The bug splattered windshield is hard to see through by the end of our nine hour journey. We are both restless. Maiden is whining because she knows that we are close. We turn off the highway after not turning for hours and head down Long Lake Drive. After a few minutes we see the name plate. It's a small sign with the family name that tells us that our week of relaxation and time at the lake is about to begin. We turn down the long dirt covered driveway surrounded by tall pine trees. The trees swayed ever so slightly with the cool breeze.
I looked over my shoulder and said in an excited voice that only my dog loves, "Maiden, are you ready to go jump in the lake?" The excitement radiated through her as she jumped into my lap in the front seat. Her nails dug into my legs and I immediately regretted my decision to get her pumped up after the long ride.
We pulled up to the cabin and stopped the car. At this point Maiden could no longer hold in her excitement. I opened the door and she leapt out and ran as fast as she could around the yards. Dogs started running out of their houses to greet her. Some people say that dogs can't smile, but I beg to differ. Her goofy smile was undeniable. She was elated to see her friends after their long absence.
The dogs, Maiden leading of course, ran in circles around the cabin playing tag. Her ears flapped in the wind as she zoomed around, obviously determined to be the fastest in the pack. Suddenly, Maiden recalled the best part of going to the cabin. The lake! She ran down the wooded path, leaping from step to step all the way down to the waterfront.
Click click click click click! The dogs paws hit the wooden dock with force. The three native Minnesota dogs reached the end of the dock and dove in the water.
The poser lake dog (Maiden) put on the brakes and skidded to a stop just shy of the end of the dock. She barked and jumped around, upset that the other dogs had left her, and even more frustrated that she was too chicken to make the jump.
At least not yet...
Great post! Such a wonderful memory of your time away. I can tell how much you love your dog. I couldn't live without mine. You have reminded me that I need to write about him someday. Happy Writing!
ReplyDeleteShe is my pride and joy. My husband and I don't have kiddos yet, so she is prepping us for that. Thanks for the comment! I'd love to read about your pup!
DeleteYour dog is totally smiling in that pic! Also, I didn't realize your lake house was 9 hours away...where is it?
ReplyDelete9 long hours! The cabin is actually in Eveleth, MN. That's about 1 hour north of Duluth, MN and 1 hour south of Ely (or the Boundary Waters). It is definitely my happy place.
DeleteThis is great! I especially love "Her nails dug into my legs and I immediately regretted my decision to get her pumped up after the long ride." I feel that way all the time when I get my dogs hyped up. I'm like, what was I thinking?!?!
ReplyDeleteI thought she was going to leap right in the lake! I loved this story and Minnesota looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love this line: "I looked over my shoulder and said in an excited voice that only my dog loves"
ReplyDelete