As our summer season continues to grow shorter, so do our daylight hours. Every single day, I can feel the changes. Earlier sunsets, cooler temperatures, and more rain in the forecast...all signs that Fall is quickly approaching.
While the shortened daylight hours make it more difficult to get to some of our favorite local spots for our evening walks, it doesn't mean that we won't continue to try to do that some evenings. But on days when things happen that don't allow us to leave for our walks as soon as my workday ends, we'll happily continue to enjoy some good walks around our neighborhood.
Tuesday I thought we'd change things up a bit and make a trip to Joey's Pet Outfitters to use a gift card I had been given. We very rarely go there since it's on the other side of town, and I thought the girls might enjoy a little change of pace.
Our stop took longer than it should have, and when we left Joey's, I knew we had to stop for a walk nearby. So I decided to stop at Ted Black Woods, another place we don't often visit. The girls loved this stop and all of the new smells. I couldn't believe how crazy they were acting. I also couldn't believe how quickly it started to feel very dark in the woods.
We made it out alive and with daylight remaining, but I was reminded that I need to be more careful choosing our walk locations with the sunsets getting earlier every day...or at least be more cognizant of the time! Summer has slipped away too fast, and I haven't adjusted to darkness before 8pm.
On Wednesday I had to make the drive to Chesaning to attend tlhe visitation at the funeral home in town. The visitation was for Keith Valentine, my grandpa's cousin, a family historian, and an all-around wonderful human being, who passed away last weekend. He was such a presence in the community and in our family and I had to pay my respects.
Since I knew that it would be dark by the time I got home, I brought the girls along for the drive, and got them out for a walk around Showboat Park before leaving town.
It was a beautiful evening for a walk along the Shiawassee River, and we all enjoyed it very much.
Before leaving the park, I let the girls visit the dog park there as well so that Mina could run a bit and Peaches could sniff around as much as she wanted.
We left the dog park and got the girls loaded into the car just after sunset. Then I made a quick stop to pick up some takeout for dinner, fed the girls their dinner while I quickly ate in the car, and made our drive home in the dark, exercised and fed.
We took an early lunch to get out for a walk on Thursday because of rain in the forecast later in the day.
We walked around REO Town and the surrounding neighborhood and enjoyed a beautiful peaceful walk.
Peaches was extra spunky on our walk and seemed to really be enjoying herself. That always makes me happy.
We got in a nice fast-paced 1.5 miles before we headed home to eat our lunch. The rest of the afternoon was extremely quiet while I worked.
While there were a few sprinkles, I decided we would head to downtown Mason for their Thursday Night Concert Series on Thursday evening.
I got a slice of pizza and some breads sticks from Westside Deli and then we made the walk to the Courthouse Square to enjoy the Mason High School Marching Band's performance.
I ate my pizza with an audience, and when I was done, we walked around the square enjoying the music. Of course the girls got lots of attention and love, and I was complemented many times on how well-behaved they were. They really are excellent in crowded situations.
We enjoyed the performance and got in a nice walk before the evening was over and it was time to head home. I love being able to do things like this with them.
Friday was another day of on and off rain, but by the time I finished work for the day, there was no rain and I knew we had to get out somewhere fun for our walk.
I was happy to head to Fenner Nature Center which was pretty empty when we arrived.
We enjoyed a walk through both the grasslands and the woods, and I enjoyed how beautifully green everything was still. But the color change is coming and we saw hints of it along our walk.
We had a really wonderful evening in the woods which was the perfect way to start our weekend.
Saturday was rainy all day. We started our day at a very rainy car pool parking lot clean-up event with a group of geocachers. Then we headed home for some rainy day snuggles. When the rain stopped, we made a short trip to Down Home Days in downtown Mason. It was pretty quiet, but we were able to enjoy some fries from one of the food trucks before we left.
Then I had to head to Nicol's house to watch Picasso for a few hours while they were out of town for the day attending a memorial service near Traverse City. Picasso was very happy to see me and the rain stopped long enough for me to get him out for a 1.75 mile walk before the rain came back with a vengeance.
We snuggled and had some quiet time together, and I fed him dinner and made sure he had a potty break before I had to leave to get home. But I had the best time with my sweet grandpuppy.
I was thankful that the rain had stopped again, or at least slowed to a very little drizzle, when we got home so that I could take the girls out for our annual final Saturday of Summer photo shoot on the back porch.
They weren't very cooperative, but that's pretty normal, and I was able to get a few pictures.
Then they explored the yard for a while before coming in for dinner and a quiet, rainy night snuggled up together.
We had another rainy morning to start our Sunday, and for the second day in a row, it was cool enough that I had to wear long pants and shoes. BOO! I'm hopeful that we still have some short-wearing days ahead of us...but I know that those are going to be gone soon.
It was still raining when we left home to meet Vanessa for a little afternoon adventure. Peaches was ready for some fun!
Mina was so excited to see Vanessa and happily greeted her with an overly enthusiastic full-body wiggle.
Vanessa tried to make friends with some cows, but they weren't too sure that they wanted to be her friend.
We spent most of the afternoon on the backroads around Maple Rapids doing some geocaching. Thankfully the rain stopped as we started our adventure and we had good afternoon of fun.
The farm lands were beautiful and the sky was the moody sky of an impending autumn. We even saw a few peaks of color starting along the way.
When we finished our day of caching, we stopped at Uncle John's Cider Mill to let the girls stretch their legs.
We had a very nice 1 1/4 mile walk around the farm and the girls were happy to be out of the car.
Then we stopped at Phillips Orchard for a cider slush and some treats to end our adventure.
After returning Vanessa to her car, we stopped for a quick visit to Preuss Pets on the way home. The girls were happy to see their favorite employees and to visit the fish and rats.
Before leaving Old Town we got in one more walk for the day to ensure we had gotten everyone sufficient exercise for a quiet evening at home.
I made one more stop on the drive home to pick up a couple of things from the grocery store, then we continued home. We've had dinner, and the girls spent a little time outside afterwards, and we are now settled in for the night.
We had a pretty good week despite the rainy days, and we're doing a good job of staying active, which is especially important for Peaches' well being. She had a really good week and while I see that she's slowing down more and having a few more old-age related issues, overall she's still doing pretty well and is definitely enjoying life. That makes me happy.
This week Sunmer will come to a close, and we'll be gearing up for some Fall fun and adventures. Every time I look at Peaches, I am reminded how short life is and how lucky we are to be able to still get out on adventures together. And we're not going to stop until she lets me know it's time. Life is meant to be lived and that's what we plan to do!
