Trails and Tails

 

My Buddy Taking a Break

I'm out and about again, this time to a new set of mountains. Link is with me, spending his time mostly asleep in his couch when he isn't out with me on hikes. It's a tough life, being my dog. He started out the trip with a Cone-of-Shame since he had licked a hole in his tail last week. After a visit to the vet he is now on antibiotics, pain killers, and lotion. At least now it has healed enough for him to be without the cone!

 

Four hikes so far, with three around two miles long and the fourth, and most difficult one, ringing in at just short of  four and a half miles long. Up and down hills even! I got very lucky in that I just ran out of water as I was sitting in my car ready to head for home. Next time I will plan accordingly and really fill up the Camelbak! I probably overdid myself by the end of the hike, but I was handling the trail well, as was Link. He even go to play in the creek. (He also had a larger creek to play in yesterday as well on a shorter hike.) I managed the hike with hefty elevation change that was longer than twice my previous walking or hiking mileage, and yet I seem to be doing pretty well so far. Awesome boots meant no blisters or hot spots too. Going to continue my hiking through Saturday, probably another run of today's hike once I am rested up from this one--probably on Thursday if things pan out.

I've been eating pretty well, even managing to not eat out so far this trip. I do plan on Friday to be my eating out day, with a lunch tomorrow after my morning hike. There is a consistently packed restaurant just down the road that is just asking to be tried out. 

The cabin has a family of skunks that live on the property, much to the displeasure of the owner and occasionally me. Mostly only whiffs of eau de skunk, but I am careful to take Link out on a leash and make myself known when we circle around to the back of the house. Also interesting is that the well is heavily laced with sulfur in the hot water. It isn't ideal, but the location is great and it is comfortable. Probably won't be staying here again, but it will do. Next time I will dig around on the internet for similar things out here not on AirBnB. Live, travel, learn.

And now it is time to get ready for bed and take care of the pooch.