Loved By Lillie

Today, my heart could be heard breaking. I said goodbye to my best friend, my travel companion, my comforter, my adorer, my cheerleader. Lillie, my soldier. She protected, nurtured, was crazy loyal, and heart warmingly ecstatic upon seeing I came back home to her. She endured pain in silence, anxiety not so much in silence, and loved deeply!

Lillie at 5 months

The first time that I saw Lillie, I had pulled up to the front doors of a Petco and there she was. A tiny orange
thing with a piercing blue eye. She was 6 weeks old and my daughter talked me into buying her for her. It turned out that she had a 50/50 shot of making it as she had distemper, so I took care of her. Those were

Proud mother

the only days I allowed Lillie to sleep in my bed as I needed to wake up when she did. Obviously, she survived and, after all of that, she became mine. A few months later, a studly suitor jumped my gate and next thing you know she had a litter of puppies! She was an amazing mother! A few months after being neutered, she developed heart worms and was treated back to good health. She had a hearty distaste for cats and in the battle for their lives, the cats left her many scars and me with excelling doctoring skills. In the same vein, as she got old and weak, 4 different pit bull mixes attacked her and did some extensive damage. Through it all, she accepted the pain, my help, and the help of others quietly, stately, and patiently. She learned not to like other dogs much nor kids as they would throw rocks at her from the alley behind my house.

Lillie & Ginger breaking the rules

When Lillie and I became family, I already had a dog...Ginger, a sweetheart golden retriever. They were best friends and Lillie took it on herself to look after Ginger, groom her, play with her, and scold her. She loved Ginger so much. When Ginger's health declined, Lillie aged. I had been away so when I came home from Europe and sat down on the floor, Lillie put her head against my chest and, I believe, silently cried. She grieved a very long time for her Ginger and became an old dog. That was 5 years ago. I hope Ginger was waiting for her today.

Since then, she's traveled 48 states, kayaked, paddle-boated, hiked, slept for months in a tent with me, in many strangers homes, and in a small camper now for almost a year. She's met hundreds of people, pets, and fans! She's been in department stores, casinos, bars, and restaurants. I've learned she hated dog parks and beaches and would eat anything that I might be having when I ate out. I won't forget how, when she was done drinking the water I offered her in the Jeep, she would lick my hand as if saying, "I'm done. Thank you. I love you.". She put up with my many hour drives, my dancing around, uncomfortable heat and cold, my leaving her alone, my hugging her too much, my tears on her shoulders, and my dragging her around the towns and sights we came to.

I will forever be grateful for Lillie's undying adoration and recognize the blessing she's been to me. Such unconditional and selfless love I'll surely never experience again. I'm so happy I chose to journey full time with her by my side. With her slow stride but eager eyes (she didn't always look bored! LOL), she taught me abundant patience and acceptance of our conditions. She will forever be in my heart and I thank her for the many, many laughs and joys she gifted me.

Lillie and I have been through it all together. It started 6 weeks into her life and I was with her at the end of it. I've cried an ocean today. My sweet Lillie, you are already missed.

Tease!! Try that with the door open!

What about the beach is fun?

Sandblasted!

THIS is how you beach!

Lillie love

The Good Life

Mmmm

Why are we here??

This way! Follow me!

I just can't RELAX!

Heathens!!

I really can't stand beaches or dogs, Mom! Gah!!

You can do better than a fry!!

A little help?!

So tired!

Explorer extraordinaire

How much room do you need, Mom?!

What ever wild life you see, I'm NOT looking!!

Are we done yet?

Cozy camper

You and me, kid

Rounding up the kiddos while Ginger watches

I know what you're thinking! You want to kiss me, right?

I'll grow into it!

I'm sexy and I know it!

I did good, huh?

Kisses

At the top of Angel's Landing

Along the Path of the Gods

I love to hike. It is my favorite form of exercise as well as therapy. Hiking introduced me to deeper introspection and an expectation of endurance that I've not put on myself in any other area.

I completed a few amazing hikes overseas just a few years ago but I was in the best shape of my life!

Path of the Gods

In 2011, I returned to the Amalfi Coast in Italy specifically so I could hike the Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Positano. It's an amazingly beautiful path with incredible views of the coast! Not difficult but pure
beauty!

Then in 2012, there were 2 hikes I did in China. One was "the most dangerous hike in the world", Mount Huashan. Not only was clinging to the cliff face (called the "Plankwalk In The Sky" and nearly 5,000 feet in the air) a feat for the nerves but it especially is after hiking the thousands

of steep steps carved into the mountain by the insane monks!! Fatigue and fear make your entire being quake! Nine hours is how long it took start to finish and I wasn't going slowly! However, I did have to back track as I missed the temple where the Plankwalk was on the first pass. The second major hike in China was the MuTienYu section of the Great Wall of China. My friends, not being hikers themselves, weren't up to hiking the entire wall as I was, so I pretty much ran most of the Wall as I hated the idea of them having to wait for me. Still, that one took me four hours and, as in all of these hikes, views were amazing but unlike them, the history was humbling!

I had not done a challenging hike in the US until this year...well, with the exception of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, Utah in 2011 (see top photo)!! I am woefully out of shape after road tripping for 2 years though!! The first one was near Julian, California. I don't even remember how I found out about it...probably a little blurb in one of the many tourist magazines and pamphlets that I picked up along the way. Three Sisters Falls is the most challenging hike I've ever done. It is only a 4 mile hike (2 in and 2 out) but the out part is all uphill! Along this hike, I used every single muscle in my body! Luckily, it wasn't an overly hot day and I met some folks along the trail to help me make it back!!

The trail starts at a gradual descent but turns steep then you're rappelling down via 2 ropes tied to trees. As you continue, you boulder hop, rock climb, and finally reach the waterfalls. They weren't much as there was a drought going on but pretty just the same. As it was all downhill, I wanted more so I climbed and rappelled up the existing ropes to make it to the top of the waterfalls. Go me!! Uh huh. Then it was time to head back. The folks I'd met were taking advantage of the pool of water at the base of the falls so I tried to follow markers for a more difficult trail back. I only saw markers...no real trail!! So I headed back to the folks and by that time they were ready to go as well. Together we helped each other stay on trail. Once I arrived back at the original 2 ropes, my real workout began!!

I managed to climb with the aide of rope number 1 but couldn't swing over to reach rope number 2! So I

clawed my way up the dirt hill on hands and knees to a point where I could grasp a small bush. However, I was on the wrong side to reach the trail!! One of the young men behind me climbed to where he was anchored by bushes on the correct side and held his hand across for me. I literally leaped for it and he just barely caught me and pulled me over! I honestly don't know if I would have made it back without that one moment of help!! After that, I thought, "NOW I'm almost there!". Right!! I hiked on and on...a seeming eternity...uphill! I doubted making it back to my Jeep many times in that measly 4 hour hike but I pushed on!! I'd only brought 2 bottles of water and had emptied them. If you do this trail, bring PLENTY of water for the return hike up!! Seeing my Jeep was a moment of deepest relief that I won't ever forget!!

My most recent hike, the Manitou Incline Trail, was a completely different but extremely challenging hike. The trail consists of the ties from an old cable car that ran straight up the mountain in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The grade is as steep as 68% in places, starts at 6,600 feet and climbs to 2,000 feet within a mile. For this Texan, that's a lot of altitude!!! About 2/3 of the way up, Barr Trail intersects with the Incline. Just making it to that point, I had impressed myself. I REALLY wanted to just take the trail down from there. However, I push myself when I hike like no other time! So I hiked on, sometimes on all fours! I had about 5 lbs in the pack on my back (water and camera) which I don't recommend...but water was essential. The weather was overcast with some light rain which was perfect for this climb! Unlike any other

hike, I concentrated on my steps. After a certain point, in order to continue on, I HAD to go slow! So I would lead with my left leg, count 3 steps, stop, and then lead with the right leg. Being out of shape and just stair climbing was killer. I stopped to rest a lot to get my heart rate down. So did many 20 something year olds! Olympians use this trail to train as does the military. I made it to the top by sheer will and I feel in good company!! I wasn't confident in my legs ability to make it back down that steep incline so I hiked the 4 miles down the Barr Trail after reaching the top. It took me 2 hours to make it to the top then an hour to hike the 4 miles down. Oh, did I mention the awesome views??

These are the trails that I search out. The ones that give me the satisfaction of accomplishment! They make me reach deep! All I need is my desire to conquer the difficult hike without need of extra equipment! LOL Short but tough day hikes so Lillie isn't alone for too long. My spirit swells and my energy multiplies and I'm in flight!!