Finally, we were able to get the dogs out into the winter woods exploring on snowshoes this weekend! We had blazed trails a couple other times to take them out, and then got rain and ice which ruined them. We’d only been on short walks in the woods up until now. We got a couple snowstorms this last week. None dumped a lot of snow here, but it was finally enough to cover all the ice and make conditions safe for walking. We have to be careful since both Cricket and Luke have issues with their knees.
The Dadz and I got out on Saturday and made the trails, and then on Sunday we headed out with the dogs. As it turned out the snow was soft and conditions good enough that we didn’t have to follow the trails exactly. Luke had no problem off in the deeper snow, and Cricket and I brought up the rear so she could follow in Dadz’ footsteps.
We saw a lot of deer trails out there and Luke had fun sniffing around and sticking his nose into the snow looking for “treats” (we managed to keep him from finding any “snacks” left by the deer). We didn’t want to overdo it with Cricket this first time out, so kept it a bit shorter. She had no trouble keeping up, in fact, she was dragging me down a little hill at one point and I thought she was going to take me down! I had on the hands free leash so I could use a ski pole which helped keep me upright. She did not slow down the whole time out there.
Cricket has seemed no worse for wear since, so we can go a little longer next time. We’ll have to make new trails again though, because right now we’re in the middle of a big storm that it’s said might drop up to over a foot of snow on the ground this time! I’m excited that we’re finally getting some real winter weather and that we’ll hopefully have quite a few weekends left that we can get out and explore our own 17 acres of land.
The rocky ridge in the upper left of the above photo runs along just outside of our property line. It looks like there could be caves up there and I wonder if that might be where our bear visitors live! Do we dare go explore at some point?
This is great exercise for all of us, and out in the fresh air is exactly where we want to be. Cricket didn’t waste any time crashing on the couch not long after we got back, but Luke was completely energized by his time outside and was tearing around the house! Clearly, it’s going to take the longer walks to wear that boy out!
Do you snowshoe or have any other favorite winter activities you enjoy with your dogs?
This has not been a great year for snowshoes here. Looks like fun though.
Well, I’m glad we got out when we did, because our snow is pretty much all melted now! What a crazy winter it has been.
What a great day! It’s like a Winter Wonderland out there, you’re so lucky to have so much land to hike through anytime you want with no one in your way. Cricket and Luck are so adorable, they look like they were having a blast out there! I’m like your hands free method, it’s so much easier.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
The hands free really is awesome, and works perfectly with Cricket. We are so excited about our land; it is nice to head out there without having to drive anywhere! Our snow has been melting like crazy though, and we got a lot of rain, so I’m not sure we’ll be able to get out there again, or if the snow is too crusty for the dogs (Luke already has a broken nail so we have to be extra careful).
It looks like you all had a fantastic time! I wish I could join you all for some fun in the snow.
What a fun outing for everypawdy! Believe it or not, even though we live in So Cal, we own our own snowshoes! We love to snowshoe, but haven’t done it in forever! It’s been a long time since we went somewhere with snow.
Have you ever taken Rita anywhere with snow – do you know if she likes it or not?
We tried a few times last year. We went to one place in Dec of 2015 that should have had snow, but nope, none. So we tried again, taking her to Flagstaff in Feb last year – but we were unlucky again. There was only old, crusty snow – but she LOVED it. So I think she’d really love the fresh stuff! Going to be a while though – we just booked our winter vaca for this year, and we’re going somewhere with no snow (and going without her!).
That sounds so fun! I want to get some snowshoes, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. On the only snowy days we’ve had so far, it’s been way too cold to let the dogs adventure for long (because I still haven’t figured out how to wrangle Rye to get boots on her!).
And I LOVE your jacket–such a cute color!
Thank you! It’s harder for me to get lost in the woods too. LOL
I bet you have some great places to go snowshoeing in your area! We’ve been really lucky this year. Two years ago when we got a lot of snow, then it got really cold like you said and it was too cold to get out much. We’re actually having a warm spell coming up, and as long as it doesn’t melt the snow too much it will be so nice out there. I actually got too warm when Luke and I went out today!
I know how you feel about Rye and the boots….there is no way I will ever get any on Luke either.
Maybe you can train Luke to pull you on skis! That would get rid of some of his energy.
Now that’s a good idea!! 🙂
Just wonderful, Jan, so glad you did it and got out-what beauty and fun, fresh air and exercise for all, yay!!
I hope to stick with it every weekend as long as we have snow, and you should definitely come join us sometime!
It must be super cool to have all that property to call your own and explore. Looks like tons of fun.
It sure is, and we absolutely love it!
Wonderful winter fun!!!!! It looks as if you all had a blast, and I’m glad that the dogs’ knees were just fine. Being someone who actually found a bear when she peeked into a cave one time, be prepared that you might actually see eyes looking back at you if you explore the caves 🙂
Oh boy, I wonder who would be more scared – me or the bear? 🙂
What a fun way to spend the day!
Would so love to snowshoe and hopefully soon we’ll actually get some snow!
Last winter we got very little snow and never even got the snowshoes out once! Fingers crossed for you. I always figure if it’s going to be cold, we might as well have some snow so we can do something fun out there.
I’ve been wanting to snowshoe for a while, but I have questions. And now I have someone to ask! Do the snowshoes make it easier to walk in the snow? We have some deep stuff here and Delilah keeps wanting to go into the woods, but she drags me so much, that I struggle because the snow keeps ‘collapsing’ under my feet.
Delilah totally gets Cricket pulling, there are so many good smells under that snow!
And Sampson is similar to Luke, many times after a cold, snowy walk, he will come inside all amped up.
I’m so jealous of you. Your property looks amazing!
Yes, the snowshoes make it easier to walk in the snow. They keep you more on top of it. You still sink down in some, but not as far, since they distribute your weight a little more. Depending on the snow conditions, it can still be tough going when you’re out on fresh snow (heavy wet snow is more difficult), but it’s still far easier than without them. It just takes a little coordination when stepping over things or turning (and the ski poles really do help a lot).
We are so excited about our property! It’s always been our dream to have some land and we often have to pinch ourselves to believe it’s really true!
OMD! I have never seen anyone walk in snow shoes. I can imagine that is a great leg workout!
Yes, my leg muscles can definitely attest to that fact today! LOL
Glad you are enjoying the snow. We need to get our snowshoes out.
I find winter so much more bearable if I get outside and get some fresh air and exercise!
What a great walk! Great exercise too! I am so clumsy in snow shoes and the dogs always step on them tripping me.
Kobi used to do that to me all the time. He’d get lazy and drop back behind me and try to walk on my snowshoes! He wasn’t as spoiled as these two, getting the trails blazed for them ahead of time. LOL
That is quite the winter wonderland you have there and I’m glad you had fun!
that looks like fun but my Mom said she would probably break her neck in them BOL. Barks and licks and love, Dakota
I’m not known for my coordination, so if I can do it, I bet your Mom could too! 🙂
How fun! Our winter has gone from bad to worse, to just forget it! First there was the ice, then warm temps and more ice, the broken ankle, and now 50 this week. We are all so bummed. Your snow and trails look like so much fun. We have written off this winter and are looking forward to next winter instead at this point.
I’m so bummed for you that you’re having such a lousy winter; I know how much you usually love it. I am so relieved that (hopefully) our weather has finally settled into real winter weather. Though I have heard something about another warm up, but I hope not.
PS. You ought to make an 8 x 10 print of that pic of the house from the back woods, frame it, and hang it in the living room! It’s gorgeous!!
Thank you!! Maybe I’ll do that!
Oh, how I wish I had a home up there by you! I know the girls would love being in the snow! We got a little bit of snow around Christmas and that was it. Yesterday I had to turn the a/c on because it was 80•F outside AND in! When I woke up this morning, I was freezing! Had to switch back to the heat! These southern winters are crazy!!
I bet your girls would love the snow too! We complain a lot about winter up here, but I’ve really come to like it a lot more, mostly because the dogs love it so much!
I’m surprised Cricket doesn’t need a coat. I like snowshoeing but mostly Dixie and I walk in the city so it’s ice cleats for me.
It was ice cleats for me a couple weeks ago too, but I’m glad to no longer need them at this point! Cricket has always stayed pretty warm outside. Her fur gets very thick in the winter (unlike Luke who has very thin fur – almost nothing – underneath!).
Reminds me of our woods! My ankle didn’t allow me to go snowshoeing last weekend, but I hope by the end of the week it will be healed enough to go out and enjoy it.
I hope your ankle is better soon! Winter is so much more tolerable when you can get outside and enjoy it.
Oh you can walk on snow shoes? how great!!!! I’ve tried it one time and it ended awful… :o) have fun in the snow and enjoy the white winter wonderland …
Well, MOST of the time I can walk on them. There is a reason I’m bundled up so….that’s to keep me warm and dry when I fall (I didn’t fall this time though, but I usually do at least once when we go out!).