Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive

I've done a few hikes in Shenandoah NP before, but this was my first time actually on Skyline Drive.  We started off part way down the drive at Thornton gap and had a picnic first at Pinnacles picnic area.  Then we headed up to Upper Hawksbill Parking for a 2 mile hike up to the summit.  With a puppy in tow, we had to try to minimize the length and difficulty of the hike.  We thought at first that even two mile hike would be tough and that we'd have to carry her part way, but our little trooper insisted on walking it all by herself.  We were all rewarded at the top with a very nice view. The colors weren't quite peak yet, but may parts of the park had very nice colors.



Hawksbill Summit

By the time we got done with this hike, it was already late afternoon.  We had to head down to Waynesboro for the night so we had to move along South.  We hit a few overlooks, and then hit Blackrock Summit hike.  A short 1 mile circuit walk.  Very nice views there too. 

The next morning we decided to hit a long one (3 miles) so we could check out the two Doyles River falls.  It started off with a moderate downhill and I thought for sure we were going to be carrying Millie on the way up.  We only carried her on really rocky parts or large steps though.  Probably not the best of ideas to walk her so much, but she didn't seem to mind.  The falls themselves weren't really all that impressive, but we all got a good work out from it.  (Got me realizing how unfit I've become lately.)
 

Blackrock Summit


After that long hike, we thought better about going for another.  The weather seemed to be turning for the worst too, so we stopped at Big Meadows area for another picnic.  It was actually a bit chilly out now so a cozy lunch inside a restaurant would have suited me, but can't do that with a pet anymore.  I better get used to eating outdoors. 

All in all, our first getway with the pup was a success.  She behaved herself pretty well in the hotel, too.  Don't think I'll be getting any surprise bills for chewed up furniture or anything. 

Meet Millie

On Friday we brought home a beautiful, black labrador pup.  I had a dog once when I was a kid, but I must admit my parents did all the work back then.  So I really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into but I'm pretty excited :)  It's a lot of work but I guess I expected it.  She plays for an hour, sleeps for an hour, plays for an hour, sleeps for an hour.  I had puppy duty the first night and I must've been out in the back yard like 6 times throughout the night.  Sometime she'll whine a bit because she wants to know I'm there so I turn on the light so she could see me.  I was a walking zombie the next day.  Too bad they don't give people puppy leave. 

Today we took her out to a park for a walk around the lake.  It was like 1 mile around and we didn't really think she would make it around cuz she seems a bit lazy at home, but the good girl made it!  She even ran in her cute puppy way at times.  Soon she'll be outrunning me! 

Well, I've really been missing traveling these last couple of years but having Millie at home keeps me busy enough to keep my mind from thinking of all the adventurous things I'd rather be doing instead of doing the 9-5 thing.  I am really looking forward to taking her on hikes and runs with me when she gets older.  For now though, I'm just enjoying watching her be cute.