and I love the way you managed you extract the ‘q’ words from the narrative.
Anthony North´s last blog ..QUESTIONS
How exciting about riding lessons and also going to see Niagra Falls. Terribly exciting stuff!
Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..NyQuil, NyQuil and MORE NyQuil
And what is wrong with a bit of tar on your hair?? Fussy, fussy…
Mara´s last blog ..Q is for…
Photowannabe and Carolyn USA – Well done, you two – it is indeed Union Square in San Francisco!
Poor Johnny didn’t get a look in, but he’ll be back, don’t worry.
Hildred and Charles – Thanks! Yes, if I plait OH’s hair while it’s wet, especially if I put gel on it, it will stay neat all day. No gel was used that day, as you can tell!
Roger Green – Bonanza! Well, it’s amazing what you can learn from a TV series, isn’t it? LOL!
Sylvia Kirkwood – Thank you! Yes, we’re incredibly lucky to be able to do the travelling. Most of my life had not travelling in it at all, until we went to NZ in the eighties. Now, with friends in the US, we have been there several times too. Still no travels in Europe though, funnily enough!
Ethelmaepotter – Thank you! I probably don’t feel quite as much at home as I look, but it’s nice to know I look the part at least!
Rose – I didn’t have any ‘Q’ themed Johnny pictures, otherwise he’d have been in there.
Jama – It’s a very old-fashioned use of the word, but excellent for ABC Wednesday!
Tumblewords – Thanks!
Gel – If you fancy learning to ride, go for it! It is the most wonderful thing. No time to think of other things, so it’s almost like an hour of meditation. Horses are wonderfully calming to the spirit.
Dragonstar – Nice to know other husbands have (or had) plaits!
Anthony North – Well, what’s a girl to do, with the letter ‘Q’?
Life with Kaishon – Oh yes. Niagara was incredibly exciting! Standing looking at that particular viewpoint was the most awesome thing. Quite mesmerising, watching the water tumbling over that edge.
Mara – I know! Tut, tut … LOL!
I love the freedom of riding – great great pics today but where is Sid??
I loved the Maid of the Mist! Would you believe I was scared to go on it? I thought I’d have a panic attack among all that whooshing water. But it was so exhilarating. I wish you’d been there to “braid” my hair for me, as it got quite wet and snarly.
JD at I Do Things´s last blog ..I Ate Cat Puke so you don’t have to
What a fabulous post! I am in awe that you were able to tell your travel stories from “Q” of all letters! Now, the queue thing is fascinating (I didn’t know that and why would they dip it in TAR?)! Just like the fluorescent quinine!
Sigh…I had a quarter horse as a teenager. Her name was, Missy. She was fantastic. I didn’t even think of using Quarter horse for “Q”!
Molokai Girl´s last blog ..Of Quatrains, Quahogs and Quarks
Hello Jay,
You have done brilliantly with the Q- Travel Post. Quiver, Quilt and Quantity….were indeed great Qs. Niagra is so beautiful…you are one lucky lady to have had the chance to travel.
Swapna´s last blog ..Corridor Walls
Loved the photos, Jay! My ex and I each owned a quarter hourse some years ago and they’re the most gentle and beautiful horses! I’ve never ridden English but would love to; to really appreciate the difference in riding style! Need someone English to teach me! Well, I can reach out to all knowing, Google?!
Quite the Q, Jay!
)
petra michelle´s last blog ..THE HUNCHBACK OF HOLLYWOOD — An encore presentation
Very wonderful photos. The horse was very handsome, but then he looked like J.D.
I love the bedspread!
JOhnny Depp had of course also a plait as pirate!!
Reader Wil´s last blog ..that’s My World, ABC Wednesday, Q for Quartet
Love the quilts; my mom made so many for us kids; I can really appreciate all the incredible talent and work that goes into making one.
And I love the photo of you on Della, which I see, also has a queue in her tail!
Maureen´s last blog ..Just Call Me SuperWoman
What beautiful horses and what fabulous holidays. The quilt is pretty spectacular and Niagara Falls must be overwhelming in reality. Has your husband taken to riding – ie: will he do it again?
jabblog uk´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday Round 5 – Q is for Quercus
I love quarter horses, the American variety are much bigger than the ones we breed here but they’re such a lovely nature. Been years since I’ve ’swung the leg over’. Thoroughly enjoy your travelogues. Quite engaging!
Baino´s last blog ..John Farnham’s Greatest Fan works at Harris Farm Market
I’m glad you enjoyed your horseback rides! Your first two photos are great examples of quarter horses.
Beautiful quilt and shots of Niagara Falls, too.
Janie of Utah´s last blog ..Quota Quest
Beautiful horses but where is your cowboy hat. Love those Niagara photos can almost feel the spray.
Joy´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – Quay
The queue is a nice ending to your creative series of Qs. Like the quilt and the pics of Niagara falls.
irenet´s last blog ..Q for Quixotic time machine
Sandy – Thanks! Where was Sid? Well, I didn’t have any ‘Q’s for him!
JD – You’re not the only one. I have more than one friend who said I was brave to go on The Maid of the Mist and that they never would do it. That’s a LOT of water thundering down over your head! Good for you for being courageous and doing it anyway!
Molokai Girl – You had a Quarter horse, too? How lovely.
Sailors dipped their hair in tar to keep the queues from coming undone and getting caught in ropes and chains. Got pretty windy on board those sailing ships, you know!
Swapna – Thank you!
Yes, I know how lucky I am!
Petra – Well, learn English style if you like, but you’ll find it much harder work and less comfortable! LOL! Seriously, I don’t know why anyone would ride English style for pleasure. For discipline, yes, but not for pleasure. Or maybe that’s just me getting old.
Reader Wil – Thanks! And yes, you’re right, Cap’n Jack had his hair ‘braided’, although I think in his case it was more like dreadlocks! What a terribly unkempt fellow he was, to be sure! LOL!
Maureen – You’re right! Della does have a queue, doesn’t she? They mostly do, if their tails aren’t wrapped. Keeps them clean and tidy, I guess!
JabblogUK – Thanks! No, OH hasn’t really taken to riding. He likes trail rides, but doesn’t have the drive to learn. He got to the stage where he was walking and trotting, and beginning to have to work at getting the horse to do what he required, and got bored.
Baino – I can’t imagine having horses and not riding. It’s one reason I’m reluctant to think about getting a horse of my own. If anything happened, it would just turn into a very expensive pet, because I wouldn’t be able to part with him/her.
Interesting to hear that your Quarter horses are smaller!
Janie – Thanks! I believe Sovereign is our top Quarter Horse stud (not that there are many over here) so their horses should be quality – nice to hear it confirmed by an expert!
Joy – Well, I did wear a cowboy hat on the trail ride, but OH didn’t take his camera so I have no pictures. English law requires a hard-hat during lessons. *Sigh*
Irenet – Thanks!
I will never know how you managed to come up with so many words for the letter Q!!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Intermission
I had no idea that’s what it was called, and a very fine queue OH is sporting, at that! As for you, you look born to the saddle, you certainly cut a fine figure up there. Another quality post Jay, but then, coming from you, what else could I expect?
shrinky´s last blog ..It’s Christmas
Meleah – I have a lexicographic mind. It’s the only explanation! LOL! I must admit, I never look the letters up online or in the dictionary, I just browse my pictures for inspiration.
Shrinky – How kind you are! Thank you, Shrinky!
I’m glad to know I look the part anyway! I feel very precarious, sometimes. I did ride quite a lot when I was a teenager, but I never really learned properly, I just went to the cheapest riding schools because I couldn’t afford anything better, and I borrowed local ponies.
I’m enjoying riding this way a lot better in some ways, but they don’t go out on hacks, so I’m thinking of finding somewhere that does that too.