A Weekend Away
This post is long overdue. I'm sorry for the weeks of no updates, I went from Mexico to work and then onto this trip. Then housesitting and more work, I just haven't had the time to jot down another story. But a few weekends I went out to a friends cabin with a couple of pals and our dogs. After a long week of work and feeling a bit sick I wasn't sure if I was ready for a weekend away with multiple humans in Arnold but when Friday morning rolled around I remembered I had promised we could use my car so I couldn't bail. I slunk out of bed, grabbed a few necessities and headed to the first activity of the day. Strawberry Picking! My good friend, Erin, turned 22 and goes berry picking on her birthday ever year. This year Ender and I were invited and we had a blast! The cutest/juiciest little morsels were eaten that day.
An afternoon of packing and napping was followed by a 2 hour drive out to Arnold with Humans; Kristina, Amanda, and Erin and Dogs; Bogie, Pippin, and Ender. I couldn't have been happier with how well all the pups got along, especially since Bogie hadn't met Ender or Pip before. Everything went unbelievably smooth.
We arrived late Friday night, Kristina turned the water on and we all settled into the cabin. I had decided to not bring my camera this weekend for various reasons but the biggest being that I tend to focus only on my photos and forget to enjoy the moment as is. I needed the weekend to be lived completely, enjoying the company, the trees, and spending quality time with my pup. Of course when I was hiking and jumping from rock to rock in the Stanislaus River I wished I had brought it along. All of these photos are random iPhone photos from Kristina and I so I apologize for the low quality.
Driving down the 4, Sylvan Esso singing me into oblivion, I couldn't help but get lost in my thoughts. The giant trees zooming by, making thoughts percolate: how old they were? How many people had seen them and brushed passed them? How many actually appreciate their wisdom? Every tree that crossed my path was another question in my head, I was falling deeper and deeper into the black hole of my mind, until a sharp turn shook me out of it. "I should probably focus on the road." I thought to myself driving an SUV filled with other people and our pups. This is why you don't let day-dreamers drive.
The weekend finished with a walk around Murphy's, a small town just 15 minutes from Arnold. We tasted several wines and finished a flight of beer. I, then, tried the most delicious dark chocolate shortbread cookies I had ever tasted, I had to buy two boxes of it. It was the only logical thing to do. After seeing how dog-friendly the town was I was a tad upset I hadn't brought Ender along with us but now I'll know for next time. If you've got a dog, go to Murphys.
I couldn't have asked for a more relaxed weekend. I'm very pleased I decided to go even though I wasn't feeling 100%. Sometimes you've just got to push yourself. I've also never felt closer with Ender. Our training is really paying off and the bond between us grows stronger each and every day. Have you seen the movie "Tracks"? Its based on the true story of a girl who crossed the Australian desert on foot, from Adelaide to the Indian Ocean, with just her camels and her dog. If you haven't seen it you must watch it. (Its on Netflix so no excuses. Unless you don't have one which is a valid excuse.) Never have I connected with a character more in my life, I feel like I could be her. Plus, every time I watch it I'm inspired to head off on a journey with my pup, which pushes me to start planning trips with him. Check it out this weekend, its definitely worth it. Hope you all have a lovely week! Thanks for checkin' in!
All our love,
Hannah & Ender