Horton Creek Hike

Yesterday, Keeper, Chloe and I headed northeast of Phoenix to Payson, Arizona for a hike. We found the Upper Tonto Creek Campground after only turning around once. The hike followed a creek through the Tonto National Forest. The weather was much cooler than in Phoenix, but pretty humid nonetheless. The hike started by crossing the creek. I missed a great picture opportunity of Keeper carrying Chloe across the creek so that she wouldn't get wet and muddy. Well that ended about 5 minutes into the hike. Anytime there was a puddle she went right for it and the few times we left the trail to head down to the creek, she went right in. Although the first half of the hike (4 miles) was all hiking up the mountain, she did great and was happy to see about a dozen other dogs and their owners along the way. Maybe some of the people we passed had a copy of the book we just bought, Best Hikes with Dogs: Arizona. We finally reached the top and saw the place in the rocks where the spring water was flowing and decided to have lunch. Keeper ended up hiking to the very top of the mountain to check out the views while Chloe and I relaxed. As we started to head back down the trail we heard the familiar sound of rumbling thunder. Here we go again. I was not nearly as anxious about this storm because we were in a wooded forest with plenty of other hikers around, as opposed to last week where we were in an open meadow, with no one else around. We did get wet, but not soaked like last Friday. Hiking 4 miles down the mountain in the rain makes for a much quicker second half of the trip. Chloe was a wet, muddy mess and we dried her off the best that we could before heading back to Phoenix. She slept most of the way home. In other news, you can teach old dogs new tricks. I've been working with Chloe on "sit". Sounds easy but to a grown dog who is part Chow (aloof and independent) she pretty much only sits when she feels like it. Keeper found it funny last week when I had a bunch of cheese (her favorite treat) and tried "sit" with her numerous times, only to have her wag her tail and look at me as if I had two heads. Well this morning after church, something clicked. She now "sits" and lies "down" on command. Such a good girl.