Monday, April 13, 2015

Hiking Minnehaha Creek

I've been wanting to take Olive and June to Minnehaha Falls for a few weeks now. The days that I intended to go kept ending up with bad weather or something else getting in the way. Yesterday, while I was photographing a baby, Tyler took and Olive and June to the waterfall.. but that's what I had planned for today! Oops! But my plan was more to start at the waterfall and hike the trail down the Mississippi River. So.. it still worked out. :)

We parked at the Wabun Picnic Area and made our way down to the creek. We even brought Honey along.

Olive kept insisting on walking Honey. They did a pretty good job together but it was fairly comical to witness. Honey doesn't get out much - so she was really excited. And Olive doesn't walk her much - so she was a little all over the place.

I have quite a few photos of them just looking tangled or running into each other.








Honey doesn't wear a collar at home (she is prettier without it) and she hates the gentle leader. Here she is trying to get it off, as always.







Olive and Honey did great on this boardwalk together, until Honey jumped off to smell something and Olive didn't let go. I yelled ahead for her to just drop the leash.. rather than be pulled into a puddle of mud. She "let" me lead Honey for a few minutes after that.



Olive was really proud of herself for going on the side of the creek with the actual hiking trail. Some of the rocks and roots were big for her so she had to keep her balance, grab onto things, etc.



She preferred that I have Honey for a lot of the trail since it was narrow and so close to the water.



I took this photo because she was saying "I'M DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB!"



I was wearing my hiking boots and she was wearing Toms. ha. I really need to find some shoes with great traction for her.



She found a tiny shell.







She climbed up onto this bench (it's fairly high off the ground), threw up her hand, and said "hey" in a funny voice out of the corner of her mouth.



She's pretty cool.



We got to talk about sandstone. That was pretty great.



June was getting pretty jealous at this point that he was stuck in the carrier.



She seems to love sand.



We finally made it to the river. I had planned to let June wander around down here but there was so much broken glass.





We need to tour some lock and dams in our area. I remember those well from when I was a kid. I've tried to describe them to Olive but it really helps to actually be on one.



She kept getting her shoes a little wet. Honey ran in for a drink and a little splash but I encouraged her to stay close.. since it's a river..

We walked over to where the creek meets the river and suddenly I heard a clicking sound. I realized it was my camera's shutter. I had it over my shoulder, so it was kind of under my arm.. I assume I was somehow hitting the button. I look down and realize that June had leaned himself over and was taking photos with my camera. So I have about 10 like this.



15 or so of this.



And three of these. Olive ran over to investigate what was going on and immediately requested that June take her photo. Great collaboration guys.



We used the timer and a log. Do you like the branch in my face? I'm not a professional or anything.... :P



And then June snapped a few more photos of Olive. He has impressive aim when hovering above the camera.





Of course Olive then wanted a turn to take photos, too.





We took this wider path back towards the car. It's on the other side of the creek. I'm glad we did because I was pretty worn out and it was so much faster, for obvious reasons.

I encouraged Olive to keep up a good pace by suggestion a trip to get donuts.



June preferred the Christmas lights at Mel O Glaze Bakery.



We actually didn't end up with any donuts. I got a huge cherry coffee cake, Olive got a heart cookie, June got a chocolate chip cookie, Honey got two dog cookies, and I got a coffee. For $2.75. We took it to go so Honey wouldn't have to wait long. And because it was already past June's nap time. My intent with his cookie was twofold - so he would be sad that Olive was eating a treat in the car and he wasn't, but also in hopes that a cookie would keep him occupied and awake on the drive home. The woman at the counter said that next time we can bring Honey inside. It was nice of her to offer.. But I don't think Honey is that kind of dog. Maybe someday.

If you would like to see more from our hike, check out the gallery here.

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