...early morning walk

The view from the Swanson River bridge...again.

Ducks near Bishop Lake.

The first green grass of the season!

A green leaf pushes up from under the snow.

Gabby and I went for another early morning walk at Capt. Cook State Park this morning. For the most part it was blustery and overcast. But, the sun was shining on the mountains across the inlet when we drove over the Swanson River bridge and greenery was making it way onto the scene in miniscule amounts. It didn't feel like Spring but there is no denying it is on the way. We walked for a couple of miles along the pipeline corridor then turned around and walked back to the truck. Gabby and I played Hide-and-Seek as we strolled along which she thought was great fun.

On our way back home we drove down Holt-Lamplight Road in hopes of spotting the swans near Bishop Lake. We didn't see any swans, but a pair of mallards were paddling in the water when we stopped to look. It was a great ending to our...early morning walk.

...a picnic in the sun

Emily eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while sitting in the sunshine.
Gabby waits for a morsel of sandwich to drop on the ground. She didn't have any luck.

We found a piece rope which we took back to the truck.

There was a brief window of sunshine this afternoon and we took full advantage of it. We packed a picnic lunch and drove out to Capt. Cook State Park. We ate our food at a picnic table near the Swanson River canoe landing. The rays of sun felt warm on our faces as we munched on sandwiches, chips, apples, and cheese.

After lunch we took a walk down the road which was wet and muddy. We found an old rope along the way which we used to play games with Gabby on the way back to the truck. She particularly enjoyed tugging at it as we walked along. We got back to the truck just as the clouds began to roll back in and the sun was gone. As we drove home we were happy that we took advantage of the window in the weather to have...a picnic in the sun.

...a S.T.A.R. puppy!

Laura and Gabby pose with their S.T.A.R. puppy certificate and medal.

At the end of Puppy Kindergarten class on March 20, 2010, Laura and Gabby took the test for the S.T.A.R. puppy certificate. There were 20 test items and Gabby had to sit, stay, come, walk on a loose leash for 15 steps, allow a paw and ear inspection, and react calmly to distractions and loud noises, among other things. Gabby did a great job and passed with flying colors (yes, we were all so proud). Her evaluator sent the appropriate forms to the American Kennel Club and Gabby's certificate and medal arrived in the mail today.

We put her medal on her and had a grand time trying to get her to sit and pose for the camera. Since that wasn't one of the test items it took a little work and a lot of treats. We ultimately got a few, albeit somewhat blurry, photos and called it good.

Gabby celebrated with a few more treats and is presently playing with her Kong in the middle of the floor. She is now in Novice Obedience Class which we attend every Saturday morning. We are working toward the Canine Good Citizen award, but for now we are happy to have a...S.T.A.R. puppy!

...at the edge of Cook Inlet

Saturday morning sunrise at Captain Cook State Park.

Texting on the beach with Cook Inlet and mountains in the background.
(Photo by Elizabeth Hufford)

A beluga surfaces in front of Mt. Redoubt.
(Photo by Elizabeth Hufford)

The weather has been spectacular for the past few days and we have been trying to take advantage of it when we are able. On Friday evening we went for a walk on the beach. The water was flat and belugas were surfacing just off shore from us. Laura and Emily looked for agates while Gabby chased from one smelly thing to the next. Mrs. Hufford was taking pictures and I was exchanging text messages with a co-worker. It was a good way to spend several hours before coming home for dinner.

This morning, Saturday, Gabby and I took a little trip to Capt. Cook State Park. The snow is receding slowly on the trail around the campground and it was frozen hard enough this morning that we didn't even break through the crust. We made three loops and decided it was time to come home and get ready for Gabby's Novice Obedience Class.

The weather is here and we are glad for it. If it stays this way I am certain we will be spending more time...at the edge of Cook Inlet.

...a walk with Gabby

Early morning self portrait of a dog walker.

Gabby enjoys a good pre-dawn run over the snow.

The view to the north as the sun begins to appear.

The view from the Swanson River bridge taken from the front seat of the truck.

4:07 AM. It's early but I can't sleep anymore. Gabby is awake, too. She's ready to go out. The weekend is here so we have plenty of morning time. It would be a shame to waste it watching TV and waiting for the light. Might as well load the truck and make a drive to Capt. Cook State Park. Gabby agrees. It's go time.

Headlamp, leash, treats, gloves, and camera go in the backpack. I put Gabby in the passenger seat and away we go. We drive through the dark, Big Head Todd and the Monsters pumping out of the speakers at a petty good volume. Parking at the gate of the campground I turn everything off and open the door to hear great-horned owls hooting to one another. A smile sweeps across my face. The woods are alive for sure even if they are dark. It's quiet, too. The snow crunches under our feet as Gabby runs in and out of the beam of my headlamp. We walk down the road and then take off into the woods to follow the trail that goes around the perimeter of the campground. I walk and stop and listen. The owls hoot and the snow crunches under Gabby's feet--the tags on her collar jingle, too. Then it's silent. For just a minute. Then the sounds repeat themselves. I can't get enough of this.

We walk for nearly two hours and the sun slowly pierces the dark. First the horizon lights up and then the bottom of the clouds. Before long the inlet is visible and the mountains are bathed in an orange glow. Daylight has arrived. We walk some more. Eventually we make our way back to the truck. It's time to go home. The rest of the family will be waking soon.

The day is off to a great start and I'm glad I went for...a walk with Gabby.