Pure Joy and just a Bit of Mud

airborne!

I hiked to the Lookout today.
There is still snow on the northern slopes.  The creeks are running. There was a pair of mallard ducks in the small pond part way up.




And there was Taffy, having the time of her life.  She is putting paid to the image of the poodle as the overly groomed creature of the show ring, and doing her bit to restore the working dog (bird dog, retriever, water dog) image.

This was her first trip up the mountain lookout trail, and there was so much to explore. 

Every creek, every puddle, every fallen tree and outcrop of rocks required undivided attention.  The roots of fallen trees, tipped up to create small ponds and hollows all needed exploration.

As always, the view is well worth the hike.  The ice is starting to shift away from the shore. The hills are beginning to hint at the greens of summer to come. The moss is startlingly bright green.And the dog was one happy, muddy, tired pup when we came home.