Mahwah

Collin, Jay and I spent a couple hours on Saturday at Ringwood Manor State Park, outside of Mahwah, NJ. It was a short 30 minute drive out there. Bill the dog came with and sat in the back seat. Amazingly, more hair was found on the dashboard and our jackets than where he was sitting. Jay brought his dog Lucy. (pics)

All five of us speed-hiked up the mountain since the sun was already going down. We stopped at a small lake and watched the dogs play around on a big rock. The lake was partially frozen over and we spent a good amount of time trying to throw rocks and break the ice. Bill conquered his fear of water and became a member of the Eskimo Swim Club. The sun was almost gone so we started back down the mountain where the dogs and Collin made a new friend. I tried to make friends with the dog's mommy, but she was a little too hippie for me.

We got back to the car and it was dark. Bill panted for a few minutes until he couldn't see through the fog he created on the window. Then, he laid down on the seats, exhausted. Collin and I took him home and had a good chat with Collin's mom. On the way out, I tripped going down the stairs outside but made and incredible leap down to the grass to save face, literally.