The Walk and Wag Rag
 hikewithyourdog.com newsletter

Great hikes with your dog don’t always have to take place on grass and dirt...
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January 2012. In this issue:

This is not the busy season at Virginia Beach.
















  • Feature

    Can't Miss Canada
    Feature
    Dogs entered the election cycle this past month with the kerfuffle over Mitt Romney's family trip with his Irish Setter 30 years. Aside from illuminating the evolution of the dog's status in our families and regardless of the appropriateness of the Romneys' choice of travel conveyance, you can't argue with the destination - Canada. Aside from Quebec province, Canada boasts some of the dog friendliest trails on the continent. Any of these national parks would make a trip of a lifetime for your trail dog in 2012 (and don't overlook some of the provincial parks that are larger than U.S. states)....


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    Beach of the Month
    Virginia Beach (VA)

    You can get your dog on all of Virginia Beach’s clean, white sand at some point during the year; after Halloween every grain is open to dogs from Cape Henry to the North Carolina border. In the summer, while you wait for “The Strip” to open for your dog, head around the corner to First Landing State Park where your dog can enjoy the wide sand beach at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Just move your dog down away from the bathhouse. You'll also find plenty of discounted dog-friendly motel rooms this time of year.

    On The Trail At...Goosenecks State Park (UT)


    This park is only 10 acres but it will be the most memorable ten-acre park you are likely to ever visit with your dog. The ten acres cover the parking lot and an extended viewpoint. Below you is one of the best examples of an entrenched “meanders” in the world. In the course of one linear mile the turtle-slow San Juan River travels five miles, having cut 1000-foot deep canyons over millions of years. There isn’t a hint of vegetation in the serpentine rock ridges. There are no formal trails at Goosenecks State Park and don’t even think about trying to climb into the canyon but you can hike in either direction just about as far as your dog desires. And when you get tired, come back and pitch a tent at the viewpoint and camp for free.










    Quick Tip
    Canine Hiking Apps

    There are apps for everything and hiking is no different. So far I haven't seen anything better than what I find on websites, certainly nothing worth paying for. But it is still very early in an evolving process. A couple of free apps that look good so far are from Arkansas State Parks (who have a wonderful website as well) and the Superior Hiking Trail Association who maintain the superb 275-mile Minnesota footpath. If you find any useful dog hiking apps let us know and we'll post them on our Canine Hiking App page...