Where is Orso? In Maine!!!!

Our camera fell victim to an unfortunate, long fall into my water bowl (I was trying to take a picture of my yummy supper) so pictures may have to wait a day or so until we see a store large enough to carry such things as digital cameras.

We are spending our week vacation in the White Mountains in Maine. We're staying at a great bed and breakfast that happily allows dogs. This is only The Kid's second trip and the first was during her first week with us. So it is all really new for her. In the car yesterday, I slept, saving my energy for what I know will be a very active week. She, on the other hand, was up in between the two front seats watching everything. I tried to tell her, "Sleep now Kid. You have no idea how much walking we'll do. Listen to your wise big bro on this one." But did she? No. Two years ago in Lake Placid, the hiking was pretty intense. We were doing short hikes up mountains, but multiple mountains in a day. I caught on to the routine and protested after the first one of the day, plopping myself deeply into an unraisable nap in the back seat. A nap in the shade of the woods at a parking lot of a trail head is a lovely thing.

Today we started by walking a bit on the property of the B&B. Mom and Dad had to wear snow shoes because the snow is still very deep in the forest. The Kid, of course, is very happy to flop, smush, and roll in piles of snow. It was okay, because it was packed down, but I followed close behind Mom's snow shoe tracks. I should say, it was okay until we reached an ice bridge over a spring rushing stream. I thought we shouldn't go over it, but Dad and Ayla were pretty insistent. I decided to leap it which was a good choice. Coming back, however, I felt even more hesitant. Dad went first, then Ayla, then me and then, SPLASH, Mom's foot totally went through the ice into the stream. I tried to tell them. Humans are so reckless.

We did two more short walks. One was on a paved path through town. And the other was part of the Appalachian Trail. Mom only wanted to do a little of this one, so she took us back down the hill and we had a rest at the car. Then The Kid got to experience for the first time, one of the best parts of our road trips: Fast Food. Mom bought us each a hamburger. At first, Ayla was just happily nibbling, then she got really into it and tried to steal mine. She's cute and fluffy and everything, but man, she can be bossy.

Right now, we are taking a much needed rest back at the inn. I think The Kid finally gets it; Sleep every minute you can before they run you ragged.

Hopefully, I will be able to share some pictures soon of our beautiful adventure.