2 Girls Hiking

Lilly and I usually do a straight-forward route, out and back, along a single track trail. Last summer, I worked a lot on her not trail-blazing to the point of choking herself. While it’s never relaxing to be pulled along, it’s also not really fun to be in constant working mode. So, this time we compromised. As long as she wasn’t affecting my natural stride and not choking herself, Lilly could walk ahead. When we came to steep descents, however, she needed to walk slowly and right next to me. I think it’s a fair rule.

I carry food to reward her for checking in and to help her focus should we run into dogs, people, horses, or bikes that freak her out. I also carry enough water for both of us. I just pour hers into a little bowl that fits in my small day-pack.

It wasn’t very hot, but I’m sure glad we had enough water. We went through 2 big bottles.

We must have arrived at just the right time. We saw many cars in the lot, but we never saw anyone on the trail. I wonder if most people took the center route, which recently opened now that the elk have dropped their calves. But, we hiked for nearly 2 hours and did not see anyone else. That’s a good day, even if I worry off and on about coming across a mountain lion when we’re way out on the trail alone.

(I’m pretty sure I’ve written about our previous encounters in the past. Let’s just say, it gets a girl’s heart pumping to see a 130-pound cat pop up out of the creek bed.)

The final climb back up to the parking lot is kind of long and hot, but we plodded along. As we approached the final stretch, I saw a large German Shepherd sitting in the tall grass. He was clearly off leash.

I kept my eye on him, but he didn’t budge. He didn’t sprint toward us or anything, so we made our way back to my car. I could see 2 women sitting on the parking stop right in front of my car, and I assumed the dog belonged to them.

After loading Lilly up, I walked to my door and realized that the 2 women were 2 of my neighbors Carol and Judy. So, we chatted a bit. I told Carol how thankful I was that her big boy Jake didn’t rush us and upset Lilly, and she explained that he was having a bit of a fit. That’s why he was sitting there.

She’s only had him since November, and he has a few issues, including … it seems … not liking to ride in the car. He knew his hike was over, and he didn’t want to get into the car.

Carol said that if she approached him, he would run, so the three of us simply watched him while we chatted. Still … he did not budge.

So, Judy had a good idea … Carol began walking along the ridge, as if she was headed out on another hike. And, like magic, Jake ran straight to her, and she leashed him up.