Dry

The start of summer was crappy but the end of summer has been beautiful here in the mountains.

There are many trails around these parts.

After work I decided to go for a hike on a quad trail. It was nice and quiet and the scenery was beautiful. But there was one problem. Well not so much of a problem for me but Davin thought otherwise.

Where did the water go?

When it’s dry mud will have to do.

I was feeling sorry for them so after the hike I took them down the road to a water hole for a swim and a clean up.

And while they were cooling off I found a tasty treat!  Wild raspberries are the best!

Water Day

Sshhh…don’t tell but I skipped out of work early today.  It was so hot I needed a water afternoon.

Davin was in complete agreement.  I loaded up the kayaks, sunscreen, bug repellent and various other whatevers.

Finally on Crowsnest Lake.

The bigger the stick the better and there were plenty of sticks to keep this dog happy.

Davin is just along for the ride.  He apparently needs sunglasses for the bright sunny days.

We seen an otter and a beaver but the loon was the only one that stuck around long enough for me to take a photo.

I’m glad I took a water afternoon.

Stare

The ball

will come to you if you

stare

and stare

and stare at it long enough.

or not.

Apparently he needs to work on his levitation skills.

South Castle

Today after work I decided to take the dogs and check out the
Castle Mountain area.  It an awesome place to hike. It’s also the place I go to pick huckleberries.

Shortly after I arrived it started snowing.   Good thing I wore my down filled jacket because not only was it snowing the wind was freezing cold.

I hiked to the South Castle river and there still isn’t too much water flowing. It’s been too cool for the run – off to start in earnest.

The river bank is breaking off in huge chunks.  It made me nervous when the dogs got too close to the edge.  These banks were actually quite high and steep.  I didn’t hang around here for very long.

Instead I found a little creek that Ande could happily splash around in.

And yes that is snow and yes I’m still hiking in it.

This Time Last Year

In my quest to find a place to walk where I don’t need to wear snowshoes I decided to check out a place where a group of us did some dog training this time last year.

This was April 23rd last year.  It was really windy but it was nothing like…

this year.

People are still ice fishing.

The dogs don’t mind at all.  They prefer the snow.

Personally I prefer last year’s weather over…

this year’s.  On the positive side there aren’t any wood ticks here yet.

April Flurries

It still hasn’t stopped snowing and the dogs don’t mind at all.

Davin is oblivious to it especially when there is a tasty bone involved.

And Ande revels in it.

Fluffy snow is the best..

I’m just hoping I will see green grass before the winter season is upon us once again.

Buried Barbeque

Spring is in the air.

and I’m getting the urge to barbeque.

Or maybe not.

Post Holing

I think I was being overly optimistic when I went for a walk the other day.  Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.  I left my snowshoes at home. Spring is here, sometimes the sun shines.  It should be all good.

When I took my first step all optimism left.

When I took my second step wishful thinking turned into, what was I thinking!

I couldn’t move forward, backward or pull my legs out.  I was stuck. And hoping I wouldn’t sink any further.

Eventually I worked my way out.

The result was wet snow that stuck to my legs and boots full of packed snow.

Even the little dog couldn’t stay on top of the snow!

Davin didn’t mind.  Nothing much slows him down.

Do they make snowshoes for old dogs?

I’m sure it’s spring somewhere in the world.

If There’s Water

The first day of spring was beautiful. The sun was shining which seems to be rare these days so I decided to take some time and enjoy it before it starting snowing again.

I decided to follow a creek.

The snow was quite deep but there were a few areas where the creek was open and running.

And if there’s water Ande will find it.

Every single hole.  Maybe she’s hoping for summer, I know I am!

Deep Deep Snow

Walking this year has been a challenge.  I always try to find a place where the dogs can run in safety.  This winter and now even into the spring it’s been almost impossible to drive off the main roads.  I just know if I do I will get stuck in the snow.  On Sunday it took me a half hour or so to find a place to go snow shoeing.  I was crossing all my fingers and toes that I wouldn’t get stuck.  I didn’t, yay!

The only way to get around in the forest is by snow shoes or ski’s.

Davin was getting rather impatient with all the driving I had to do to find a place to walk.

I love going off the beaten path and just wandering around where ever my feet want to take me.

That’s when I see the most interesting things.

And of course that’s when the dogs find the most interesting things as well.

At one point the dogs disappeared down a ravine. I wondered briefly what they could be up to.

Maybe I should have wondered more than briefly as Ande trots past me proud as can be.

With something hanging from her mouth.

Yum, yum nothing like a tasty moose hide!