Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Hike - 1/6/2018

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail (North Loop, Kowliga Bay Loop, portion of South Loop), Saturday, 1/6/2018, 10:10-12:30CST

Distance: 4.1 miles  Difficulty: Easy to Moderate  Rating: 4.7/5.0

Conditions: Mostly sunny.  Cold.  Temps low 30s at start to low 40s at end.  Trails in good shape.  Calm.

Thoughts/Observations: 

Wonderful hike with Gracie.  The long icicles handing along the South Trail were a treat!  Did not observe any wildlife today.

Stopped to play frisbee along the shoreline at the Kowliga Bay Loop trailhead.  Gracie was upset when I accidentally tossed the frisbee into the lake.  I had to retrieve it with paracord and a stick.  The water was too cold for Gracie or me to go in!

I was pleased with Gracie's actions on the trail off-leash.  I did put her on leash a few times when we encountered other hikers (two groups).  She did bark at them.  

Message for tomorrow: "New Beginnings / Eternal Assurance".

Link to YouTube video of our Cherokee Ridge hike!

New Year's 2018 Hike - Swayback Bridge TOLA - 1/1/2018

Hike: Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends, Monday, 1/1/2018; 09:30-12:00CST

Distance: 4.4 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 5.0/5.0

Conditions: COLD, low to mid 20s at start.  Breezy.  Clear.  Trails in good shape.

Thoughts/Observations:

Very cold conditions for the first hike of 2018.  Gracie and I braved the freezing temperatures and breezy conditions to start the year off right.  I elected to confine our hiking to the back-side of the trail system to reduce the risk of encountering mountain bikes (Gracie does not care much for bicycles).

In spite of the cold conditions, we had a fabulous hike.  It was so good to get out and commune with my (and Gracie's) CREATOR! 

Gracie is such an excellent Trail Buddy and Best Friend.  We are getting better at anticipating each other's choices.

I even got to hear Gracie howl today!  She had never done that before.

Link to YouTube video of hike!

Last (Urban) Hike of 2017 - Overlook Fields - New Year's Eve 2017

Urban Hike: Thames Drive to Overlook Fields to Overlook Park and Return; 12/31/2017 14:00-15:00CST
Distance: 1.2 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 5/5
Conditions: Cloudy, Breezy, temps in 40s and dropping.  Light occasional drizzle.
Thoughts/Observations:

Winter Storm Watch in effect for later today.  Potential for sleet and freezing rain exists.  I had cancelled evening services at church due to possibility of winter weather and extremely cold temperatures.  Took Gracie on an Urban Hike with Frisbee play to the fields of Overlook.

Breezy conditions made for difficult frisbee control, but we were able to persevere.   It is always such a joy to spend time with Gracie hiking, playing, and living.

Ramblr link with map and pics.