We received an email invite from Michael and Cheyenne to walk Big Pine Key Beach Friday afternoon. The weather has been spectacular. Blue, blue skies, puffy white clouds, and a gentle tropical breeze from the southwest combined with relatively low humidity and temps hovering around 80 make for perfect weather for an afternoon stroll on the beach.
Zuzu and Tootie love these adventures. It starts with dancing and barking after donning their red slip collars. They have learned that once they put their red collars on, a car ride and treats quickly follows. They quickly settled into their spots in the back of the car, Tootie on her pad and Zuzu on the seat, and ate their treats as we headed north on US-1 to pick up Michael and Cheyenne on Ramrod Key before continuing to the north end of BPK. Cheyenne, Zuzu, and Tootie, and leapt out of the car and we ambled down the path under the warm afternoon sun. After crossing a dry mud flat (always full in the summer according to Michael requiring footwear conducive for mucking about) we passed through the buttonwoods and mangroves to the beach.
We were alone on this Friday afternoon. Zuzu and Tootie enjoyed their freedom as they tromped through the rotting, pungent seagrass towards the water. The sulfur like smell can be off-putting at first, but we've grown to like it.
Zuzu and Tootie are behaving more and more like "normal" dogs. During walks when we can let them run off leash, they are the happiest. They don't run far. They always keep us in eye sight or ear shot. And when they do run into the mangroves to explore, it isn't long before they come running out and towards you smiling with their ears flopping about.
They enjoyed this spot which afforded them a panoramic view of the ocean, and with each passing boats their ears perked up, their tails wagged, and Tootie called out with her puppy-like bark.
We walked a bit more on the beach before heading down the shaded trail in the hammock to a quiet spot on the beach where we sat and contemplated our mad, mad world while Cheyenne, Zuzu, and Tootie played in the water. We are looking forward to returning to this spot, one of our new found favorites.
Once home, Zuzu and Tootie spotted a cat walking down the lane...
Zuzu ran over to Wayne to tell him all about the cat...
Tootie right behind waiting her turn for some love.
The next morning, we met Edie, Nora, and Kimberly with their dogs, Tyson, Bart, Lizzy, Lola, Hooligan, Jack, and Oakley at the end of Cayman to walk along government cut canal.
We met at 8:00. Nora and Wayne walked ahead a bit and waited for us to catch up...
while Edie was saying good morning to Zuzu, Tootie, and Hooligan (behind)...
Edie determined that the trail along the canal to the bridge is about 3/4 of a mile, a perfect 1.5 mile walk on this glorious February morning. Nora and Wayne were deep in conversation with Zuzu, Tootie, and Oakley following.
Tyson, in front of Wayne, was doing a great job keeping up with the pack. He may be a senior dog, but he's a puppy at heart. He loves his walk and will endlessly chase a tennis ball.
Edie, Nora, and Kimberly were behind with the rest of the pack.
Once at the bridge, we went up on the road (the closed road that leads to the loop road and quarry), crossed the bridge to the other side of the canal where there's a perfect swimming spot. Hooligan wasted no time cooling off.
Zuzu and Tootie were right behind him. Lizzy, though, enjoyed exploring the mangroves.
Tootie loves to swim!
Happy dogs!
Tyson got in to cool off, too.
After a brief rest, we went back across the bridge and headed north retracing our path to Cayman Ln.
But first, we have to see what goodies Kimberly has to offer...a walk, a swim, and a snack..life is good!
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