Lately it seems like all I’ve done is blog about Freddie. Annabel was starting to get a Jan Brady Complex - as in Freddie, Freddie, Freddie why is it ALWAYS about Freddie - LOL!

In the spirit of making her feel special, yesterday we took a mommy and me adventure with our good friends Larry and Betty and Miss Vivian. We all piled into Larry’s car and drove about an hour and a half north of here to New Paltz, NY. The scenery is so gorgeous up there surrounded by the Shawangunks mountain range, Mohonk Mountain House, and lake Minnewaska State Park which was our destination. We started in New Paltz with breakfast at a great dog-friendly bakery with lots of outdoor seating. Once fortified we headed up the mountain (by car) to Minnewaska to take a short hike to a swimming hole. Larry and Betty have been there many times but for Annabel, Miss Vivian and myself, it was a new adventure. On the way to the swimming hole, I didn’t let Annabel off the leash but old-timer Betty led the way. Annabel did behave herself beautifully and seemed to be enjoying the scenery.

We arrived at the swimming hole to find it completely deserted (as Larry says it almost always is) but very very inviting. I was a bit nervous about how Annabel would take to the water because she has not proven herself a big swimmer. I took her off the leash and hoped for the best. She actually surprised me by wading in the shallow areas right off and exploring on her own. She never strayed too far because I think she was a bit afraid of losing sight of us. Betty, on the other hand, jumped right in the water with NO regard to how cold it was - and BOY was it ever cold!

Once we all had our suits on, Miss Vivian worked her way in slowly, then Larry jumped in all at once, and I tried to beg off saying I was worried about Annabel. Well, that excuse did NOT hold water so I finally gave in and made the plunge. I think I started yelling from the cold water before I had even surfaced. Before long, Annabel’s curiousity got the better of her and she stepped off the belly-deep underwater ledge into the deep water. She swam a bit twice and then stuck to wading and exploring for the rest of the day. I was pleased that she was as bold as she was. Next time will be Brownie’s turn, then Freddie’s (once he’s a bit older so maybe next Spring) then I would love to take all three at once.

After swimming we laid down on the rocks in the sun basking like turtles and we all fell asleep for a bit - even Annabel. We hiked back to the car and this time I left Annabel off the leash and she and Betty led the way. Once in the car, we headed back to the bakery for a late lunch and then headed home. Annabel and Betty slept like logs all the way home and Annabel didn’t budge much until about 6:00 a.m. this morning.

Here’s some photos of our adventure. (I have more on flickr if anyone is interested.) If you’re ever able to visit us in The Bronx we would LOVE to take a side trip to New Paltz.

Laura & Annabel - the Doxhoont girls!

Bridge leading to the swimming hole

Swimming hole

Larry and Betty

Annabel exploring

Lake Minnewaska where you can’t swim with your doggies

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