Feels Like Fall...

The air smells fresher and sharper, the leaves are just showing signs of turning, and it's all very beautiful with the sun lower in the sky casting a more yellow light compared to mid summer. Cassius, Ever, Duffy, and Nalla were hiking today. Nice to see you Nalla - it's been a while! Ever's mum came too, and we hiked our favourite loop around Loggers Lake, and played with the dogs, whilst talking about fall type things such as toast and jam (or Jelly...depends where you are from!) and how beautiful the forests are this time of year. Here are today's shots!

Aw Nalla...look at that little face!

...that's better, a big goofy dog grin. The above 'please give me a treat' face was so sad looking!!

Tails swinging, noses glued to the trail...apart from Cassius who was still in his dancing about mode!

mmmm....interesting aromas around this tree, some forensic sniffing going on here - must have been a recent squirrel!

Drinkies at the Lake...

...and still waters produced some awesome reflections..Ever looks pretty cute too here!

Playtime! Nalla swam round and round and round, with Cassius looking on just dying to go play, but not too sure about the depth of the lake. It really drops away right here.

Cassius then hung out with Ever, who after a brief dip spent her time yipping at us humans and galloping about with Cassius...these two are pretty cute together, each trying to be the herdsman..rounding each other up!!

...meanwhile, little Duffy here found himself some dirt..atta boy!!!!

A few more sniffs, Nalla finally came out of the lake much to the delight of Cassius...and on we went!

Moseying on...Ever and Duffy seemed tired by this point, (2 hikes in a row can do that!) whereas Nalla and Cassius trotted on ahead. 

Back at the truck it was time for a sit, drink, treat, cuddle and then home! Cassius looks miffed in this shot...I was trying to get a good shot and he felt like it was high time we had the treat bag opened! Good doggies, they were rewarded as soon as I took this!

Parting shot...nice tongue Cassius! See you next hike, AroooOOOOooooOOOo!

Three Westies, an excited Ever-Bear, and Me!

The Westies were of course Spanky and Harmony, and our new friend Duffy! The excited folks were myself and Ever, ha ha! It sounds like a children's book title. We were both stoked to have three Westies to play with, and the hike was of course hilarious! Duffy slotted right in with us, and is a very very cool little chap indeed. At first setting eyes on each other he, Harmony, and Spanks made Gremlin growls at each other, but literally 2 seconds later they were squeaking and sniffing and the best of friends. Ever, riding up front with me was all eye-boggled curiosity and was dying to get out and play as was I! So here are today's shots, I am still smiling after our hike and hope that all 4 dogs are resting peacefully after a lovely sunny hike around Loggers Lake!

Peakaboo! Duffy left, with his new girl pals Spanks and Harmony

Ready for the off, I just HAD to get another shot of these guys! It was so funny, each small dog kept jack-in-the-box popping up as they waited to be let out to play. They did it one at a time and I was crying with laughter! They are soooo goood, and dear Ever grinning at me waited for the shutter to click before suggesting in her special way that we quit messing with the camera and get on with the hike...

...So off we went!

Duffy was quite excited - look at that cute little nosey, I LOVE Westies!!!

Ever too seemed to be stoked to have another little buddy to run with - she loves Spanks and Harmony and was as stoked as I to have Duffy join us!

Something small and furry made a dash across the trail...much to the delight of the dogs. Looked like a little Pika, but it was a blur! I called them off after 'capturing the moment' here, they get planty of food when they get home!

The pups in full flight! Note Hamony's smart haircut too! She and Spanks had a session at the groomers and they look very smart indeed! Spanks is just out of shot here, that's Duffy, who has a very similar coat. They flew round and round ears flying tails propelling them- awesome!!

Onwards and upwards with the sunshine looking amazing filtering through the trees...

Up at the lake I surprised them mid drink...hey guys, say cheeese!

Off to our second swim spot...

Ever retrieves a very large log!

While the little dudes and I paddle in the shallows!

Then it's time to climb once again! I was a little slow today, had tweaked my knee in a rugby game last night, (but we did win yay!) It meant the dogs had to watch me totter up the steep stuff after them instead of my usual bouncing along in front! The dear things did keep looking back to make sure I hadn't keeled over :)

We had some amazing views!

Ever was busy investigating something here, goodness knows what but I didn't hear any squeaks and she did not smell bad when she emerged from the bush -  so she didn't chase a small animal or find anything gross to eat, must be all good then!

Back down on the lower trails there was plenty more smells to discover - lots of forensic sniffing going on here!

Love this shot of Harmony!

On we go...

Delicate steps..I was trying not to bounce the bridge too much for them!

Lovely view of the Cheakamus! 

Who wants a treat then!!! Relaxing with a drink and a couple of biccy's before heading home. What a great hike! See you all tomorrow, ArOOOoooooOOOOO!

Zen Cloud Forests

SO beautiful today - light rain certainly did not dampen the spirits as Jayda, Indy, Bear, and I went on a mission! We hoofed it up to the backside of Ridge Trail via Basalt Valley Spur, then dropped back down the other side and hiked down to Loggers Lake, had a drink and a sniff...then hiked all the way back down to the truck. It was so beautiful; muffled silence from the low cloud, with only the odd Raven cry or Pika squeak from the talus fields...it felt magic, and I felt privileged to be quietly trotting along with the dogs...here are the shots - not too many today as wet cameras don't work so good!

Galloping on..this trail loops deep into the forests before a long steady climb...I love bouncing along the springy forest litter with them - ArooOOOOOOOooooOOo!

Up and up...we kept seeing glimpses of what appeared to be little Pika's...so cute, they sound like squeaky toys, and Jayda in particular was dying to give  chase...however she is a good girl and responds well if you command her to come before she gets into the chase mode...if you are a little slow catching her, the 'ol hunting instincts kick in which appear to include a selective hearing mode! I am pleased to say that she was a good girl today, and I must have been on the ball as we all stuck together :) 'atta girl!

Beautiful...silent..I was whispering to them as we flew thought the high trails with misty mountain tops (Zepp reference intentional!) and  muffled  sounds of low clouds in the trees...LOVE it!

A bit blurry, but love this shot of Indy

Taking a breather...phew!

Nobody fancied a swim today, we were all pretty wet from the dewy rain/clouds that soaked us nicely...so the dogs foraged for a little while while I enjoyed the view as we took a break...

Beautiful...the lake was so peaceful. A couple of chaps were fishing across the way and everything was fresh, peaceful and fall-like. Have a great  rest of long weekend folks, the dogs should be all chilling out in their warm beds now, and for me almost time for some hot soup and a nap! AroooOOOOOooOOOOOooooOOO!

Emerald Forest Fun!

...my day started badly; the dog truck tyre was flat, the office printer jammed beyond belief, I spilt coffee on myself and my car, and got stung 2 or 3 times by an angry wasp!! The thing that kept me from swearing and being in a major grump was hiking with 3 awesome dogs who cheered me up no end, and who made the day instantly better!!! I love the consistency with them - as long as they have good and structured exercise, treats, and some love, in that order, they are stoked. Ever, Bear, and Gibson provided many laughs, and gave me wet nosey kisses in my car, as we all piled into the local forests for a good 2 hours romp. I am happy to say that the truck tyre is inflated, the coffee mopped up (wiped on my pants ha ha), the wasp sting swollen but feeling better and the printer happy again. So without further ado....here are the shots!

 Darling Bear...Dog love is always a good thing!

Fresh out of the car...time for a swim!!

Sticks in mouths, galloping about in the land of the Ents...!

 

Stopping for a breather..and juuuuust as I clicked for the shot a squirrel went EEE-EEEE-EEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! And all of the dogs, yes Ever too....waited until they were allowed to leave their 'sit' to go bark at it! Nice work doggie-do's, very impressed! 

Gallops on the springy moss...beautiful!

Dogs run through it...along with a river...! To explain for those that may not be local, we were on A River Runs Through It trail!

Tails swinging across the woodwork!

Lovely sunshine in the forests, we headed out to the clearing that would take us home again shortly after this, and had a lovely time in the long grass!

...Ever, a stick, and some long grass fun! The sun was so lovely and warm!

 Bear comes in for a cuddle...dear boy!

Gibson gallops! Honestly! Can just see her through the foliage :) The other two were mellow and tired out by this stage, whereas Gibson the pocket-rocket just kept galloping!

Back in the woods, the energy was up again - and we played stick for a while (so I could rest my poor wasp swollen shin!!) And the dogs again were behaving SOOOOOO well, they each responded to 'Leave it' and did as they were asked, and actually took turns to retrieve the sticks...so proud of them again! COuld not believe it, especially as Gibson and Ever are very stick oriented...so stoked, well done owners for working on this - they both seem to have improved since they last hiked together. Bear was great too, he gets so animated with these two, the hike had an awesome vibe!

Land of the Ents..I took a shot of this tree way back in the winter, I just love it!

We nipped into the River of Golden Dreams for a drink...the water levels at their typical low for this time of year...the rains will soon change that! Look at Ever's little tongue poking out, so cute!

Gibson comes to say hi, and I actually nearly fell over her after the shot as I was teetering on a rock, and slipped as she came up to me! But a wet shoe could not dampen my mood, and it made the wasp sting feel better too!

Final shot...Bear and Gobson were passing at speed, and you can see Gibson doing the 'safety squint' as they fly past each other with inches to spare!!! Ha ha, good times  my friends, goood times :) See you next hike, ArOOOooooOOOOoooOOOooO!