New Leash For Furry 5K

Evidently when you sign up for a 5K now days, you get on the email list for all kinds of things. That is what seems to have happened to me since running that little 5K in Snohomish a few weeks ago. I would bitch about it but I’ve found that I like what I’m getting! Case in point, “The Furry 5K” going on next weekend in Seattle. The proceeds go to the Seattle Human Society and I’m sure the race will be a real hoot ... er ... bark! Had to pick up a new leash for Bogie because I only had the “long as hell” retractable kind. The race requires a hard leash, no longer than 6 feet.

Saturday we went for a test run with the new leash and it was AOK. Bogie is a pretty smart dog and realized the difference and didn’t try his usual “I think I’ll pee on that bush just one acre over yonder” routine. The race is next Sunday and I’ll be sure to post pictures!

Iron Goat (June 2010)

I always enjoy the Iron Goat trail and this time was no different. We have had some pretty crappy weather lately and the outlook for Saturday was sunny. I took it on faith as we left early in the cloudy morning and timed the good weather almost perfect for arrival. Here is a link from last Septembers hike of the Iron Goat (click here).







This picture I snapped via the timer on my camera and it was attached to a gorillapod hanging upside down in a tree. Nice experiment!




FYI... I did have a rather startling moment though coming back down the road, a cougar ran across the path of the truck. I have never seen a cougar in the wild before and was quite startled by its sheer size. I am NOT a gun person by any means but this experience has me debating the merits of carrying one on hikes.

Lake 22 Hike (May 2010)

We have had some pretty crappy weather the last couple weeks and rumor had it that Sunday morning was our best chance for a nice hike. We took off about 7:30 AM and it turned out to be a great time. We arrived at Lake 22 before the crowds but met most of them on the way back. Bogie received his ample number of “he is such a cute puppy” accolades and even received a hug or two. Never mind that bogie is actually 11 years old, he wears it well.

My memory of the hike last year was that it was quick, pleasant and the undergrowth prevented me from circling the lake. The hike seemed longer and more challenging to me this year. At first, I thought it was because I did a long run yesterday afternoon. After looking at last years posting, I realized it was because I had sandwiched this hike between a couple other long hikes and that made it seem short. Here is a link to last years hike. http://dwayneworld.blogspot.com/2009/09/tuesday-afternoon-hike-to-lake-22.html



Lots more water this time around and that made this late May hike a totally different one than a late September one. The waterfalls were more vibrant, loud and made the trail a bit moist in areas.


Midway through the hike you can see some great panoramas of the mountain range.




The lake was awesome and almost as great as Heather Lake (which I posted recently and that I hike often). The trail head for each of these lake hikes are next door neighbors but I don’t know how far apart they are actually.


This year, we actually made it around the lake. It was very nice and Bogie was able to get his rolling in the snow fix in.

Some folks like to play with rocks on their hikes. I mentioned this back on my Headlee Pass hike last year. In that case, it helps keep hikers on the correct path. Here it is simply fun!







Some more pictures as we trekked around the lake.



On the way back, hit a small bit of the trail that was quite mossy!

Turbo Checking Us Out

Heard a weird noise this morning and couldn't place it. Turned out to be my neighbor in the next townhome dog noticing I was taking bogie for a walk.

Heather Lake - May 2010

Since becoming a cube monkey again, I can only hike on weekends. Today’s was a quick trip to Heather Lake (about a hour from the house). Bogie and I rocked it out pretty quickly and even made it completely around the lake. I think it is about 5 miles round trip with just about 1/3 of it rocky switchbacks. There was a decent amount of snow at the lake and that actually help matters. We were able to walk on the snow pack on top of the last seasons avalanche damage. The early start allowed us to miss most of the crowds but the parking lot was getting full as we left. Forgot to snap a picture but met a hiker as we were coming down that was taking his 11 week old black lab puppy for his first hike. How cool!

Huge stump with a tree growing out of it.

At the lake, great day!

Whoa, must have left the zoom setting on!

Snow dog is quite happy!







Next three pictures a me experimenting with the cameras timer!





Mountains surrounding the lake.