Unexpected Hiking Partner

Today was my first seven-hour hike, and while I feel victorious having finished, I have to admit that I'm sore as heck, too. Mostly in the ankles (surprisingly) and especially in the shoulders and upper back (NOT surprisingly). Those last few miles, the only thing driving me forward and through the screaming in my shoulder muscle was the end in sight and the promise of a burger, fries, and a cold one.

Yum: hard cider from the tap.

The arrival of this epic burger just had to be chronicled.

The highlight of the day was a few hours in, when the bike path I followed passed a few houses. I heard a dog barking furiously for me to get away from his territory, so I kept looking forward and walking on, thinking he'd see I'm no threat, end of story.

Then I heard the barking grow closer, coming up behind me. I looked and it was a black lab, so I talked to it, "hey what's up with you?" and all that. He took one whiff, decided I was his new best friend, and proceeded to hike with me for the next hour. 

He scouted ahead, tail wagging, tongue lolling, him smelling everything and marking his territory, having a blast. After about half hour of us walking in 25F weather on the windy prairie, I started to think I should turn back with this dog. Halfway back to his house, he slowed his pace and walked next to me. I've never seen a dog so exhausted. I emptied part of one water bottle into my fry pan and let him drink, then shared the remains of my summer sausage, too.

When we got back to his address (from his dog tag), it took a little convincing to get him to stay behind. His owners weren't home. It was sad to say goodbye to my new friend. He reminded me so much of our black lab, Max, who used to go out jogging with me in high school, scouting ahead, tail wagging, tongue lolling. I hadn't planned on having a hiking partner, but this was a welcome surprise.

 Bye, pup. I won't forget you. 🐕🐾