The pitch and roll....

I have often heard it said "If only dogs could talk". I am content with the way things are because I have a feeling that if my dogs could talk, the most common words I might hear are "Are we there yet?" Some things are made just right and dogs are one of them. So though we stepped out into the sun to be greeted by blustery winds, we were off for a hike.

I think that is one of the best things about the forest this time of year, it is never that windy inside it.

I like weekend hikes. They are pleasant breaks in the weekend chores and I don't think there is any amount of dusting or cleaning that could supercede them.

Some trees glow like bleached bones in the sun, stark against the sky.

And both dogs enjoy romps in the open water along the edge of the lake and neighboring pond.

Some days just are for smiling.

It did snow all night but most of it did not stay, just here and there in the shady places.

Its that brief time of year when the entire forest is open to explorations and neither snow nor mosquitoes keeps us on the trails.

And though the snow flurries this time of year are maddening, they have less and less effect on the awakening forest.

I think all of us check the ice with anticipation, hoping that the water wins out soon and Charm can get back to swimming.

Domino seems to have an explorer's spirit and I think he would be very at home in the Rockies.

He checks out every possible pathway through the rocks.

I think that is one of the first things he ever did when he arrived in Wisconsin and he hasn't stopped since.

Charm on the other hand has always viewed rock climbing as a good way to dry off between swimming.

Either way, it is definitely a dog's paradise.

I am bemused by the actual heat the sun is generating on the top of the cliff, the ground warm to the touch and holding heat long after it is gone.

A swarm of small gnats crosses our path and for a moment I am confused until I realize they are the first insects to emerge.

It must be that spring is finally taking hold in between the snow storms.

The dogs run back for treats a million times and Charm tugs on the treat bag occasionally. Usually she is off minding her own business but today she seems intent on keeping Domino close by and she herds him back countless times.

Jumping on his head and blocking his way and then sitting patiently to be rewarded.

I think this is a good year to consider some more ambitious hiking plans. It is very good to see the dogs slowly getting back into shape after a long, hard winter. They are both losing those winter pounds.

It seems like a very long time ago that the pits came into my life with all the joy and heartache that only pits can bring. The joy comes from living with amazing, intelligent dogs. The heartbreak comes from knowing how many people out there would prefer to see them dead. We just carry on the best we can.

Perhaps all I can say is our world seems to be a happier one than a lot of people's.

Walking back the wind rolled through the tree tops sounding much like the roaring surf, so much so, that for a very brief moment I could smell the salt air. The pines creaked on their gaunt trunks, knocking together and bringing to mind the sound of wooden ships creaking and groaning in a harbor.

But we were off leaving that brief glamour of the ocean far behind, kicking through the leaves and grounded in Wisconsin.

Some people may have God as a copilot. I sort of prefer mine.