This past Sunday, my lovely friend Dawn turned the big 3-0 and to celebrate, we decided to head out to Wakefield for something different and fun- horseback riding! I have been on a hare a handful on times, none very recently, but I thought it’d be a good thing for my non-adventurous self to try.

We drove out to Captiva Farm, about half an hour from downtown Ottawa, and despite the rain beating down on the windshield, I felt a bit excited. Once we arrived, we drove down a gravelly road to a few large bright red buildings and met up with our friends. The instructors saddled up our 6 horses, and led us over to the ring for a short lesson.

I felt very far removed from my usual city girl self as I blinked the cold November rain from my eyes, my jeans getting muddy as our instructor explained how to mount, dismount, stop, and turn the horse. Sienna, my pretty dark brown mare, nudged my shoulder reassuringly, and we did a few turns around the ring to get comfortable with the reins.

Next it was out on the trails. At first, I was really enjoying it – the rain started to fizzle out and turned the Gatineau hills misty as they loomed large, forming an awesome landscape of stone and grey sky. I could see why people would like this, riding out in the country. Tyler’s horse was the “mama” and had to be at the back of the pack, watching over all the others. I was second to last and could see the line of the others ahead. I felt a bit nervous watching Dawn’s horse slip and slide down shallow slops in the mud, and then Robin’s hat was pulled off by a stray branch. I grabbed it as I passed the same spot and asked her if she wanted it. “Not now!” she replied, carefully keeping both hands on the reins.

After winding through woods, a field and back onto a gravelly track through more trees, my horse must have caught her back hoof on a fallen log, causing her to startle and start running. Frightened, I pulled back and yelled out “Whoa!” and she slowed, as my heart stopped franticly pounding, I turned to see Tyler picking himself up after being thrown off his horse! His horse had panicked as well and he was tossed right off! Luckily, his feet came out of the stirrups easily, he landed on his side and was fine. Thank goodness! He even got right back on and kept going as we wound around the rest of the area, ducking under branches, watching the afternoon turn into dusky evening. I was feeling pretty nervous the rest of the way back, especially as it got darker and my horse startled a few times when branches appeared in front of her that she hadn’t seen.

After our ride we were all stiff, damp, and chilled, so we said good bye to our horses and hopped into our cards to drive back towards Wakefield. Dawn had chosen a wonderful little restaurant called Soupcon overlooking the Gatineau river, and it was cheerful and tiny. We started out getting a few appetizers, including a hot and sour soup with mushrooms that was just heavenly. I’m still thinking about how good it was. Next, we all got some kind of Asian inspired dish, heaped with veggies, and added protein (Tyler added pork to his Singapore noodles, and I asked for tofu slices in my Miki peanut and coconut noodles). Yum.

For dessert I tried the chocolate and chile creme brulee – so decadent and slightly spicy. The food was unique and delicious and I can’t wait for a quiet snowy day to head back out to Wakefield and try something else on the menu!