Some more fun hiking...

Had to tell you about our latest big hike. Since it's gotten cooler, the ticks and chiggers have magically disappeared and it's a whole lot more fun hiking for us.

We went on a long hike last weekend and got to go off trail. Going off trail means we are climbing the mountain pretty much, weaving in and out of trees and brush, climbing and climbing, and making sure we don't step in any big holes, or fall down any ravines. Mum's been really proud of both of us as we're getting really good at the 'this way' command she taught both of us.

That means that we have to go on the side of the tree that she's on, instead of going on the other side of the tree and get our leashes all tangled up. I've had it down pat for a while, but Gracie really had to learn it this year, and she's getting really good at it too.

We hiked up the mountain to the top of the first main ridge, which was so cool! We hadn't been there before and found that it was mostly rock at the top. Looking beyond and further up the mountain, it was a lot more woods, just going up and up and up!

Once we got up here we just hung out for a while, listening to all the wild life and the absence of sound too. After we had been out for about 1.5 hours, Mum thought it was time for us to start heading back. It's difficult to go straight down, like we came up because it's so steep, so Mum had to plan out how to get back by going down and sideways. So she turned on the GPS on our BlackBerry got out the compass and figured out a way.

She did pretty well, 'cause we ended up at the furtherest end of the trail we usually walk, going toward the ponds. We ended up walking for about 2.5 hours, and Gracie and I were still raring to go! Mum just wanted to put on some ugg boots, and kick back with some pizza!

So much fun. Can't wait to see what hike we do next!