Making the most of our Sunny Fall days

We are slowly settling into a routine and adjusting to the early sunsets.  Luckily for us, this week's weather was warmer than average for this time of year, and it was sunny most days too.  Weather like this in late November can't be beat and makes me really want to get outside to take advantage of it, since I know what's coming.  

On Monday, the girls spent lots of time outside during the day, and we took a nice lunchtime walk at Fenner.  

It was a gorgeous afternoon to be in the woods. While most of the trees have lost their leaves, there are still a few leaves holding on and those trees looked extra pretty in the sunshine.  

We added a trip to the dog park at the end of my workday since it was mild and the girls needed a good run.  

  

On Tuesday, I had a busy day of work.  The weather was nice again, so the girls spent most of the day outside.  By the end of the day, I needed to get out for some fresh air so we headed back to Fenner for a walk at dusk.  We arrived just after 5pm and spent as much time as we could walking around several of the trails.  By the the time we left just before 6pm it was pretty dark, but I was sure glad we had gotten in a nice walk.

On Wednesday, I used my lunch to get the girls out for a walk in a new park.  I had to run a couple of errands in East Lansing, so I took the girls along and we stopped for a nice walk at White Park.  It is a really nice park, and I can't believe we've never visited it before this week.  I'll definitely visit again.

After our walk, we made a quick stop at the East Lansing dog park so the girls could get in a good run before we headed home.  

Once we got home, the girls headed out into the yard.  It was another beautiful day and the girls spent most of it outside again.  

After work, I headed out to the shelter for Dog walking club.  We had a really nice group of dogs to walk including Lt. Cable who I got to walk.  He was very sweet.  

After our walk, I had time to get Sergei out for a short walk too.  He had just transferred in from a different shelter, so he was nervous, but I think he was happy that I got him out for a bit.

I picked up a pizza for dinner on my way home and ate with an audience.  Mina really wanted some of that pizza!

Thursday promised to be the best weather of the entire week.  With temperatures reaching 60 degrees, it was a great day for the girls to spend the day outside.  Mina made the most of the day alternately sniffing around and then lounging in the yard.  She and Peaches had a wonderful day enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

I had another busy day at work, but got outside on my lunch to enjoy the sunshine and mow the lawn, probably the last time this year.  After work, we took advantage of the warm weather to make a trip to the dog park.  The girls were having such a great time that we were the last to leave.

Friday morning I had to make a trip to Toledo for work.  While the weather forecast was promising rain, the temperatures were supposed to remain mild, at least through the mid-day, so I decided I'd take the girls along for the ride.    

I knew that I'd be done with my meetings around lunch time, and I figured I could take advantage of my lunch and our proximity to the North Country Trail to get out for a hike.  

This section of the trail just outside of Toledo follows an old rail grade.  It is flat and straight and you can see the trail just continuing into the distance for what seems like forever.

When we arrived, the temperature was 58 degrees, and although it was cloudy it wasn't raining.  It was a beautiful start to our walk.  After we walked 1 1/4 miles down the trail, we turned to head back toward the car and I could see the wind picking up as a cold front moved into the area.  By the time we got back to the car, the temperature had dropped 11 degrees.  

We continued down the trail in the opposite direction, despite the wind and a few sprinkles.  Luckily is still wasn't too bad with a line of trees blocking the wind.  We walked another mile before turning around to head back to the car.  At the end of our walk, we had completed 4.6 miles on the trail.  It was a great way to spend my lunch and it was nice to experience a new section of the trail.  We then made the drive home and I wrapped up my workday.

After work, we joined a small group of geocachers for a park clean-up event at a local park and then headed to a Friendsgiving event with the group.   

Friday night was also the kick-off of the Holiday season in Lansing with Silver Bells in the City.  We didn't make it downtown in time for the electric light parade, but we did see the tree lighting, drone show, and fireworks.  It was a nice end to our busy day.

Saturday morning started with a morning walk with the shelter dogs.  It was a beautiful sunny morning and we had a great walk.

Afterward, the girls and I headed to Henderson to a fun dog event held by a dog training facility.   There were activities for the dogs and treats for the dogs and humans.  

The highlight of the day for the girls was getting to try Barn Hunt.  This is a fun way for them to use their noses and hunting instincts by hunting for a rat which is hidden in the straw.  Peaches found the rats in their plastic tubes on the table before we even started, and she was obsessed with them.  Both girls got to try it a few times and they both seemed to have a good time.

They also tried the Rally Obedience Course and got their pictures taken, and Mina finally tested for and passed her Novice Tricks title.  This was such a great event and I'm really glad I made the drive to check it out.

After the event, we stopped just down the road at Henderson Park to take a short walk and pick up a couple of geocaches.  

It was a beautiful Fall day to be out in the woods.  While it was a short walk, we really enjoyed it.

While had had a busy morning and early afternoon, I decided that we would make the drive to Battle Creek for their Christmas parade.  We arrived about 30 minutes before the parade kicked off so we could get in a little walk at dusk on the North Country Trail through town.  

It was a gorgeous evening on the trail.  The leaves on the trees and on the ground and the setting sun made for a really nice view.

We stopped along the trail to watch the parade away from the crowd.  You can tell from the picture, but we had a decent view.

After the parade ended, we continued down the trail and back to the car.  Ultimately we finished 3 miles on the trail.  We are now only 6.4 miles away from reaching our 100 for this year.  We'll have no problem getting that done before the year ends.

All week I've been watching the weather forecast and planning our next few days of activities.  The weather today seemed promising to do some geocaching, and that was my original plan for the day.  However, after both girls slept in far past their normal wake-up time, and we were enjoying a quiet morning lounging around at home, I decided maybe a relaxing day at home might just be what we needed.

I spent a lot of the day with Mina snuggled up on my lap.  Both girls napped the day away while I watched the Lions game.  It was clear that we all really needed the day of rest. 

 After the Lions game was over,  I could tell Mina needed to get out for a little adventure so we took a drive to Fenner for a late afternoon walk.  We had a great walk and even saw a gorgeous 6-point buck who at one point was less than 20 feet away from us.  What a beauty he was!  

I have some time off from work this week, and I've got plans to get out for some fun and also get some things done around the house.  The temperatures will remain in the 40s through Thanksgiving and we've got to make the most of it.  Soon the weather will turn cold and the Christmas season will be in full force, so we've got to get out and enjoy the 40s while we can.  

I hope that you all have a wonderful week and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with those that you love.