Quiet Waters Park Annapolis, MD

Quiet Waters in Annapolis is truly a great dog park. We don't get to go as often as I would like, as it's about 40 minutes or so from where we live, but it is always well worth the trip. Yesterday we were there for a Lab Rescue Picnic and I'm still amazed at how many Labs were in one place. I lost count at around 35 or so. It was complete raucous, organized chaos in the best way. The labs enjoyed hours of swimming and running around which is just the best to watch. Labs are goofy dogs that love a good time. I'm so glad that Zoey was able to get that kind of socialization and exercise, since most of her fun tends to be on-leash due to where we live. We had good food, great fun, and I think Zoey is still exhausted. Luckily the weather held up for us, and it rained just a little bit at the beginning of the afternoon, and held off the rest of the time we were there.

Quiet Waters has three off-leash areas. There is a separate special area for little guys, a larger fenced in area for big dogs, and the dog beach (my favorite part) just a short walk from the parking area. It's a well-maintained facility, with tons of areas to toss used bags, and there are also lots of bag dispenser stations found throughout the park. It costs $6 per car to enter the park, and it's good to keep in mind that Quiet Waters is closed on Tuesdays. The fenced-in areas have water spigots and hoses and lots of bowls, and yesterday there were kiddie pools for pups to wade in and beat the summer heat. Zoey finally figured out what the wading pools were for, and once that happened it was tough trying to persuade her to leave her watery oasis. When headed to the dog beach, it's best to bring a water bottle with you, as there aren't any freshwater sources and the dogs are getting tons of exercise. If they get too thirsty they start chugging bay water, which means MILLIONS of bathroom breaks later and potentially some seriously unpleasant curbing situations. There is a hosing station for getting some of the sand and grit out of their coats, but no shampoos or detergents are allowed. It's a great way to get them rinsed off (and smelling less like bay scallops) and a fantastic amenity that the park features. Bring a towel as well. We forgot one yesterday and improvised with John's undershirt. Oops. Towels are top of the packing list for next time.

Quiet Waters is a truly wonderful park. There are lots of pavilions available to rent for large groups and tons of places to enjoy a picnic lunch. They do some large events at the main building, and with its lovely gardens and fountains, I could see why someone would opt for this location to hold their special occasion. Throughout the summer, they hold concerts in the amphitheater and that could be worth checking out sometime. If you're near Annapolis, or want to take a day trip that includes tons of wet-nosed, wagging tail fun for your dog, Quiet Waters should be at the top of the list. It's always a good time and makes for a very tired dog.

Columbia Dogs on the Go

Yesterday was my first Meet Up with Columbia Dogs on the Go. The after work walk was scheduled at Lake Elkhorn in Columbia, and I was a little nervous to just kind of show up and meet new people. I've never thought of myself as a particularly shy person, but it would seem that I am in fact kind of a cowardly chicken woman in terms of just putting myself out there in new social situations. Thats the great thing about dogs though, they're fantastic social facilitators and even though Zoey was a little barky and WAY too excited at first, she mellowed out and we had a lot of fun. Next time I will be sure to take her on our morning walk, in addition to any evening meet ups that way hopefully there won't be so much antsy energy initially. It was a very nice group of people, and luckily there were a handful of newbies like me. Zoey made a bunch of friends including a mixed breed named Shadow, who was fully prepared to have Zoey's back when a German Shepherd got a little snappy, a tan mix named Eli, and his housemate Roxy. It's funny how I'm much better at remembering the dog's names than the names of their owners, but I'm guessing as I continue to go to different meet ups, the people's names will eventually follow.

I didn't go afterwards with some of the group to Pubdog, and I'm kind of regretting my decision to head home right after the walk. It would have been nice to have a beer and get to know some of the people better. Pubdog is definitely pretty fun, John and I went there for dinner one night. They're oh so dog friendly with a big patio and have water bowls outside for each table. All of their beers are dog-named/themed which is kind of cute. I opted not to go though, since I hadn't fed Zoey her dinner yet, and I felt guilty about staying out without getting some kibble in her belly. At least now I have a sense of what to expect, and will plan better for next time. I think the Meet Up website is a fantastic way to make some new friends and network a little bit, especially for people like me who have moved far enough away from home to get a little bit lonely sometimes. The Columbia Dogs on the Go group is very active and always has a bunch of activities in the works and the people are very welcoming. I'm proud of myself for being brave and trying something new and I'm so glad it's a way for Zoey to get some dog-time too.

www.columbiadogsonthego.org

Centennial Park, Howard County

One of the first parks John and I found when me moved was Centennial Park, and it's become one of my favorites.  In additional to beautiful views of the lake and wildlife, there are a ton of recreational opportunities at the park as well.  There are tennis courts, basketball courts, boat rentals, fishing, biking, horseshoes, and lots of pavillions for shade and get-togethers.  This past Sunday the park hosted a triathlon and Centennial was still in a little bit of disarray after the influx of people.  The grounds crew was busy picking up discarded gel packs, squished water cups, and all the extra refuse generated by fans, participants, and well- wishers.   It was still, as always, a nice walk with Zoey around the lake trail.  Based on mapmyrun's estimate it's roughly a 3 mile walk which is just enough to wear out Zoey, but still leave me with enough energy to get a good workout in myself later in the day.  If I get out early enough with her we run, but since temperatures are still creeping up quickly, we've stuck to strolling the last week or so.  This park sporadically has pick up bags, so bring your own, but they do offer three water coolers with cups at various points around the lake, although you can't count on them always being full.  I tend to view the cooler stations as a back up if we've gone through more water than expected, but it's still a very nice thing that they offer at the park, even though sometimes it's a little bit hit or miss.  A few weeks ago, I saw a black snake which was undeniably gross, even though I know that they are harmless and good vermin killers.  That's something to keep your eyes peeled for, although I've only had one spotting in about 15 or so visits, so the snake to visit ratio is very low at this point.  A lot of people frequent the park, but it's not so busy it's uncomfortable and not so quiet you feel totally isolated.  Zoey has made a lot of friends on our visits and most everyone is very friendly.  There are some outer trails that I have not explored yet, but look forward to checking out. I'll be sure to update as we continue to get our bearings.   It's funny how most things in this area are meant to sort of blend in rather than be overt.  John and I laugh all the time when we discover something super awesome near us that has little or no signage and that looks kinda incognito from the street.  The Columbia area's blending in of natural elements with commercial things is taking some getting used to, but I kinda like their style in that way, although it can be a little frustrating for newbies like us.

Lake Elkhorn, Columbia MD

One of the best parts about living in Howard County is its park system. Lake Elkhorn is beautiful and has a nicely maintained paved trail surrounding it which is readily utilized by walkers, runners, bikers, and dog walkers. There are a couple of dog bag pickup stations around the park which is nice and handy if you've forgotten a bag or unexpectedly require one. Today was the first weekend day I've gone, and it was quite busy with all kinds of activity. There were a few families fishing and one little guy was very excited as he caught his first fish, a sunny, and the boys squeals of delight could be heard all over the park. There is a lot of wildlife around, and we saw groups of turtles sunning themselves on logs, lots of ducks, an egret, and bunches of geese. Luckily this time the waterfowl kept their distance. I like watching them from afar, but upclose honestly they kinda freak me out. They've got weird beedy eyes, and I've seen enough videos on America's Funniest to know that geese can be real a-holes. During my last visit a very exotic looking one, kept waiting for me to turn my back, and then would rapidly advance in a not-so-cool sneak attack type fashion. The only downside about the park, is that in an area with so much traffic and heavy utilization by the community, there is a lot of litter floating in the water near the boat slip which is kind of a bummer and a little depressing. Nothing sucks more than seeing a couple of woodhens kicking through a sheet of plastic trying to catch up with the rest of the ducks. I'm looking into local groups to see if there are any community based area-cleanups scheduled that maybe I could help out with. Parking was a bit of a disaster in the small lot off Broken Land Parkway, so I parked across the street at a business complex. A lot of other people seemed to have the same idea and, since its a weekend, I figured it was probably okay. I'm excited to explore some of the trails in the other direction next time I go, and I'll be sure to report back about what they're like. Moving has been kind of sucky, but on the up-side I'm getting to explore lots of places that I may not have been able to check-out otherwise, and wearing Zoey out as we go exploring is always a bonus. Lake Elkhorn is definitely worth checking out, there are a couple of gazebo-type dealies which provide shade and nice views at various points around the lake and would be quite nice for a picnic lunch. They have one of those sorta bizarre-o fitness courses with different exercises listed at each apparatus, which could be fun (and maybe a little germy) if that kind of stuff is your thing. There are lots of benches around for pitstops, and I imagine that as the weather cools off, they would be great for reading or busting out a crossword puzzle. There is a water source near the Pavillion that I noticed today, so maybe just bring a bottle for a fill-up. A family near the dam, had a couple of big bowls of water out for dogs with a funny little sign, the last time I was there but this time they weren't out, so best not to plan on that. All in all it's a nice near-two mile walk which you can make as quick or as leisurely as you like.

Seneca Rocks WVA

As fall starts to creep in, I can't help but get excited for one camping trip in particular. The last two years we've gone to Seneca Rocks, WVA and it has come to be one of my favorite places. The first year we caught some truly gorgeous trees in mid-leaf change, and while I don't consider myself a leaf-peeper (or any kind of peeper for that matter) the seasonal change was lovely to see. The second year, we got a bit of a later start, and missed most of the fall foliage, although we had decent weather on our side, with an early snow shower the last day of our trip. I'm a bit of a turbo-wuss in terms of freezing temperatures, and thankfully had much more appropriate gear with me the second year we went. I'm used to summer camping and borderline-uncomfortable balmy tent conditions, and it's a nice change of pace to be a little chilly, although it took some getting used to, and some upgrades in gear were oh so necessary. The best part of our second trip for me was that we brought our dogs. Travelling with pets always adds a few more steps in preparation and planning, but sharing the outdoor experience with them is something that, while at times makes planning a little more complicated, means everything to me in the world. Our friend Jay brought his dog Riley, a lab-shepherd mix, who is very sweet and just a little bit stark raving bonkers, and we brought Zoey who was just a little gal at the time. Riley finally settled in to his new surroundings, for the most part, and seized fewer and fewer opportunities to jump into any car with an open door. Zoey chewed through her second zip-lead (in record time) but luckily we had a back-up. The trail to the top of Seneca Rocks is a fairly easy hike, although if you have a dog with any health concerns such as old leg injuries it's best to plan on taking a few breaks along the way, as the footing isn't always stable, and could agravate stiff or unsturdy joints. Older dogs, or those with a history of pad sensitivity or sores may need to forgo the trail totally, although there are lots of open areas and streams to walk along and enjoy which are safer and more accessible for senior dogs or those with health concerns. There are tons of camping sites in the area, and we've chosen to stay along the river both years. There are some nice amenities which take just a smidge of the roughing it out of roughing it such as a bath and shower house as well as a nice gentleman who sells firewood off the back of his pickup each evening. After a long day of outdoor activities, there is nothing better than a meal cooked over a fire, smores, and a couple of beers. We discovered the Mountaineer Brewing Company's brews in Harper's General Store in downtown Seneca Rocks and their offerings are quite good and reasonably priced. Try their Nut Brown, Red Ale, and Blonde Lager. Seneca Rocks is a scenic and welcoming town, and I can't wait to get back again with John, Zoey, and the gang for another camping trip.

Hiking Hawksbill and South Falls, Shenandoah

So if you know me, you know I'm nuts about my dog. I decided I'd start a blog to chronicle our road trips, trail runs, weekend camping adventures, and daily goings-on.

Last weekend we packed up the family in John's Saturn and headed to Shenandoah National Park. I hadn't been on Skyline Drive since I was a kid with my Oma and Opa, and I had forgotten how unbelievably beautiful that area is. Holy scenery Batman. Nature has a way of putting things in perspective. It's hard not to feel dwarfed by the sheer immensity of your surroundings in a place like Shenandoah. It lends itself to a quiet kind of spirituality, one in which fresh air provides the impetus to an uncommon clarity that is often lost, or pushed aside, in day to day routines and responsibilities. There is a unique sense of "man this is really what it's all about" that comes from hauling ass (and panting your way) up a root-strewn trail accompanied by your dog, while surrounded by nothing but lush forest and rocky outcroppings. Hanging out in the woods always has a way of inspiring me to re-evaluate what's important and to re-structure priorities. A world with muddy boots or sneakers just makes sense to me somehow. I was really proud of our Zoe-bear. She was a very good citizen in terms of not being too nosy with other hikers and their canine companions, only protesting when she thought another dog was super rad and absolutely had to greet them. (She's a hyper-social gal, what can I say?) We completed two pretty demanding hikes on Saturday, and Zoey kept up wonderfully, despite increasingly warmer temperatures. I'm a bit hyper-vigilant in worrying about heat safety for Zoey and we were lucky to have a lot of shade on our side and a well-stocked pack. We definitely made sure to make like camels and guzzle bunches of water at the end of our second hike. I was really stoked to see that there was a dog level water spigot which worked perfectly for rehydrating Zoey. I am so glad we picked the weekend we did to go to Shenandoah. Great weather, fantastic awe-inspiring scenery, and the best company a girl could ask for.