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Tag Archives: hike with dogs

Jump in a Lake

Sky and I got an early start at a popular hiking trail last week, beating most of the swarms of hikers. We even got a great seat on the rock overlooking the lake and had it all to ourselves. And Sky did her traditional jump into an icy cold lake. Really icy. Most of it was still covered with ice! Much of the trail was snow covered or muddy too. Starting early, we avoided most of the swarms of the mosquitoes too. They were thick when we returned to the overflowing parking lot at midday.

It’s nice that more people are enjoying the outdoors but I wish they’d take better care of it and pick up their messes. And I wish the Forest Service had more money to maintain the popular sites.

Hiking with Sky

We got out in the mountains this past week for a really pleasant hike. The air was cool and fresh. It wasn’t windy which was a mixed blessing. In some places, the mosquitoes were quite annoying but they thinned out after we got above the trees. Clark’s Nutcrackers were everywhere and Horned Larks were singing from lots of rocky perches. Ladybugs were emerging from the rocks and once again I wonder, what do they do all winter? Sky found a stick and she posed, on her own, in front of an old growth juniper, for a portrait. And the clouds were amazing! Fog filled the valleys to the north and east, eliminating half the views but it would pour up over the ridge line making outstanding aerial displays! We found big piles of black bear poop. I wonder what it was eating? The snow only recently melted so there were few flowers. We will have to return soon! With the warm weather, they will pop out in a hurry.

Fall is the Best Season

Here are a few more images from October. I wish it lasted another month! The weather was perfect and the colors outstanding.

These are from several different outings, all in the Methow watershed.

Luna is adjusting to walking with a brace on her rear left leg. It supports the injured Achilles tendon and allows her leg to move forward rather than swaying out. I think she is happier with it.

A Slow Walk in the Woods

The girls and I enjoyed a short, slow walk in the woods last week. Luna has missed her outings and was so happy to be on a trail again. She sniffed all the sniffs, saw all the sights and drank deeply from the river. Her attitude is good despite injury and old age.

A Slippery Path

New snow on a busy trail made for some treacherous walking. We should have had micro spikes for our shoes. We managed to get up and down without injury but were concerned for other hikers less prepared than we were. The redheads joined us for this one. They are less than impressed with Sky’s ability to ‘sit pretty’ but Sky doesn’t care.

It looks like fall in the mountains is coming to an end. It has continued to snow up there this week. I imagine the larch needles are falling to the ground.