And how was your weekend?

It is officially here. Fall, that is. Sam and I went hiking yesterday, and (despite my migraine) it was glorious!! The leaves are just starting to change, and it made for a beautiful hike. The air was crisp and clean, the temperature was so comfortable, and Montana mostly behaved herself. Montana is fantastic off-leash. She comes when she is called, she waits patiently for us to catch up if she gets ahead of us, and if she stops to smell something and we pass her by, it is only a matter of seconds before she is bushing by me in a full out sprint to catch up. On her leash, however, is another story. She pulls, chokes herself, coughs, gags, yanks, and for whatever reason, refuses to walk beside me (or anyone else for that matter). Even though dogs are supposed to be on leash on the trails, as you can imagine, she is a much better companion off leash... (until we come to a road, pass someone who's scared of her, or pass someone who has a yippee chew toy dangling from a leash).

We hiked Kennesaw Mountain: a 5 mile loop up, over, and around the mountain. It had several great views...some of the city, some of nature...it was kind of smoggy yesterday so visibility wasn't as far as it might be on another day, but still beautiful. And, still wonderful to get away.

After a good, long hike, nothing is better than a warm, yummy meal... After unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, I went home and to bed....

...Only to be woken up at 4am with a pounding headache (same one that I've had since Saturday). I got up to get some medicine, and then lay in bed for a while trying to go back to sleep. I got up around 7, and started my morning routine, which for today also included taking care of Montana. She is not a morning pup, and as she was laying on my bed (without lifting her head) she starting "woof"ing. Not barking, but quiet little "woof"s. This is not surprising, often she'll head someone outside, starting a car, walking a dog, talking, etc... I think her "woof"s are her way of letting us know there's someone around, but not a real threat. Without any warning, she flies off the bed and goes to my door and starts barking with a little bit of growling in there. Before I can tell her "enough," the door knob is turning and someone outside is trying to get inside. Then, whoever is outside begins banging on the door. That was enough to scare Montana, and she gets all skittish while I look through the peep-hole to see none other than a fireman? What in the world....?

I opened the door (much to Montana's dismay) and he tells me the building is smoking and I need to evacuate my apartment. Around 20 minutes later, I'm informed a water heater's thermostat failed to shut off, thus causing it to smoke and set off the fire alarm.

Happy Monday!