GSA: Flat Laurel Trail & Devil's Courthouse

As previously posted, on our trip down to the Carolina's, aptly named the Grayhart Southern Adventure or GSA for short, we spent time during the second week, hiking in Pisgah National Forest.  On Tuesday, July 24rd, Debbie was able to take a day off of work and not only took us to her favorite hiking spots, but made a fantastic tour guide, showing off the area with detailed knowledge that made our day truly special.  All three of our gray girls, Sky, Mia and Savi, were able to stretch their legs and run on the wonderful trails and cool off in the crystal clear streams.

 One of the streams we crossed on our hike and Mia watched while Savi took a quick swim.

We began the day driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway and stoppedfor a 2.5 mile hike on the Flat Laurel Creek trail.  Parts of the trail opened up out of the woods to expose magnificent views of the mountains.  The weather was extremely hot, in the 90's but we made the best of it, dressed properly and drank lots of water.  It was worth trekking through the heat to enjoy the trail and the views.

Our next stop was an incredible place called Devil's Courthouse.  From the parking area, there is a short, but very steep trail up to the summit. 

 

 

 Debbie, littermates Sky & Mia, me, Savi and KellyAnn

 

 We had one more important stop to make before we headed home...the viewpoint where we have stopped on every visit and taken a portrait of the dogs...

l-r: Mia, Savi & Sky

Grayhart Southern Adventure Complete

Grayhart Girls - l-r Sky, Savi, Jam & Mia

We are home safe and sound from a fabulous two week trip to North and South Carolina.  What fun we had - a breeding, agility trials, conformation and obedience shows plus incredible hikes, sightseeing, delicious food and catching up with old friends and making new ones!  I will be posting many great photos and stories from our successful trip over the next few days.

Grayhart Southern Adventure continues...

After a fantastic weekend at the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility Trial in Sanford, NC, we drove to Sky's owner, Debbie's house, in the Maggie Valley area of North Carolina.  On Monday, we gave the dogs time to rest while KellyAnn and I toured the Biltmore Estate.  It is a magnificent place and we enjoyed touring the house and incredible gardens.


Today, we took the dogs on a fun hike and then drove around Pisgah National Forest in the Smokey Mountains.  Scenic does not describe the natural beauty of this area.

l-r: Me, Debbie and KellyAnn

In the morning, we hiked Flat Laurel Trail and then drove to show Kel Graveyard Fields, where Debbie and I hiked last year.  We had a quick packed lunch and drove to the next hike, Devil's Courthouse.  

l-r: Debbie with Sky, littermate Mia, me and Savi

Devil's Courthouse is a high peak, elevation of 5720 feet, with views of many states and other peaks in the Smokey Mountain Range.  It was a steep hike up from the parking area but well worth it.  Of course, it was a perfect spot for a photo op of the girls.  Great exercise for all of us and we can't wait for tomorrow's hike.

Savi makes her agility debut with a splash!

Savi made her agility debut at the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility Trial in Sanford, NC last weekend.  I was so proud of how my little girl ran and received lots of compliments on her.  The judge could not believe this was her first trial.  On Saturday, Savi did not qualify in either Novice Standard nor Jumpers but was very close.  I realized that I needed to support her more and really hold my signals while keeping a steady motion forward.  She held her stay at the start line and amazed me that she nailed her weaves in 3 out of 4 of the weekends runs.

On Sunday, Savi earned her first Novice JWW (Jumpers with Weaves) legs with a 2nd place!  In addition to her ribbon, she received a stuffed toy and the TWC had special trophies for qualifying Weims so we picked a toy quail which I know Savi will love for water retrieves.  At the end of very long trial weekend, Savi was the last dog to run and what an exciting finish to have her qualify for her first Novice Standard leg and again, got 1st place!!!  More toys and special Weim trophies.  Wow, what a way to start, double qualifying and two 1st places!  

Savi posing with all of our ribbons from the trial.  The tally: Trixie earned 2 1st places, one in Exc JWW, and the other in Exc A Std, to finsih her AX title, and a 2nd place in Exc JWW. Savi earned a 1st place in Novice Standard and a 2nd place in Novice JWW.  Plus we had a shopping bag full of toys and trophies.  

A great weekend and trial put on by the Tarheel Weimaraner Club.  Thank you to judge Lisa Rieves for her awesome courses.

Trixie wins TWC Agility Trial High Combined Award!

We are excited to announce that Trixie was awarded the 2012 Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility Trial High Combined Weimaraner award this past Sunday! Daughter Jam won this award last year.

Trixie had an awesome weekend at the TWC Agility trial held in Sanford, NC.  Not only did she earn the High Combined award, but she completed her Agility Excellent (AX) title with a 1st place!  She is now CH GraytSky's I'm Not Really A Waitress, CD,RN,AX,OAJ,V BROM!!! 

Trixie double Q'd in Exc A Sunday, getting 1st places in both Standard & JWW (Jumpers with Weaves)! Saturday, she was 2nd place in ExcJWW. 

Daughter Savi made her agility debut and placed 2nd in Nov B JWW and 1st place in Novice B Standard! A great showing for her first trial. We also saw Sky run in the Open class and although she didn't qualify, she shows so much potential that with just a bit more practice, she'll rack up those agility titles.

The Tarheel Weimaraner Club put on  a terrific trial and cheered on all the teams, especially the Weims.  We enjoyed seeing many old friends and meeting new agility teams.  True Southern Hospitality! 

Videos of the runs will be posted in the near future.

Grayhart Southern Adventure - Morning Dip

Savi starting her day with a morning swim in the wonderful pond at Silversmith Farm.  This is our last morning here as we will begin the next leg of our trip and head up to Sanford, NC, with Savi and Trixie, to compete in the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility Trial.  We are also looking forward to a little family reunion, meeting up with Debbie and Sky, good friend KellyAnn and on Sunday, Michele is bring Mia!

 Savi retrieving her bumper

 Trixie exploring the dock diving floating deck.

Jam & Savi

Big tease

Jam, waiting for her boy, Summit, to come out of his run for a romantic interlude.  If all goes well, we will confirm pregnancy in a month and pups would be due mid-September.

Rollin, rollin, rollin...

Post swim, Trixie's switch went off and after she ran around like a loon, went for the roll!  Getting ready...

 Set...

 Roll!

 Happiness!

Grayhart Gray-t Southern Adventure 2012

Our journey down south began with a 13-hour drive on Monday to Johns Island, South Carolina.  Trixie, Jam and Savi, all seasoned travelers, took the long drive in stride and with only two brief stops, we arrived late Monday night at Silversmith Farm, home of Summit, CH Pike's Peak Silversmith Summit, SH, SDX, NRD, V, Jam's new hubby.  After we settled Trixie and Savi in their kennel quarters, we introduced Jam and Summit, a little get acquainted romp, before we put them to bed for the night.  Jam will be bred to Summit this week.

 Tuesday morning, we headed out for some fun on this gorgeous farm.  We took the girls to the 3-acre fenced area that contains the pond.  With views of the horse pasture and beautiful trees surrounding us, we had a great time letting the girls stretch their legs for a run and Savi and Trixie had a blast swimming. Of course, I had packed Savi's favorite retrieving toy, and she had a ball doing many water retrieves.

Then Elena, owner of the farm and gracious host, introduced my girls to a special delicacy - fresh figs from the tree that grows next to her house! Savi in particular, loved this new exotic food, and jumped up to try and pick them herself.

We then put the Grayhart girls away and let some of Elena's dogs out for a run and swim.  Here's a shot of handsome Summit:

Sweet, happy go lucky boy Summit!

New CDX title for Mia-belle!!!!

 Huge congratulations to Jessica and Mia-belle on their new CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) title!!!  Mia-belle is now, CH Grayhart's Special Request, CDX, RA, NSD, NRD, V (Zeke x Trixie)!  Mia-belle earned her 2nd CDX or Open leg yesterday with a terrific score of 194.5 earning a 2nd place.  She earned the 3rd and final leg today, finishing her title with a 192, earning a 3rd place!

The Open class exercises are all performed off leash and include a heeling pattern, drop on recall, retrieve on the flat and over a jump and the broad jump. Once the individual exercises are completed, all of the dogs are brought into the ring for out of sight group sits and stays, lasting 3 and 5 minutes respectively. This class is sometimes referred to as the heartbreak class due to the high level of difficulty of some of the exercises for some dogs, especially the out of sight stays.

 We are very proud of this awesome team who will be training for the Utility level of competition obedience.  If that wasn't challenging enough, Jess and Mia-belle are also in training for agility and pointing and retrieving hunt tests!

Jam's New Beau - Meet Summit

Introducing Best in Futurity, Best in Specialty Show, Multiple Group Winning...

CH Pike's Peak Silversmith Summit, SH, SDX, NRD, V

"Summit"

Whelped: 5/12/07 PennHip 0.28;0.34 (no DJD), OFA good, DNA #V527142, HUU-negative, Elbows - OFA Normal ; CERF - normal, DNA Coat - neg for Longhair, Thyroid - normal

Summit on point

Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,CD,JH,OA,OAJ,SD,VX, Delta Therapy Dog, will be bred to Summit in the near future and we couldn't be more excited!  This breeding combines two outstanding pedigrees and dogs with wonderful health, temperaments and natural ability in the field.

Summit finished his championship in 10 shows from puppy class at 9 months of age. He earned 14 pts, his Junior Hunter and NSD titles at 8 months and at 12 months won Best Dog in the 2008 Eastern Futurity at the WCA National Specialty. A talented field dog, Summit has three legs towards his Master Hunter title.

Summit has wonderful ground covering movement, true coming and going, level topline, excellent shoulders, nice substance with beautiful neck, topline and return of upper arm. He has a laid back, very sweet, loving personality, loves to hunt, play, swim and retrieve.

Puppies are expected mid-September. This breeding should produce exceptional show and performance prospects and will be futurity/maturity nominated.

Puppies on the brain!

With Jam in season, we will soon have exciting news on her husband of choice and litter plans!