Today was the best Saturday I have had in a long time. I taught my two regular morning hot yoga classes and then came home to make lunch and give the house a much needed clean.
This spring is kinda crazy between travel plans, workshops and teacher training stuff so it was a welcome treat to have a completely free Saturday afternoon. The weather in Charlotte was absolutely gorgeous today so I decided to abandon all of the things on my to-do list to get outside and get a break.
As I’ve mentioned over the past few weeks, work is at high-capacity right now. I could have easily spent the whole day in front of the computer but I knew I’d be much more present and productive in the long run if I took a mental health break today. We took the pups for an adventure to Crowders Mountain for a hike. Zoey was super excited about the road trip.
Crowders Mountain State Park is a short 30 minute drive from Charlotte and features some great hiking trails. You can do a super quick up and back direct trail to the summit or wind your way around to make it a longer hike. I prefer to take the longer trails to cover more distance and get away from the crowds. We ended up hiking a little less than 6 miles.
This was Zoey’s first hike and she did a really great job. I was impressed with her behavior and it was such a great training experience for her. The only issue we had was at the very end of the hike. We were maybe a tenth of a mile from the parking lot when we passed a family with their young daughter (probably three or four). She asked if she could pat Zoey and of course we said yes. Well, the next thing I knew, Zoey tackled her, knocked her to the ground and stole her bag of Fritos. Clearly, hiking made Zoey very hungry! I was a little mortified.
The amazing thing was that the parents brushed the little girl off and encouraged her to pat the puppies again, which I absolutely loved. After a minute of coaxing, the little girl asked if she could feed the dogs chips and shared her Fritos with the pups. It was super cute.
Zoey looked like this on the way home. A little different than the before picture, huh?
I was starving post-hike. I’ve been craving fish tacos for the past few weeks so they sounded like the perfect dinner tonight. I’m so glad it’s the warm weather, hiking, being outdoors, fish taco time of year again. I feel really happy! 🙂
Have you been hiking lately?
What did your Saturday look like?
I actually went hiking yesterday with a group of friends! I hadn’t been since last summer, and it was the PERFECT way to get away and spend the whole day disconnected from my phone/computer/school/classes and just enjoy being outside 🙂
Your girls are SUCH cuties and your weather looks amazing!! We are still buried under snow and so all of the trails are pretty impassable. I did get outside for a road walk yesterday but it was a bit tough going at the time due to some ice. We did get some rain though late in the day and so I’m hopeful that Spring will spring up here!!
I took a mental break and unplugged most of the day too yesterday, much needed! Super busy though with Passover but still got my run in and ate good food 🙂 Have a very Happy Easter!
She’s so adorable! <3
My Saturdays typically include a workout, a trip to the grocery store and then a social activity out or on the couch. 🙂
Not many hiking trails here in Houston, but I did take Lucy to the dog park; got in a 60 min indoor cycle workout, and then spent the rest of the day with friends eating and drinking! 🙂 Happy Easter!
i’ve been wanting to go to crowders mt. forever! this totally inspired me! we are going to take the day off on friday and hit the trails!
LOLOL The “after” pict of Zoe looks like she’s throwing up Fritos on the car floor!!!
Yay for hikes! We take the kids to Ruffner Mtn. here in Birmingham a lot and we love hiking with friends who have dogs and passing friendly dogs along the way. Good for you and good for those parents giving it another try!
I have been craving seafood like crazy these days, too, and I wonder if it’s the spring in the air that has my body longing for the ocean and salt!!