T-R-E-A-T.  R-I-D-E.  W-A-L-K.

With my pack, there’s one more: H-I-K-E.  I only dare whisper it when ready to head outside.

Of course, my dogs are on the lookout for clues too. Water bottles, leashes, collapsible water bowl, scrunched-up plastic grocery bags. Add in the tell-tale doggie backpack and tennis shoes on my feet, and their suspicions are confirmed. Game on! The excited whining and yelping won’t end until we’re heading down the road.

I live on the bench of the Wasatch Front, a north-south range of the Rocky Mountains. So, we head to Millcreek Canyon, the one dog friendly canyon within easy driving distance. (Most canyons are closed to dogs to protect watersheds.)

Odd days are off-leash days. These are a favorite, especially for my hiking buddy extraordinaire: Elvis, a youngish 105-lb natural-eared Doberman with energy to spare. He’s a joy to watch on the trails. He races ahead, ears flopping. Then, losing sight of us on a turn, runs back to ensure we’re still in his wake. I continue at my meandering pace, as he flies back and forth.

With his backpack, other hikers find him more approachable. Otherwise, they sidestep him, not knowing what a big friendly galoot he is. Inevitably, I hear jokes about him carrying my load but all in good fun. He does carry his own water, though, and T-R-E-A-T-S, and those handy-dandy grocery bags for pick up along the way (gotta love that he carries out his own bags).

Buzz, my twelve-year-old beagle, tags along on short, minimal incline trails now. His speed is walking in the neighborhood, preferably less than a mile. Cinnamon, a poodle mix, goes at my pace, happy to be at my side.

We hike in all seasons. In spring, with the snow melt, Elvis splashes in the cold creeks racing down the gullies. Plants are greening and birds are singing. In summer, wildflowers dot the hillsides, lavender lupine and larkspur, snow white columbine, and deep pink Indian paintbrush.  Come autumn, the golden quaking aspens and cottonwoods and red-orange mountain maples are set off by the evergreens. Then winter again, a white wonderland.

And always breath-taking panoramic views.

So many reasons to get outside. But, the dogs don’t care why. They just care about when, and the sooner the better, today and every day. Oh, is that a backpack they see? Let the chaos begin.

*****

“H-I-K-E” appeared in the June 2011 issue of Dog Fancy.

Featuring “The Gold Mask’s Menagerie,” by Chanté McCoy
*****
Paperback & Kindle

B.B. doesn’t have narcolepsy; she just leaves her body and melds her mind with an animal’s. This talent allows her to stalk a love interest, only to come to the rescue in a moment of daring do. From there, their partnership grows: the Gold Mask and her animal companion du jour.

paperback & Kindle
*****
Featuring “Geography and the Evolution of Your World: Flora Et. Al.,” by Chanté McCoy

Geography, whether in this world or that of the imagination, provides the grounding from which all else springs: plants, animals, economy, language, religion, health, politics, etc. To build coherent, believable worlds, you need creations that are logical, evolutionary extensions of their environment.

paperback & Kindle
*****
Featuring “Zombies Don’t Suntan,” by Chanté McCoy

In a small town, a spree killer is on the loose. Bodies litter the ground, while others, including a jazz-playing musician, are reported missing from their graves. Is there a connection? Officer Ruston is in pursuit, with a detour to the liquor store and mortuary.

Featuring “Seven White Wolves,” by Chanté McCoy

After seven long years of silence, spinning and weaving the wolfsbane shirts that will break a curse, Veleda finds herself framed for the murder of her baby. She will burn in the bonfire at the feast to celebrate Mōdranicht, on the eve of winter solstice. Defeated, she only hopes her shirts won’t go up in flames too.

Note: Spec the Halls was available for a limited time only, published to raise funds for charity.

paperback & Kindle
*****
Featuring “The Third Eye,” by Chanté McCoy

Despite the efforts of Darrius Papadas, a demon has come into the world. His failures don’t stop there. Unable to convince the Athenian government to rally the troops, the guilt-ridden Darrius works his way home…fearful of facing the demon again.

paperback & Kindle
*****
Featuring “Body or Soul,” by Chanté McCoy

On the verge of birthing, Phideas continues to search for Darrius Papadas. Instead of finding a priest, he finds a blasphemous goat herder who says that Phideas’ protruding stomach is no miracle. Now Phideas must decide whether to save his life or save his soul.

Chante McCoy’s books on Goodreads

The Crimson Pact Volume Two (The Crimson Pact #2)

reviews: 5

ratings: 18 (avg rating 4.22)

The Crimson Pact Volume One (The Crimson Pact #1)

reviews: 10

ratings: 42 (avg rating 4.19)

paperback & Kindle
*****
Featuring “Inside Monastic Walls,” by Chanté McCoy

After years of tranquility, young Phideas’ life is disrupted when an odd-acting monk visits the monastery. Soon, others are acting strangely, including the donkey which tries to strangle the servant. But a miracle has also occurred…or has it?

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–>Chante McCoy’s books on Goodreads

The Crimson Pact Volume Two (The Crimson Pact #2)

reviews: 5

ratings: 18 (avg rating 4.22)

 

The Crimson Pact Volume One (The Crimson Pact #1)

reviews: 10

ratings: 42 (avg rating 4.19)

 

paperback
*****
Featuring “Salt Lake City: Dead End,” by Chanté McCoy

The zombie apocalypse has arrived. Three months in, Andrea posts her story from a basement in Salt Lake City, telling her tale of survival. She’s already lost her husband; she may have lost her son.