While I am on the subject of our recently detained neighborhood imp, I thought I’d share the tale of one of our longer expeditions with him.
As I may have mentioned previously, Car-lie-lee is chock full of paths through woods, around vernal pools and cranberry bogs, up hills – although nothing like “Mom’s Mountain” in New Mexico- and through mud or over boardwalks, with new wildlife and flora on full display. In fact, dad got a book recently with all the trails so we can check off each one during our life in the City in the Woods. Our plan is to walk every single one no matter how long it takes. Zoe and I are all in!
For those interested in “previewing” what is likely to be future posts, here is a website that basically has the same information that is in our book:
https://www.carlislema.gov/562/Trail-Maps
Our most frequent stomping grounds are in the Davis Corridor which is just a block or so away. We have also gone down to Elliott park multiple times since it is in walking distance of our house…and it is something we can do over mom’s lunch break. Along this route, we get some got scents of what we have come to know as “Big Dogs” – although the smell nothing like a dog and what they leave behind (from their behinds) is something we are VERY interested in…despite the admonitions from our parents to not partake in these trail snacks.
On one of our other walks – this one in the Towle Land – we were required to be on our leashes since it is in a preserve for Bobolinks (if you are confused, as Mom was, Google these lovely birds) – which we did not see but certainly could smell had been around prior to our arrival. This place also had all sorts of “Danger” tape along the sides of the trail which we learned meant basically “heel.” At each of these tape sightings I noticed that there were some of these things which we were apparently not allowed to step on:
Dad confirmed on his new iPhone App called Picture This (which I find really annoying since we are constantly stopping to take random pictures of plant life), that this was indeed a Pink Lady Slipper. Apparently, people are really protective of this plant which is in something called the orchid family, and only exist in a few places in the US. Why where we were is beyond me; I can only assume it has a pack of some sort that it hangs out with in this “family.” Anyhow, along with being protective, people put up sticks to prevent the casual human or canine from accidentally stepping on one close to the side of the path, and/or encircling it with the aforementioned Danger tape. Eventually, we figured we could also help by placing branches or other barriers to protect ones that had not previously been cordoned off – more delays in my walk…just saying. But this didn’t stop Zoe from trying to try on one before I stopped her with a sharp yip. Zoe is no lady, she’s my sister (to paraphrase Lyle Lovett).
Seems like I may have gotten off track on the story that I wanted to relate in this blog. So back to it!
On this day, a non-work day for mom which meant we could go for a longer stroll, we headed into the Davis Corridor. Prior to entering the woods, out popped little Wally! Good times. We loved hanging with that little sport even if he wasn’t constrained by a leash.
Well, that is we loved hanging with him when he learned a few of our basic rules:
- Don’t try and get between Zoe and food – especially if it is a bread product.
- Don’t come into our house without being invited.
I am sure there is more we still need to teach him, but it was these two rules…nay LAWS…that he was reprimanded for violating by my dear sister. No blood or anything, but a stern scolding that Wally will likely not forget.
So back to the day of our story. Wally, Zoe and I – along with our parents – went for an extended trip through the Corridor.
The best part of the entire adventure was when Wally jumped into a little pool of water on the side of the path. Unfortunately, our resident photographer/videographer was not up to the task as Wally had finished his swim before any pictures or video were captured. Alas, Zoe and I were beside ourselves laughing at that little guy paddling around in water that barely came up to our chests – yes we were the first to take the “plunge” (if you call getting your knee caps wet a plunge 🙂 ). It was then that I noticed how much smaller his wet footprints were relative to Zoe’s! I guess that is why I call him “little guy”!
Right now it is raining at our place – which is probably why I got the Scribe’s attention tonight. The world around us is so lush and green and peaceful. I just wish that to be true for all of you as well.
Stay Strong. Stay Safe. Be righteous. And be kind to each other, people.
The Tempest.
Montana Moments 