Yet Another

Despite my seasonal aches and pains (because who doesn't get sick at this time of year?) and mounting piles of schoolwork, I could not help myself but to take another trip out in to the woods.  Fall comes and goes quickly, and I don't think I'm going to be able to motivate myself nearly as often to go on these hikes in the winter!

We intended on only staying a half hour or so, but wound up walking for more than an hour.  Marge had the added delight of being allowed the freedom of her 20' leash, which, after a brief "are you really going to let me run around?" period, sent her in to an absolute frenzy.

We stopped for a quick dip in the lake.  No rashes have appeared on Marge's tummy yet, so I'm pretty sure that it was the murky pond water that was the culprit, rather than this big, crystal-clear lake.  She wound up going out pretty far!

We ventured off the main trails quite a bit, and saw the park from all sorts of new views.

By this point, Marge was cool from being wet, spotted the fowl swimming in the water, and her snooter was on high alert... every movement she made was a burst of energy, making this trip out to the trails the complete opposite of "leisurely."  She's never run through the woods like this before!

A new spot we hiked.  Yes, Marge did indeed drag me up and down this natural staircase.

We stopped by a couple of old favorite locations, too.  I kept adding on little bits of time.  I didn't want to leave!

My queen of the forest, regally posing on a ledge above us.

And, the very last photo from our excursion - my sweet, contented Marge, happy to be alone in the woods with the crisp November air running through her fur.  

We turn our attention back to agility later in the week, with the last trial of this year looming just a few days away.