The Rutland Trail - Part 1

I'd had a long, busy and exhausting Sunday and a similarly tiring day on Monday. When I'd wrapped up all the business I'd set out to accomplish, I decided that there were several hours of warm, beautiful day left which I didn't want to waste. So I drove my five youngest dogs a mere three miles down the road to the Rutland Nature Trail:

The last time we tried this trail, I'd headed west, but this time we struck out toward the east:

There were lovely wetlands on both sides of the trail (an old railroad bed) and the spring peepers were calling:

We were not quiet because the dogs were rowdy and I was calling out orders to keep them toned down. I did not therefore see ducks close up as they flew away when they heard us coming. But I got lots of nice views of Mallards' undersides as they winged their way to quieter places. Apparently their ducklings had not yet hatched:

We kept walking and I marveled at the extent of wetlands. This is truly the "land of many waters," as its filled with pristine lakes, marshes, rivers and all kinds of wetlands:

Here's a brief video of one section filled with Spring Peepers:


Seamus led the way as we explored new territory. So far there had been continuous water on both sides of the trail:

This was a joyous afternoon romp. The downside was that four wheeled vehicles had been roaring through here, churning up the trail and leaving garbage. All for lack of a gate at the trail head:

Every so often, the dogs would get stuck at a particularly interesting smell and I'd get ahead of them. Then I'd call and watch them come running:

But most of my dog related energy was expended keeping them from getting too far ahead. Alas, this has been a long running problem. If they are going to be allowed off leash, they have got to keep fairly close to me. So I'd alternate periods of freedom with periods of making them heel. They considered it all great fun:

We passed an old, untended beaver dam:

And I was amazed that so far there had been no dry land on either side of the road, at least not enough to so much as contemplate a side trip. But the hike wasn't over yet. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: