Christmas Scenery Along The Rutland Trail, Part 2

We didn't actually walk very far, the dogs and I, but we made it to Allen Brook and enjoyed the scenery. Then we turned around and began making our way back toward the car:

Clover continued to run too far ahead. Then I'd call her back and she'd return at full speed and full of joy. These dogs sure do have fun:

And the silly sisters did a bit of wrestling in the middle of the trail. I guess we'd have to call that "Christmas Wrestling:"

Rutland Trail is a former railroad bed and therefore straight, flat and incredibly easy walking. Both sides of it, however, were posted as private property. Well, never mind, looking at the scenery doesn't require trespassing:

Every so often we'd come to a place where the snow was gone and the fallen leaves exposed. The dogs found the smells there to be fascinating and I guessed that deer had bedded down there the previous night:

But mostly we proceeded slowly and enjoyed the scenery:

The woods were silent, muffled in snow, and the skies were overcast:

Big ol' Seamus was a happy boy as he led the smaller dogs along the trail. I also like it when he walks alongside me as he's just the right height for petting as we proceed:

We once again passed by the fallen pine bough which had drawn so much interest the first time. This time, the dogs ignored it:

But they kept a wary eye out for woodland boogeymen. A dog's job as watchman and guardian never ends, and they take it seriously:

When I knew we were almost back to the car, I called the dogs closer to me and had them "heel" for a bit. Then I released them but continued to insist they stay close:

And soon we were back at the car. The dogs jumped in with as much joy as they'd had jumping out when we arrived. Five miles back home and it would be their dinnertime, another occasion for great doggy joy: