Despite hovering right around the freezing mark, the sun was shining this afternoon giving the appearance of a much warmer day. And since we’ve endured far colder days, I decided it would be a perfect day for a hike – because really, when isn’t it? Since sunset happens later than 7:30 now, I waited until after dinner (which Tony cooked because he’s awesome!) to load Petey in the car.
The parking lot, such as it was, did not look promising. I switched out my running shoes in favor of the waterproof winter boots that I’m tired of wearing. Most of the trail back to the swamp was fine, being along an old railroad bed.
A good portion of the swamp trail was fine, too. It was either frozen or boardwalk.
As we neared the viewing platform, though, our luck ran out and the trail ran underwater. Petey, who had happily been trotting ahead and then coming back to check in, stopped at the edge suddenly unsure of where to go. Grateful for my olde faithful boots, I plunged ahead and then called him after me. He looked at me like I was a crazy lady (I’m not arguing that he’s wrong), and then decided that maybe it wasn’t so scary after all. He wasn’t nearly so trepidatious about climbing up the viewing platform, again bounding ahead of me.
Left photo shows our underwater trail. Right photo shows a dog in my face 😉
We stayed atop the platform overlooking the lake and swamp for several minutes, enjoying the warmth of the evening sun and the trill of the many redwing blackbirds. Much of the lake is frozen, but the swamp is open, so that’s a nice change.
On the way back out, Mr. Petey Puppy expanded his horizons a bit, exploring just off the side of the trail. I stayed up where I was sure it was dry, but he assures me he had a better time. Based on his snores down at my feet now, I think he might be right.
I called Tony to check in with my plans, which he guessed were “…staying out taking way too many photos of the sunset and having to hike back in the dark.” He knows me well, but we were already driving over to Torch Lake to check out its melt progress, so there Tony. Signs point to slow. (In case you missed that, we did not have to hike back in the dark 😉 )
Adventures in Michigan's Up North 
You and Petey cover a lot of ground during a typical “walk”!! 🙂
Having worked with him a lot since we got him last November, I cannot fathom having a dog so energetic and NOT covering a lot of ground. It’s no wonder people share horror stories of their dogs destroying their homes. Petey and I are both lucky we’re restless souls. I think we keep each other outta trouble 😉
Isn’t it fun to go out exploring with a camera and a dog! Love the ice on that last one.
They’re like our kids – I’m sure not every appreciates the ridiculous number of photos I share, but they humor me 🙂
Tony liked that one a lot, too. It’s straight out of the camera, and about as flat as they come, so maybe I’ll play around with it a bit and post it to Snap Happy!
You’re the best doggy mommy 🙂 🙂
Soon
