Back before Delilah joined our pack, Hubby, Sampson and I hiked every weekend. With Delilah it was just too hard. She pulled and lunged and I basically gave it up.

I was determined though, to get back to hiking again because Sampson and I love it so.

When we moved to our current house one of the draws was the surrounding trails.

Just about two years ago, I started walking the dogs in the small park at the top of the street.

If you’re a long time follower, you know we’ve had some highs and lows up there, but for the most part Delilah has been doing well.

I must have been a pioneer in another life because I began to think it was time for a change of scenery.

Hubby and I discussed it and he agreed to hike with us last weekend.

I’d heard some nice things about a place called Belding Wildlife Management Area, a spot not too far from where we live. So Sunday afternoon we loaded the dogs in the car and off we went.

I was hoping there would be an area where I could let Delilah off leash for some run time, so I didn’t put her harness on her.

**Note to self, when taking your dog to a new area full of new smells, be sure she wears her harness.**

There were more people than I cared for, so she stayed on leash and dragged me all over creation.

 

A marker with a little bit of history on it.

 

Almost as soon as we entered the trailed area, we came upon a pond. There was a couple with a free running dog on the other side.  They grabbed the dog and said, “He’s friendly.”  I was more concerned with Delilah going for a swim so on we trudged.

This fireplace is all that remains of a cabin the Belding family used on their trips to the property.  The cabin burned down in 2001.

Hubby saw a stream and wanted to check it out, I couldn’t get a picture because my hands were full of chocolate.  She was actually whining, she wanted in so bad.

We followed the trail and I noticed something in the trees off to my left.  I crossed the stream and found a small cluster of trees that someone had decorated festively.

There was probably about ten decorated trees in all.  An unexpected holiday surprise in the middle of the woods.

We stayed on the main trail and walked clear to the other side of the sanctuary where we discovered a waterfall.

There was a random chunk of rock, it’s a bad positioning of Sampson because he’s in front of the piece of rock that’s colored similar to the way he is.

On the way back I had to get a picture of the fog that hung low over the ground, illuminated by the sun poking through the trees.

As we passed close to the stream, Delilah managed to jump in just long enough to get herself wet.  She was too quick for the camera.  When she came out I looked at her and asked, “Are you happy now?”

She was.

How do your dogs do when they are out exploring new places?  Are they tuggers?  How do you work a dog in a new area full of smells and still keep it enjoyable for both of you?