Pup's First Trip

Amy let us take her 10 month old puppy with us backpacking. He learned plenty on his first trip, from t he openness, the solitude, the quiet, and the constant playing with Ben, who shares his wild spirit. Those tell chased each other through the woods as our good weather turned to rain, and continued their game as the rain became snow and cold.

At night they slept the sound sleep of a day well lived, and helped warm the inside of my tent. In the middle of the night I awoke and listened to blizzard winds blowing the snow through the forest. That sound was oddly comforting - maybe because I was warm and cozy in my sleeping bag, maybe from knowing that I could handle myself up here in any kind of weather.

We went out exploring in the snow, investigating hidden canyons and rock formations. We came across the remnants of a coyote kill on a snowshoe hair - only clumps of fur and guts and the heat were left. After we moved on and I saw Ben carrying the head I couldnt resist telling him to drop it, then picking it up by the ears and throwing it to him like a ball. Ben leaped high and snatched the rabbit head out of the air in his jaws.

At times we came back to our campsite in the shelter of a large rock, and sat by the fire to warm, and listed to the blessed quiet as it snowed.

There is no doubt that experiences like this change a person. I don't have much patience for loud talk and BS. For me the measure of real character is found out there were few words are spoken. I think the quiet and love of beauty and adventure becomes part of a man - and the same is likely true for those dogs as well. I bet that pup never forgets his mountain journey, at least until the next time he gets to go with us.

Amy has committed to letting me take him along on three backpack trips in 2006. If she was smart she would go with us.