Happy(?) Trails

Hi friends! 🐾
Doggie here, reporting live from… a very comfy blanket. Why? Because I’m recovering from an epic adventure into the wild outdoors—otherwise known as “hiking.”

Now, before you ask, yes, I was dragged away from my couch. And yes, I may have asked if there would be snack stations along the trail. But by the end? I was howling with joy at the top of a hill and saying things like, “We should do this every weekend!” (Pandy is holding me to it. Help.)

Here’s how it all unfolded:

Step 1: Pre-Hike Prep

Pandy made a list.
Doggie packed snacks. (So many snacks.)
Mini Blue packed himself into Pandy’s backpack, quietly judging our gear choices.

Our Essentials:

• Trail mix (I ate all the marshmallows first.)

• Mini plushie first aid kit (mostly band-aids with smiley faces)

• Hiking hats (Pandy’s was functional, mine was fashion-forward)

• A map, which I mostly used to pretend I was a treasure hunter
  
  

Step 2: The Great Outdoors

The trail was filled with trees, birdsong, fresh air, and occasional squirrels that I swore were waving at us.

We climbed over rocks (I named one “Sir Pebbles”), crossed tiny wooden bridges, and stopped often to admire wildflowers and argue over whether that cloud looked like a taco. (It did.)

Pandy: “This is peaceful and invigorating.”
Me: “I need a snack and possibly a plushie-sized hiking stick.”

Step 3: The Summit Snack Break

At the top of the hill, we laid out a blanket and had the most magical snack picnic.

• Cheese cubes

• Fruit gummies

• Cold tea (Pandy’s fancy brew)

• Crunchy biscuits

• And one celebratory marshmallow (Mini Blue’s reward for carrying the sunscreen)
  
  

We sat quietly, taking in the view. Pandy whispered, “This was worth every step.”
I whispered, “So was this cookie.”

Step 4: Back to Base (and Blanket)

The hike down was slower, but just as full of joy. We saw deer prints! I waved at them.
Back home, we cleaned our paws, snuggled under a blanket, and declared ourselves official trail explorers.

Doggie’s Hiking Tips:

1. Bring water. Also bring snacks. (Mostly snacks.)

2. Look up and around—nature is full of surprises.

3. Hiking is not just walking—it’s walking with purpose (usually toward a snack spot).

4. Bring your best friend. Everything’s better with company.

Whether you’re a nature newbie or a seasoned sniffer-of-flowers, there’s something magical about leaving your couch behind and discovering the world—one pawstep at a time.

Adventure-y and a little dusty,
Doggie 🐾🥾

P.S. I’m naming my next marshmallow “Basecamp.”