Monday, May 12, 2014

Remembering...

 
                                       
                                           "THESE COLORS DON'T RUN!"

                             "And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
                          Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still  there."      
  

In memory of all who lost their lives on 
                         9/11/01
                     NY- DC- PA

Bernie 2004-2010

Wednesday, October 26, 2011


HIGH ... on the AKD HIGH PEAKS!

What a grand adventure mom shared with me the last week of July!
We headed out for a week of exploring, fun, and frolic in the most beautiful high 
peaks in the Adirondaks.  It's about a 250 mile drive and we stopped  for a delicious
healthy lunch at McDonalds.  I am partial to the "double cheeseburger and fries". 
Soon after we arrived at the Sharp Bridge campground.  As luck would have it we 
had one the nicest sites there which  I won't divulge on a public blog.  It was most 
spacious, but to access it we had to drive down a path which mom thought 
resembled a hiking trail.  Good thing she drives an FJ cruiser and I have nerves of 
steel.
                










We did lots of exploring all week and on Sunday prior to our departure we hiked
with Dot Meyer who is a very special elderly woman ( 80's), who still guides hikes
for the Green Mountain Club in VT.  Her hiking accomplishments are too
numerous to mention but suffice it to say that she is one very remarkable woman.
Mom tells me that she is her "inspiration"  and she promises to never give 
up doing what she loves. She says she might  have to modify but will never quit! 
I am so fortunate to have such a good mom but she sure is lucky to have me as a 
pup.

Unfortunately I cannot post pics of that hike because this is a public forum and I
do not want to disrespect  people's privacy.  We hiked up to Blueberry Ledges on the
Giant Mt trail,  approximately 4 miles round trip.  I was only 9 months old and this
was my most difficult hike  yet.  Mom is very careful with my legs because I am a
growing pup and she tells me that if we stress them out too much early on, I might
sustain permanent joint damage and we certainly don't want any of that.I do have
some Panosteitis (growing pains), so we take it easy.  I will grow out of that
condition soon I hope.  It can be a little painful and makes me lame.  It certainly 
was hot that day but there were some running streams that I could wander in and 
out of.  Not many but enough to get me cooled down some.

We did not care much for Lake Placid.  Way too much hustle and bustle.  The ski
jump was wonderful.  I was not allowed out of the car but mom checked it out and
got to see some of our "olympic hopefuls" doing some practice runs.  She was so
happy and returned with a nice Olympic style "ski jump" sweatshirt.  I like it
because it has a large front pocket which my mom keeps filled with delicious dog
treats.
                   
























We explored hills and valleys, ponds and waterfalls.  It is so beautiful and the peaks
 are so HIGH and WILD!    We had supper every night  at the Noonmark diner.
My standard fair was a hot dog and ice cream.  Do I ever love vacations!!!
Mom raves about their homemade blueberry pie.  The Mountaineer is a terrific
gear store in Keene Valley. We highly recommend it for all your hiking needs.
 Nice people.
                 



















One of my most exciting moments was when we arrived at the trail head  for  our 
Giant Mt hike.   I could not believe my dog eyes.  There were no less that 7 dogs,
many of them off leash and most were youngsters like myself running wild and free! I had never seen that many dogs all gathered in one place and we met them again on the trail on our way
 back.  I sure did have a great time romping with them.  Their owners were so fun to.  
There was one BIG fella, much bigger than myself, and he was only 9 months old.  I 
could have easily fallen in love but we did not have much time for courting. He was
 sporting an empty saddle bag.  I think he might have been in training for 
backpacking!    We did not reach the peak but that was not our intention.  We did 
pick lots of blueberries on the ledges and I LOVEeating them.
                         
Too soon we were on the way home but it surely was a wonderful experience and my first in the very big mountains. Can't wait to see more.  A great time was had by all.  Goodnight!





















                  
                    "Whatever joy you seek, it can be achieved by yourself; 
                     whatever misery you seek, it can be found by yourself."

                                                            -Bhutanese Proverb

               
                     

Tuesday, May 6, 2014


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A NEW BEGINNING

A hiker is born, Molly Sierra, on 10/12/2010.
Arrived home on 12/11/10



On her first "hike" at Look Park in NOHO, she was accompanied by her loyal guarding, Kodi, an 11 yr old Akita.  Unfortunately Molly and Kodi no longer walk together because they could be referred to as  "the tortoise and the hare. "Mom" is somewhere in between.

Molly loved winter travel and made the most of each remaining heap of snow until it had all melted.  She thoroughly enjoyed climbing up and sliding down the large banks of snow over and over again. Making dog angels was another favorite.
Waiting for homemade cookies. "Oh so good!"
 Love those crocs.   "I want my very own pair."
In typical puppy fashion, Molly is devouring knowledge and requires constant watching.
Spring has sprung. Molly is now 6months of age and learning how to "walk on water".  She has incredible energy and strength, but I am careful not to overdo because she is still a growing pup, and will be for some time to come.  The prediction is ~ 100lbs!

We are planning a summer filled with many adventures in the mountains of NH and VT.  Molly unfortunately has had an ongoing problem with her urinary track since age 3 months. She has several wonderful and highly skilled vets caring for her.   We thought she might be turning the corner because she was much improved over the last two weeks, but she has relapsed once again.  As I type this I am waiting for a call from her specialist to see where we go from here.
The good news is Molly has very high energy and seems undaunted by what could be a serious health problem.  More on this later. Keep your fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Ever  onward and upward!

"MAY YOUR TRAILS BE CROOKED, WINDING, LONESOME, DANGEROUS, LEADING TO THE MOST AMAZING VIEW. MAY YOUR MOUNTAINS RISE INTO AND ABOVE THE CLOUDS."
                                      -EDWARD ABBEY

 






1 comment:

  1. I love it! Molly is cute as a button and Kodi looks as majestic as any matriarch should. I love Molly in your backpack. I had to do that once with Rama when he was around 4 months old I think...we hiked the Kinsman Ridge trail and poor little guy either drank bad water or was totally pooped but he quit on the second day, I had to farm out my gear to my co-hikers to pack the dog! He was ill for about a week after that, but thank goodness decided he wanted to hike again and recovered to be my best friend.
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