A new I LOVE LUCY adventure
February 12, 2009 | Filed under: Stuff
Well, one would think that all my various adventures in the woods (bears, coyotes, lightning storms, oh my) would keep me out of those woods.
But no. Sorry.
I apparently have a low learning curve.
Yesterday, I went for a snow shoe hike today with Mountain Barbie and Ashes. It was such a beautiful day. We’d just gotten about 16 inches of fresh powder the night before, and it was . . . breath taking.
(Literally. Because damn, it’s hard going in that stuff at this altitude!)
Anyway, here’s the view from the cliff. The same cliff that Middle and her friend climbed down last summer for fun. And to give me gray hair.
And here’s the view after about a mile or so, when I’m REALLY huffing and puffing and wishing I’d packed cookies.
Look at all that virgin snow. Don’t worry. We messed it right up. First Mountain Barbie decided to stick her nose into a porcupine’s den. She didn’t get stuck but she cried when the thing scared her half to death. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, our Mountain Barbie, but she sure is pretty.
And then it happened. And let’s be honest. It was BOUND to happen.
I got lost. How you might be asking? Couldn’t I just follow my own tracks out? Yeah. I should have been able to. Except . . .
They kind of went in circles. So I asked Mountain Barbie which way to get home.
She scratched her head and said “um” a lot. So I asked Ashes. She shook her head in disgust and pointed out the way.
And she was right. There are our tracks.
I told Ashes she could have all my cookies tonight, that she deserved them. She said she also deserved a big glass of wine and the entire couch to herself. As for Mountain Barbie . . .
She’s still scratching her head.
But she sure is pretty. 
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Judy F says:
thank god for Ashes. Glad you all are ok. But please stay inside…
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 3:58 amStacy ~ says:
Yikes Jill. So glad you had Ashes with you, the voice of reason. Be careful. It (and MB) might be pretty, but it can also be dangerous without a GPS.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 4:12 amsls-rainey says:
Bushnell makes a niffty little GPS unit for hunters and hikers – called BackTracker? Backtrack? Something with those two words. It shows you how to return to your starting location. This maybe a good idead. We need our daily laugh at your adventures but we can’t do that if your adventure is you are lost in the woods! Take care and give Ashes a cookie from me.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 6:35 amMy former dog Griffin (a GreatDane) would take me back to the parked car when asked no matter how long we had been away from it. My current dog would know where it was but look at me like “I’m not tired lets keep going. We have all day”.
Melinda says:
Glad you made it home.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 6:55 amAshley says:
Beautiful pics. Seriously Jill I worry, it’s almost like your cursed!! And I thought I had bad luck.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 7:17 amPoor MB, but yep at least she’s pretty. That Ashes saves the day every time, she needs a day at the doggy spa!
Liza says:
Glad y’all made it home safely. If you had asked Mountain Barbie to find a bird or water, she would have been able to help you out.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 7:30 amDonna says:
LOL! Oh my goodness, I love your blog.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 7:39 amJill Shalvis says:
Mountain Barbie would like me to say she did know the way home, she was just testing Ashes.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 7:40 amJackie C says:
:thumbsup: Tell Ashes that Mothers Cookies is being bought by Kellog’s, and if she can wait for the frosted animal cookies, she can have some.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 7:54 amThey both are such good dogs, MB with her sense of humor :rotfl: and Ashes to take care of everyone.
Melissa says:
It’s a good thing Ashes is there to save everyone’s butt’s when they get in a sling. Good girl, Ashes!!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 8:08 amAmy says:
Okay, lost isn’t good, but you had the dogs and it wasn’t, you know, WILDLIFE of any kind.
WTG, Ashes. Did she enjoy the cookies?
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 8:15 amtrish c says:
I’m with Amy, at least no coyotes or bears showed up!!! Your dogs are so lucky. They really have the life at your home!!!! So pretty. Both of them.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 9:06 amVictoria says:
You sure are crazy! Like insane crazy to go out in 16″ of snow. I freak when there’s 4″ and I have to walk through it. Just goes to show how tough you are. Even if you do run away from all the wildlife!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 9:09 amGail says:
LOL, love Mountain Barbie!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 9:16 amNancy says:
It’s gorgeous where you are!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 9:16 amAllie says:
It’s not enough to wear/take a GPS gadget–you need to remember you have it.
I went hiking and got lost and then it took me half an hour to remember I was wearing my GPS thing that would get me back to the parking lot!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 9:40 amKarin says:
:rotfl:
At least there weren’t any wild animals chasing you this time. Poor MB. I love the pictures!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pmDonna M says:
Jill, thanks for entertaining us everyday! You have the best adventures. I’m so glad Ashes knew the way home. You are so right about Mountain Barbie, she is pretty!!
The pictures are gorgeous. I’m with you I’d be out on a hike also if I lived in that area. That is why they have snowshoes! 
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 12:24 pmSusan says:
Jill, promise us that you will always take Ashes with you when you venture into the woods! :thumbsup:
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pmBrandy says:
Ashes definitely deserves a treat!
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pmJill Shalvis says:
Susan, trust me, I always take Ashes the herder. I don’t have a choice, she’s glued to my hip.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 2:20 pmcatslady says:
I just finished telling my husband yesterday’s Jill Adventure. You’re the only one he knows by name – all I have to mention is Sierras or bears lol.
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 5:23 pmlimecello says:
lol glad you’re back safely, Jill! Check to see if your phone has GPS! And thank goodness Ashes knew the way (and that MB did secretly too
)
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 7:41 pm