Wendy to the rescue.

It's been a while since I've gone for a walk on the Rifle Range trail so I headed there today.

Since it had been a bit chilly overnight the bugs weren't too bad so I meandered into the woods rather than staying on the open road. While the dogs tore about with their noses to the ground I rambled about stopping to look at mushrooms, 

and check out all the interesting biking equipment built throughout the woods.

It was all rather fascinating and I followed the bike trails and even "tried" to walk along some of the equipment which led farther and farther into the woods.

This piece was interesting and rather alarming as it ended ten feet up in the air; hence the "Know your skill" sign !

As I explored Sooki would occasionally climb some of the pieces.

Even though she's older, when it comes to climbing up slopes Wendy was well ahead of Sooki and I.  A couple of times I had to hold Wendy's collar and she'd help me up or down a steeper slope.

I just love wandering through the green forest.   Since the highway is only a kilometer away I can always hear the distant traffic.  Suddenly I noticed that the traffic sound was in the wrong direction.  I thought I was walking back toward where I'd parked my car but clearly wasn't.  Instead I was walking deeper into the woods !

This has happened a couple of times in the past.  I tend to say "I'm not lost -- I've just mislaid myself".

WOW.  I was really, really mislaid today.

When I tried to walk toward the traffic sound I noticed that  it now seemed to be coming from two directions !

Can you tell from my excessive use of exclamation points that I was growing concerned ?

I had my cell phone with me but its map feature lacks the detail to give me an accurate sense of direction, but it does let me take pretty pictures while I'm lost.

So I did the only thing I could; I asked Wendy to take us home.  What I said was "Wendy, that's it, let's go home" and she turned and trotted off.   She didn't go on a trail as we were not on one.  She simply turned into the woods and trotted off.  She'd then stop to make sure I was following.  

During much of our walk Sooki had followed the sounds of Red Squirrells and tore around through the woods.  Once I asked Wendy to lead us out Sooki suddenly stayed glued to her.

After following Wendy for a mere 5 minutes she'd led me to a trail I knew that quickly led us out of the woods !

She's an amazing dog.