BOXER ADVENTURES

 Today it was time to pack up and head home.  We spent the morning enjoying our last couple of hours at Buck Pond.  It was sunny and warm but suddenly clouds moved in and it got dark. It started to rain as we began trying to pack up quickly and we cursed ourselves for just hanging out earlier.  With no cell service we had no idea it was going to rain. Fortunately the rain moved through and we finished packing up and bid goodbye to Buck Pond. We stopped in Tupper Lake and walked part of the Adirondack Rail Trail but Sisko got way too warm.  Fortunately, he was able to jump into the lake before getting back in the car. With the windows fully open, it cooked down quick as we drove back.  We did make a quick stop about 45 minutes from home to get the dogs one last treat. They happily ate their ice cream and slept soundly the rest of the trip home. Once again, I am so proud of them.  They were very well behaved at the campsite and happy and respectful to ev...

 We slept in and had a late breakfast and then decided to take a long kayak trip around Lake Kushaqua. The water was calm and peaceful this morning. On the way back we found yet another island with a sign that people could primitive camp here, but no one was there so we made ourselves at home.   There was more swimming and exploring the island. Last night we didn't have a fire due to getting back late and when I went out late I was scared by a large and healthy racoon that was right outside my camper.  Apparently this chubby racoon has been fed by other campers as he started coming towards me fast and it freaked me out - which Marc found very funny. Tonight we were sitting by the fire and I got up and walked next to the picnic table and the dogs were - I thought - completely asleep when all of a sudden Booker went FLYING by me and started chasing something.  I yelled for Marc but then Booker came back looking proud of himself.  Marc showed his flashlight up...

 Today we travel just a little ways away from Buck Pond in order to climb Loon Lake Mountain which we had not climbed before and I didn't know much about. Before we left, I had chosen today for our mountain adventure because the temps were supposed to be much cooler and it was supposed to rain later that day.  Neither one of these predictions were true and it was sunny and hot,  I was hoping it wouldn't be too much for the boys. We had put on their backpacks and they were both carrying water, but fortunately, there were several places where the could get in the cold mountain streams and drink and cool off. Like most trails up mountains in the Adirondacks, there are planks put down to help people navigate wet and muddy sections.  The boys traversed these like the pros they are! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Booker and Sisko (@boxeradventuresny) This was a very tough climb - especially the last 3/4 mile which was constant uphill on r...

 Today we hung out at the campground.  We walked over the the old rail trail and walked for a little while until the trail hooked up with Little Haystack Mountain.   The trail is not all that long or difficult, although there was some scrambling near the top.  More important than the climb itself was the sweet sound of notifications as our phones began to get a cell signal about a 1/2 mile up!  We made it to the top and gave the dogs a rest while we checked our emails and texts.  We then made our way down and traveled to the end of the trail and then made our way back to the campsite for a late lunch. It was hot and we got into the kayak and paddled over to a small island - fortunately no loons were disturbed as we pulled up! The dogs happily played in the water and then explored the island as we relaxed. It was another campfire tonight and the dogs settled right in. I lot of people were taking an evening walk and they both showed some interest but nev...

 This week we'll be camping at Buck Pond Campground in the Adirondacks.  It's the same place we were last year.  Usually I like to "shop around" and try out the various state park facilities, but we liked it here so much last year that we wanted to try it again.   Last year our campsite was on Buck Pond, but we reserved a site in a different loop which put us on Lake Kushaqua, the larger lake that the campground sits on. .As I usually do, I got up early and did a run with the dogs so the would be tired out for the trip. We got packed up and got there early afternoon.  We checked out the short path to our own launching site for the kayaks. Then we got everything set up. We were immediately ready to get some time on the water. As we paddled around exploring, we noticed several islands.  Marc noticed that one had a path leading up it and pulled in the explore.  Booker jumped out and immediately there was a commotion and something dove into the water ...

 I got home last night and excitedly explained to the dogs that I was on vacation!  They happily jumped around having absolutely NO IDEA what I was talking about! For the first day off, of course, I wanted to hit the beach.  We didn't take the kayaks today.  Instead we walked the short path to the beach.  It was blazing hot just the way I like it, and the dogs were thrilled to run into the waves as soon as I gave them permission. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Booker and Sisko (@boxeradventuresny) We hung out while the boys played with toys and just enjoyed relaxing knowing that I was going to have a ton of time off. It was so hot and yet that didn't keep Booker from crawling up on top of me.  Why, dude???

 The weathermen are finally predicting a warm up.  Not just a warm up, but a massive heatwave.   But today we woke up and it was still reasonably cool.  So I decided while Marc rode his bike on a nearby grassy trail, I would take the dogs and do a slow run. They were both happy and anxious to go and we ran on the gravel path that quickly turned into grass.  What I didn't expect was the weather warming up quickly. My plan was to run 8 miles, but we made a couple of stops for the dogs to jump into the stream that runs along the trail and by the time we were 7 miles in, Sisko made it clear he finished.  So we called it complete. We got home for a good lunch and relaxed outside for a bit. I then went to work weeding the garden and then moved out front of the house to do a little weeding in front of the house. The dogs followed me the law that says that Boxers are forbidden from allowing their humans to do anything alone, and dutifully followed me around on...