Christmas morning at Gramma’s house, Mom woke us up at six to head outside for a long nature walk. It started out in the darkness, but as we walked on, the sun started to come up. We were only carrying our phone, so the photos aren’t all real beautiful, but it was better than nothing.
The road through Sherwood Forest has a lot of hills and turns, so we woke up quickly with our drill sargent marching us along. It wasn’t real cold, but still cold enough for everything to be frozen. Once we left the forest, we hit the trails that would take us through some more wooded areas, and eventually a swamp.
When Mom, Katie, and Emma stayed with Gramma for a few months after moving back from Germany, they walked these trails a lot. Bailie has also walked here with Emma, but it was my first time. Usually when we are at Gramma’s house, we don’t have time, it is too hot, too wet, or in the winter, it can be too much snow. Finally I got to check this area out!
Along the way, we had to walk on the road for a stretch which ended at a playground right before the trail started up again. I posed with a knight. The playground was a castle themed place.
Bailie got to pose in an opening that is supposed to look like the cut out of a crown.
Both Bailie and I were super busy sniffing! During dawn, the critters are all out, leaving their scents all over the place. Our noses were getting a real workout. Stopping for photos was hard because of all the critters running around. Mom was afraid we might take off on her if we saw a critter go by. In some places we even found fresh deer tracks. I’m sure they were from Santa’s reindeer.
For Mom is was a sad but therapeutic walk. She talked to us all along about when she used to walk there with Emma and Katie. Lots of tears were shed, but no other fools were out at that time of day on Christmas, making it a good time to be emotional. Emma and Katie put down a lot of miles on the Minnetonka Loop Trail System.
Eventually, we were at the long path home to Sherwood Forest and Gramma’s house. The whole walk took almost two hours, but it was a ton of fun. Bailie and I were tuckered out! We had our breakfast including a scrambled egg, and then we settled in for a nice Christmas morning nap. Walking in new places or places we rarely walk is always so much fun!
Our friends at Living Laughing and Barking in Our Backyard is hosting a nature Friday blog hop for the winter. Since we are out in nature, I think this qualifies for a nature walk. Stop by and visit some of the other blogs in the hop.
What a beautiful walk you girls had! I love walking when it’s cold out and I can sniff to my heart’s content.
Winter is our favorite season.
I’m glad you got to go out and about early and sniff for some reindeer. I know dear Emma and Katie were watching over you all.
My mom can’t believe I never even got to meet Katie. It was a nice walk.
that are super cute photos… and that playground was a super location for a photo shooting ;O)
Thank you. We had a good time.
Aw, you two are most adorable. Yes you are and having a two hour adventure is most fun.
Have a woof woof day and weekend. My best to your peeps. ♥
We love long walks in fun places. The sniffing was excellent that morning.
That all sounds like a great way to spend a morning.
A long walk is the best way to start a day.
You guys are crazy. Glad it was fun and you know what…Emma and Katie we’re walking along with you.
We all love early morning walks or runs. It is the best time of the day!
Awesome walk Madison! Mom laughed when you said “no other fools were out”. With my silly ACL we are taking these short little walks. But at the two week visit, the vet said I am looking good! Hooray! I hope we can get in some long walks sometime soon. You girls look terrific and it sounds like it was a super Christmas morning! Have a great day. Your friend Lilly
We are all glad to hear you are healing well. Just take it easy, hard as it might be and you will be back to long walks in no time.
What a sweet walk down memory lane for you and your mom on Christmas mourning or was it morning? All those critter smells and even reindeer…wow! Did you mommy have ice on her cheeks? XOXO, Sparkle
What a beautiful place to walk, those trails look so nice. That must have been so bittersweet for your Mom, but we’re sure glad she has you girls to keep her company and take her places now. ♥
Mom is having a very tough time with losing Emma, but we try to keep her cheered up as much as possible.
That sounds like it was a very special walk, i hope it was healing for your Mom, as well as sad.
She says all the things that make her sad will help her to feel better eventually.
What a wonderful Christmas morning hike! We bet those were some great smells along the trail!!
Mama says hikes, traveling and sometimes even photo shoots still bring the tears for Dory but now, she can smile thru those tears. Time, while it doesn’t really heal, takes a little bit of the pain away as it passes. Also, having Rosy around REALLY helped fill her heart a a bit land keep her busy.
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
(and Beth)
That has always been the case for mom, but this time she says is different. She’s never felt so sad for so very long, but all we can do is keep moving forward.
Lexie, Mica ,mom and dad use to walk 2 to 3 hour woods and creek walks. It was exhausting but a lot of fun. Mica kept up the walks after we lost Lexie, but at almost 12 she just can’t do it anymore. We are really out of shape so great job girls sounds like a lot of fun. Merry Christmas??
Katie was an avid walker until the end. Even though she could only go 1/2 to 1 mile, Mom would take her and they would go, just the two of them, slow. Sometimes she had to carry her 1/4 to 1/2 mile back home, but she did it for Katie because Katie so loved to walk. It’s sad when we age and can’t do what we used to do. It’s the first time in over 9 years Mom hasn’t had a senior dog in the house. Emma was still full of life and energy until those last two days.
It’s a wonder that y’all didn’t see Santa heading back to the North Pole being out that early!
It was exciting enough sniffing fresh reindeer tracks around the neighborhood.