Watson Mill Bridge, #10

CAMP (Y/N?): Y (2 nights, Equestrian Campground)
MY ACTIVITIES: Horseback Riding, Kayaking
NOTES: Covered bridge; Neat Rental Cabins; Lovely, slow river to paddle

​I've been to several State Parks over the years, including Watson Mill Bridge State Park in March 2015 with my family.  During that visit, we stayed in the log cabin; I canoed up the slow, wide river above the bridge with my youngest kid; both my kids did the paddleboat down the side canal below the bridge (until a snake went into the water off the bank beside them - nature happens!).
This trip was to include my dad, youngest kid, and HORSES!  

My parents have enjoyed trail riding since the late 1980s, and have acquired (as most horse people do) all the 'stuff'.  We would be sleeping in the RV style front of the horse trailer and rent the horse stalls for the horses.  
The campground was in the same area as the log cabins we'd stayed in 4 years ago.  The stalls seemed new, roomy, and nice.  Our campsite was Equestrian Campsite #1, which was adjacent to the Horse Stalls #21/27/28 such that we could see the horses from our campsite.
My kid and dad had been riding together for about a year on local trail rides.  I had not ridden for 3 years (a YMCA short guide led ride near Denver, and then 10+ before that).  I was excited yet understandably nervous.  My horse ended up being the best to be lead horse, so that added additional challenge and excitement.  
What I learned about being lead horse on this ride could fill a motivational t-shirt:

• If you aren't lead horse, the view never changes (you've heard this one, I bet).
• When you are lead horse, set your own pace no matter who is nudging you from behind. (pretty good advice , right??? )
• Lead horse gets all the spider webs of life - be prepared.  (after the first 20 or so webs, you start dreaming of tools to help avoid them - especially when one as big as your hand is headed straight for your face & the horse underneath you (that you are still learning to control - pat your head/rub your belly/tapdance simultaneously HA!) doesn't slow down!)

The trails meandered through the forest and also along the river for a bit.  The trail markings were adequate, but could be improved upon according to the more experienced riders in our small trio (meaning, not me).
We also kayaked in the river - me and my kid in my inflatable tandem kayak ($70 on Amazon, durable & great as long as steering/tracking isn't an important feature hehe).  My dad, who had never kayaked before, rented a kayak from the park.  The Park Staff told us that the launch site was not built up or easy and that when resources are made available that is one thing she would like to see improved.  Me, too.  Dad took a spill into the creek and came up with muddy river water pouring out his cowboy boots and a belly laugh and smile on his face.  We did a quick little paddle up and back down.  I love paddling this river and hope to do so again at length.
I got my first Jr. Ranger Pin here. Finally :)
We loaded horses in the trailer to leave during a warm, summer downpour which only added to the memory and fullness of this trip.