Fall staycation

Months ago, before Lindsay even knew she was moving to Florida we signed up for the Dogwood Canyon 25k trail run. A few weeks agor the time had finally arrived! Lindsay drove 800 miles in one day with Kash and her dog to spend the weekend here so we can have some fun and of course  do the run!

We enjoyed the day before at top of the rock. It was chilly, but fun. 

Then came the big race! Definitely the hardest and longest race I’ve done. There were several monster hills, 18 water crossings, and over 2000 feet elevation gain. But I finished in my goal range with a time of 3:17. 




The next day we enjoyed the winery 

Seeing the trucks

And going to the aquarium 

Then it was time for ever to go back home and back to work. And after 3-4 days we weren’t limping anymore 😂😂

Fall fun

Some nice puppy pics 

Flint is still looking for a home. We do have an app in process that may work. 

Addies is getting picked up after thanksgiving. 

Nosework and agility

Shortly after champs we traveled to Oklahoma to give our NW2 a shot. Even though we hadn’t been practicing. But, Epic blew me away again. He rocked it. We picked up two placements as well first overall! I think he’s tired of me saying Legend was better than him lol. Now we get to spend the winter doing some training to prepare for NW3. 

The next weekend we went to agility. Again with no practice since we have been so busy. But we had a great time getting some Qs and also winning a prize in the costume contest. I had a Halloween shirt that said only here for the boos and epic was my booze!

The next weekend we squeezed in a day of AKC and he picked up a first and second in a big class of advanced interiors. And now we are done trialing for the year! Time to relax a bit and then regroup. 

Champs part 3

Day 3 of champs was not a clean one. But he had a lot of fun and did a lot of good things. And we got to pick up our “ribbon” for 7th place in round four!

Our last day of competition was the team relay which was fun and then the challengers course. It was rough and he did a most of it really well. 

We had a few more dinners with the glampers and then his the road this morning 

And I think we all enjoyed trialing while camping on site. Getting to relax in bed with the a/c between runs was so nice!

Tonight we stopped at a nice campground on a lake and we even have a direct lake view!

My memories from 10 years ago on Facebook are of Legend’s first trip to champs. She was just a few months older than Epic is now but a lot more experienced competitor. I remember being disappointed that we didn’t get any clean runs and I’m super pleased with Epic for getting 3 and a placement was really icing on the cake. I know we finished near the bottom of our division still but he really did his best for where we are at this point in his training and it was a very competitive group. I’m excited to see how he can improve in future years but for we will continue working on small goals and also take a little time during some of the winter months. 

Champs 2021 part two

We have met all our goals! Epic has had 3/4 clean runs so far. One with a bonus and one with no bobbles! He’s doing the best he can and I’m so proud of him. He even got a a placement in round 4! And I think he’s having a great time being an only child this week!

We are also having a super good time camping with our friends and having group dinners. More fun tomorrow! 

Nadac Champs 2021

Well, we’re back. New dog. New location. Same fun! After taking Legend to Springfield, IL three times for champs we are now in Springfield, OH worn Epic! We took the camper and are staying on site with several friends here as well so that is super fun. Here are a few pics from the last two days and the real fun starts tomorrow. 

Agility dogs

 Yep.  Dogs, as in more than one!  I let sweets run in intro jumpers with weekend and he did great.  He even got a Q in the second round.  I don't have any goals or expectations for him but as he learns things I'll let him run a few classes at trials he is at.  He won't be going to all of them due to often traveling with a friend and 3 dogs and hotels and such.  And he really doesn't need to be doing all agility all the time anyway.  

Epic had a decent weekend.  He finished two titles and showed some improvement on the things we have been working on.  But still needs a lot more work on those things!  Will get in a few practices before champs and then hope for the best while there!  Then we will probably take some agility breaks and work on some nosework.  I'll add a ribbon pic to this once I get it taken!

Behind

I’ve gotten way behind again. We’ve done a few camping trips and had fun 

Flint is doing well and making progress with his training and his limp-although he did have a flare up this week 

Addies is soon to be ready for adoption 

Epic is training hard for nadac champs and sweets is getting ready to make his jumpers debut!

I’ve been getting ready for my trail race and on top of all that and working and rescue stuff have had pretty much no free time!

Michigan part 4

On our way back to car during the dune walk we got these cool shots with the driftwood(?) 

On our last day in Michigan we took a road trip further north for some more sight seeing and wine tasting. We spent a little time at this cute beach 

And enjoyed this cute winery in a cute little town. 

We also really enjoyed the campground. We weren’t there a lot but it was nicely shaded and had good walking trails and creeks. We spend a night in indiana on the way home which was also pleasant. Overall we really loved Michigan and look forward to going back.