Oak Mouintain Hike

The day after Valentines Day, my hiking group went on a hike to Oak Mountain. It was very lovely and I had a great time! Except for one thing. Fred Astaire left me for some more faster hikers! The hike was going great until we were about 2/3 done with the hike. Fred loves to be the leader and is often in front of the group. When we got finished with the lake loop, I looked for Fred Astaire at the trail kiosk. I couldn't find him. Then the group said that we were missing three hikers (we had 27!) and that he was probably with them. Some other hikers passed us and I asked them if they saw a red dog and they said yes - that he was way out front. So....when we got to Maggie's Glenn, I left my group to 'haul butt' ahead to the North Trail Head. I found him there with the other three hikers and they were waiting for us. I had a huge speech planned on giving them about just leaving with someone's dog but when I saw Fred Astaire I just ran to him and gave him a bear hug and was just so happy he was there I threw out my speech!

Really. When I first got Fred Astaire two years ago this March from Ruthie, I never thought I would fall in love with Fred Astaire like I had with Angie. I pretty much promised myself that I wouldn't knowing how hard it was to lose Angie and I knew I couldn't do that again. But it happened. I love Fred. He is mine and I have made him into a big baby when it rains. But I don't care. I can't imagine coming home to him not being there. He is getting a chip the next time we go to the vet ;)

Here are some pictures of the Old Lake at Oak Mountain.
The back end of the dam.

Part of the hiking group going across a stream left by the dam.

This little kid kept coming into my shot. He was not part of the group - he was there fishing with his dad. But really kept jumping into my picture taking moments.

Melvin. Rawlins dog playing fetch. Fred just looked on and then started chasing his tail. Didn't get a good shot of that, sadly.

Front shot of the dam.

This picture was the last shot that was taken before I realized Fred had been 'stolen' and rage set in.

So after the hike was all said and done and we all got in our cars to head home, I put Fred in the car and set off. I usually take the back entrance to Oak Mountain but it was closed due to the high levels fo the 'new' lake and part of the road was under water. The Acura could have handled it though. So I had to take the long front entrance back out. I will admit, I was a little bitter about this - the last time I took the front entrance out an idiot golfer hit a foul ball (?) and landed on my windshield. I still have the crack to prove it. Anyway - so I am just following traffic out of the park and next thing I know - I get pulled over by the police officer for speeding. So I tell him my aweful day (I fabricated that Fred Astaire was on his leash the entire time though and someone just 'took him' while at the park) and also show evidence of damange of a stray golf ball that hit me last time and tell the nice officer that if the back entrance hadn't been closed due to pansies, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. He let me go with a warning.

Overall - it was a good day!

Peace out -

JM