Early any day of the year morning
Reddish-orange sun peeking through eastern horizon clouds
Hot black coffee in insulated cup
F-150 takes a dog and its human out
Double checking day and dog packs
Sandals changed to well-worn boots
Stretch, lock truck, grab trekking poles
On to public land the human and canine walk
A national forest water tower before them
Crisp cool clean fresh air
Muscles warm as chill fades
Sweat begins to form
Elevation persistently increasing
Oxygen incessantly decreasing
Lungs start burning
Slow and steady the dog and human go
Up up up
Crystal clear brook parallel somewhat
Through old-growth timber
Sprinkled with wildflower infused meadows
Steaming griz scat on trail before them
Bear spray within reach
Sun climbs on an upward arc
Sky blue, blue, blue
All photographs courtesy of Susan Bevenger. Enjoy her amazing photography at SMBevenger (smugmug.com