Bodhi, a friend and I set out to hike along Eagle Creek in the Columbia Gorge.
It was 20 degrees at the start.
All the waterfalls were frozen.
About two miles into the hike is a overhanging narrow ledge with a long drop off a cliff into the creek.
It was covered with ice.
We started up.
About halfway, I realized the problem was going to be coming down.
Bodhi has four paw drive; he was in harness and pulling like crazy.
I didn't have micro-spikes, precarious steps with Bodhi pulling is difficult.
So we turned around, and slowly retraced our steps.
Then we drove further east, crossed the Columbia at Hood River, and went to Catherine Creek.
It's a dry, open hike that starts along a creek and goes up onto a plateau.
At the trailhead were huge worrisome signs that said "Hunting Season- Wear Blaze Orange."
Which triggered thoughts about the cross-country skier whose malamute was shot by a wolf hunter in Montana last week.
My friend had an orange down vest in his pack, so he put that on.
After about an hour, we saw a couple with a lab hiking.
The man was wearing an NRA cap.
We asked about the signs and he told us hunting season had been over for two weeks.
Continuing up the plateau in brilliant sunshine, we saw some hawks and interesting ice formations.
But the trail was mostly ice free.
I didn't let Bodhi investigate holes like he is want to do because this area does have rattlesnakes.
But he had fun pawing at the ice.
It was a good day in the sun.
