When we say that someone was a clown on our hike yesterday, we bet everyone has a guess who. We also suspect that most of you will guess incorrectly. Go ahead. Right now. Think of a name. Don’t cheat.

Beautiful day

First of all, we should explain that we don’t normally do long hikes during the week. Hu-Dad has important busy-ness that he does in his study which we frequently interrupt for ear scratches and belly rubs. Therefore, most of our week day walks are on the trails branching off from our house. We are, however, having a stretch of gorgeous weather and Hu-Dad decided we needed to do a little special hiking.

Was Typhoon your guess?

We should also explain that Hu-Dad picked a particularly challenging trail with lots of climbing and scrambling over rocks. Our senior crowd loves going on long, vigorous walks, but they tend to skip the trails that require a lot of extra effort. Thus, only the two youngest members of The Herd went on this hike.

Frankie. Serious Frankie. Surely he was not the clown.

Yes, for this definition, Cheoah is included in the Senior Team. After all, she did have TPLO surgery last fall and we just didn’t think she needed the extra challenge. So, our hike was just for Frankie, Typhoon, and Hu-Dad. Everyone else enjoyed a nap time back at Chez Herd.

Typhoon stretched out enjoying half-time of our hike.

The first couple of miles consisted of a steady ascent. That is a really nice way of saying steep, steep, steep. With lots of rocks and roots to trip over. It was almost embarrassing how much Hu-Dad was huffing and puffing. Maybe he should have stayed back with the Senior Team. But someone had to drive the Jeep.

Frankie guarding Hu-Dad’s back pack – which carries camera equipment, water, and, most importantly, snacks.

At the half way point, we came out at a parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Pisgah. Hu-Dad stretched out on the grass (still trying to catch his breath) while Frankie and Typhoon lounged after a water and snack break. And that brings us back to the clown moment. Just as people pulled into the parking lot, Hu-Dad glanced over and saw this.

Yes, I am the serious member of The Herd.

Hey, Big Bro, that’s my job. Stop it.