The Patapsco River

Florian and I had another chance for an escape into the woods last weekend, and he wanted to go check out the Patapsco River and State Park.

He teases me when every hike we go on, I say This is the best one. But this one was definitely in the running.

It started out not so auspiciously, with a parking lot full of vehicles so I was sure we were going to be encountering other dogs and people and kids every step of the way. 

But I was wrong! A short, steep trail brought us down to the water, then another trail through the woods brought us to the railroad tracks where we could walk for a bit to get away from the heavily traversed areas. 

After a short while, we were among just one or two other hardy travelers and we went back down to the water. 

The river had opened out and was wide and clear. 















Perfect for wading and walking in the water, with the dogs happily doing their thing around us. 

There is nothing that makes me happier than a beautiful place out in nature where the dogs can run free.

Especially where there's water and the humans can join the dogs. 















Lamar loves to wade and cool off, but doesn't go in much for swimming anymore. I thought it would actually be helpful for his arthritis to be in the cool water, but he seems to prefer to lounge on the banks.

Fozzie, on the other hand, can't get enough of it. He kept jumping in, doing a lap, then going back in just for the joy of it. 

Must be that he's a lab-mastifff mix, don't you think?