Hiking: Camp Creek Falls, Tonto National Forest; Returning Cierra To The Earth

Liam Ari Puppypants

My hiking buddy, Frank. 

Frank and Liam.  We hiked Blue Wash to Camp Creek Falls.

Liam.

Frank and Liam. 

Frank and Liam. 

Liam Ari Puppypants turned two years old on October 20th. 

Liam. 

Frank and Liam.

Hearts in nature.

Water! 

Butterfly. 

Liam.

Butterfly. 

Hearts in nature.

Horseback riders. 

Frank and Liam. 

Liam.

Liam. 

Frank playing with Liam.  The three of us have October birthdays.

Waiting for the horseback riders to pass.  Liam was a good boy. 

Time for a photo op and then they left.

Waiting and watching. 

This was the location of the last hike Cierra and I did together, with Frank, in December 2014.  I lost her in an accidental drowning in March 2015.  I continue to grieve the loss of my first German Shepherd love, deeply.  Cierra was a very special dog.

Frank. 

Liam and I are above the falls.

Liam see's another dog below the falls.

I saw this orange moth fly by.  A moment later, I saw it floating down the stream.  I was able to pull her from the water.  She took some time to dry and flew away.  This is an Electra Buckmoth.

It was really hard to let Cierra's cremains go.  I knew that it was time to return her to the earth.  I knew that she'd be happier in nature than in a jar on my desk.  I let Boca and Hera go in the water at a place we hiked to often, at Madera Canyon, and it seemed ok to let Cierra go here.

Cierra, I loved you so. 

Liam is helping.  Liam didn't know Cierra, but he knew her pack mates, Boca and Hera.

Waiting, watching, crying, telling Cierra how sorry I was, and how much I loved her.

For a touch of humor, Liam took a drink of the water, he'll always have a bit of Cierra with him. 

Good bye, girl.  I'll visit the falls again one day.

Frank and Liam.  Alternative title: a boy and his dog.

Another horseback rider.

Liam.

Liam Ari Puppypants, I love you so.

I'm not sure what Frank is looking at, but he's smiling, and he's happy.  A good hike.