The Beginning of My Morning Park Walk by Roxy

 

The above picture is of the short cut entrance to the park where I like to go every day.  We went a bit later this morning (7:30 a.m.) so the sun was up for some time already.  The leaves are very pretty right now.

 

Speaking of leaves, I love walking through all the leaves on the ground on the way in on the path by the woods.  The leaves are in the shade, but just up ahead you can see the sun shining on the beautiful trees.  I got in a good hour and a half walk this morning--it was so nice!

How much walking do you get in on a nice day like this?  I highly recommend you go outside and enjoy nature like I do and get away from the TV!

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Scary Trails at West Creek with Roxy (Part 2)

 

 

Boy, this was a bit scary!  We went to explore a new trail--the Grassroots Gorge Overlook Loop.  At first, I thought we were already on it but that was just the trail leading up to it.  There were signs at the beginning of the trail and a upper and a lower one.  I saw "Enter" with a big green arrow on the top trail and a big red "Wrong Way" sign on the bottom trail, so we went on the top trail.  As we were moving along nicely, we passed another walker coming in our direction so I told her she was going the wrong way, that there were signs at the beginning of the trail.  A bit later, two more ladies were coming toward us and when I told them they were going the wrong way, they said I was going the wrong way!  Oops.  They told us that the top trail was for the bikes and the bottom one was for the hikers.  I was really all one trail that made a loop.  The path was pretty narrow so it was already hard to keep the 6 ft. distance when passing someone.  I thought, wow, bikes come on this path!  That thought really scared me because some places were very narrow and there wasn't much space to move off the path, the hill was right there!  When we finished the loop, I checked those signs again and sure enough, there was a bike at the bottom of them.  The bike on the red wrong way sign had a line through it and a bit farther down, a sign read "Hiking only in this direction."

The next day, I wanted to go back and go the right way, so we did.  We went early on a Saturday morning and it was more crowded.  We saw a biker with a dog running along with him enter the loop so we waited for him to come out before going in.  I hate to think of what would happen if we were walking that loop with Roxy and the guy on the bike and his dog came at us from the other direction--very scary!  I can't even believe he would do that with his dog on such a narrow trail!  Anyhow, after they came out, we went in and did pass one biker coming at us.  There wasn't much space to go off the trail to let him through, but we managed.  It was a nice loop but we won't be doing that one again, at least not with Roxy.  

Then we continued on a path across from the Grassroots Gorge entrance and found the Little Loop (picture above).  At least there was no bike on that sign, just a one way directional sign so that's the way we went.  The trail went through the woods and was very narrow--not enough room to pass anyone so I was glad it was only one way and no one else came when we were on it.  There were quite steep drops on the sides and I was glad Roxy didn't pull me too much.  We saw a couple raccoons chasing each other about midway down the hill and fortunately, Roxy did not go after them!  In the picture it doesn't look too bad, but at some places, the hill was steep on both sides of the trail.

I was relieved when we went back down to the flat circle area.  We did take a little detour to do a little loop on flat ground through the tall flowers/grass.  Some of the grass was taller than Gerard!  Roxy liked it a lot though. 

We still have more trails to explore, but those are for another day!  

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West Creek Park is HUGE! (Part 1) by Roxy

 I got to go to West Creek Park and WOW!  We couldn't even cover it in just one day so I am doing several blog posts about my outings there.  The video is a collection of several pics taken during my first two outings there.  I was so excited to actually be walking right in the woods and off the concrete paths.  They have actual dirt trails to walk on, some flat and some on hills.  

Plus, a lot of dogs come there to walk and explore.  Some I got to meet but some I just had to let go by.  They have trail signs, but sometimes my mom still gets confused.  My dad says it would be easy to get lost in the woods and they should have people stationed around to help with directions.  

So far I explored four different areas.  Our first stop was along the way to get to the main part where the big circle path is.  We explored in the woods on the Lookout Ridge trail first.  The picture to the left is of how excited I got running up the hill to dad.  I was moving so fast, he missed my head!

The main part with the big circle path at the bottom is where I was able to get a drink at the doggie fountain.  It also has benches for people to sit on.  My mom and dad were sitting on one near the end of our outing.  I spotted something move in the big high grass nearby and went to chase it.  My mom wasn't expecting that and tipped over, almost falling off the bench.  Too bad dad didn't get a picture of that!  It would have been a funny one.  To my credit though, I did stop when I heard her yell my name.  That was enough for one day--about an hour.

 On our second trip, we did three trails . . . sort of.  The first one we thought was going through the park, but it was the path that went along the main street next to the park.  My mom was disappointed we wasted time on that one.  

Then though, we followed two trails that went through the woods.  The first one we did was pretty narrow and long which led to the Skyline Overlook.  See picture to the right. we could actually see the Cleveland skyline above the treetops in the center of the tall buildings downtown from there but they didn't show up on the photo.  It was pretty cool though.

Lastly, we went on the Lookout Ridge Loop, but we backtracked to get back because we were getting tired by then and it seemed to be blocked to complete the loop.  Mom is still not sure how that trail goes.  We'll probably try it again another day to see if we can figure out the loop part.  

Next time we are going to check out some loop trails off the main circle path.  Those are really an adventure!  Be sure to look for that post (West Creek Park Adventure - Part 2)!

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Social Distancing At Veteran's Memorial Park

Last week we noticed some new signs up at the beginning of the walking paths to assist people in keeping 6 feet apart.  I really liked the park was trying to help people keep a safe distance.  When you meet people going the opposite direction, it is hard to keep 6 foot away when passing, especially if the grass is muddy or full of water to make it hard to leave the path.

We follow the signs but it really bugs me when I see people who don't.  There is a path on either side of the road that cuts through the park, so on one side you would walk west and the other side east.  This morning, three people with a dog were walking the wrong way.  I thought maybe they didn't notice the signs, but then I saw them actually stop to read it and they continued going the wrong way anyhow!

Why can't people take this virus seriously by now?  Why can't everyone be patient and follow the guidelines?  It's really not too much to ask when lives are at risk, is it?  Are you one who follows rules or one who disregards them?



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Look What We Found At The Park Today

As we were walking through Veterans Memorial Park today, we found a bunch of helium-filled balloons at the trash can and rescued them.  We stopped to sit on one of the benches and Gerard looked like a little kid holding the balloons with his feet not even able to reach the ground.  I love his big smile too! 

When I first saw the balloons, my first thought was to use them for my Sunday School class, but then noticed they were filled with helium so they wouldn't work for our volleyball review game.  Then I figured I would give them to some little kid we saw on our way home, but we didn't see any.  The youngest we passed was around 13 and on a bike.

So . . .  I decided to let them fly away.  It reminded me of our wedding day when we released balloons after the reception.

Off they go!  It was quite breezy so didn't take long for them to disappear into the clouds.

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I Should Have Brought My Camera!

I only recently have started blogging here again and when we went to Snow Road Park to walk through the woods, I thought about bringing alone my camera.  Unfortunately, I didn't.  When we saw this owl sitting on a tree so close to the trail, I really wished I had brought my camera along.  All I had was my little tracfone so I did the best I could with what I had (sorry for the poor quality).  My husband's phone takes better pictures than mine, but he is out of data time or whatever.

We enjoyed our walk and saw some friendly little dogs along the way too who let us pet them.  Oh well, lesson learned.  From now on I will be carrying along my digital camera wherever I go!

Have you ever wished you had your camera with you?

I'm joining Saturday Critters

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Abby Dabby Doo Earns Her Salad Break

I am a very good dog . . . usually.  Of course, there is one exception and that is when I find a nice salad bar, I like to take my time and enjoy it.

Being a bit stubborn at West Creek Park

 See how my mom is trying to pull me along with my blue leash?  I held my ground though and finished my salad, ignoring her commands of heel and come.  If she had brought treats along for me, that may have made a difference.  Hint, hint.  Hope you all enjoy the journey as much as I do! 

But look at Bloggers, My Mail (Sorry I couldn't link to the post so linked to the blog), I am on Ellen Cooney's blog, author of The Mountain Top School For Dogs and Other Second Chances because she liked Gerard's review of her book and my picture with it!  See, I really earned that salad break!  Woof!  Woof!

Joining in with Monday Mischief and Aww Monday (thanks, Sandy, wasn't sure this would qualify) blog hops today.

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Starting Off The New Year Right

We got lots of snow yesterday but the temperature got up to 40 degrees so I got to go to West Creek Park. As you can see from the video, I like the snow. It is great fun to walk in the deep snow and I like to dig into it with my snout. Sometimes I get snow on my face and head which makes my humans laugh. Since my mom's New Year's Resolution this year is to move more, I'm hoping I will get to move more too. I will try my best to get her to come along on my walks this year. Do you think she will?

P.S.  Our Favorite Reads for 2013 are up on our book blog if interested.

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A Beautiful Day by Abby

It was a beautiful day Saturday so I got out a lot!  Went to West Creek Reservation with both my mom and dad twice and to Veteran's Memorial Park all in one day!

Here I am posing with my dad in front of the colored leaves.  They are just starting to change color.

We also went visiting at the nursing home where I got some bonus treats from my good friend, Marlene.

On our way out, we stopped and took some pictures with the scarecrows along the drive. The top one is Gerard's favorite because it had a dog head, the middle was Marlene's favorite because it was funny and holding a Bingo card and a hand of cards. The bottom was Karen's favorite but she blocked the guy scarecrow that was sitting.  The sun was glaring so Gerard couldn't really see what he was getting when he took this picture.

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More Exploring at West Creek Reservation

This is the only place where we saw a drinking fountain for dogs! 

This time I drank for the doggie drinking fountain!

Our first visit to this park was on a Sunday so we came back on a Saturday to check out the nature center.  It's very nice and air conditioned!  When we first walked through the door, we saw this beautiful quilt made by some Amish hanging on the wall. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Square are scenes from the metroparks.

We were very surprised to find a vending machine with cold drinks and ice cream for sale in a little gift shop:

This is good to know for hot days!

This place is big!  Here is a picture of the lounge area where you can sit to look out over the park and they have bird feeders just outside the windows.

Nice leather chairs too relax on too!

There are educational exhibits along the way showing how the West Creek watershed works and other different things about water.  One had a video playing saying the bottled water was a "manufactured demand" and isn't any better than tap water.  While we were there walking through, other people stopped to pet Abby and one lady even took her picture with her iphone!

My picture taken by Debbie, a stranger in the nature center.

We thought it was such a good picture of Abby that we asked is she would email it to us and she did!  When we were out on the trail, another couple with a cute little girl stopped and was trying to get her to pet Abby.  She liked the dog but was afraid to go too close.  They had a camera too and that would have made a cute picture.

No muddy feet today--good girl, Abby!  See last week's Monday Mischief at the Park to read about our first time here.

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Monday Mischief: A Walk at West Creek Reservation by Abby

Yesterday we went to West Creek Park nearby for the first time and wow, what a fun time I had!  The highlight was getting my feet all muddy.  See those stones in the picture to the left?  My mom and dad walked on those, but I walked along side through the water and sunk down in the mud next to that last stone.

This picture above is to show off the mud on all four legs.  My mom freaked out but my dad diverted her by suggesting she take my picture for this post.  She seemed better about it after that, although she did try throwing some water from my water bottle at me to try washing it off . . .

which didn't work.  I liked the rest of the park too but when we got home, my mom and dad used the hose to wash off my paws.  Even that was kind of fun.

I ran around while they tried to squirt me!  Watch this video below to see me in action at the end and to see some more of this excellent park we found!  Hope you had a fun weekend too!  Woof!  Woof! 

Joining up with AWW Mondays and Monday Mischief.  Linking up to Mama Kat's Vlogging Workshop on 9/18/13 for the prompt:  "Take your dog on a walk."

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Monday Mischief: Stubborn

I had such a good morning walk this morning that I did not want to leave the park. My mom thinks I'm the stubborn one but really, I think this video proves that she is MORE stubborn than I am. What do you think? Woof! Woof!

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Disc Golf?

A First-Time Player--Got a Disc for a gift and trying it out.

At Veteran's Memorial Park on State Rd. in Parma, Ohio, we discovered a disc golf course.  I just thought it was Frisbee golf which I was introduced to at Malone College but found out there are actual tournaments and the discs look like Frisbees, but are weighted.  Some enthusiasts actually bring a whole bag of them that are different weights, similar to golf clubs.  There are 18 holes.

Different discs fly differently

We met this guy who started playing two years ago and has quite a collection of discs that he was kind enough to lay out for us. He said they do different things based on their size, weight and how he throws them.

Abby and Gerard showing me the new way through the park.

Our dog, Abby, likes walking through the woods and showed me some of the disc golf holes. There are numbered signs where you start just like on a regular golf course.  The first one starts at a big hill but as we walked along, we came to hole No. 2 without seeing hole No. 1 or the tee for No. 2. 

The "holes" are wire cages that you are supposed to get the disc into and are numbered.

If you look around, you may find signs directing you toward the next hole on trees.  I didn't see any tree sign for the start of hole No. 2 though.

Abby likes walking through the tall grass.

I wanted to try to find all 18 holes, but Abby had other ideas so off I went to follow Abby and Gerard. I'll explore more another day.

(We are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during June and July to The Wounded Warrior Project which helps wounded warriors and their families returning from current conflicts..)

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A Cool Bridge At The Park

I like pictures of bridges so thought I would take some of the suspended bridge at the Fernhill picnic area on the Big Creek Parkway where we often go.

This is the view as we approach the bridge.

It actually hangs on wires and bounces as we walk on it.  The water was pretty high because we just had a big storm a couple nights ago.  I took this after we crossed it.  I think this is my best picture of the bridge.

Here is Gerard and Abby on the bridge.

A man we didn't know offered to take our picture together!  I am not that fat.  I had my cell phone, the camera case, my keys and some dog treats in my pockets which made them bulge out.

Which picture do you like best?  Do you like bridges too?  Do you have any cool ones nearby you?

(This post was inspired by the Goat's post about a green bridge.)

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Abby Loves The Park--Especially With Snow!

One of the benefits of having a dog is that you do actually get more exercise. Because the temperature warmed up to 30 degrees today, we took Abby to the park for the first time this year. I seriously doubt if we didn't have the dog that we would have went. As you can see from the video, we had about six inches of snow on the ground. Abby loved it as you can see by her tail constantly wagging. Gerard and I enjoyed being out together too and we only saw four other people and only one other dog as we were leaving! It was pretty deserted.

Abby wants to add her comments:

Abby Dabby Doo Enjoying The Snow

I am very lucky to have such a good home. I hope you liked my video and it inspires you to take your dog to the park. Did you see my legs were all hidden in the deep snow? I like the colder weather so much better than the hot.  I could be out here for hours!  Karen really wanted to get a good picture of the snow on my snout and finally got this one right before we left. I just was so excited and happy, I could hardly stay still long enough and so much to see and sniff! Happy snow days to you! Woof! Woof!

Abby's Big Day

Abby was in the mood to walk last weekend so she went to two parks on Saturday and then also a long walk in the evening in our neighborhood.  It was a beautiful day.  Then on Sunday, she walked farther than usual but I noticed she was limping after we ate lunch on Sunday.  

Yesterday after work Gerard took her to the vet to get her checked out. They told us they didn't think her leg was broken but would take an x-ray to make sure it wasn't fractured. They think she just sprained it somehow. Gerard got brave and decided to have her teeth cleaned too. We hope she doesn't need any pulled like Manny did. The good news is that she lost the fat and is now considered to be an ideal weight at 43.5 lbs. We are glad she is no longer considered obese.

These vet bills are really draining but we love our pets so much and want them to be healthy so guess it's necessary.  Hers is even more than Manny's was! It works out well actually because she'll be at the vet while we're at work tomorrow and then Gerard will pick her up after work. I am off tomorrow so will be able to be with her most of the day.

UPDATED AT 10:10 P.M. TUESDAY, OCT. 12:

Abby's visit cost us $1,000 but yes, she's worth it.  She's such a good dog and we love her so much.  She's part of our family.  The x-rays showed her shoulder and elbow are sprained but nothing is fractured or broke.  A couple weeks on pain medicine and short walks instead of long ones and she should be fine.  She did have to get a tooth pulled though so is off the dry food for 10 days.  That canned food is really expensive! 

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A Day At Virginia Kendall Park Sure Beats Work!

Yesterday I took off work to join in the mystery outing with the boys in my Sunday School class. We went to Virginia Kendall park in search of the icebox cave but also played some games, had hot dogs, found a little snake, a chipmunk, a mouse, and had a great time hiking in the woods in between some huge rock formations.

It was call a "mystery" outing because the boys did not know where they were going which even adds to the fun. On the way back, we stopped at a great little country ice cream place that had about 20 different flavors. I had lemon which was very good!   Everyone had a fun time!

Did you ever go on a "mystery outing"?  

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