Blue Ridge Buddies

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<<audio parkinglot play loop>> You step out of the car and stretch your stiff muscles. The drive here wasn't too long but you ache to move freely again. An impatient growl catches your attention and you look into the back seat to see a [[large fluffy dog|juno]] staring back at you with impatience, she too aches to be free of confined spaces. Leash in hand, day pack in place, you look out across the stretch of dirt and mud that proclaims itself a parking lot. Despite the lackluster appearance of the dusty cars, the warm breeze that blows through your hair reminds you of the joy and freedom you have come here to claim. Walking forward you regard the trailhead that promises adventure and activity. While eager for this glorious exertion, your eyes can't help but drift towards a short flat trail that leads to a shady bank overlooking a picturesque river. [[Proceed with your plan and head to the trailhead|trailhead]] [[Take the path less strenuous and find the river|riverbank]]

Grab your pack, grab your girl, get in your car and go... [[GO!|parkingLot]]

<<audio parkinglot fadeout>> <<audio woods play loop>> Leaving the parking lot behind you head towards your hike with a spring in your step. The weather is suprisingly lovely and you feel more and more alive the further into the woods you wanter. You walk down the trail for a few minutes until the cars are no longer visible behind you. Juno senses the ebulient energy around you and strains against your slow pace. She is well trained and DOES have good recall. [[Trust her enough to uncleap the lead so she can run free|noLeash]] [[Maybe that isn't the best idea. Shouldn't a responsible dog owner keep their companion on a leash?|leash]]

<<audio parkinglot fadeout>> <<audio river play loop>> You head out of the parking lot and trapse down to the shady bank. The water flows past in a lazy arc. You find two trees that promise to hold you and your hammock so set your pack down next to them. Juno pulls towards the water in a desperate fashion, you pause your preparations to acquiesce her wishes. With haste, you remove your hiking boots and run together bare foot and paw to splash around in the shallow water. After having your fill of the river, you pull your reluctant friend back towards the bank and resume your plans for relaxation. Once everything is set up you ponder... should I listen to music or read in my hammock? [[I feel like reading|read]] [[Today is the perfect day to listen to music|music]]

<img src="music/BRJ.jpg" width="400px" height="300px"> Juno is a large and fluffy black lab and australian shephard mix. She is well trained, but can be very sassy and impatient. You love her very much. [[boof...BARK|parkingLot]]

<<audio splash play>> You continue on you hike, the slight fatigue of your arms worth the feeling of superiority you get from being such a responsible pet owner. The ground begins to slope downwards and at the bottom of the hill you encounter a stream. A flash of panic floods through you as you look at your dof, she freezes for just a moment before launching herself into the muddy water, pulling you in behind her as she flops around in a truly graceful manner. You feel a little deafeated as you realize the immenant bath you're going to have to give her, something that is no easy feat when one considers the thick fur covering her body from snoot to boot... But then she sticks her little nose into the water and blows excited bubbles, a sight so sickeningly adorable that you forgive any inconvenience this may cause you. You use your phone to take a quick video and continue onwards. [[It REALLY sucks that your boots are going to be soaked for the rest of this hike|niceWalk2]]

<<audio splash play>> You continue on you hike, while Juno runs excited circles around you. She seems so happy, and in return you do as well. The ground begins to slope downwards and at the bottom of the hill you see a stream. A flash of panic floods through you as you look at your dog, she freezes for just a moment before launching herself into the muddy water, flopping around in a truly graceful manner. You feel a little deafeated as you realize the immenant bath you're going to have to give her, something that is no easy feat when one considers the thick fur covering her body from snoot to boot... But then she sticks her little nose into the water and blows excited bubbles, a sight so sickeningly adorable that you forgive any inconvenience this may cause you. You use your phone to take a quick video and continue onwards [[At least YOU'RE still dry as you continue your hike|niceWalk1]]

You're about two miles into your hike. The feeling of your muscles working fluidly to propel you forward fills you with satisfaction and you feel the suffocating symptoms of stress begin to sluff off you like the muddy water from Juno's coat. You've been lucky today, and so far you've had this place to yourself. Of course this couldn't last forever, you think in mild annoyance. Voices and crunching footsteps steadily grow louder until you make out three figures heading towards you. A young couple and their perfect white cloud of a dog apporoach you. They look so fashionable, and their dog is just SO white that it makes you feel a little self consious as you contemplate your built for comfort hiking apparel and debree coated mongral. [[Lead both you and Juno off to the side so they can have plenty of room to pass|pullToSide]] [[Ignore them and their suspiciosly perfect appearances as you walk by|ignore]] [[That dog is awfully cute and you both want to say hello|hello]]

You pull Juno to the side and she let's out a soft whine as a potential friend passes by without so much as a friendly sniff. You continue down the path away from the interlopers and you both soon forget their interferance. The hike is lovely, the weather warm and the woods teeming with the sights and sounds of natures beauty. One of those sights being a squirrel that rushes across your path... OH NO Juno's persuit is immediate and she dissapears out of sight in her attempt to catch this magnificent prize. You wait, one moment, and then another, panic squeezing your chest and your mind fumbles for a solution. [[Call her name loud and clear. JUNO!|callJuno]] [[Pull a bag of treats from your pack and shake them vigorously |shakeTreats]]

The hike is lovely, the weather warm and the woods teeming with the sights and sounds of natures beauty. Nothing so eventful happens as you reach the twilight of your journey. You and Juno have both slowed your pace, and walk in companionable silence side by side. This has been a good day, but you're ready for a hot shower and maybe an hour...or three of TV time. [[You reach the parking lot again |goHome]]

You ignore the obvious contrast between your bedraggled appearance and that of the group approaching and call out a friendly "hello"! You pause for a few minutes and chat, while the two dogs sniff each other happily, giving an adorable display full of sneezes and play bows. Every bump and sniff leaves behind a muddy print on the new dogs pristine white coat. You feel a vindictive prickle of satisfaction. You can't TRULY enjoy the outdoors without getting a little dirty. One of the women huffs in annoyance at the obvious mess this interaction is creating, but her partner just laughs and asks if she can take a video of the two dogs for her social medias. You have no problem with this and enjoy another minute of socialization before it begins to exaust you. You bid your farwells and head onwards down the path. The hike is lovely, the weather warm and the woods teeming with the sights and sounds of natures beauty. You and Juno walk in companionable silence side by side until... [[You reach the end of your journey |goHome]]

<<audio music pause>> <<audio lick play>> You pluck a pretzel out of your stash and hold it out for Juno. Lightning fast a wet tongue engulphs your hand as she devours your offering. Fingers sticky and shining, you rake your fingers hastily down her back, hising her soft fur as a napkin. Pausing, you once again realize how soft and cuddly Juno is and you wonder how you can get more of those fuzzy puppy snuggles. [[Invite her up onto the hammock with you, what could go wrong?|topple]] [[Convince yourself that you can live apart from her in this moment, and return to your restful state|missHer]] [[Sigh... She's sitting on the ground, so why can't you?|join]]

<<audio music fadeout>> Awful guilt washes through you as the longing in her eyes peaks. You simply cannot stand it any longer, you have to at least give her a few well earned scritches. She smiles in enjoyment as your fingers comb through her fur. You once again realize how soft and cuddly this creature is and you wonder how you can get more of those fuzzy puppy snuggles. [[Invite her up onto the hammock with you, what could go wrong?|topple]] [[Convince yourself that you can live apart from her in this moment, and return to your restful state|missHer]] [[Sigh... She's sitting on the ground, so why can't you?|join]]

<<audio falling play>> Your hammock IS made for two people, so there should be no reason why it cant't accomodate one person and one dog, albeit a large one. "Alright Juno," you mutter taking a deep breath "up up"! You screetch in a high pitched voice, patting the space beside you. Juno launched herself towards you in excitement and lands in your lap. You have but a moment to pat her before the momentum from her exuberant leap tips you both further and further out of balance. The hammock wobbles as you desperatly try to regain your balance, but gravity is working against you and you both topple to the ground in a furry heap. You lay there stunned, but it isn't long before that same wet nose prods your own with concern. Groaning, you struggle upright... Maybe that wasn't the best idea you've ever had. [[Set up a blanket and snuggle her on the ground |join]]

You try to focus on returning to your blissful state, but thoughts of your distant companion haunt you. [[Set up a blanket and snuggle her on the ground |join]]

If you can't beat them, join them. You unclip your hammock and spread it out on the grassy bank like a picnic blanket. You lean back against one of the trees and Juno settles in close to you. You close your eyes and enjoy the sensation of the cooling air in contrast to the warm fur pressing against your legs. You spend the afternoon together, snacking, reading, listening to music and simply enjoying eachothers company. The light begins to slowly dim and you reluctantly realize your time on this secluded river bank must come to it's conclusion. [[Pack up and return to your car |goHome]]

<<audio river fadeout>> <<audio woods fadeout>> <<audio home play loop>> In a way, this outing was just what you both needed. You shed your pack into the trunk of your car and walk around to open the back door for Juno. She looks at the back seat and pretends that she is simply too EXAUSTED to jump in on her own power. You're tired as well and manage to avoid a power struggle by simply grabbing her around her furry middle and swinging her into the car yourself. Breathing a little harder from the effort, you buckle Juno safly into place and close the door. You give the woods one last longing look, before getting in yourself and driving home. The End

You call her name in a loud and clear voice but nothing happens. You take a steading breath and call again, "JUNO COME"! You wait, heart pounding and just as you decide to run into the undergrowth after her, she emerges from a thicket, ploping herself directly at your feet. She looks up at your ashen face, expectantly awaiting a reward for being such a good girl. Relief wells up as a lump in your throat and you throw your arms around her. You pull a handful of pretzels from your pocket and give her one, two, "okay three, three for my good girl." Exausted from this panicked series of events, both you and Juno have both slowed your pace, and walk in companionable silence side by side. This has been a good day, but you're ready for a hot shower and maybe an hour...or three of TV time. [[You reach the parking lot with a feeling of relief |goHome]]

<<audio barking play>> You shake the bag of treats as hard as you can until a furry black creature emerges from the woods. Relief sparks for half a second before the acrid smell washes over you. A bear has emerged from the dark and tangled braken that lines the manicured trail. Short, shallow breaths squeeze themselves from your terrified lungs as you try to remain calm. You slowly back away, and throw the bag of treats on the ground, hoping to appease the lumbering beast, but the bear ignores them and continues to advance in your direciton. What is left to do but to confront your imminent demise? Juno barrels onto the trail with a vengeance and comes to stand in between you and the larger black bear, barking and growling fervently. Regarding this new threat, the bear descides it would be easier simply take the bag of dog treats as it's dinner. Treats acquired, the creature slinks out of sight. You all but sprint the last mile back to the parking lot. Finding yourself in the company of other people, your frantic pulse begins to ebb. [[It is SO time to go home |goHome]]

You take out a beaten up copy of your favorite book. It's waterstained and torn from it's many excursions. You read for a few minutes until your growling stomach distracts you. Reaching down towards your pack, you blindly fumble for the feeling of plastic. You emerge with a ziploc bag full of pretzels. You're happily munching on them when a wet nose presses into your arm. Big, sad puppy eyes stare deep into yours, imploring you to share just oneeeeee pretzel. [[Here you go!|shareSnack]] [[Pretzels are not for puppies|selfish]]

<<audio music play>> You place a headphone in each ear and let the music wash over you. You imagine the swirling rhythms to be the flowing currents and ripples you watch play acrosss the surface of the river. You exist in bliss for a few minutes... until your growling stomach distracts you. Reaching down towards your pack, you blindly fumble for the feeling of plastic. You emerge with a ziploc bag full of pretzels. You're happily munching on them when a wet nose presses into your arm. Big, sad puppy eyes stare deep into yours, imploring you to share just oneeeeee pretzel. [[Here you go!|shareSnack]] [[Pretzels are not for puppies|selfish]]

You're about two miles into your hike. The feeling of your muscles working fluidly to propel you forward fills you with satisfaction and you feel the suffocating symptoms of stress begin to sluff off you like the muddy water from Juno's coat. You've been lucky today, and so far you've had this place to yourself. Of course this couldn't last forever, you think in mild annoyance. Voices and crunching footsteps steadily grow louder until you make out three figures heading towards you. A young couple and their perfect white cloud of a dog apporoach you. They look so fashionable, and their dog is just SO white that it makes you feel a little self consious as you contemplate your built for comfort hiking apparel and debree coated mongral. [[Ignore them and their suspiciosly perfect appearances as you walk by|ignore]] [[That dog is awfully cute and you both want to say hello|hello]]

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