A Lotta Nature

Stuff like this is what keeps us away from the computer! This trip was the bestest. In the middle no nowhere Missouri, Taricha and I made camp for a few days with the family and my man friend. Taricha was thrilled to have all of 'her' people around and all the meats over fires to smell.

A whole day was set aside for just doing something Taricha enjoys. We managed to hike a good 8 miles, explored some caves, ate some lunch, romped and all around had a great time.

and At the end of a day....

Oh I gave her other soft places to lay down but she decided this floatie was hers!

 (Where is Martok during this trip? Oh I left him at home sadly with the roommate. I try to take the dogs seperatly here and there, we like our time together. Oh and the two of them together can get a little much to handle for extended periods of time... Martok is still a puppy, after all. Next year when he grows a bit, we may have some real family trips!)

A Good Summer

I do apologize for our lack of being here... it's just that we've been busy enjoying summer!

More Water

Martok is slowily teaching Taricha that water is awesome! 

This is our favorite lake, Perry Lake and the water levels are finally low enough that a beach is starting to appear, making romping around much more pleasurable than the rocky ledgest two months ago.

Sunday Evening

Time for a nice long hike!

A Morning in Pictures

Ohhh the sun tried to come out! 

Taricha informed me early in the morning that we needed to get outside. 

Oh, hai there.

Martok does whatever Taricha does... !

Decides he likes nature, a lot! Zoom zoom.

See Yah!

Still Exciting

Even though Hank is gone, we've been staying busy and our house has been anything but quiet. A new kitty came to live with us!

This is Toodles, a two year old intelligent beast. Taricha first met this kitty when he was just a baby of 8 weeks old so it was an easy transition for him into our home. He is my sister's cat but for whatever reason he wasnt happy there, or they weren't happy with him. I offered to take him until we figure it out and we break some of his bad habits and he has some bad ones. (food begging mostly.... food crazy cat.)

I'm becoming attached to him... he is super smart, calm (compared to my skittish pussies, pun intended.) and entertaining  He will climb on a stranger's lap and happily purr like mad. He sleeps on the stairs curled in a ball! Toodles has been keeping us on our toes.

Then we finally had a little more snow! Needed an excuse to wear the hoodies.

  

The next day the snow was gone. 

I dont think Taricha liked the mud that was left. It was caking on our feet so bad it felt like wearing boots. We managed to log in 3 miles despite the terrain. (I didnt have her wear pack cause I didnt want it getting thatdirty.)

I hope everyone is still getting outside this winter! Cold or not! 

Now for some cuddle time.

Doing What We Do Best

What great weather for January. Early this morning we jumped in the car and headed for a trail we haven't been on before, another limestone glade, really good ups and downs and the rocky terrain makes Taricha slow down and watch her step. She was working hard, panting and we loved it.

While Taricha and I walk 2-4 miles on pavement every single day (but not always in one go), we aren't  in any shape for real hiking. And we need to be so since I have multiple camping/hiking trips planned this year.  This limestone glade is right around the corner from our house so we might start doing this run more often. The 3.75 miles today killed! (Our goal is 10 miles of rough terrain by spring.)

This random sign left me puzzled. I think the giant rock behind it is named Headache, as it was a truly giant chunk of earth kind of hanging off the edge of the hill. But then it could be the trail named Headache because it was so muddy.... it quickly became one.

Taricha really enjoyed herself, this is our zone and she seems to focus on the trail as if it were a job.  As we get home, I could tell in her face that she missed hiking and being exhausted feels good.