Cedar Butte — Friday, Jun. 22, 2018

My first hiking/backpacking dog was an Aussie/Great Pyr mix, Simon. Once i was safe to drive after putting him down at 15 years old... a trail with a view seemed like the perfect tribute.  His 12 year old 'sister' Aussie Molly and I headed out to work the John Wayne trail, but in true Aussie style... ohh shiny uphill trail.  Up we went on a trail we didn't know with an unknown destination. Simon would have been so pleased. The trail is in good condition, but in many places is dotted with roots that make little trip spots, but most often serve as stairs. The trillium blooms are gone, but ripe salmonberries and lilies have worked to fill in the gaps. At the top is a slightly obstructed view that is still beautiful.  An imperfect trail to celebrate an imperfect dog. We took the blowout trail down, and enjoyed the openness and vine maples.  We didn't enjoy the mosquitos, but they seemed to enjoy me.