It was time to break the dogs into camping mode. My son and I packed day packs, hammocks, sleeping bags, and brats for dinner. Neither dog had been on a mountain hike nor camping before. My son suggested we cure that.
We loaded the dogs with their leashes, dog food, and ball. Then we jumped in the Tundra and headed the two hours north to the trailhead. Being mid – July we had plenty of sunlight left to get to lake set up, swim, and make dinner.
Once at the lake, we let the dogs off the leashes. They were in the lake in a fraction of time. After an hour it was time to get the fire going and start dinner. Brats on a stick and trail mix was on the menu.
As the sun was ready to set, the dogs continues in and out of the water. Now it was time for us to take a swim. I spotted a black figure up on the mountain in a berry patch. Although it wasn’t moving, so we were thinking our eyes were just playing tricks on us, as the sun was fading.
That night the stars put on an awesome display, as there were no artificial light present.
Around midnight we heard the splashing of a Moose in the lake. The dogs let go a low growl. At or around three in the morning a Black Bear made their way into camp. I believe this was the figure from the mountainside, hours prior.
My son used his headlamp to spotlight the bear who wandered off after five minutes of staring at us. It was after this that the fierce dogs decided that there was enough room in the hammocks for them.
A great night of sleep in hammocks were had by dogs. My son and I not so much!
As the sun rose the dogs decided it was time to play. My son and I grabbed an hour of sleep until the dogs swam and came to shake off on us. I guess it was time to get up for the day.
We packed up our hammocks and sleeping bags, said goodbye Moose Lake, the Bear, the Moose and headed back toward the truck.
What a great 24 hours!
Bald Bigfoot 