Yesterday was a cozy, sit-by-the-fireplace-all-day kind of day. I slept like crap thanks to persistent jet lag but when I did wake, I decided that the sunshine would make today a different kind of day.

I got on All Trails and looked for a lengthy hike that Sophie and I could take together. I wanted to be outside and moving and enjoying the bright, crisp day. Apparently January in Mayenne is equivalent to late April in Maine. The temps were in the 40s but the sunshine was bright and the grass was so green.

I drove 20 minutes to Mayenne and parked along the river. The trail took us up the bank away from the river and through the town. We joined a bike path and set off on a 11 km walk. Sophie was pleased it wasn’t raining and that her mama was patient about her sniffing and marking nearly every corner and blade of grass she came across.

The trail twisted and turned to cross the river and then follow it for some time. The clouds were cotton balls and the trail was not too muddy. Sophie and I blew all along the trails, ending up turning away from the river and crossing beautiful countryside. I couldn’t help but feel like Keira Knightley staggering across the field in Pride and Prejudice. Sophie, I expect, felt similarly romantic.

It took us a couple of hours to walk the 11 km route. We saw only three other people. It was lovely and I’m glad it was an off-the-couch kind of day.