dragon_moon

Going faster on the new uphill trail is not a really good idea when it's been 5 days since the last hike and it's hot with no breeze. lol. Almost made myself sick, and then settled down to a more reasonable pace to maintain. Forgot my cap, too. I hate things like that. lol.

Saw a huge garter snake today!! He was beautiful. I'd guess he was between two and three feet long, and a couple inches in diameter. Ahhh, so pretty!! Didn't get to see him for very long, because while he and I were frozen in shock, Nate came thundering down the trail and leapt whatever I was looking at (If it's not moving or making sounds, the dogs simply do NOT see anything! LOL) and so he moved off into the grass at that time. He stopped where I could still see the last few inches of his tail, and I was tempted to see if I could pull him out, but didn't want to traumatize him and was a bit chicken myself, so I just very lightly brushed him and off he went.

Then later we saw a deer way down the hill, but it was too far away to even try to get a picture of. Still, very cool to actually see a deer, we've not seen many lately at all. So, yay!!! And despite the heat, I actually did make it up the Cow's Face (very steep trail) without stopping for more than one three-second breather. Whew! Was a very nice morning.