Into the pine forest

We went out for some lunch today at a favorite restaurant but when we got there, they were closed.  I told the man I remember they are only open for breakfast and lunch during the week but he did not believe me.  So I was right...he was disgruntled as they have fried chicken. So we ended up grabbing some fast food.   The manager at the roast beef place, Arby's, saw my dog Gypsy in the back seat and she sent her two slice of roast beef!    She was talking to the dog through the window just as if she was a child!     Made our day and Gyp was really happy with her treat!

We ate our sandwiches while driving to the trailhead for a hike.  Jerry said he wanted to walk it since we knew it would be mostly flat and his knee would not have to deal with going up and down steep hills.   We did manage to get 4 miles hiked.  This trail begins in a pine forest which as you can see is probably the most uninteresting kind of area for hiking.  Tall pines reaching up to the sky.  We actually were walking on an old logging road so it was wide open.    There was no one else there at all.   When we got a little past the one mile mark, there was slight hill that lead to a small creek and the trees changed to hardwoods and some cedars.   The hill was not too bad for the man but when we turned around he was ready to get back to the car.     A couple of photos showing the difference in the pine forest and the hardwood area in the extras.

Jerry goes back to the orthopedic this week for a follow up on his knee.  He has been trying an arthritis med and an ointment that he says works as long as he does not walk!     Plus he takes over the counter pain meds.    Keeping my fingers crossed he can have the surgery in the next month.  

I loved the cold weather, the wind and the woods!   I feel renewed and recharged!