A Swift Escape, A Breath of Fresh Air, A Happy Dog.

Last weekend I went on a camping trip that a friend invited me to and I brought Toby along for some much deserved and long overdue frolic-time.  We set out on Saturday morning for Harriman State Park, about  45 minutes north of the city, and hiked a mile into the woods through rhododendron and pine forests, over wooden foot bridges, and past marshy pockets  to Breakneck Pond, where there was an abandoned summer camp complete with cabins, boathouse and dock.  It sounds and looks like the set of a horror movie, but seeing as I wasn’t a.) the harlot  hooking up with the Casanova, b.) The Casanova, c.) the stoner getting blitzed out of his mind, d.) the hopelessly not-outdoorsy girl relying on her boyfriends wits, and had dog to walk out of there with to boot, I figured I was the most likely to survive the ordeal (moral of this story: know your horror movie law and abide). 

Anyway, as soon as we set out, Toby was the most excited and happy pup in the world.  He bounded down the trails in reckless abandon, barreled into the lake after some geese before we even had a chance to put our packs down, and peed on everything. He even swam a quarter mile across the lake to say hello to a fetching Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Jack, who I too met, sweaty and panting, after sprint-circumventing the lake in hot pursuit of my mutineer. 

The trip was great, views were amazing, but mostly I was so happy to see my pup so happy.  He was truly in his element, and I absolutely need to take him on these little off-leash breaths of fresh air more often.  Here are a few shots from the overnight!

Freedom!

Excursion!

Didn't even get my pack off.

Snake Sighting.  Securing the perimeter.

Vibrant nature. 

Post-swim dock loungin'.

Dock at dusk.

Is this real life?

Rejuvenating.

 Reflecting with reflections.

 Tuckered Toby.

 p.s. I promise to be posting better quality pictures soon.  I’ve acquired a big girl camera, downloaded lightroom, gotten lessons from photog friends, and am dedicated to a good photograph now!