Return To Madawaska Pond - Part 1

We have cold, early, rugged winters in these parts but one day they predicted sun and temperatures which might hit a high of 60 F. So I took the dogs down to the Adirondacks' Madawaska Pond, just 26 miles from home. The 6.5 mile road through the forest is on private land and it had been blocked for about three years. But New York State convinced the owners of the land to open the gate again this past spring:

As usual, we had the forest all to ourselves - and it was beautiful:

The dogs were excited and also were determined to run too far ahead, so I hollered at them until they calmed down. I can't walk five dogs on leashes and I can't let them run amok, so I insist they stay within about 15 feet of me. They'd rather have complete freedom, but I've learned the hard way how that causes problems. The good news is that the dogs calm down after a bit and I then get to relax and enjoy the quiet beauty of the forest:

We were soon at Madawaska Pond, an Adirondack gem, surrounded by forests, and with Lowbush Blueberries all along its shoreline:

Clover and Daphne ran down to the water's edge to get their feet wet:

And then we continued on our way:

The trail was flat and easy walking, just what I need these days. It was altogether lovely:

The dogs stayed mostly on the trail but made occasional side trips into the trees to explore interesting smells:

The dappled sunlight made it difficult for my automatic camera to know how to focus, but I took lots of photos so I could select only those which turned out to be acceptable:

The forest was mostly White Pines and the warm sun raised a piney aroma all along the way:

The dogs ran and played, sniffed and explored, pooped and peed. Little Jack, who had never had such experiences before I adopted him, imitates what the other dogs are doing, all the more reason for me to insist they behave:

The last time we were here, I never made it to the dam, but this time we arrived at the dam area and got to explore:

The land was lower and flatter at the dam area, with many easily accessible spots along the water's edge. And of course, the views were wonderful:

The dogs ran and played, but I wanted to get all the way to the earthen dam itself. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Little Horses, Lots Of Mischief

Blue and Remy are well fed, active and enjoying life. They get along well enough with the cattle but have learned to respect their size and power:

Blue is looking mighty handsome in his new red halter. I've never found the old halter which he lost:

I am now bringing a hay bale into the pasture every other day, and the occasion has become one of great fun for the two horses - especially Remy. He tries to chew on the tractor tires, the seat and hydraulic hoses. I have to chase him away, my irritation escalating with each incident. I also have to be very careful that the little horses are not in front or behind the tractor when I move it:

Remy is the primary prankster:

Blue is mostly sweet and shy:

But the two of them together can get pretty darn rowdy:

Remy is sweet too, so lovable in fact that he gets right in my face:

I seldom see them at the bale feeder, probably because the big cattle are always there. I worry about the horses getting enough to eat, but they can always get hay inside the barn:

And they are both gaining weight:

Blue has gained so much weight that I've twice had to widen the gap through which they can get inside the barn (but the cows can't). Blue's increasing width has made it difficult for him to get inside:


I only give them a scant half cup of grain each day, the pasture grass is mostly gone and the bossy cows keep them from the bale feeder. Yet their health and girth are considerable. I guess they're doing well:

All is well with the two little imps. They have lots of fun and get quite a bit of attention, even if they aren't being put to work. Their "job," as they see it, is stirring up trouble and being playful and lovable: