A Mini Vacation

We no sooner returned from our last trip, (having cleaned ourselves, laundry and van), before turning around and setting out again. Each fall we do an bicycling trip with two other couples. Normally we go later in September, but extenuating circumstances required a Labor Day excursion.

We visited one of our favorite stomping grounds: central Oregon. The mountain biking was par excellence! Smooth, wonderful, just-technical-enough-to-be-exciting trails. Bella, of course, was ecstatic. Not only did she get to camp again, but with her paw improved—run again. By the end of the week, however, a bit of a limp reappeared, so we limited her to hiking. She wasn't quiet as keen on that, but to be in the woods was enough to assuage her need for speed with my husband.

The days were cool—mid 60s—and the nights cold—down to freezing. This makes for a frisky puppy! Lucky Bella! She had four extra people to throw sticks, her ball, and scratch her favorite spots. My husband worked with her on barking. She doesn't do this with anyone but him, but when he stops riding (to wait for me) and then starts up, her excitement is exhibited in obnoxious barking. He finally got her down to a few woofs versus a several minute chorus.

The posted picture is blurry, I know, but still I love it.