Recreation in Rexburg with Marissa and Michael (not done)

Incredible - Fantastic - Awesome -  Wonderful - all words to describe my trip and time with Marissa and her boyfriend, Michael in Rexburg, ID.

It started with Jessica and Cayson driving me up to the Salt Lake City Airport to pick up the rental car.  From there I had a peaceful pleasant drive up to Rexburg, Idaho.  Since my phone worked in the car, I took advantage of it and called Mark, Devon, Sandy and Markel.  I found Marissa's new condo easily.  As I pulled in, Marissa and Michael came out to meet me.  It was hugs all around.

Michael is such a nice young man.  He served his mission in Peru for 2 years and is now studying Accounting at BYUI.  He is very athletic and active.  He is the 5th child of 11 children to Susannah and Derek Rohton.  His father is a professor at BYUI in Finance.  He was living at BYU housing but is now living back at home with his family to save money and since BYU is all on-line.  Their house is about a 10-15 minute drive north west of Rexburg in San Antonio.

Friday was a day for adventure!
It started at Michael's house.  His sister's (Alyssa, Sophia, and Rachel) cooked us breakfast before Sophia took Marissa and I out to the sand Dune's park to go horseback riding.  Oh my goodness.  I prepared:  I took Claritin and I said a prayer that I would not have an allergic reaction.  It worked.  I was able to brush, pet and play with the horse I got to ride - Indy.  He is the oldest of the three horses that we took - the other two horses were Red, and Freedom - both magnificent horses.

The whole experience was incredible!  So fantastic!!!

Horse Riding in UTAH

Mark ready to ride on Tough

Saturday Morning was amazing!  We loaded up the car and headed out for the other side of the mountain to go horse back riding.  We arrived just in time, but when we got there we noticed that Alan, Julie, and the rest of the family didn't make it.  

The trail leader said, "let's take this group out, and then we will do the rest later."  So we saddled up and headed out.  This is the first time Robert, Marissa and Devon have been on a horse.  Yahoo!  Here we go.  Robert didn't like being behind Marissa and me, so he took his horse Rubin to the lead - look how happy he looks.  

Robert taking the lead

We were taking a nice walk through a clearing before heading into the forest and we saw a MOOSE!  It is the black image in this photo.  The trail guide said it is very rare to see them, maybe only once a month.  What a treat - I don't think any of us have ever seen a live moose - especially in the wild.  Marissa's horse started trotting over to the moose.  The trail guide had to stop her.  We watched as the moose moved from the south side of us to the north side, and then we traveled on.  TOO COOL!

see the moose

After riding for a while the guide took us across a river (creek) and then back across and that is where we got to let the horses take a drink.  It was a load of fun.  Mark's horse, Tough liked to eat the vegetation while riding - he was told "no" several times.

Mark and Betsy on their horses

Marissa had a great time!  She road a horse named, Alice.  She was a great horse.

Betsy road on a horse named, Chief!  He was a great horse, too.  He knew exactly what to do and didn't try to go off the trail or anything.  We road in a walk and a trot.

Betsy on Chief

Robert was our champion!  He did great - he was so excited about the horse ride.  We actually wanted to go again (actually all of us wanted to ride again).   

Devon had a great time riding, Patriot.  Patriot was a lazy horse.  He liked to walk very slow and then trot or gallop to catch up.  He was off in his own world, but Devon didn't mind as long as he could see us in the distance.  Eventually Patriot decided to catch up.  

Devon on Patriot

 What a great experience.  We road for approximately 1 hour and had such a great time!

After the horse ride, Devon showed signs of an allergic reaction.  He was getting itchy and hives.  Thank goodness, Laurel had some Benedryl with her - mine was back at the Lodge, 25 minutes away.  Devon slept most of the day as a result of the Benedryl but it was worth it.  It kept the allergies away.