The twenty-first of June is a bit late in the season to hike Newlin Creek with dogs. Depending on the year, the creek at the Florence Mountain Park might easily be reduced to a trickle by the first day of summer. On this day however, fortune smiled on us. There was plenty of water moving down the creek to keep Reina and Rafa and me cool, and in good company.

The circumstance was nothing like the last time we set out for Newlin Creek a year ago with my brother Mark. Amid constant rain, occasional hail, and temperatures hovering in the mid-40s, water flooded the trail at every opportunity and was thigh-high in spots that day (mention the word “Newlin” to Mark and he’ll reflexively mutter “Deliverance.” Really.). This time however, it was simply a pleasant day to take a stroll in the Wet Mountains.

The sky was clear. Trees filled out nicely with green leaves. The creek kept to its banks. The trail was dry. Temperatures at the top of the trail were probably in the low 80s. And for the three or so hours we were hiking, we had the place to ourselves.

Reina ceded taking the point on our treks to Rafa some time ago. But even at 11 years old, she holds her own on Newlin’s seven-mile or so out-and-back trail. And true to form, both ignored my commands to stay still while trying to shoot a photo of the three of us just after lunch.

It might not have been as epic of an outing as it was hiking with Mark last year, but hiking Newlin Creek this time around was a splendid way to open the summer season.