Amber’s Muddy, Icy, Slippery Adventure — A Throwback Hike From 2021

Hi, everybody! It’s me, Amber! Mama says I’m still resting and getting better, so today we’re doing a throwback to one of my favorite winter hikes from 2021. And oh boy… this one was muddy, icy, slippery, and absolutely PERFECT.

Mama loaded me into the car and we drove for a little while until we stopped beside a quiet road in the woods. There was a gate, and as soon as Mama opened the car door, I knew something exciting was about to happen. She put a funny harness on me — the one with the little camera on my back — and off we went, right around the gate and straight into the mud.

I KNEW right then it was going to be a good hike.

We started up the trail — and I do mean UP. I sniffed everything I could reach while Mama kept telling me to slow down because it was slick. I didn’t have any trouble at all. Mama says it’s because I have “four‑paw drive.” She laughs every time she says it. I still don’t get the joke, but Mama is silly like that.

There was snow on the trail and two long muddy tracks where people had walked before. Mama stayed in the snowy middle because she said the mud was more slippery. I STILL don’t know what she was talking about. I didn’t slip once!

The trail wound around the side of the mountain, and even though the trees kept us from seeing very far, it was still really pretty. I sniffed every inch of it.

Eventually the trail flattened out, and I found a little path off to my right. I turned down it immediately — Mama followed — and we went down a bit and then steep up, up, up… until the trail just stopped. Nothing there but trees. I wanted to explore anyway, but Mama said no, so we headed back to the main trail.

A little farther up, the trail flattened again and opened into a clearing. I thought Mama would make me turn around, but instead she walked straight across the clearing and found a tiny dirt trail heading into the woods. I was SO HAPPY.

We followed it down a bit until we reached a big tree across the trail. I jumped over it like a champion. Mama had to climb. I don’t know why she doesn’t just jump things like I do — it’s much easier!

The trail kept going up again until we reached a small open space with a random chair leaning against a tree. No people, just woods. I found a gap between some trees that looked like a trail, but Mama said it wasn’t. She said the real trail ended right where we were. Booooo. I wanted it to keep going forever.

We turned around and headed back toward the car. Mama went slow so she wouldn’t slip, which meant I got to climb up and down the hillside as far as my leash would let me. I didn’t see any squirrels, but I smelled where they had been — and deer too! I KNOW I could’ve found them if Mama had let me go the way I wanted.

When we got close to the car, I splashed in every single mud‑and‑ice puddle I could find. I got VERY dirty. It was FANTASTIC. Mama had to pick me up and put me in the car, and she got muddy too. She didn’t even get mad — she just laughed and said she figured I’d had fun. (I DID.)

She took the little camera off my back, got in the car, and we drove all the way home. Mama says we’ll go back to this trail in spring or summer when it’s drier and the rhododendrons are blooming. I can’t wait! I bet I’ll still find muddy places to play in.

But then… I’m just a dog who likes to hike.

🐾 Amber’s Trail Rating — Short + Sweet (and Unforgettable!)

• Sniffability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So many winter smells — mud, snow, critters, and mystery trails. I still remember every single one.
• Paw Traction: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Mama said it was slippery. I did not agree. Four‑paw drive handled everything.
• Mud Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mud + ice puddles = pure joy. I got VERY dirty. It was glorious.
• Adventure Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Side trails! Fallen trees! Secret clearings! Even the dead‑end parts were exciting.
• Dog‑Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quiet woods, lots of space to explore, and Mama letting me sniff all I wanted.
• Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of my favorite winter hikes ever — I still think about how fun it was.