Final Thoughts on the Trip that Was and the One that Was Not

There was the trip we planned and the trip we had. Sometimes, not getting what you want is a gift.

ROC, Riding ExperiencesSusan Mora-SchraderOctober 15, 2024Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, The South, Southern PoetryComment

Georgia Reflections

Georgia offers sobering context on Helene floods, spiders, and needed rest.

ROC, Riding Experiences, Riding TrailsSusan Mora-SchraderOctober 11, 2024Georgia, Ocmulgee River, Hurricane Helene, Hard Labor Creek State Park Comment

Gators, Cotton Mouths, and Crackers, Oh My!

Riding in Florida's Goethe State Forest exposes us to Cracker culture and potentially some nasty critters.

ROC, Riding Experiences, Riding TrailsSusan Mora-SchraderOctober 8, 2024Florida, Ocala, Bronson, Goethe Forest, Swamps, Palmetto, Cracker Culture Comment

The America Found Off the Highway

Horses get you off the off-the-highway strip and show you a slice of America that's often overlooked.

ROC, Historical Sites, Small TownsSusan Mora-SchraderOctober 6, 2024The South, Horse motels, Small towns, Georgia, I75, Peanut farming, Cotton farmingComment

Gamelands and ‘Southern’ Hospitality

Gamelands as churches and 'Southern' hospitality amidst destruction.

Riding Trails, Riding Experiences, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderOctober 4, 2024The South, North Carolina, Bed and Barn, South Carolina, Aiken, Gamelands, Nature Preserves, Longleaf Pines, Hitchcock WoodsComment

The Ocean and Seeing Things Through the Eyes of the Innocent

The gift of experience the ocean anew

Riding Trails, Riding Experiences, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderOctober 1, 2024The South, North Carolina, Bed and Barn, Sugar Ridge Franch, Hatteras, Beach Rides, Oceans Comments

Stories from Just a Little Ways South

Meh about Manassas but so relieved to find that others care more about the details than I.

Riding Trails, Riding Experiences, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 29, 2024The South, Riding Trails, Manassas, Civil War, Longleaf Pines, North Carolina, Virginia, Double Lea Farm, Bed and Barn Comment

Disaster Susan -- The Typhoid Mary of Travel

You are officially a farmer when all you can talk about is the weather and how things were better when you were a kid.

Riding Trails, Riding Experiences, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 27, 2024Hurricane Helene, The South, Riding Trails, Beach Rides Comments

Water Torture -- Please?

You are officially a farmer when all you can talk about is the weather and how things were better when you were a kid.

ISF, Farm Managment, Christmas Tree GrowingSusan Mora-SchraderJuly 22, 2024Farm work, Christmas Trees, Drought Comment

Farming -- Whipsaw Action from Social to Solitary -- and Lavender?

Farming can be solitary, but I’ve found another reason for folks to come to Iron Sun Farm — lavender

ISF, Farm Managment, Cutting Flower Farming, Christmas Tree GrowingSusan Mora-SchraderJune 13, 2024Cutting Flowers, Lavender, Farm work, Christmas Trees Comment

It's Not Only About Trees -- Lessons on the Sliding Scale of a Lifetime

Living longer than all your animals offers lessons on aging (and living).

ISF, Farm Managment, Livestock/Pet ManagmentSusan Mora-SchraderApril 29, 2024Cutting Flowers, Farm management, Teddy Roosevelt, Lifespans, Ducks, Chickens, Horses, Dogs Comment

New blog about the farm! Sign up!

If you want to be on the email list for my new blog, go to ironsunfarm.com and sign up. Thanks!

Riding Trails, Christmas Tree Growing, Cutting Flower FarmingSusan Mora-SchraderMarch 26, 2024Christmas Trees, Cutting Flowers, Horse Lodging, Trail Riding, Farm managementComment

Planting Begins — With Inspiration from Teddy and Leslie

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is a chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

ISF, Christmas Tree Growing, Farm ManagmentSusan Mora-SchraderMarch 26, 2024Christmas Trees, Cutting Flowers, Farm management, parks and rec, Leslie Knope, Teddy Roosevelt Comments

Morocco -- Tea and Kindness

The most lasting impression of Morocco — Kind people, open smiles, and delicious mint tea.

International Travel, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 19, 2023Morocco, Kindness, Tea Comments

Morocco -- Saharan Storm

The Sahara welcomes us with two very different storms.

International Travel, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 16, 2023Morocco, Berber, Amazigh, Deserts, Sahara, Camels, Sand Storm, Desert Rain Comments

Morocco -- Entering the Realm of the Amazigh

Moving south into the land of the ‘Berber’

International Travel, Historical Sites, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 15, 2023Morocco, Berber, Amazigh, Deserts, Sahara, GladiatorComment

Morocco -- Marrakech

It takes more than a 6.8 quake to knock Marrakech out of its groove

Riding Experiences, International Travel, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 14, 2023Morocco, donkeys, Marrakech, earthquake Comments

Morocco -- Out of the Desert

Finding gratitude through physical challenge

Riding Experiences, International Travel, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 11, 2023Morocco, Endurance Riding, donkeys, call to prayer, Atlas Mountains, thoroughbred racing Comments

Morocco -- The Reckoning

Life is work — finding the balance in endurance riding

Riding Experiences, International Travel, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 10, 2023Morocco, Endurance Riding, donkeys, call to prayer, Atlas Mountains, thoroughbred racing Comment

Morocco -- The Crux

Why do we do these things to ourselves? The word DEAD should not appear on an itinerary unless you are nuts.

Riding Experiences, International Travel, ROCSusan Mora-SchraderSeptember 9, 2023Morocco, Endurance Riding, donkeys, call to prayer, Atlas Mountains Comments