journal

Two dogs on leashes standing on a narrow dirt path surrounded by yellow and green fall foliage with tall trees overhead

The dogs and I had several long greenbelt walks this week, beneath the last of the fall color showing in the tall willows. Thursday night we had snow, and so we were up early to see the sunrise light up the first snowfall of the season.

Calm river surrounded by trees with yellow leaves and patches of fresh snow on the ground and branches in soft morning light

Black dog standing by a calm riverbank with snow on the ground and trees with green and yellow leaves reflecting in the water

And we had a Tuesday excursion to the high country, hiking around on snowy slopes. I intentionally circled back through a valley side that stays in the shade of a north facing ridge all winter. The snow there might blow off the trees, but it won’t melt until Spring.

(click on photos below for larger image . . . - Esc or clicking outside of image will close it)

Sunlight streaming through tall evergreen trees onto a snowy forest floor with animal tracks and sparse brush

Black dog with orange collar sitting on a snowy forest trail surrounded by evergreen trees with patches of snow on their branches

Snow-covered forest floor with tall evergreen trees dusted with snow in a shaded valley

Black dog standing by a calm stream reflecting autumn trees with some snow on the ground and branches, beneath green and yellow willow leaves

Calm river running through a landscape with trees showing the last fall leaves and patches of fresh snow on the ground and branches

Two dogs standing on a narrow dirt path surrounded by yellow and green autumn foliage and tall trees

Large bare tree with twisted branches standing in a field of dry grass under a partly cloudy blue sky

Dry autumn leaves and a small red berry resting on textured tree bark and soil

Person dressed in winter gear standing in a snowy forest with a black dog wearing an orange collar nearby

Person wearing a hat and winter clothing petting a black dog with an orange collar in a snowy forest with tall pine trees

Small evergreen tree with patches of snow on its branches in a snowy forested slope with sunlight casting shadows

Black and white dog wearing an orange vest running through a snow-covered forest with evergreen trees and snow on the branches

Sunlight filtering through tall snow-covered evergreen trees in a snowy forest with a black and white dog wearing an orange collar partially visible among the trees

Snow-covered mountain slope with rocky outcrops and scattered evergreen trees under a clear blue sky

Sunlight shining through tall evergreen trees with patches of snow on branches and ground in a mountainous winter landscape

Black and white dog standing in a snowy clearing with dense evergreen trees in the background

Sunlight filtering through tall evergreen trees dusted with snow on a snowy forest slope

Black dog with an orange collar running through a snowy forest with tall evergreen trees

Snow-covered forest floor with evergreen and deciduous trees, including a large tree surrounded by fallen branches partly buried in snow

Black and white dog with blue eyes and an orange bandana sitting in the snow between tree trunks

Black and white dog running energetically through deep snow near trees in a winter forest

Black and white dog standing in deep snow among tall pine trees with snow on branches

Snow-covered forest with tall pine trees and a thick blanket of snow on the ground and branches

Snow-covered forest with tall evergreen trees and a black and white dog partially visible among the snow

Black and white dog lying in snow near trees with snow-covered branches

Snow-covered forest with tall trees and patches of sunlight filtering through the branches

A snowy forest slope with tall evergreen trees and a black and white dog resting on the snow among the trees

Snow-covered forest floor with tall evergreen trees dusted with snow and sunlight filtering through the branches

bare tree branch with multiple small twigs extending from it

Tall leafless trees with thick trunks standing along a grassy path in a late autumn setting under a partly cloudy blue sky

I am fortunate to have such good border collies to keep me company up there. It is not the same without Mollie, but the days go on, and you remember how much she loved it on our walks and mountain treks. I have many years of photos and videos to remember her with.

It is a blessing to spend my weeks with just the dogs, walking or trekking like we do, then spicing it up with some dancing, as has been my routine for over two decades now.