Our Norwegian Buhund, Lakka, turned four this week, so I chose this for her annual birthday hike. She has been practicing her on-leash trail manners ("step aside" when others pass, etc.) and doing really well, so when I read that dogs were allowed off-leash here I decided to give her a real-life voice command test and let her hike unattached. It was the perfect trial trail; we passed a total of five other hikers and two dogs (wearing packs, which puzzled Lakka) all of whom she greeted well; she checked in with me frequently and never wandered more than about 40 feet ahead or behind. I think she's growing up! The only thing she wasn't 100% enthusiastic about were the gorgeous log bridges--while I found them perfect (adequately wide and hand-railed for a middle-aged mom hiker) she found their height and the rushing water below scary and crossed right behind me, running by with a sigh of relief when she reached the other end!
So many delights on and along this trail: the rushing creeks; enough elevation gain in the first few miles to count as a good workout; gorgeous trail structures (in addition to the log bridges), drainage, and maintenance; huge cedars; spotted coralroot and bunchberry dogwood and wild ginger; cool shade and dappled sunlight; refreshing tributary crossings; and the glory of having the trail nearly to ourselves, even on a sunny July Friday. Plus we were traveling against traffic both directions (Ah, the glories of weekday hiking). And the wonderful waitress at the Cascadia Inn filled my travel mug with good, fresh coffee on the way up (OK, that's strictly a mom pleasure). And a strawberry rhubarb shake (tastes like pie in ice cream form, with just a hint of that rhubarb edge) from the Alpen Village Drive-In in Sultan. Lakka had a little taste (since it's her birthday) and pronounced it delicious, before curling up for a nap in her crate on the way home.
Comments