6/10/16 Perch Pond

Vet yesterday and rain the day before. The vet gave us a new medication to try for her arthritis and  she got tested for lyme and heartworm - both negative - and got some of her routine vaccines. No problems other than the arthritis. She likes to go to the vet and they like her.

 This morning it's cool - upper 50's with a mix of sun and clouds and a bit of a breeze.

We started on the South Trail this time. Near the start it's wet with several bog bridges.

Kelley seemed happy to be out and is leading the way.

Wild blackberry blossom - a bit ragged

Some figures on a stump with a nice fungus. We occasionally find  figures along trails and they make me wonder about the motivation of the placers.

The small pond - first chance for water

First wasp of the year

Perch Pond is quite large but there are limited spots Kelley can get into the water

Where we first reach the pond is one of them

View from the trail along the pond

Another insect

Lady's Slipper

Just befor we got to the car, Kelley left the trail and headed into the woods to lie in a mud hole. She ended up muddier than I have seen her in a long time and beside lots of mud in the car I had to try and get most of it off when we got home ( before she came in the house) . She is not into grooming so that can be challenging.

A pretty nice hike. There were few mosquitoes and no black flies  (the breeze?) Because of the breeze most of my close ups were out of focus. Kelley did very well, taking the lead at times rather than lagging behind. 2 hours

6/7/16 DeMeritt Forest

Rain the last two days and more forecast for today but sunny when we got up so we went to the nearby forest to try to get in a hike.

Clouding up by the time we got started.

There were lots of buttercups about

and water for Kelley

Dandelions gone to seed

and bunchberries

Some of the trails were a bit wet

Once more in the stream before we end our loop

After we did the loop through the woods we went across the road and down to the Stillwater River

Deep enough to swim

There is also a small cove

and another chance for Kelley before we head up the hill and back to the car

Kelley did well and was happy with all the water. There were mosquitoes but no black flies. The rain didn't come until later in the afternoon. A pleasant hike. 1  3/4 hours

6/4/16 Downtown

Gray day with forecast of rain ( bright sunshine is what we ended up with) , so decided to just go downtown. Kelley was in an unusual mood - excited at first then she didn't seem to know what she wanted. I usually let her pick the route but she didn't seem to want to go anywhere so I gave up after half an hour.

Different groups plant beds of flowers all about town and there were lots in bloom so I got  flower pictures

And a reflection

6/2/16 Little Long Pond

Nice day - around 60, sunny, a breeze, and no bugs. This is probably Kelley's favorite hike so you get mostly pictures of Kelley in the water. There are still few wildflowers and the breeze made them difficult to keep in focus. We saw a few dragonflies but none that would let us get close.

Obligatory shot of the pond

 and Kelley's first dip

 The meadow section of the trail

 Back in the woods there are small streams and pools

When the trail reaches Jordan Stream there is a large pool that I follow the trail around. Kelley swims across and meets me on the other side.

We go up to the carriage road just after we pass under the cobblestone bridge.

There are usually people with their dogs on the carriage road but, at first, we met no one. Then near the end of the hike we met several people and dogs and this made Kelley happy.

There is a small beach area that is for children and dogs are prohibited. The other dogs went in and so Kelley followed.

There are steps she can't manage so I also had to help her up. A nice hike and Kelley did well except for the brief trespass. 2 hours.

5/31/16 Branch Lake

Warm sunny day - actually a bit too warm by the end when we were in the 80's. Once again I screwed up most of the pictures - maybe go back to the other camera ?

There were lots of lady slippers

Kelley found her way through the woods to some water

As I have mentioned before, much of the shore is a problem for Kelley. We went through brush to get to this  spot which looked promising  but it was not for her.

After finding the trail we proceeded to a spot where she could get in.

A pleasant day in the woods. There were other water opportunities for Kelley but the pictures turned out poorly. She did well and seemed OK with the heat. 2 hours