Blaze and I both love a good obstacle course. There’s something about them that makes you be in the moment, which allows everything else (all of the worry, decision fatigue, and safety concerns fall away). I guess because you’re always thinking about where your next foot placement or foothold will be, as well as your handholds. (By the way, I could totally see us doing one of those canine obstacle courses soon.)
This 2-mile hike in the Red Rock Canyon area of Utah felt like a worthy example. I chose this hike for two reasons:
1) It was just a short jaunt from where we camped the night before, and
2) I wanted to spend some time at Bryce Canyon NP, but she’s only allowed on the rim between the sunrise and sunset points (1/2 mile one way) or in parking lots.
So, I needed to exercise her before we got there.
Along the way, we lost the trail and then found it again, thankfully. It would have been easier had we gone clockwise, but we didn’t. Oh well! We scrambled and climbed and walked and jumped over ditches. We enjoyed the views from underneath a large archway made out of red rock.
I should have had her on a leash, but I neglected to read the signs at the trailhead before starting. I found myself constantly asking her to stay close or to slow down out of fear that she would fall. In editing the video, I realized I could have put her on a leash at any point along the hike, but I didn’t. I will certainly keep this lesson in mind for future hikes!
All in all, we had a blast exploring for over an hour!
Michelle and Blaze 