11/29/17 Harbor Brook

Kelley has not been interested in hikes and we have had some crumby weather so, just walks around the neighborhood, The last two days i have cut back her pain meds, thinking she was too sedated and this morning we headed for one of her favorite hikes. Cloudy when we left home but 40's and partials sun at start of the hike and then sunny skies.

They continue to work on this trail, including building a  parking lot ( before there was just a rutted pull off).

Near the start of the trail

Parts of the stream have large numbers of fallen trees.

A section of the new trail. Easier to walk but not as much access to the stream for Kelley.

A spot she can get in

Kelley was doing better than she has in some time and when we got to the new trail heading toward Long Pond ( where we usually turn around) she wanted to continue so we did. But when we got to these steps she decided she had had enough and we turned back

Following the stream again

This went well for Kelley and we had a very pleasant hike of just over an hour and a quarter. It is too early to tell if reduced meds is the answer. Stay tuned 

11/20/17 Snowmobile Trail Along the Kenduskeag

Thirty one degrees and mostly cloudy. We hadn't been here in awhile and I knew there would be flowing water if I could get Kelley out of the car.


Looking kind of wintery - just lacking the snow

but the water was flowing

and Kelley took advantage

while I got some leaves with a nice reflection

The steam is much higher than the last time we were here

No more flowers or bugs so it's cones and leaves

Doesn't have to be the stream

Some lichen just before we got back to the car.

Kelley did OK today and I was pleased to get her walking for almost an hour. 

11/16/17 Perch Pond Trails

Cold gray morning. Kelley was not too excited about getting out of the car but did well once she did.  The woods are all brown and green now -

except for the birches.

and a dusting of snow

This little stream didn't have much water

and when we got to the small pond it was frozen.

I broke the ice next to the shore but Kelley couldn't get out very far.

At this point she decided she had had enough and we headed back. Not a great hike but we got about an hours exercise.

11/13/17 Harbor Brook

Twenty two when we got up but up to thirty nine by the time we got to the park. More clouds than sun but no wind so not bad. When she first got out of the car Kelley was not enthusiastic but did well once we got into it.


I think the water helped

Heading across one of the new bridges

The stream is still quite low but at least it's flowing

Part of the new trail which is further up hill from the stream than the old one

Another chance

One of the new bog bridges

Almost back to the car

Not too bad - we got in a little over an hour 

11/12/17 City Forest

Thirty degrees and mostly cloudy. Nothing, lately,  but walks in the neighborhood so I decide Kelley was going to get some exercise.

Starting to look wintry

Bad news - the pond was frozen and I couldn't break through with a stomp.

Of course, no wildflowers or insects so some old Queen Anne's Lace

Another shot of the ice

and the leafless trees

After she found the pond frozen, Kelley was not interested in walking. I started off anyway as she usually follows and she did - aways back  At the trail junction I turned right rather than the usual left looking for some water for Kelley. I looked back and she was not behind me so I backtracked, calling her. Kelley had gone the way we usually do and a couple with a dog were calling my number from her collar tag, think she was lost. I gave up and we headed back to the car.


My disappointed girl

11/5/17 City Forest

Kelley has not been very enthusiastic and we've had a stretch of rainy weather so it's been walks around the neighborhood. This morning it was gray and in the forties but I got her out of the car.

The color has pretty much gone and we are into stick season.

Kelley was still interested in the beaver pond

We didn't get much beyond the pond so this was a short outing .

10/31/17 Partridge Pond

Well. got the storms and lost power for about 8 hours - many people are still without power and we encountered a close road on our way here. Backtracking to find another route we went through a large area without power. When we got here it was a nice day - sunny and lower 50's. There were downed branches and a couple of trees across the trail, but easily got around.


The color has gone.

but thanks to the rain there was water along the way for Kelley

This just needs a hookah smoking caterpillar

Another small pool

Partridge Pond

One last watering hole

Kelley did well today for a hike of a little more than an hour and a half.