One of the benefits/burdens of having a young dog is the need to give him lots of exercise. It seems like I am spending way more time than I sometimes feel that I have in siphoning off Logan's energy, following the precepts of a dog-trainer I know who counsels "better behavior through exhaustion". The nice part is that we are appreciating more fully the beautiful place in which we live. Mike and I have fallen into a pattern of walking Logan (on-leash) down (steeply) to Rosario Beach in Deception Pass State Park, climbing up to Rosario Head, which is an open cliff-edge looking out toward the Strait of Juan de Fuca, circling back up the hill to our driveway, and then climbing further onto the rocks behind our house where Logan can go off-leash and pursue his dog interests on his own. It takes about an hour and the hills are formidable. I've noticed an improvement in my wind and leg strength since Logan has joined us, but the best thing is being outdoors every day, experiencing the variations in the weather, the clouds, the water, and the vegetation. I am deeply attached to this place but it is easy to find myself so absorbed in my tasks that weeks go by without visiting the park or our own waterfront (also down a very steep hill). Logan forces me out and that is good.
This is the picnic shelter built from native materials in the 1930's by the CCC. I think it is the most beautiful of all the Deception Park shelters, and that is saying something.
We stop everyday to monitor the vista from the cliff top. Today glowering clouds combined with a very fresh breeze.
Circling back down towards the beaches offers a much more intimate view.
Up on the main road spring is about to explode...
and in the woods the green veil is unfurling
Logan makes the most of his freedom. It is hard to resist a happy dog.