Searching for Missing dogs

 

We went for our late-morning walk today and heard the news that a couple of Bailey's fur friends took off last night from their yard and headed into the woods. An elderly neighbor of the missing dogs shared the news with me, so I promised we'd head off looking after lunch. And we did... hiking up toward Joe Pond. After trucking through mud and flicking off ticks, we headed back to the dogs' home, and heard barking  inside the house. It seems the elderly neighbor hadn't gotten the word that the dogs returned last night on their own. Ah well... at least they're safe! Now that the dogs have experienced the freedom bug, I'm hoping the family decides they need to tie them up in the yard. Normally, they have free rein.  

April 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21

Sunday River from Mystery Mountain

April's been an OK month for hiking. Over the first 3 weeks, we've taken 7 hikes, one hike every three days. Spring is always difficult for hiking because I have to rely on microspikes. I'm not a fan of snowshoes; without them, it's easy to fall through deep snow--what we in the hiking world call post-holing. For me, post-holing can cause hyperextensions of one or both knees. I've got that right now. Wicked fun. Not. This season also affects Bailey with slips and post-holing, too. He's a good sport, especially if treats are involved.    

Two days ago, Bailey and I hiked Whitecap's Yellow trail, our first full ascent of Yellow since December. In the winter, we stay on Orange primarily because there aren't any cliffs like on Yellow. We do hike up Yellow on the snowmobile trail, but that's not as fun as hiking Orange. We also hiked Mystery Mountain, our first time up since December, too. That's where I landed my first tick. 

Yesterday, we hiked Mystery Mountain-Plus, what ends up being close to 4 miles. I wore a knee brace like an old guy because of a hyperextension. Bailey just kept his head down and plowed through. Just like life sometimes... put your head down and keep on trucking. 

Looking for the summit treat. Fair enough. 

Bailey at the summit of Mystery Mountain. 

Spring Hike on Whitecap

The in-between time, winter/spring to spring/summer, can be tough hiking. Varying terrain, from ice to snow to dirt, means paying attention so you don't post-hole (fall through soft snow with your boot). Today, we did Whitecap at a pretty slow pace. What we usually hike in 2 hours, took us 2:45. But! The temps were almost 70 degrees, so we loved it. 

Click photos to enlarge. 

More Black Mountain

Mt Blue taken from a new glade on Black Mountain.
Remember to click photos to enlarge. 

What a grand day on Black Mountain. Spring hikes in the snow can be rejuvenating. I'm gearing up for the firm, dry trails on Whitecap and other mountains. At the rate the snow is disappearing, dry trails won't be long. 

I'd love to learn how to take selfies without 
having to stand on my head. 

Bailey hammering up the Woods Trail.  

Bailey at the summit. 

Spring Hike on Black Mountain

 

Click on photos to enlarge

We hit Black Mountain yesterday on a glorious early-spring day. I wondered how Bailey would do on the steeps. Well, he bested me to the summit by 1/3 of a mile. He's still got it. 

Hiking in a Squall

We got caught in a snow squall on Whitecap today. Wicked fun. Saturday's new snow sure slowed us down. I hope the video of Bailey shows up--looks like he's had a few nips. I included a few clear day pictures from last week to give you a sense of where we are.

What it looks like without a squall.