our first spring hike

Yesterday we followed up on my resolve to go hiking more often. I have a tendency to get focused on my to-do list, and not give myself enough down-time. The list is always there; what's the difference if something gets done this week or next week? If we're not working, and it's not raining or too hot, and I don't have a writing deadline, I have to remember: go. Just go. So that's what we did.

We went to Hockley Valley, and had a great hike through woods - still bare - and meadows. Following up on what you guys told us, I see on my map of Ontario that there are dozens of provincial parks and conservation areas straight up Highway 10. I guess saw I this last year, too, but I was more focused on getting to know our own area, exploring the nearby section of the Waterfront Trail, Mississauga, and Toronto. As I mentioned in that earlier post, it's a huge difference in my life to have nature - for lack of a better word - so nearby and accessible.

The dogs had a great day. We were very pleased to see Cody still going strong, walking easily without strain, enjoying the long walk. She has to be almost 10 now, and we watch her carefully for signs of aging, having lost all our dogs before they reached 12. But she's doing great.

Tala was insane the whole way up in the car, the whole hike, and the whole way back. Young dogs are amazing. How can a dog bark at every car on the road for 2 hours, then walk 5 kilometres, then bark at every car on the way back, and then come home and chase birds off the lawn?! She clearly missed the memo directing dogs, on the way back from a hike, to be sacked out, sleeping, all the way home. This must be the famed Husky stamina. Meanwhile, we've added barking-at-cars-on-the-highway to our list of behaviours to work on with her.

As for me, I'm in heaven. Here's my idea of a perfect day. Spend a gorgeous spring afternoon walking in the woods with my sweetie and our pups, come home and grill dinner, hang out sipping wine enjoying the peaceful green of our backyard while the dogs lounge in the grass, then watch a ball game at night, and the Red Sox win.