Hike into hell

Today is the 4th of July - independence day. In a burst of seeming ingenuity, myself, Greg, and a friend decide to trek out to Pedernales Falls, a drive into oblivion for a day of hiking, hot, and watering holes. Getting out of the apartment late, got us started late. From then on out it was one thing after another, and it was anything from an "independent day." (lol) First off, without printed or recollected directions we drive on and on, only to at one point say (after passing Pedernales river 20 miles back) that we have gone too far. No really! Who would have thought. With the help of the cell phone, a friend at home in their apartment gets us directions - again - the dependence thing...

What I failed to mention thus far is that along with three people, there was three dogs - my two and my parents 5 month old puppy who we are taking care of. Ironically, on day of independence I was anything, I mean Anything! but independent. I was chained, pulled, twisted, half-tripped, driven insane, the list goes on, by these three dogs.

Picture this: Three people walked down a very disappointing hiking path as they hold three extendable leashes that would twist and tangle and trap the three as they walked. Not far into the walk, the dogs give up, literally stop walking and lay themselves down on the hot gravel. Thus the journey only gets better...we have to take turns carrying the dogs to give them breaks. How ridiculous is that!!! It is hilarious thinking back because we had to carry the dogs. Ha ha. They are such wimps - I have turned them into these weaklings that are more like toddlers that dogs that can live in the wild. Sigh, thus I must carry them when needed, coddle them when needed because it is my fault, because they would definitely not survive in the wild. What a sight that would be, the three dogs starving in the wilderness, sitting in the same spot, whining and waiting, thinking I am coming back, food in my arms.

Luckily, the hike is over and it was without a doubt an experience. Though, I have certainly learned a lesson. Can you guess what it is?