So excited we threw off a dog boot!

Today we hiked in a new area.  We went to a lake about 20 minutes from our house and hit the trails.  This lake boasts about 29 miles of hiking trails.  We have hiked a few of the trails but probably not more than 15 miles of the trails at the most and I think we had hit the same trail a couple of times.  This time I found a map, did a little research and we were rewarded.  The map to the trailhead left off a couple of key details like street names but we managed to find the correct spot.  

Winston was really excited because there wasn't another person around for miles.  This meant he got to run off leash.  He has only been on about 2-3 short hikes during the week so he was ready for a long run! 

The trails were very well marked.  It was pretty obvious that these trails didn't have as much foot traffic as our other lake trails that we frequently hike during the week.  

There were good signs and mile markers too.  

The trail went for almost a mile on top of a ridge overlooking the lake.  Since the leaves aren't on the trees yet we can still see the lake.  This beautiful view will be gone and it will be very wooded during the late spring and summer months.  

The trail then goes down toward the lake and there is a little spot to walk out to the water.  

Winston was really excited about getting in the water because it was a warm 60 degrees and he had been running since we started.  He loves going for a swim.  We took advantage of the waterfront for some pictures and enjoying the cool breeze off the lake.  

We continued on the trail for another few miles until Winston was begging for another dip in the lake then we headed back.   Since Winston was all refreshed after his swim he was in super dog mode running like a speed demon through the trails then running just as hard back to us!  In the midst of his crazy running phase Winston lost one of his Ruffwear Summit Trex boots.  I was concerned this might happen after he was in the water.  A quick retrace of his speed demon run and we found his boot, right on the trail!  We were so lucky to find the boot that we ended up just taking the boots off.  The trail was dirt without sharp rocks and we had not seen many locust thorns or glass.  He did fine the remainder of the trail without his boots and we weren't as worried seeing him racing through the trails.  

This trail doesn't loop so it is just an out and back on the same trail.  It was still a pretty trail with lots of changes in scenery.  Lakeside trails and wooded areas and even a few areas through old farmsteads.  The smell of the lilac and rosebushes from the old farmsteads was amazing!!

Sometimes walking among all the trees one tree will stick out and you just stop and look at it a little longer.  Here was my tree for this trail.  Don't forget when you are out and about hiking through the trees to stop and look at them.  They are really beautiful sometimes.  

We are excited to have found a new hiking area with lots of miles of trails that we are unfamiliar with.  This lake also has good campsites that we can get away for the weekend!  Looking forward to posting more about these trails and camps!