Since it's the last Friday of August (where did the summer go?) it's time for the Keeping Up With K9 Kamp monthly wrap up. 
Koach Jessica at You Did What With Your Wiener said this month's Kamp challenge was to "try one new activity with your dog." Suggestions included: hiking, nosework (like hide & seek), agility, running, geocaching, kayaking, swimming, or walking a brand new route.
Rita is not super brave about trying new things (ruling out agility and kayaking), and she doesn't enjoy swimming, so we went with hiking. Hiking's not really new with us - we've been hiking with our pups for years - but it's been too hot to hike so we haven't been in a while.
We combined hiking with the "brand new route" suggestion and took Rita to Rose Canyon - which is not new to us, but is to Rita. Rose Canyon is a fairly short hike, but that's good when the weather is hot. There are some nice shady bits on the trail, which is also good. We used to hike here a lot as it's right by our old house, but Rita hadn't been before. She enjoyed checking out some new terrain! And we only hiked for an hour so she wouldn't overheat. (She prefers hikes with streams so she can cool off! But that's impossible to find here at this time of year.)
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| The hubs & Rita on a non-shady bit of trail |
The funny thing about this hike is that it looks like you're out in the country, but you're actually right in town. There's a freeway running along the right there, just on the other side of those trees. It's not a super busy freeway, so on the weekends it can be nice and quiet on the trail, and you can pretend you are "away from it all."
If you ever find yourself in San Diego and want to hike with your dog in Rose Canyon [note: you can turn it into a nice, longer hike by connecting up with Marian Bear park/canyon] be sure to keep your pup on leash! We've seen both coyotes and rattlesnakes in the canyons, and you and your pup don't want any part of that!
Thanks Koach Jessica for giving us our monthly challenge, and thanks to SlimDoggy for hosting the FitDog Friday hop!
Don't forget to vote for Rita!
Only a few days left in the Dogs of Blogville calendar contest. Gotta keep Rita in the top 12 by Sunday when the voting ends in order to ensure she gets to be a full-fledged Calendar Grrrl. You can vote HERE once/day/IP address. Just scroll past the info/pics, select "Rita" and VOTE. Thanks!
NOTE - We are taking off from the Mischief this coming Monday since it's Labor Day here in the States! Hope all the US/Canadian folks enjoy the 3-day weekend!
Good for you Rita getting in a new hike. Hiking and running are our favorite activities too and we always like it when we get to go to a new park. Thanks for joining the hop, good luck on the calendar.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the weather to cool down so we can go for some nice long hikes!
DeleteNice to go hiking in a new spot. We have a lot of restrictions here in Australia and most great walks are through National Parks which are unfortunately restricted to dogs - even if they are onleash. I think we can learn a lot from the US. Recreational activities are great for every member of the family - furry or otherwise
ReplyDeleteNew places = new sights and smells. We love to go hiking in new spots. Have a fabulous Friday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Yes, she loved the new smells!
DeleteSounds like fun :-) Have a great holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou too!
DeleteWhere did summer go?! We've had a very cloudy one here in the mid-Atlantic region, so it seemed even less summery.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the long weekend. I know I will!
It was the same here - until today! Very cloudy and cool for most of the summer - which was fine with me. Summer is my least fave season.
Deletewe wish it wasn't so hot here and we could go for a hike also.
ReplyDeletestella rose
It's too hot even for a walk today! We are doing indoor play today!
DeleteGreat hike! Rita's picture for the contest is great, I voted!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Had a hard time selecting a pic, but that one always makes me smile.
DeleteWhen I saw your photos I thought "they must be in Southern California" :) I hiked around there with my little brother when I visited him last spring. I WAS surprised how "secluded" it felt when the City was just down the hill from us. Good for you for finding a creative way to complete the challenge this month.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you have any suggestions for future challenges. I still need to come up with one for September. Ha, ha.
It's nice to feel like you are "getting away"!
DeleteI might have an idea... Will be in touch.
Kayo LOVES hiking, especially with the pack! Next time we're in San Diego we'll have to check it out. Since San Diego loves dogs so much, I took my first dog there a couple of times for vacations. I haven't taken Kayo yet but will do so soon!
ReplyDeleteA photo like yours make me really wish the kitties could get leash trained and we could take them out walking! I looks so peaceful and fun.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a nice hike. I'd certainly never guess there was a freeway so close! We are also anxious for some cooler weather so we can get out and hike. We haven't been for years now and are looking forward to trying it again!
ReplyDeleteNice job on the challenge and staying fit.
ReplyDeleteNice walking area. I'm with Rita, when possible, walk near water so us dogs can take a dip to cool off! Rattlesnakes, no thank you, coyotes, not so worried. Keep up the fitness and Happy Labor Day Weekend!
ReplyDeleteA short hike in the summer months is great! So glad Rita enjoyed the new route. Have a terrierific Labor Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteOz
I love those get away from it all hikes that are not that far from it all! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like this trail. I have a severe phobia of ticks (weird, I know) - so I don't like venturing into woodsy areas where they lurk. But this trail is NEAR a woodsy area without being IN it. Nice. Plus, I like that it's right near town. Hubs is fine with being out in the middle of nowhere... me - I like being near civilization.
ReplyDeleteAll the (outdoor) photos you post make me want to live in San Diego. Just beautiful.