Wordless Wednesday 2/2 -- Winter's Majesty

Winter Magic

Bunny here at the keyboard to tell you about our weekend adventure.

Morgan has had a bad case of cabin fever since we didn't get to hike the last couple of weekends.  I think Mom might have had a touch of it, too.  She said she was feeling much better after her bronchitis and so we decided we were going to go for a hike.  This time we went back to Matthiessen State Park.  If you look at the link, it will show you what it looked like there back in September.

We had heard that it is beautiful in the Winter, and it's true.  The waterfalls and cliffs look like something you'd see in an enchanted forest.  A lot of people come there to cross country ski and hike this time of year, and we saw quite a few people out.  We were pleasantly surprised to see so many people, and even another dog there.

Since the waterfalls are what the park is known for in the winter, we took the lower trail through the Upper Dells.  It leads past several very pretty waterfalls.  I'm afraid that the Giant's Bathtub was quite frosty this time of year.  I hope he's not planning on taking a bath anytime soon.

It wasn't surprising that we didn't see any wildlife this time.  I know there are a lot of deer there -- it was originally known as Deer Park, but they were scarce.  We did see a lot of footprints, though.  Even though they are good at hiding from people, there are a lot of animals still in the park.

I know some people think it's too cold to go out hiking this time of year.  We were disappointed that Aunt Julie and Ruby decided not to come with us at the last minute.  After we got started walking, we were all plenty warm.  Going out hiking this time of year allows you to see spectacular sights that you never dreamed could exist, though. 

It's also nice because it gives you time with your humans that you don't always get with the distractions of home.  You go out with your family and it's just you and the sights to enjoy.  That's a pretty good reason to go out right there if you ask me.

Of course, all that fresh air does wear you out.  It makes for a nice nap on the way home, too.  Those after a hike naps are the best kind.  While I was sleeping, I was already dreaming of the next hike.  I hear Mom and Dad have one planned for us for next weekend that we haven't done before.  I can't wait!

Packing At Matthiessen

Bunny here, with another tale of our adventures from Sunday.
You may remember that Saturday Blueberry and I went to the Greyhound reunion without Lilac and Morgan.  Our apologies to the people there who were disappointed by Morgan's absence.  We didn't think it prudent to inflict a twenty two month old Shepherd puppy on our refined Greyhound friends.

Anyroo, Dad felt bad that Morgan didn't get to go out and I admit, I missed getting out and stretching my legs with her, too.  She got her new Wolf Pack and was dying to try it out on a trail.  So, Sunday we went up to Matthiessen State Park.  It was Morgan and Dad's second visit this year, but it was the first time I'd been there.

I have to say that we really had a great time.  It got a little warm, but we went in the water and cooled off along the way, so it wasn't too bad.  We also found this neat little secret passage through one of the hills.  I'm guessing that it's pretty old.  The park was originally called "Deer Park" and was named after Frederick William Matthiessen.  He was a wealthy man who bought the land near the end of the nineteenth century and hired about fifty people to construct trails, bridges, stairways and dam checks around the dells that exist in the area.  There are some beautiful waterfalls along the upper and lower dells and about five miles of hiking trails.  There are some neat lodges and forts on the area, too.  After Mr. Matthiessen died, the park was donated to the state and it was opened to the public as a state park in 1943.  It was renamed after Mr. Matthiessen at that time, too.

We hiked up to the upper dells this time and saw Matthiessen Lake where it flows into the dells.  It was great to see a lot of other dogs out on the trails enjoying the park with their people.  Fortunately, none of the other dogs saw me jump into the water that was too deep near the Giant's Bathtub and have to be reeled in by Mom.  It turns out that I still don't float!  She pulled me back, took off her shoes and walked around the shallow part with me.

A lot more people seemed to want to pet and talk to Morgan with her pack on, too.  I found a boxer named Abby that I wanted to play with, but our moms both said no.  We also saw another German Shepherd named Gryffindor who had his own pack.  We didn't ask him what he carries in his pack, though!

Now that it's starting to get cooler, Dad is planning all kinds of fun hikes for us.  I hope that means I get to collect more patches for my back pack.  It makes me really happy when Dad says I'm "the ultimate Greyhound."  It's also great to talk to so many people on the trails about Greyhounds, too, but I can't believe that they're all surprised to see me out there.  Sure, I'm made of spun sugar and I melt in the rain like any other Greyhound, but I'm not made of china!  I can get out there and have fun, too.