Today it is Mom’s turn to be nostalgic.  Recently we hiked Mt. Kearsarge in Warner, NH, which is a family tradition since Mom was a little girl. However, would you believe dogs hiking to the summit were a rare sight back then?  As we climbed the mountain, Mom happily told us all about her grandfather’s dogs, and what a novelty it was for other hikers to see them on the trail.  Ok, so in dog years we’re no doubt talking about hundreds of years ago.  However, we’re grateful for these courageous four legged hikers who led the way for our adventures!

Jake, Pepper and Charlie were Beagles, and Mom’s grandfather’s constant companions.  So it wasn’t a surprise to the family when they gathered at Rollins State Park every summer to see his dogs there too.  However, each year they were the only dogs there!  Mom still vividly remembers the first time Jake joined the family on their hike up Mt. Kearsarge.  All along the way people would stop dead in their tracks surprised to see this intrepid hiker.  To be perfectly honest, Mom isn’t sure if the fact they were the only dogs on the mountain was because dogs weren’t allowed back then.  Her grandfather was a bit of a rule breaker.  But what I do know is dogs have certainly come a long way since then.

On our recent visit to Mt. Kearsarge, we counted more than 30 dogs on the summit!  Among them we met a fellow Golden Retriever, named Guinness, who is a seasoned hiker who didn’t even require a leash!  Holly, a 12 week old Golden Retriever puppy, was enjoying her first big adventure.  Although truth be told, she was more interested in the sticks along the way instead of the awe inspiring views.  Lincoln, a Boston Terrier, greeted us as we headed down the trail.  He was happy to hear our report that at the summit there were other small dogs, including a pack of Pugs!  Ironically in the picnic area we met Otto, a Bernese Mountain Dog, who had no intention of climbing despite his breed.  Instead he was enjoying a picnic with his humans.  I bet Otto and Charlie would have been the best of friends, because he often skipped the hike to help Mom’s grandfather grill lunch.

Now that I think of it, I bet Asa and I could have learned a thing or two from Jake, Pepper and Charlie back in the day.  Unfortunately our Grandma couldn’t find a picture of Jake or his brothers at Mt. Kearsarge.  She did though find this photo of Jake enjoying time at a beach cottage.  Guess Jake, Pepper and Charlie led the way on beach reviews too!