Five Ducks and Tricky Ice
This morning I took Dolly - our dog - on a trail that I have snow shoed, cross country ski'd, mountain biked and walked. It's one of the best trails I know and I've certainly given this place plenty of skin thanks to sharp and encroaching trees and even sharper rocks. It's a place that has a spirit that's both magical and haunting.
Today was a day to remember not because of the signs of winter's destructive power, which I have captured here but because thanks to five ducks and tricky ice I almost lost Dolly. The ducks were enjoying the thawed out area of the lake while my silly dog got the idea that she could walk across the ice and get close to the ducks. I'm sure her intentions were completely innocent but the ducks were not worried because they knew something she didn't. Ice gets thinner closer to the thawed out area of the lake.She of course fell in. It was at this moment that I had managed to catch up with her after she had run to the lake leaving me in her dust. I had a split second decision and started to strip. Somehow in my head I worked out that it would be better to go in naked and dry off with my clothes rather than leap straight in. Luckily for her and for me, Dolly managed to fall through the ice in an area that still had a thick crust and she was able to pull herself back out. Then came a very nervous dog tip-toeing her way back across the ice to the shore.
She gave me a look as if to say 'What ya lookin at?' and then ran off continuing her hike around Olivia's Overlook. So great to brush off a near death experience as just part of everyday life.Dogs. Keep teaching us.
