Falling into Fall

September seems to be a great month of colors and moods that stretch through October. Fall is a fleeting time filled with shorter daylight hours and changing weather.

If you live in the Midwest I can safely say that most of us admire and 'chase' colors and light or at least do some Leaf Peeping.

When I was in the UP, the colors were already changing. I'd love to make more trips, but the drive is about 6 or more hours for me. 

I am happy with September here around our place. We have so many mornings that are fog filled.

Deep morning fog at the south pasture.

This was morning fog clearing from the east as the sun came over the ridge. I happened to point the camera towards the east and noticed I could get a shot of the leaves lit up by the sun. I moved slightly and got this instead.

The Orb Weavers are still at work in the large eastern meadow. The one small maple tree is there but turning bright colors.

What can I say, more meadow shots with ground fog. Some of the trees in the distance look like they are turning colors, some are and some are dying from the damage done by logging. Still, it is a pretty beautiful sight.

On Saturday before going hiking, I took Hannah to the Farmer's Market to work with her being calm around crowds. At first she was crazy- stupid -happy. Eventually, she sat next to me and watched people go by. On the way home to pick up Charlie, I took a detour down Tainter Hollow Road and was surprised at how different the colors of the trees are just a few miles away.
 

I normally don't go to the Reserve on a brilliant fall Saturday, that's generally when the place is full of people on the paved trail walking dogs and pushing strollers, and riding bicycles. 

In other areas, there is usually large groups of horseback riders so I just picked a trail that is not very popular.

It is rough, rocky, full of roots to trip on and steep.

Oh. And it is quite beautiful.

There are a couple of spots on the ridgetop that give you a view of the Kickapoo River Valley. The colors were simply beautiful.

Charlie was in great form. The temperature was under 70 F and he trotted right along as if he were in charge.

Our goal was Hanson's Rock Lookout. The log is set there for people to enjoy sitting and looking down on the valley. In an area not photographed, there is a highline for people with horses to tie up so they can take a breather and have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery.

The view:

We sat here, well, okay I sat on the log and the dogs explored scents. Below the outlook is a long and winding trail that is well used. We could hear a horse below us in the valley whinny and faintly hear someone saying something. 

It was 'treat' time. I had a granola bar and the dogs had treats and water from their collapsible bowl. Hannah was satisfied to hang out. Charlie started to whine. It is his way of saying, *Let's get moving!*

We explored and stopped often to look at things and they stopped often to sniff interesting scents. I only wish I could smell a portion of what they scent. It tells them so much about the world around them.

Oh yeah, Fall/Autumn is showing off her beauty. I do wish that it would stick around a bit longer than it really does.

Controlled Chaos

Some days I wonder why I thought 2 dogs were better than one. The extra demands, the extra attention, the extra training, and the extra effort along with considerations seem in some moments --- a stupid decision.

Then after a day of yard work, play, and walks, the 2 of them fall sound asleep next to me as I read a book on the couch.

And I know... 

 My blood pressure drops low, my heart rate slows, my heart fills with something warm. 

My longer hikes are slowed to an older dog pace while the pup races back and forth on her line that is tied to my belt.

The slow, quiet walk allows me more time to stop and look. There is no hurry. Charlie doesn't hurry when the weather is warm. He even asks for me to carry him so his short legs can take a rest [or he is tricking me into giving him a ride!].

Hannah bounds into quite a few photos that I try to take of the wild spring flowers. But she is learning that usually what I am looking at is nothing that is interesting enough to chew on, eat, or roll in.

Bellwort

Fern Curls

Jack in the Pulpit

Wild Ginger

The Crooked Kickapoo

Mayflowers

We take about 4 hours to explore the trails. I keep thinking I should hurry up and then I remember that I don't have to rush.

There is so much to look at on these out of the way trails.

The dogs get a drink and a dunk
in the foundation of an
old artesian well house.

We head back to the parking area and I think...

Maybe the chaos isn't so bad. 

It is keeping my mind busy and my body active.

Charlie goes to his side of the car and waits. I put him in his car seat and he settles down for a nap. Hannah tries to climb into the car too, she is ready to fall asleep in her crate.

When we get home the two dogs get up on the porch bench and watch me do yard work and hang out laundry.

I eventually join them on the bench and open my book on Hiking Wisconsin. I turn down pages of trails I am interested in and are labeled 'Dog Friendly'. 

Maybe this two dog thing is really worth it.