A shot from far away.

Shenandoah Fall Hike

More than likely this was the last good weather weekend of the fall season before the cold rains and eventual snows make indoor activities the norm. With everyone off for the weekend, the “East Coasters” of the family got the kids together for some hiking in the Shenandoah.

I did some Internet scouting of the mountains by Front Royal to find the popular Sky Line Drive manages to charge $15.00 to take some slow corners while viewing motor homes. The dogs won’t like that. The George Washington Forest National Park on the other hand offered more secluded trails (because leashes just are not for the woods) and free entry.

The views, while not as spectacular as from Sky Line Drive minus the motor homes, were supplemented by great scenery and dog and people friendly trails. The temperature was just right to hike with a sweater and the fall foliage was at its peak. The hike to Sherman’s Gap seemed historically appropriate but started downhill. For us 30 something’s with urban feet, I guided us to Shaw’s Gap, just a few miles from Sherman’s Gap. At just over five miles round trip with a manageable uphill first half, we all enjoyed a brilliant day of hiking and watching two very different puppies frolic at their leisure.

Hugo seems less amused being thrown in the back and smugs his nose up accordingly. Don't be fooled, he's sniffing for his food. Michael and Bernie warm the back seat up. The Liberty is no Suburban, but we all got along fine for our drive to the hills.

Bernie can't find Christy, and thus his seat. Michael is taking up his normal spot but we soon learn Bernie has no problems getting cuddly in someones lap.

Don't be fooled! Hugo isn't sad, lonely or shunned. He sleeps soundly on every car ride unless food is involved. He raise his head only for the Burger King breakfast being served up front. After a few bites, it was back to sleep.

Bernie finds some odd positions but I wonder what Christy will do when Bernie hits 80 pounds!

The fall foliage makes for a pretty drive.

No body of water goes untouched by ten month old Hugo as he shows his five month old cousin how to swim before the hike. Bernie puts his mountain dog skills to work by sporting a pack. I'm jealous Bernie is carrying his own supplies while I lug Hugo's. Before I can even thing about getting Hugo a backpack, Hugo reminds me of my place.

Beautiful streams, nice trails and an easy accent make for a memorable hike.

We are on our way and will lose the jackets soon. Hugo leads the way while constantly coming back at full speed to encourage the pack's movement. Unfortunately, he comes back and forth like a cannonball.

Cool Hugo find (before he tired to eat it), snake skin!

Break time! The supply truck, Bernie, took a bit of a spill as five months of dexterity shows its limits trying to follow Hugo down a steep slope at full speed. No worse for wear, a brief break shows the puppy's determination and we are back on track. Bernie does a nice job of staying with the group and marking the trail at regular intervals. How does he mark the trail? Here's a hint, no chalk!

Yummy views!

The Dutch and German in Hugo shows by him barking at the group to keep going.

At the top of Shaw's Gap.


Hugo is proud to have been the first to the top, several times. This is a rare shot of him a) visible and b) still. Bernie attends to our wounds whatever those may be while I later send Hugo on the hunt for food. Yeah, I wouldn't believe that either. We took glamour shots instead.

Tom's making sure his buddy is all ready for the downhill decent. Bernie did an exceptional job as a five month old trekking through the woods. I have no idea where Hugo is.

There's Hugo! What he doesn't realize is that we have the keys to the car and the food.

Lake Piedmont: Solitude Achieved

Cruising around this world brings views and moments of great excitement and stories for life. Yet moments such as this, laying in front of the wood stove, dog by my side and only the crackling of the fire and the sound of the keyboard breaking the peace, helps me reflect on those moments and stories. There is one more sound, the dog just sighed, clearly relaxed as we enjoy the evening on this cold fall night in Ohio.

Once off the highway, early 20th century farming communities greet me on the drive to the cabin.

This is only the begining of the fall beauty in S.E. Ohio.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, Piedmont Ridge Road is always a welcome sight.

Brakes, don't fail me now, the long driveway helps with the sense of occasion.

A view to the top of the drive and a spectacular Elm!

This is the first time the Honda has seen Jack Frost since 1996.

Michael is up at his sister’s in Cleveland preparing for his first half-marathon and I commandeered their family cabin at Lake Piedmont, OH. Solitude achieved, I’ve got two days to do absolutely nothing but relax and watch the puppy learn about nature. First things first, don’t howl back at the coyotes in the distance. They just might come! Regardless, the coyote howl is a beautiful sound and shivers cover the body thinking of the freedom that howl symbolizes. I look into the same dark sky filled with every constellation visible to the human eye. I let Hugo go at it with the return howls thinking for a city dog, this freedom is on limited availability. Makes me want to howl. Earlier, Hugo and I ventured into the forest to the lake. It’s hunting season and I didn’t want myself or Hugo to end up on the hood of a truck by mistake. I wore a big red hat while Hugo’s digs included the best money could buy from Cabela’s with an orange hunting collar and reflective vest. Not but a few feet into the woods and Hugo was off at full speed jumping and launching off logs, ducking under thickets and pretty much scaring any wildlife away. Even I had to watch out for the 70 pound mutt careening through the woods for no apparent reason at all. And that was fine. The morning was chilly with frost on the car and as the temperature rose just above freezing, fog developed. The ghostly trek through the woods led to a silent lake with no visibility the fog moved on shore. Typical of Hugo, no body of water goes untouched and it wasn’t long before he took to the lake instead of the woods. The deer got scared off in the woods and now the fish. Hugo’s rambunctiousness isn’t left to the woods alone. The speed of the fog increased and I knew the wind would blow away the clouds and bring some sunshine. Only an hour after sunrise, the lifting fog would bring a particularly beautiful view. The trees are just at peek for the season and the colors of the shore line glowed as the fog dissipated. The sun angled just right for brilliant colors. Slowly lake Piedmont came into view and behind us, a shallow fog moved away with the sun illuminating through the trees. The stillness was only interrupted by a hawk looking for breakfast. Even Hugo stood still either for the moment, or the hawk. We took our time negotiating the pathless woods back to the cabin with Hugo in the lead. Breakfast waits for both of us and Hugo knows too well a breakfast at the cabin will more than likely include everything he isn’t supposed to have. It’s amazing how much heat a wood stove puts out. Two logs and the whole room is filled with warmth. This moment could go on and I wouldn’t complain. Tomorrow brings the same world as it stands at the Lake Piedmont cabin. Hugo’s ears perk up and I wonder if he can hear the coyotes in the distance, a deer in the woods, or a chipmunk on the roof. Content he is, but perhaps tonight won’t be as peaceful as previously thought.

What was that?

Hugo's super dog cape comes in handy.

On the hunt!

Lake Piedmont

Hugo scares the fish with joy.

Devil dog rises from the lake.

No deer to bring home but a great stick!

Hugo's Autocross

Hugo is nearly 11 months old and I think is slowing down to a 70lb dog. He might fill out to 75lb but is certainly more manageable than the 100 pounder the vet expected. Still, he has enough working dog breed in him to make things at home challenging. What is needed is to challenge him and short of chasing rats and cats in Brooklyn, we went to our first rally class. Emphasis needs to be on OUR because this training for rally competition relies on the trainer and the dog. More so on the trainer.

Apparently a competition for retirees and house wives, I fit right in the group as the off-duty flight attendant. Most of the dogs are two to three years old and near masters at the sit, lay, be quiet programs. Hugo is a bit of a mess when it comes to being still. The indoor arena is set up with signs about every 15 feet. Each sign indicates a direction to command the dog. The dog is always on your left, handler in the middle and the sign on the right. This course had 20 signs. You start with the dog in a sit position and a proper one at that. A leash is optional. You make way to the next sign which my indicates another sit, then move on to the next sign which asks for a 360 turn to your right. This means the dog stays on the outside while you make small step turns to your right. Move to the next sign and is shows a cone slalom, right side first. Right turns, 270 turns, lay downs, etc. make up the course to the finish.

In a competition, you start with 70 points and lose points from that point on. If you use a leash, the more you tug on it, the more points taken away. If the dog doesn’t sit or lay proper, you lose points. If you don’t heal with your dog, you lose points. If you don’t turn pretty while the dog follows you, you lose points. Quite frankly, the dogs do fine. After my first run, I felt I was at an odd auto cross with my head spinning more than my tires. Hugo did very well for a puppy and my first time running the course. There were a couple pros that didn’t use the leash and few commands. The dogs paid absolute attention to the owner’s movements, hand signals and voice. Hugo paid great attention to something else and there were enough leash tugs to make scoring a mute point.

Still, this is a great opportunity to really teach a dog attention. We’ll keep at it as long as my off days correspond to the training days, but for Bernie and Rusty, might be a good thing to attend once to see what you think.

Hugo about blew up internally with all the direction and concentration, so I paid him a nice treat with the Atlantic ocean for some fun:

Hunting in the causeway.

Attack of the swans, but what are they doing in brackesh water?

Go get that wave!

You'd never guess he was having fun.

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Ukrainian winter. I wouldnt have it any other way!
Eric

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Our first snow. . .On the ground! Nice to wake up to this morning.
Eric

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Our first snow of the season! Soon to change to rain but we will take what we can get.
Eric