Da kitty takes over da computer!!!

Dis is how a kitty works out. Those pups are so dumb!

It is all in the sprawl and the slight closing of the eyelids. Ah, the comfort of it all.

Well, back to napping!!

---Tuck

The Devils Backbone

"I know why they call it the Devil's Backbone. It's cuz the Devil lets you in, but he won't let you out!!" --Luke G., age 6

Jackson: All I am saying is we should have listened to Max. His family hiked the Devil's backbone. They told Max it was not a place for nice little pups, but nooooo we didn't listen! **scratch, scratch, scratch**....

Jasmine: What are you talking about! This was a great hike **scratch**, even if we did pick up a few **scratch scratch** unwanted friends on the way **scratch scratch scratch**

Jackson: Well just stop scratching and tell everyone about how you dragged me through the woods for miles, already....

Jasmine: OK, well the Devil's backbone trail is found in the Devil's Backbone Natural Area off of the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is south of some of the other trails we have been on, such as the Gordon Ferry House and Jackson Falls. It is a beautiful wooded area with a stream running though it at the low points, but it has a ridge line running through it as well, hence the "backbone" part of the name. The trail is a loop trail that is billed to be just under 3 miles long, although we found it to be a bit longer...

Jackson: A bit?!?!? Try at least a mile longer!!!

Jasmine: OK, so about a mile longer, what is the big deal? It was a nice hike with pretty surroundings and gentle grades for the most part. It was a wonderful day and a nice car ride there and back. Maybe next time, though, I would suggest that the humans bring water and a snack or something with them.

Jackson: You didn't mention the wrong turn you took.

Jasmine: Wrong turn? I don't know what you are talking about. THere was that extra exploring we did, but I don't know about a wrong turn...

Jackson: Oh, you know just what I am talking about. We came to that unmarked place in the trail where we had to choose to go right or left. "It has to be right" you said, "I am sure of it!" But after a quarter of a mile, it was all "oops, this is a dead end, grr...lets go back...". And I think that is about when my paws started to hurt! Not to mention you started running after that in an attempt to try to figure out if we were totally lost or if we were ever going to get back to familiar territory!! Good thing I noticed that the trail was marked with white blazes on the trees. I knew if we kept following those, we would get back...or at least I hoped so!

Jasmine: Well, you sure did drag your feet on that last mile. But we did make it back (thank goodness) and were all fine and dandy. Until that hound dog at the trail head mented the "tiny little bugs". That is when we saw them. Chiggers! And the humans started dancing around trying to get them off. Now that is what I call humor!

Jackson: I didn't see them trying to get the buggers off of us! But with my thick skin I barely feel them anyway...but we at least got a drink of water and a nice car ride home. And then a nice long nap!!

Jasmine: Now, just a little dieting, Jack, and you might lose that extra layer of insulation you have going there.

Jackson: Hey, that isn't fat, I am just big boned!!

Jamine: In the neck? Never heard of that before....

Jackson: I am going to get you!!! Right after I get this little critter... ***scratch, scratch, scratch***

We miss our hikes!!

We are getting quite lazy!!Mom, Dad, we want to go hiking!!!!!!!!!!

An adventure with mom exploring the history of the area

Jackson:

Well, mom took me on a hike this week, but forgot to take pictures, so this shot is not of me, but we did see some waterfalls!

It was scary at first...there was a strange man with a big stick to greet me when we got out of the car. But then another pup showed up with some kids, so that was OK. Mom left Jasmine at home with dad. HA HA! But I missed her, and I heard she missed me...crying and whining while we were gone.

So we took off on our hike. First, some big creatures! Cows, they were called. A buzzard was trying to get at a newborn calf. But momma cow would have none of it! She was snorting and blocking the calf and it was good she was far away from us!

Then we went through a long tunnel. The echo freaked me out! Plus I was still a bit nervous from the cows.

But that is when the fun began. Woods and leaves and trail. Oh what fun!! We saw two waterfalls. Both very cool. One we could go behind. The man with the stick said that two men (and believe me I don't totally understand this part, but mom did) lived in the little cave behind the waterfall at the time of the Civil War. They were Confederate soldiers who did not want to fight. Their families brought them food and they stayed in the woods until the war was over, then went back home to their families.

Some time later, in that same place, whiskey makers kept their still there. I guess if I ever want to do something I don't want anyone to know about, THAT is the place to go! Like if I want to chew up one of mom's quilts...hmm...

So then we had to go up a big scary bluff, but with strong encouragement by the man with the stick, I did make it. Then back through the woods and to home for some good cool water and a long nap. It was great. But I admit I was pretty happy to see my sis when I got home!!

If I get some pictures of the event from the other pup (her name was Tinkerbell!) I will post them here as well!!

Jackson Falls and Bakers Bluff in Winter

Jasmine:

Well, why we did not get invited on this trip to the Trace, I do not know. Nevertheless I will take a moment to share some pictures of a winter hike mom and dad took. They went back to Jackson Falls and Baker's Bluff overlook. With no leaves it looks cold and dead, but the water was rushing and the place had a different sort of beauty, at least that is what I am told.

Jackson:

I am glad we did not have to go out in the cold. I enjoyed my nap at home in the sunshine. But the water does look inviting...a nice cool drink would be nice. Remember that long hill? I bet mom and dad huffed and puffed while going up it! This was a great place and day for a winter hike, though, with the sun streaming through the branches of the trees. The sound of the water would have filled our ears, Jasmine, but I bet it would be ice cold...no swimming at this time of year.

Jasmine:

So true Jack. Well, I can't wait until we get to go out again and the leaves start coming out and flowers growing and lots to sniff.

A little doggie history...

Jasmine:

OK, for those of us who are a bit more erudite, I have decided to opine on the topic of the Trace. Well, I felt like it was time for a post and mom and dad have not taken us out in a while.

Anyway, I was searching online (which is harder than one might think with paws) and found this map. There was a great site with it too that gave some history on the Trace. Here is some of the text:

"In 1801, the United States treated with the Chickasaw, and obtained the right to build a road through the Chickasaw Nation. From the 1801 treaty: “The Mingco, principal men and warriors of the Chickasaw nation of Indians, give leave and permission to the President of the United States of America, to lay out, open and make a convenient wagon road through their land between the settlements of Mero District in the state of Tennessee, and those of Natchez in the Mississippi Territory, in such way and manner as he may deem proper; and the same shall be a high way for the citizens of the United States, and the Chickasaws.”"

Interesting start. Too bad the Native Americans did not realize that this was just one more step in the loss of their lands. Makes me sad to think of it. In volume 7 of "Dog's History Bark" they talk about the good relationship that those native American's had with their dogs, although it was a tough life for both back in that day.

Anyway, I like looking at the map and seeing all the old posts along the road. I am hoping we can see the SheBoss stop this weekend. It just sounds like a nice place. Just has a good ring! ;)

Jackson:

Nice OLD map there Jas. Well check out this site (I use my tongue for greater ease of surfing the web) to see a good map! It gives all the places you can go, bathrooms (for those who can't just stop and squat), and horse trails (for those who like those giant scary creatures!).

Well here are some pictures I like. The first is sort of a dog's eye view, but I like to imagine what it would be like to fly high over the Trace. This is a picture of Birdsong Hollow (where the Pampered Pooches live. You can't see The Farm in this picture, but I have always dreamed of getting to stay there when mom and dad go away for vacation. It is quite close to Birdsong). Anyway, I have been enjoying my rest time since our last hike, but it is getting hard to scratch my neck and I can barely lick my bu....well, nether regions. So I guess I could use some exercise. And mom and dad definitely can. But isn't there a *HE*Boss we can go to?

Baker Bluff Overlook hike

Continuation of tails from the trails:

Jasmine: After our trip to Jackson falls, we hiked up up up (Jackson could hardly make it! Hee Hee). We got to the top and had a beautiful view of the Duck River and a bunch of farms and fields. Oh, how I love the smell of cows in the afternoon! But they were too far away to chase, unfortunately. It was like being on top of the world. I liked this hike, plus it was all down hill until we got to the car to head on home. All four paws way up on this one!

Jackson: Well, I thought that this trail was overkill, I mean we had just hiked the beautiful Jackson falls, come all the way up the hill from the falls, and then had to keep on going. Whew. But I think it was good for my physique. And maybe I was huffing a bit more than Jasmine, but not as much as mom and dad! The view was great, but the overlook was right by the road, which made me very nervous. But it was all worth the view, and the day was so much fun! It is great being with the family. I give this trail 3 paws, just because of the road being so close.

And the pups came home and crashed for a nice little nap. Dog hikes are fun..good for the pups, and good for the dog moms and dads, and good for the heart!