Hello readers…..it’s Me… NO  it’s ME Teva Jo. Apparently my momma cannot keep up with the Muse of me… so I’ve decided that I will take over.

So, let’s start with this hike of hers/ours…. and let’s just say it wasn’t MY idea.  I like a good long day on the trail don’t get me wrong but seriously, 40 miles?  14.5 hrs?    I’d rather meet a porcupine on a dark evening in an alley behind Safeway.  So….. as the story goes.

My parental figures were kind enough to plan the excursion along the Spokane River.  As I overheard, it would  keep me cooler throughout the day. Just a little side bar:  It  would have been nice if they would have so politely mentioned just  once  the extensive miles that would ensue when we began that early morning on 6.24.

Miles 1 to 15 were filled with much of the same: River, pine-cone fetching, stick throwing, swimming, horse poop rolling all things a golden loves and adores. The air was perfect and the water cool.  I really believed it was my most perfect day. Well it was the perfect day but then, to my great surprise, the starvation death march began. 

Nothing like a frend to lean on

At mile 18 some good friends including my buddy ‘Barney’ met us with a cooler and goodies-  “yippeeeee” I thought we’d reached our destination.  NOPE.   Mom and Dad’s camel backs were filled with ice water, they snacked on some fruit and chocolate and off we went again further away from where we began.  About 2 miles later we stopped did some photo op-ping and then…. like horses with barn fever we turned back south and headed towards home.

20 Mile Turn Around

Accurate and true but not dog frienldy

Mom’s obsession with the thing on her wrist appeared to be an important part of the day….. in fact the obsession of it actually became an annoyance.  My swims became shorter, breaks were non-existent and most of all there was no time for snacking. 

Mile 30:  I was done.  Me, the Muse, the athletic wonder dog… DONE.  I didn’t care about sticks or horse poop, water or pine cones.  I wanted to sleep.  I wanted my ottoman, my plush floor bed, anything soft and still.  Mom and Dad louring me up the mountain with stale treats and kind words.  I did eventually succumb but not with my normal joy and wonder.

Less then half a mile to go

Mile 37:   Mom is frantic because her GPS watch is dying.  She picks it up a notch (3.0 mph to 4.0 mph) trying to beat the battery death.  HELLO, what about the dog and husband death.  She proceeds at a fast pace above us in an almost psycotic state of mind.

Mile 39.99 and all I could do was politely pose for this picture.  Now, again, who’s idea was this?

Mile Marker 40:  As we return to the homestead with balloons and friends cheering all I can think about is removing my four from underneath my body and gracefully planting them skyward.  A great day it was filled with all things favorite of a golden retriever.  But note to all that read:  5 miles of hiking, a good swim, a pine cone and a good stick and I would be just as happy. 

Happy Birthday Momma- please don’t plan on 41 next year- I chose not to participate.

More Pics of the Epic Hike.

The Day Begins

The River Time for a little stick retrieval