4/23/17 Along the Kenduskeag Stream

Forty five and cloudy but better than the colder rainy days we've had. I am dog sitting with a friends dog which I keep on a leash out of caution ( leash has been cloned out of pics) . Cooper is much smaller than Kelley and not as interested in water as she is.

The small stream at the start is ice free but still no signs of spring.

Neither dog takes direction so it's difficult to get them in the same picture

Kelley, of course, found some very muddy water to get into.

The Kenduskeag is also finally ice free

Heading back.

Both dogs did well - Kelley showed more enthusiasm than she has in some time. We did only did one hour in deference to Cooper's short legs. 

4/17/17 Perch Pond

Cloudy and 45 degrees. Kelley was not into it and lagged behind until we got to the small pond which was. at least. no longer frozen.

After her dip she sat and did not want to go farther so we headed back. We had left the parking area on the old woods road but returned on the trail through the woods where Kelley found water in a small stream.

Once we were headed back she took the lead. There were still sections with snow.

Not our best or most interesting hike but we got an hours exercise and Kelley got wet.

4/15/17 Newman Hill

Fifties and sunny. Kelley was not enthusiastic this morning but I did get her to the trails and out of the car.  She did better once we got moving and I knew she would like all the water here.

The trails were mostly clear but there were still some patches of snow.

The beaver pond looked kind of stark and wintry still

There were a bunch of limbs and branches at the end of the pond which made it difficult for Kelley to get in and out but she managed.

Pine Pond was also wintry looking but we met a man and his dog and that made Kelley happy.

A pleasant hike but Kelley moved slower than usual. We did get an hour and a half's exercise and that was good.

4/13/17 Partridge Pond

Forty five degrees, mix of sun and clouds, and a few sprinkles but a pretty nice day


Trail looked good at the start

Lots of water around ( Kelley was happy) and a small stream I don't remember seeing before

In addition to lots of water there was still snow in spots

The pond had lost much of it's ice.

We usually wade the small stream that comes out of the pond to get to the ledge on the other side but the water was too high today. Kelley got a swim- I didn't get the picture.

On the way back we  usually take the side trail to Ducktail Pond but the trail into Partridge had a surprising amount of snow that was difficult for Kelley ( deep enough that breaking  through and fell)  so we skipped Ducktail.

There was plenty of water to keep Kelley happy

Turned out to be a not bad hike and a nice day in the woods. Kelley did well for the 1 1/2 hour hike.

4/10/17 Newport Rail Trail

Had to go to Newport to Kelley's vet to pick up some meds. I'm also dog sitting with a friends dog. After the vet we did a walk on the old rail bed.

Mostly muddy but still some snow

The lake was still frozen

 but there was lots of water in ditches

I took Cooper's leash off in hopes of getting a picture of the dogs together but cooper took off and I had to chase her down. Good thing she has short legs.

We had a nice hours walk on a warm ( 70 degrees) sunny day

4/8/17 Branch Lake

We have had a long sting of gray days with rain or drizzle. Kelley was not interested in hiking so we  just walked around the neighborhood and one brief walk downtown, I was getting worried about Kelley. This morning was still gray with possible rain but I needed to get some exercise and decided Kelley was coming too.

Start of the Tote Rd. from the parking lot - some sections had snow and some were clear.

but there was water for Kelley

When we got on the trail in the woods there were sections with a surprising amount of snow and other sections with little.

This stream had been frozen last time we were here.

The lake was still mostly frozen with some melting near the shore

Bog bridges in the wet woods- some of these Kelley will use and others she goes around

Another little stream

After a slow start Kelley did very well and I was happy she seemed back to her old self. A pretty good hike on a dreary day but peaceful as we met no one, though there had been a car in the lot when we arrived. 1 3/4 hours

4/2/17 Marsh Island

Yesterday Kelley hiked with friends and their dog and I was not along.

Sunny and 42. First choice was Perch Pond but we couldn't get off the road to park at either of the trailheads on Kirkland Rd.- also the trails had had no use. Next stop Marsh Island where we knew we could park.


The trails were mostly in good shape with packed snow.

Kelley did not want to follow the usual route so we ended up on unfamiliar trails with no signs, hence the question mark on the map. Eventually we crossed a know trail and I think Kelley was glad as the other trails had had little use and were harder walking.

Not much water but water

She usually gets in this stream but the snow kept her out today

The Penobscot was high and the banks steeper than usual

 but she got in.

From there we headed back. Nice hike on a pretty day. Except for a single biker we had the place to ourselves and Kelley did well.