Our trip to the mountains

Dear Robert had a couple of days off last week, so we thought we'd see if we could find a cabin in N. GA near a lake for one last holiday before the Holidays start.  I didn't have any particular destination in mind, so I just went googling for dog-friendly cabins.  I stuck a pin in the screen (not literally, of course), and picked Mountain Paws Cabin Rentals up near Blue Ridge, and off we went, determined to enjoy ourselves even though the forecast called for rain.

The directions to the site were excellent, and we arrived and got set up in the cabin with no problems.  The dogs were excited by the woods and the smells and the chance to run off-leash.

Here's our cabin -- Reel 'Em Inn.  Srsly.  But it was cute and cozy.  Keep in mind the days were gray, so the pictures came out dark most of the time.

It was nice and private.  We keep the house at home pretty chilly, but we decided we'd stay warm in the cabin.  They had a gas log fireplace with a remote start -- brilliant.  Also cable and wireless.  That's nice to have in a cabin in the woods for an internet addict like me.  And the little building off to the right houses a hot tub.

In spite of the weather, we got to walk in the woods (actually we mostly walked on the road through the woods).

Laser-eyed dogs in the woods.  They did LOTS of running around.  On one walk, a squirrel fell out of a tree and almost hit Jasper.  Squirrel was fine, jumped up and raced to the next tree, just ahead of Jasper, who was as startled as Robert and I were.

Here are my guys.  Note the tongues hanging out.  Tired dogs are happy dogs.

There was a little lake associated with the cabin.  Since Jasper might as well be an Australian Water Shepherd, he spent a good bit of time swimming in that cold water.

Bouncer doesn't really like to swim, but he does like to follow Jasper, and the lake bottom drops away pretty quickly.  So Bouncer swam some too.

There was also diving after a frisbee. It was almost a Hoverdog moment.

And there was a canoe available with the cabin, so I got to realize a long-wanted dream:  to paddle in a canoe with a dog. 

It had to be Jasper that went, because Bouncer hates it when the ground moves under his feet.  Here we are, about to push off.

I started out with him close to me so I could grab him if I needed to.  Jasper looks a little alarmed by the sight of water all around him.

Later, I got a little more confident and let him step over the brace and turn around.

Jasper did really well.  He was a little uncertain, but part of that may have been that Dear Robert and Bouncer were walking along the bank, and he hates to miss out on what Robert's doing.  (Robert, btw, was filming us, hoping to catch an "America's Funniest Videos" moment if Jasper decided to jump out of the canoe.  Ha. Haha.)

So we had a great time in spite of the weather.  On Friday we packed up the dogs*

and headed home, vowing to return again to our little playground in the woods.

I'd highly recommend Mountain Paws Cabin Rentals.   We thought they were very organized and professional.  Our cabin was clean and well-supplied.  It was quiet and peaceful, and when it was too dark and rainy to go out, we sat by the fire and watched dvd's/tv (and I knitted.)
*Note:  no dogs were actually packed in the trunck.

Comments

[Sandy]

I love that area of Georgia. We were there a couple of weekends ago with friends. We might have to try that sometime with the boys and take Bella along too. How much fun would that be!

Great pictures and the one of Jasper in the trunk is priceless. I had to wipe off my 'puter screen. Heh.

[Marnie]

It looks like SO much fun. I'm a wee bit jealous.

[Jane]

It look like a wonderful place. I"m glad you didn't fall out of the canoe!

[Mouse]

Wow.. what a beautiful area! My inlaws have a canoe that we take to Florida with us every year.. my son loves it. Hubby and son want to go camping, and this might just be the way to get me to come along too-- a cabin with internet & a hot tub.. lol.

[Joy]

Looks like a really neat trip. Love the photos, especially the hover-dog :)

[Restless Knitter]

Those pictures are great! It looks so nice and relaxing. We did a weekend near Helen at a dog friendly cabin once. Our dog, the springer spaniel was confused that there wasn't any grass nearby, then thought it would be awesome to mark her territory. IN the cabin. Ugh. I felt so bad. At least the floors weren't carpeted.

[Debbie]

Sounds like a great retreat from the big city. Love all the dog photos!

[danielle]

Looks like you had a grand old time. When we were selling our house several years ago, we scheduled some time in a north-woods cabin while our realtor had the open house. Only trip was in northern minnesota in march...no canoeing then. :-) I love being able to watch the stars outside of civilization, with my husband and dogs.

Did Jasper pack himself in the trunk?