The Halcyon Days of Summer

I was in Marshalls the other day when I stumbled upon two things that I've been looking for for awhile--both something that would serve as a small daypack (the backpack I usually take with me on hikes is larger and more cumbersome than I'd like, and my waist-pack is not big enough), and a hydration bladder system to use in my backpack.  I managed to get both for almost the price of the hydration bladder itself! This will now allow me to have a small daypack for hikes, and use the hydration reservoir system in my normal backpack which is was designed to accept such a bladder and tube setup.  As you can imagine, I am quite pleased with my purchase!

The hydration pack is an 18 liter size, and the bladder itself accepts 2 liters which is perfect for my needs.

 So naturally I looked for a chance to try it out.  The next day (Saturday) I got to break it in, walking with the Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group in nearby (to me anyway) Derwood, MD at the Agricultural History Farm Park. This Montgomery County (MD) park is some 455 acres and features barns, historic buildings, a modern farming activity center, etc. none of which we visited.  It might be worth investigating for a future trip, as I had never heard about it before this excursion.  On the other hand, the signage could have been better (we got lost twice), but it was a good group of people and a nice way to enjoy the morning exploring an unfamiliar landscape.

One sad little interlude, though.  My sweet little sausage dog Zoë  didn't want to leave her crate Saturday to walk after dinner, and I had to carry her outside.  At first I thought she was just not feeling well as she had regurgitated some of her dinner, and appeared unusually sad and forlorn.  She also refused to walk and her hind legs seems a little wobbly.  I look her to the Metropolitan Emergency Veterinary Clinic the following morning and she has apparently ruptured a disc in her spine--IVDD  they call it--Intervertebral Disc Disease.  This is just before a cross-country car trip to visit my mother for two weeks in Illinois.  Unfortunately, it is going to be a long road back for her as well, I'm afraid. . .  No more walks by the lake and to the park for a long, long while. . .

The good news, however, she is still able to use her hind legs, but strict crate rest has been prescribed for two weeks.