red rock canyon

a couple of weekends back, T and i loaded the pups into the car and set out for a day hike out at red rock canyon. after getting a few recommendations on trails from the park guide, we set out for the rough horsetail nature trail. 

[my beefcake]

the trail itself was beautiful. each bridge led to vibrant, green trails filled with horsetail plants - which if you haven't seen them, they look like long, lean bamboo-like plants. put against the bright red canyon it was simply stunning. 

sadly, the streams throughout the trails were all but dried up so the pups couldn't be off leash (our two boys may be lab mixes, but they cannot resist any water anywhere). but, from what we could tell, when the rains come in, they make for quite the playground for a couple of mischievous fur-covered boys. 

this natural pool was not only cool to look at, but provided the perfect surround-sound acoustics. i'm not exactly sure the pups liked it as much as we did. however, that may be because i pulled a pup mom move in not letting them swim here (stagnant water is a no go for me). 

[checking out hidden ridges and climbing walls]

[x marks the spot]

then, T found a break in the trail where we found ourselves overlooking the area we just hiked through. because of the red rock and, at times, sparse vegetation, it felt a little like we were on a mini mars!  

[always looking to be as close to the edge as possible, these two]

[the top of the pool we just saw]

after hiking at the top for awhile, it was easy to see how you could get lost up there. everything started to look far too similar and was mildly disorienting. it was cool, but once we started to feel turned around up there, we realized we needed to find our way back. 

after, we drove through some of the main (read: more crowded) areas, snacked on some lunch, and headed back home. ready for a hot shower, loads more water, and a nap (or two). 

morning walk

now that things are settling down (schedule-wise), T and i thought we should take the pups out for a little romp in the great outdoors. with all the weddings and events, we'd been feeling pretty guilty we hadn't spent much quality time with the pups. so, we called up m+j to see if they'd be interesting in coming out with us for a morning pup hike. 

the boys couldn't have been more excited to be together. the moment we got to stinchcomb, the three took off to go mark every tree they could, sniff out any fun scents, and just be pups. i feel like they know when it's their day. 

[looking for our favorite swimming hole]

funny thing about this swimming hole - boba and solo have only been once. yet, they knew exactly where to go! T and i couldn't quite remember where it was but, the boys ran ahead and pointed it out to us before making a mad dash for the water. 

[racing to get there and back first]

[co-branch managers]

[extra lazy lab tongue]

[shake, shake, shake...]

[my stick]

all three pups swam to their hearts' content before tiring out. so, we packed up and headed out to enjoy a swimming party of our own while the boys took their afternoon naps. 

water dogs

 

since the weather has officially decided to stay warm, it has become the time of year our pups love: water season! while our two lab mixes love to play in snow or colder weather, nothing makes them happier than to swim and play around in water. so, T and i try to make a point of taking them out to a nearby lake at least once a month. last saturday was their first day of the season and the moment we parked, they both started to get excited and whined for us to move faster. once we were close enough, we let them off their leashes and they took off towards the water...it was like they knew today was pup day ;)

 

we had also invited alex & larry to bring their dog huck out since he's a fellow water dog too. the three boys went crazy running in and out of the lake, marking trees, and rolling in red mud. it was so fun to watch how happy they were and to see them in their element.

 

[huck and boba swimming out for the same stick]

 

[boba couldn't have been happier as he swam further and further out to catch sticks and cool off]

 

it was such a great afternoon spent treating our water boys to what they love most. they played so hard that they all crashed on the drive back home. so, i think it's fair to say our pup day was a success!

a day for a hike + climb

last weekend T, our friend brian + his pup, our pup and i went to the wichita mtns for some hiking and rock climbing! the weather was expected to be the perfect sunny day so we made a day of it. now for the record, i am not big on rock climbing - the boys mainly stuck to that but hiking is one of my favorite past-times so i came along :) all of the local wildlife and foliage made for some really great photos, hope you enjoy!

this photo is blurry which you'll have to excuse but i loved these longhorn cattle lining the state park trail to the mtns

if you are wondering if this is a real bison, you are correct! they freely roam the mtn range. if you are wondering how we could be so close it works on the bee principle "if you don't bother them they'll leave you alone"

i love this photo of the two pups watching the guys hike up to the climbing point. they were so upset they couldn't go there

how great is this view?!

my stud... 

i love this photo (and have so many just like it that i took that day but will spare you from seeing them all as i know not everyone wants to see 20+ pictures of just him)! the pup was so happy running around on the trails, swimming in the creek and looking out over the mtn...pretty much just being a wildpup. i'm pretty sure he dreams of when we will go back next :)