Dog days afternoon......

This day simply had to be one of the best days I had going up to the trail this year.

The days was beautiful, the weather was perfect...it got up to at least 28 degrees Celsius.  It was awesome.
We started out very early in the morning, it was around 700am, the sun was just peaking out, it was warm already and I knew this day was going to be great.
We were going to a part of the trail that I had not been on this year yet, so I was pretty excited.

My friend took his puppy, she is very sweet.  She is 16 weeks old and a border collie, German Shepherd cross and a bundle of energy.
I was a wee bit worried about the bears as they are wandering around like crazy...eating everything is sight to get fat for winter hibernation.

So I took all my normal stuff, got in the truck had the dog and away we went.

The blueberries are still out there is such abundance, it still amazes me.  So naturally I got my belly full.  They are sweet now as the sun has really been shining on them, and they are just ripe for the eating.  Yummmmm..... The dog even like them:)

So a little bit about me a hiking.
1.  I like to stick to the trail, I don't like to go bush banging out in the middle of no mans land and not know where I am going.
2.  I don't like trying to make a trail in amongst blueberry bushes that are taller then me...and yes they do exist.
3.  Before I agree to go bush banging out in the middle of no mans lands, the person that is leading must know where they are going at all times....I have a compass, but no GPS.
4. I love being out in mother nature and all her glory, I love experiencing new places, and seeing new things. ...SAFELY.
5. I am prepared so the other person needs to be too.
6. I am very easy going, but can be very outspoken when it comes to my safety, knowing my limits, and if you are willing to teach me something new...well I am all for it.:)

A little about my friend.
1.  He does not like sticking to the trail...he loves to wander in the middle of no mans lands, through thick bush.
2.  He will try to make a trail out of nothing, including tall blueberry bushes, thick underbrush, over dead tress, and rocky cliffs.
3.  He thought he would try to trick me more than consult me...(that BTW did not work).
4.  He said he knew where he was going...but I had a few doubts.
5.  He was prepared, and he knew what he was doing in the middle of the forest.
6.  He taught me a few new things and what to look for (yes I was impressed).
7.  He thought I may not know everything I was doing (boy was he in for a surprise).

So in the end, the day was a great start.  We did start on the trail, made it of one of the cabins for lunch.
Then he took me for a hike around and thorough a very large meadow (off the trail).

So know where you are 101.

1.  Know where the sun is check compass for general direction, look for hills and valleys (make sure you have the right one).
2.  When going in a very large circle, still look at the hills, and check the sun..you should also know the time, and which way the sun is going...ya know the basics.
3.  Enjoy the mind boggling sights, enjoy the smells, the view and the colors.
4.  always know which way the sun is..........
5. Always have your camera...ready...

We went through this beautiful meadow, that had many ponds, great lakes, we discovered how mother nature starts she painting for fall colors early on the mountain...tis beautiful.
The day was so hot, hardly a breeze.
There we wild flowers still blooming...that came in the spring.
I could hear the odd frog.
I could see tadpoles in some of the ponds...
I think mother nature is a wee bit confused.
It had been so cold up there most of the year, and now it is very hot.
We are having an Indian summer...
I did not want to come home, I wanted to stay and just enjoy all the great smells.
I could smell the berries, and the leaves of the trees.
I could smell the sap of the fir, and the white pine needle trees.
I literally got a sun burn on my face, the sun was so bright and warm.
It will be a day I remember for along time.
Fall is quickly approaching, and I am holding on to the warm days and nights...
But soon enough it will be cooler up on that mountain range, I love all the fall colors...I will go back before the snows.

We even saw bear tracks, some martin, deer and elk....but not a wild animal in sight...thank goodness.

Thanks for coming with me, I hope you enjoyed the day!!!!!!!