Liam and Foster enjoyed an excellent adventure yesterday.
So did their peeps.
We haven't taken the two boys on an outing for a while.
Last time we tried, Liam's apparent phobia for riding in a car when it slows down got the best of us after two miles.
We turned around on Center Valley Road and took them back home.
Yesterday, I bought a spray bottle with hopes of re-training him to quit that crying and barking.
The strategy worked, to a certain extent, but as we drove on, his whining diminished on its own.
In fact, by the time we were halfway home, he even lay down in the back seat and maybe even slept.
Foster had to bear the brunt of Liam's anxiety most of the way to our destination of Hall Mountain north of Bonners Ferry.
Gradually, Liam was taking up about 85 percent of the back seat, leaving Foster a little portion for curling up or looking out the window.
Usually, little Foster is the intimidator of the two, growling and shooting hate stares which put Liam on automatic cower.
For some reason "Little Big Brother" decided to just deal with it as Liam eventually got over most of his nervousness.
The best was yet to come for the two as we pulled into an open vista at the top of Hall Mountain. With leashes on, the dogs got out and enjoyed the view AND the sniffing just as much as we did.
Our goal was to make it to that spot where a southern-exposed hillside is coming alive with a myriad of wildflowers and where the view below is nothing less than jaw dropping.
We discovered another group---figuring they were bear hunters---camping in the trees a short ways from the opening, but we took the dogs and went on our way down the hillside.
Last year we tried to make it to this spectacular spot overlooking the Kootenai Valley, but a remaining snow pack stopped us a couple of miles from the top.
Yesterday, the snow was gone but the air was cold, and we watched little storms brewing up in the mountains to the west.
After enjoying the view, we drove back to another side road and enjoyed a short hike.
The dogs loved it and definitely kept busy leaving their mark on each other's mark and whatever else had spent time at spots where their noses went into overdrive.
On down the mountain, we stopped next to a babbling brook and shared treats of smoked salmon, string cheese and chips with the dogs.
Suddenly, Liam's nose shot into the air, he let out a ferocious bark and began circling the truck and soon pointing toward the brush.
We wasted no time grabbing leashes and stuffing dogs back into the pickup.
We had a feeling that the scent Liam's nose recognized may have meant significant trouble for dogs who think they're a lot bigger and tougher than they are.
We later took another side road which gave us another impressive view of the valley and where a hiking trail takes off through an open stand of impressive Ponderosa pine.
Beautiful spot. Beautiful trip and probably the start of a new chapter with Liam and Foster.
Good for all our souls as thoughts of our beloved Kiwi's loss remain raw. "The boys" and the outdoor beauty are helping us wade the waters.
Happy Monday. Enjoy the photos.
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