Hiking alone

So last night I decided to go for a hike and take poor Skye out with me.  Skye loves to run and swim and smell everything there is to smell.  Unfortunately with my schedule and Salt Lake Cities leash laws, I am often unable to get her out to do some real running and exploring.  In Cache Valley, Utah where I live half the week, there is no such things as leash laws and there are some great trails only 5-10 minutes from my house.  I have been exploring them slowly.  I am strolling hiker not a "reach your goal at all cost" hiker.

Yesterday we went up Green Canyon.  It is in the Cache Forrest just East of North Logan.  It is a pretty canyon that, as I found out after Skye and I were nearly run over a couple of times, is used fairly heavily by mountain bikers.  It was beautiful though, and between the whir of Mtn bike tires was peaceful and quiet.  The temperature was perfect as we walked up the trail and the old campfires gave it just the slight whiff of campfire smell that made you feel like you were 50 miles into the forested wilderness instead of 10 minutes from the city.   I sat contemplating life and its mysteries for a good 5 minutes at the apex of my strenuous outing, then started back down the canyon.  On the way down, I strolled along the trail appreciating natures beauties.  I even turned off my ipod to listen to the crickets chirp in their near-dusk rhythm.  Ok,  I will admit it really was to listen for the mtn bike tires so that I could jump out of the way quickly to avoid tire marks across my back. 

Skye is a little to be desired as a hiking companion.  She likes to run ahead and sniff the trail leaving me in the dust behind.  Occasionally she runs back to check on her slower companion and make sure I haven't been playing with any other dogs (she is very possessive).  So, as Skye is 30 yards ahead, I hike alone thinking a great deal.  My thoughts wander, wondering when the next mtn bike will come by, how I might stop one of them if I fall and break an ankle, how I can exercise Skye without putting on hiking shoes, etc.