It was now noon.  Dad needed to figure out how to burn off some of the massive amounts of sugar Mongo had  recently consumed.  (Click HERE to read about Mongo and molasses.) Poor Dad had run errands for Mom-mom all morning as penance for leaving the molasses and corn syrup out where Mongo could find them.

Now he needed to get Mongo moving before all that sugar turned to pudge.  He studied his copy of “Best Hikes with Dogs”

“Kachess”, he said aloud to Mongo.  We’re going to hike the Kachess Ridge.  It was exceptionally warm for the first day of May, but that shouldn’t be problem thought Dad.  There was plenty of water along the route and he would carry some extra water and doggie nom-noms just in case.

The various guides Dad had consulted promised,

“The trail to Kachess Beacon is steep much of the way, but it is easy to get to, well-shaded, and less than three miles long.”

It seemed like a good choice.  It was a bit closer than Dad’s favorite hike to Snoquera.  And since it was already noon, they did not have a lot of time to spend in transit.  It had a 1500 ft climb, so they would get a good workout, and it looked like a fun hike… Read More…