Dinner in Draper

   "Live underwater"?! Of course I'd find the scuba cart at the grocery store on a snowboarding trip to Utah!

   Extensive beer selection at the condo. Thinking of Trish!

   Putting Brett to work. Shopping & cooking for 5 is harder than for 1, it turns out.

Buckeye and Luckyboy

   Greetings from on high #jenandrafael #snowboarding #buckeye #luckyboy

I feel right at home here in Park City. In fact, I love it!!!!!!

Sunset at Clinton Lake

I finally posted photos from my Clinton Lake hike on 3/25...

A Hiking We Will Go

   Rafael unexpectedly came in to town from Rochester and had Sunday free, and the weather was GORGEOUS ( spring arrived about a month ahead of schedule due to "the winter that never was", but I don't hear anyone complaining!).  We figured those were all the excuses we needed for a hike, so we piled into my Rav and drove out to Clinton Lake.
   It's amazing how everything has greened up and blossomed in the last couple of weeks. It really is miraculous how quickly it happens. Between that, and the fact that I haven't been hiking since my surgery over seven weeks ago, this outing was particularly appreciated. The dogs could barely contain themselves—and didn't! We pulled into the parking lot, and Rafael opened the back gate, and the dogs flew out and into the woods in the blink of an eye. Leash-less, of course. It was impossible to tell which way they went—the trail split off shortly upon entering the woods, and the tall, impossibly green grasses concealed them.
   Apparently it was a day of miracles, because Aki answered my calls and was back with me just  a few minutes later. And Tay—the one I was really concerned about—obediently returned a few minutes after her. I guess if everything has to be on his terms, but he returns safely, that may be the best I can hope for. But I could tell our training sessions over the last few weeks are WORKING.

brilliant green

Taylor spontaneously posed for Brett

(and for me)

   There were lots of firsts: the dogs found a snake & millipede, &amp Taylor repeatedly jumped for joy (actually, he was jumping because he wanted to EAT the snake!)

   Aki swam for the very first time... by accident. A guy in a boat came somewhat close to the shore, & she took off to try to catch him. It was just like the old Looney Tunes cartoons, where Wile E. Coyote runs straight off a cliff, and hangs midair until he realizes he ran off the cliff, then reacts. Aki leapt into the water valiantly, got up to her ears & you could see the look on her face: "Oh no! This water is WET!! I have to get OUT!!!" She hurried back to shore. It was very funny. (And now, just imagine observing the 3 of us idiots trying to get into & out of a kayak!)

We also found a new lil' friend... (click to see more)

    Afterward, we drove through Lawrence to have dinner at Free State. The traffic was slightly insane as we neared town. Suddenly Rafael said, I think KU might be playing tonight. Yep, it was the Sweet 16 game, which fortunately was live in St. Louis. Campus was mobbed with celebrating students. But through some stroke of luck, we easily found a parking spot past Mass St., walked right into Free State (pass a mob of kids drinking beer out of plastic cups), and got a table with NO wait. Amazing! The end to a perfect afternoon: a Cyclist (beer + lemonade) and a bison burger.

Lucky Find

   I have to credit Taylor for this one... We were walking on the rocks along the shore, trying to make our way back to the trail, when Taylor suddenly lurched—he had found a ribbon snake! It was slender and quick, and did NOT want to be eaten by a portly Shiba, so it took off. I struggled to keep up with it. It finally circled the trunk of a small tree and turned to stare us down. While Taylor held it there, I went behind the tree and nabbed it!

   I've always loved snakes, ever since I was a young child. I think they're beautiful and fascinating. I don't think I'd handle the poisonous variety, but I don't see many snakes, so I can resist handling the harmless ones. (The worst part is that they spray musk all over your hands in an attempt to scare you away... Gross! But these lil' guys are too small to bite you.)

This snake is a little feistier than I thought—watch your nose!!!

A snake bracelet. A snakelet.

Rafael takes his turn, with Taylor supervising closely:

By the time Brett got it, the snake was more docile:

Surprise 10k Day!

   This morning I set out at 7:15 am (in freezing weather, no less) for what I thought would be about a 3-mile trail run at Shawnee Mission Park with my 2 Shibas + 2 friends, Rafael & Brett. Brett brought his pup, Sam, with him too. I *always* let Aki off the leash, and she *always* stays in view & comes right back to me. Not today. About 2.5 miles into the run, she took off after a squirrel. We kept running, as we always do. She loses the chase and then catches up. Today, apparently, she got lost.

   Rafael, Brett and Sam continued on the orange loop, looking for her. I went back out across the street and down to the lake, because I had heard a lot of geese honking and assuming Aki was out there chasing them. Nope. I ran all along the north side of the lake, calling for her, and at the northwest corner where the trailheads are, I hopped onto the violet trail, not wanting to leave any stone unturned. As violet looped back into orange, I heard Rafael calling for me. Aki had been following a couple of women, then saw Rafael and remembered him, and followed him. Brett stashed her in his car.

   I ran 6.2 miles before she was found. And do you know where she showed up? Same place where we last saw her. And there I am, running around ALL the other trails thinking she was far afield!  Naughty, naughty Shiba!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   On the bright side, Taylor and I ran a 10k! And we've both been lounging on the couch ever since. I wish more races allowed dogs to run, too... this guy is awesome!