Off Leash Mountain Adventures: The BEST day EVER!

...yeah I know, I have said that a few times before, but today was so awesome it deserves that title! Not only was the weather and snow amazing, the dogs were awesome yet again and we went to the most beautiful trails with glittering trees, steaming creeks through a haze of sunshine and awesome mountain vistas...no, I am not talking bs (although I do sound like a tourist brochure...sorry!), it really is that perfect in the mountains right now, and I am thankful to share it with my best furry friends! Our crew today were: Brig and Spy, Skipper, Wicket and Jackets, and Cedar

Here was our dramatic start, under a blanket of swirling lowcloud/fog...my finger incidentally is outlining the start to our climb! I had a planned mission today, it was all go go go!

Here we are climbing up, and although we are breaking trail it is awesome underfoot...yesterday gave me the idea to go for the higher trails that are not normally easy to access this time of year without skins or snowshoes. Cedar was lead guide, just above Skip, and Wicky was my tail - he was right behind me as I took this, actually shirking his duties and chewing a stick out of shot!

I am still battling the last of the flu bug, that has now manifested itself into a sea lion style bark, complete with hacking at times (very attractive - thank goodness dogs don't care!) so at a couple of points during our climb I had to stop and cough..and of course I had the camera to hand to snap away while I got my breath...a few gems were taken today:

I honestly nearly choked laughing at this one, Skip has always been the perfect model dog, but this really made me laugh for some reason. He struck this pose in such a purposeful manner I could not believe he held it long enough for me to stop choking and grab the camera - he looks like he needs a cigarette in his mouth, a lumberjack shirt, and a Johnny Cash backing track...I may just be mad, but that just cracked me up; Skip you are a legend ! (**had to pause blogging to titter to myself, ha!**)

And darling Jackets...she carries the worries of the world on her delicate shoulders...and again I laughed at this one...and gave her a massive cuddle and told her it was ok, none of us were riding bikes, and the majority of us have four legs for added safety in steep terrain...this dog means the world to me already, and I have only known her a short time!

Wicky it turns out, does not seem to be a fan of raging creeks and bridges...we had reached our high point and then trotted down secret trail to the Al Grey memorial bridge...I sat on the steep bank in the sunshine for a break while the hounds milled about..Cedar and Skip wanted to carry on over the bridge, but the snow looked a bit sketch, and Wicket stared at it in horror, then looked at me as if to say '...no way dude, I am not going over that ...' He was so cute I had to grab a shot as he wrapped himself around me, especially then as I grabbed a biscuit and called the others to come sit (cupboard love...ah well, makes me feel wanted by them at least!) it was then a wall of fur and licks as everyone wanted treats and a cuddle; Cedar sat on my lap, the others licked my face and it was a great tumble of doggy love...attempts at any decent shots were futile...it was all blurred noses, ears and droooling maws!

Cedar says "...come on Wicket, we are waiting for ya..." Wicky Says "...Nope, no way, I am staying put!' Click the pictures to enlarge...you can see the apprehension on Wicket's face!

No dogs in this, just some of the awesomeness of where we live...as always the camera never does justice to the real thing, it lifts the spirits that's for sure!

It was then time to start winding our way down, and the views were amazing, and it was so fun rushing down in the floofy snow..the dogs were getting face shots and just loving life as we bounded down - the snow quality once we left the forested area was awesome! We had a time out in a clearing after our run (more hacking from me) I did manage to get a couple of good shots too:

Hanging out in the 'Doggy Dell' This is where Cedar and Skip initiated a charge-about...basically running tight laps around and around yipping and dancing! Spy as ever dug holes and asked me to look at them and enjoy them with him, Briggy joined him and the others flew round and round...good times my friends, good times :)

Then we were heading further down, truck bound...I was a little ways behind as I was gathering poop bags and the dogs were trotting on, I let them, it was a peaceful end to an amazing hike, and i was content that we all had fun and got our exercise...by the time I reached the truck they had all hopped in without the ramp and were sitting in waiting for me! You can't see the others through Spy, Brigg and jackets, but they were all there! I called the others out for a biscuit and a cuddle, and home we went!

Spy says "...So er..we are ready to go now...what took you so long?! "

And finally, here are some artsy fartsy shots...I was fiddling with the camera during a break in our hike up, and got a couple of 'blurry but I like the effect' shots...enjoy! See you all tomorrow, time for a beer methinks after a stellar day!