10/10/16 Little Long Pond

Fifty degrees and sunny but very windy. Drought continues so back to a hike with sure water.

I always take a shot from this end of the pond.

Because of the wind it was impossible to do close ups except of leaves on the ground

Kelley didn't get far into the pond because the wind ruffled the surface which she does not like- when at the ocean she won't go in if there are waves.

She didn't give me much for photos today. When we got to Jordan Stream she was under the bridge.

A little way into the pond at the end.

Pretty good hike except for the wind which wasn't bad when we were in the woods. Kelley did well and though we didn't meet anyone on the east side there were lots of people, dogs, and even horses on the east side carriage road and that made her happy. She's not sure what to make of horses but is not skittish around them and doesn't disturb them and so the horse people didn't mind her walking along. 1  3/4 hours 

10/7/16 Moose Ponds - Fall Colors

This is part of Little Moose Public Reserved Lands. Sunny and 60's and we hadn't been here in a long while. It was also sure water.

Start of the trail - Kelley was very enthusiastic and running ahead - she likes variety.

 Slate steps we have just come down- she wouldn't wait for me to get her on the steps.

Big Moose Pond

Kelley in the pond - she doesn't pose so I couldn't get a nice background

Little Moose Pond

In Little Moose

 One more shot of the pond

At this point I thought we ought to turn around for Kelley's sake but she seemed ready to continue so we took the Loop Trail up Little Moose Mt. for the great views of the ponds from there.

However it had been a long time since we had been on this trail and it was not maintained as well as the other trails. There had been some erosion and soon we hit a spot Kelley couldn't get up. We ended up bushwhacking a good ways and through the brush and rocks up to the trail. I still had to help her up several times. Then the actual trail was in much worse condition when last we did it so more helping her up and over.

But then you get the views. This is a pano that needs to be clicked separately for the large size.




And a couple more shots from other spots on the trail

Back at Big Moose on the Loop Trail - we were both glad to be back on this nice trail

Just before the end of the hike she found a nice muddy spot

A good hike on a beautiful day in spite of the problems. I had a sore back from lifting Kelley and she slowed down about the 3 hour mark but still seemed happy. 3 1/2 hours ( last time we did this hike it took 3 hours )

10/5/16 Branch Lake

Sunny and 50's - a beautiful day. We rarely meet anyone here but today near the start we met two separate women each with a dog and that made Kelley happy .

Picked this hike because of sure water and Kelley found a small stream even before we got to the lake

Few flowers so the ferns stood out today

Branch Lake has a rocky shore and lots of brush, making it a challenge for Kelley to get to the water.

Working her way between the rocks

Another section of shore

 with easier access

I also found some interesting fungi

These were tiny, the largest being about 1/4 inch across

A nice hike. Kelley was enthusiastic and did well. 1  1/2 hours

10/3/16 DeMeritt Forest and Stillwater River

Fifties and mostly sunny but Kelley was not very enthusiastic today. I thought we would do a short hike in the forest and then she would get the river.

Not really fall colors

As expected, this stream was dry

We took the Green Trail which is often wet but Kelley only found a puddle smaller than she.

OK - off to some real water. Kelley was in the little cove even before we got to the river ( in the background) .

The Stillwater - you can see hints of the coming color

Best shot she would give me of her in the river.

The cove was pretty

and Kelley was right back in.

and then swam across.

A pleasant hour. Kelley happy with the water and though not very enthusiastic did well. 

9/30/16 Partridge and Ducktail Ponds

50 degrees and sunny- no wind- good hiking. Headed here because there was sure water.

Start of the trail showing leaves are still mostly green

Partridge Pond- leaves are just starting to turn

 Kelley  was happy when we reached the pond because the small streams and pools on the way were all dry.

Two shot pano- please click separately for large view



Back in the water

 The pond from the ledge where we had our apple break

Reindeer Lichen and wintergreen

Ducktail Pond looked to be quite low

Kelley avoided the reeds and chose a section of the stream that runs out of the pond

Was only 60 when we finished so a very comfortable hike. We met no one and Kelley did well. 1  1/2 hours