Blue Dog Nights

So I decided to take a short hike up to one of my favorite places as a kid spending my summers on Gun Lake–Graves Hill. I haven’t been up there for a number of years, but I remember getting so excited when I was a kid and we would get the chance to take my brother’s dune buggy up there. I would literally run to the top of the hill to take in the view of the lake below. It seemed like you could see for miles and miles. Nowadays you can’t get too close by car (or dune buggy) since most of the area has been cut off to motorized vehicles, but I don’t mind because I enjoy hiking the vast trail system of the Yankee Springs Recreation Area.

So I started out on the Hall Lake trail.

And enjoyed the beautiful view of Hall Lake. Everything was so green.

Then I continued on the trail, part of which connects with the North Country National Scenic Trail which currently travels through seven states, and when completed, will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States.  And I thought of my nephew Anthony, recent Pioneer High grad, and at this very moment making his way through Maine hiking the 2,178 mile Appalachian Trail. Way to go buddy!!!

Then I saw the marker for Graves Hill and started to get excited. I couldn’t wait to take some great pictures of that awesome view.

Up I went, stopping to enjoy the numerous wild raspberry and blackberry bushes that have grown up along the trail.

Then I saw the sign and felt like a kid again as I sprinted to the top of hill, camera in tow, for that gorgeous view.

And, well, ummm, geez, what happened??? That didn’t used to be there.

Well, at least I have my memories. It was beautiful.