Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend Walk at Hilton Falls Color around the beaver pond at Hilton Falls Conservation Area

Maple leaves give some color

It couldn't have been a more pleasant day for a nice long walk on another part of the Bruce Trail. This time we headed north to Milton, ON to a trail that is part of the Halton Conservation Authority. We found a lot more color than just a little south in the warmer parts near Lake Ontario. As we drove north, only about 45 minutes, there were a lot of maple trees turned to their brilliant fall orange and red. Finally, we had found our fall color. http://www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1084

On the trail

Our gang consisted of three people and our four dogs: Will, Emma, Cajun and Eevi. They all love to run the trails, exploring every nook and cranny that they find. We figure they cover about five to ten times as much distance as we humans do. They run ahead, then back to us, then ahead again and so it goes, over and over. Sometimes Will runs off the trail, alongside but hidden in the woods then he'll jump out on the trail ahead of us. He seems to love this little trick. It's as if he's playing hide and seek with us, but primarily I think it's Emma that he likes to hide from and fool. He's always a fun lover, and we hope he keeps being the playful pup that we know.

Old Man Cajun and Eevi The Serious

Aaron with Eevi, just hanging out

Emma is so serious about everything, especially all the things that move in front of her. She has definitely an obsession with moving objects, and this time of year we really have our hands full. The leaves are falling and the wind is blowing, and Emma is on alert for every one of the leaves that blow in that wind. She will suddenly jump at one and make the mad scramble to catch the leaf. It startles whoever is holding on to her, which is usually me. In the woods along the trails today it isn't so bad, since we do let them off leash when it's quiet on the trails. It makes for a more pleasant walk for all concerned.

There is also another difference between Will and Emma. Will is much more easy going and loves to meet new dogs and people. He makes friends very easily, and it's as if there is no dog on earth that he doesn't like. He loves everyone that he meets, at least so far. He especially likes little dogs, and will start a romp with them, crouching down to get the other to play with him or chase him. As I said earlier, he 's the playful pup. Emma on the other hand, is moody, and does not make friends so easily. She is the true leader of the pack of our two, and will tolerate other dogs only so much. She doesn't like it when other dogs get too close to Will or to either of us. She will growl at the dog that gets too close, and she might even get into what would be a fisticuffs if she were human. She is not afraid of a fight, and has started many with poor unsuspecting dogs. She is especially not happy when her female 'cousins' are around and encroach on her space. Both Eevi and Jazz have taken their turns at being the center of Emma's aggression, and we have to be always on the lookout for her attack. She can be very vicious when she wants to be.

Anyway, this day was pretty peaceful with all the dogs together. They are best when they can have their own space, and Emma is best when she is allowed to run and have her way without being bothered by other dogs. We all enjoyed the nice walk in the woods along this part of the Niagara Escarpment, and wish that these autumn days could last a lot longer than they do.

Some signs at the park: not the usual signs you see along trails, but this park is known for it's trails for cyclists. Some of the trails are extremely rugged and I wouldn't want try riding them! I'd be on the ground for sure.

Will and Emma take a well deserved break