Hiking: Westwing Mountain

Cierra and I took "NK" (neighbor kid) for a hike up Westwing Mountain. He's hiked half of the loop trail with his family. Today he got to see some of the peaks and some of the interesting things Westwing Mountain has to offer.
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We hiked 2.25 miles.


Cierra with NK, overlooking our neighborhood.


A centipede.


Overlooking our neighborhood, and too far away to see is downtown Phoenix.


Bright, sun shiny day.


NK exploring.


My furry girl, exploring.


Interesting rocks and tiny places to hide.


Cierra. No pack today, she traveled light.


One of Westwing's ridgelines.


Lichen in all colors.

Hiking: Westwing Mountain

My friend JJ and I, and our dogs, agreed we needed a post-Thanksgiving "no more pie, please" hike.
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We hiked 2 miles, with an elevation gain of 434 feet.


Cierra wore a doggie back pack today. This one used to belong to Jafo (RIP Jafo, I wish I could have met you), but it's too big for Cierra.


Two woofs on the trail. Obi (age 11) and Cierra (age 7).


Same view, no woofs.


It was windy today, so visibility was good.

I just realized that makes no sense. I mean: the wind blew away some of that hazy pollution that hangs over Metropolitan Phoenix.


Up, up and away. Our highest elevation was 1,842'.

Happy Thanksgiving

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My wake-up call, "Feed me!".


After Cierra's breakfast, Mom stretches, Cierra supervises.


Cloudy sunrise.


Sneezy face.


Fat and happy after Thanksgiving dinner.


Puppy love.


Suki was having fun with the box until she suddenly had to stop and preen.


Kitty, kitty, meow, meow.


Me and my girl.


Playing with my puppy.


Bird watching. Suki is about six months old, she's starting to look like a grown-up kitty.

Jagermeister's Visit

Jager was in the neighborhood and came over to play for a few hours today.
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Jager, sniffing the grass. I wonder if she can smell our kitten, Suki.


"Kitten?!"


Cierra enjoying a pre-Thanksgiving 80-degree day.


Jager playing fetch while I read in the sunshine. I'm currently reading "Shogun".


Jager.


I realized in comparison with Jager's youth, my old girl is slowing down.


Jager fascinates me. Her eyes plead for direction and guidance. She wants to please and at the same time is a very strong willed dog.


My favorite photo of the day.


Cierra, mean mugging a pesky fly.


A silly action shot.


"Hi!"


Jager, dunking her tennis ball in the water.


Playing in the water.


Guardian of the green squeaky ball.


"You keep runnin' Jager, I'll wait here."


My pretty girl. Still guarding her green squeaky ball.


"Let's play, let's play, let's play!"


Waiting for the ball toss.


Fun with the frisbee.


My old girl in her rocking chair.

Hiking: Westwing Mountain

Today Cierra and I began our hike with NK's (neighbor kid) family. After the initial ascent, we parted ways so that Cierra and I could hike a little further and at higher elevations.
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We hiked 3.4 miles (is that ALL?!). Our highest elevation was 1,896', making our elevation gain 489'.


My pretty girl.


As long as she see's I have the camera, she will pose for me. Cheesy girl.


My son has hiked Westwing Mountain with me a few times. Each time we hike he says he wishes there was a trail along this ridgeline.


Taking a short break, enjoying the views.


Cierra is quite the billy goat.


My dog is in this picture, can you see her?


Views from the trail.


One of my favorite places to stop and rest, in the circle of palo verde trees.


Relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze.


Looking back at the trail we'd hiked.


Pretty rocks.


Cierra, wait for meee...


Views from the trail.