I 'yam a tired hiker!

So The Grandma said that Charlie needed a rest and that she wanted to take me to something called the Reserve to hike trails.
I don't know what a Reserve is, I do know trails though.

She said it was a good day to go because it had rained and the trails were closed to horses and bikes where we were going and that meant I didn't have to deal with MONSTERS!

 I was so alert and so full of it that The Grandma put on a long line and my chain leash. I was pulling and charging a lot because every time an acorn dropped I was sure it was a squirrel. I kept staring up into the trees and watching for other Wild-ed Animals. 

The Grandma was afraid I'd bolt and get away on the little leash so she had her long cord on me too. I never did bolt, but I sure did a lot of pulling in certain parts of the trail. I even tracked deer, coyote, and raccoon tracks!

The Grandma said she I gave her arms a good workout with my pulling.

I didn't care, I was having a good time. She also said that I was useful going up steep hills and if I stayed with her in the winter I could be her sled dog. 
Neat. What is a sled dog? Charlie wasn't around to ask.

The trails went on and on and on! The Grandma said she knew where we were going even though I was the one leading. Several times I would have just gone off through the woods because I smelled very interesting things in the distance.

On one section of the trail the Grandma kept stopping because there were so many interesting tiny things.

I was really good about that. I sat next to her or tried to stand on top of her to see what she was looking at.

She had strange names for these things. 

Bear's Head Tooth Fungi

Gem Studded Puffball

Oh oh oh! And there was so much more! But these little things really didn't interest me at all. I liked smelling much more. I took the time to watch the trees for squirrels.

I figured since the Grandma and I were out all by ourselves, I would need to protect her from the squirrels in case they attacked. 

She probably needs protection from all the forest things! Which made me think which I can sometimes do...... 

How does Charlie protect her? 

We finally made it back to the car.

...and before we left the parking area....

I hiked with the Grandma and survived the big scary wonderful woods! 

I 'yam a Hiker too!

I 'yam a Farming Dog!

 Guest Blog by Twila

Charlie says I am a Wild Child and I don't know much about much. Maybe he is right because HE is an OLD dog like anciently or something. 
The Grandma says I am still a pup since I am just like a year into this world.

But I like sticks and The Grandma gave me a huge one that I can play with in the yard.

Day Two of my Grandma-Grandpa Camp visit went well. We hiked in the Big Woods again and took what The Grandma called the One Mile Loop. I don't know what a Loop is and I don't need to know.

Charlie and I investigated some smells in a dry run full of leaves. He told me about all the animals that had passed through this place in the hours before we came. We investigated for a long time, following scents on the ground and in the air.

Even though Charlie is VERY old [he says he isn't], he knows stuff so it is good to hang out with him.

He knows these woods like it is his yard. Well, he claims these woods are his because he marks as many trees as he can to claim them.

There were things falling from the trees and making noise everywhere. Charlie told me that they were acorns and that we could watch for squirrels.
I know squirrels! I would like to chase them!

There were chipmunks too that kept teasing us. 

The Grandma was interested in all the cool fungi showing up on the wood and sticks. I didn't bother picking any up as the other smells were much more enchanting.

I was a really good dog. The Grandma said so! When she wanted to look at something little, she told me to sit and I did! 

I will tell you a secret. She keeps tiny little dog biscuits in a plastic bag in her pocket. When she rattles the plastic Charlie and I run to sit in front of her.

Here I posed for a photo for Mom and Dad. A tiny biscuit was my reward. Aren't I adorable?

We were tired when we got in the house and ready for dog naps. Good thing too! It rained and rained and rained.

After naps, The Grandma said it was time for one more walk to the ridge. I don't know what a ridge is either, but Charlie said it was an open area where were could see far if we were tall. Charlie IS not Tall!

After our Big Ridge Walk we came home and had our supper. 

...and more naps.

The Grandma said that Charlie and The Grandpa would get a break from me on Thursday. She thought I'd like to go do a real trail at some place with her.  Charlie said he'd stay home and rest because his little legs were tired and dealing with a kid was stressful so he need quiet time.

Oh!
I got to see something called mules last night too. I helped The Grandma do chores even though it was a bit awkward. 

The mules just stared at me and didn't snort or anything. I just stared at them and smelled them. I sat next to The Grandma and watched them while they ate.

I would like to taste their poop. Charlie says it is delightful.

I like being a Farming Dog!