The Coast

  

   Last Sunday Randa and I hooked up the trailer, loaded the three boys and headed for the Coast.  This was our first time visit to Nehalem Bay State Park.  It is located on a spit between the Nehalem River and the Pacific Ocean.  D8 was our home for 4 nights.  We spent the time walking on several beaches, checking out the area stores and roads, and enjoying the coastal weather.  It was over way too soon.

   Wall-E had a great time.  He learned how to jump up into the truck.  He learned how to jump up into the trailer.  He adapted to life in the trailer.  Three dogs in a fifth wheel is a bit crowded, but we all got on very well.  We loved walking on the beach.  Below you will see a small event that happened on day 3.  Randa wanted to walk on the beach and didn't want to get sand in her shoes so she took off her shoes and went barefoot.  She never goes barefoot.  So there she is, walking the beach.

   Time came to head back to the campground.  "I need to wash me feet."  She grabbed a Subway cup and waded out into the surf to get some water..  She did not see the waves heading her way.

I did see them and started to whistle to get her attention.  Finally she dipped her cup and headed back toward the beach.  Luckily she turned around in time.  As you can see the water was above her knees.  She said she could feel the water pulling at her.

   It could have been dangerous, but just ended up being funny.

Fall Leaves

A walk in the park today found me these beauties.

 

Three Dogs on My Wagon. 9.23.2020

Wally (Wall-E) is still with us.  He is adapting to life with the Webers.  This Sunday we are heading for the coast for a 4 day camping trip.  Of course Wally has never been in the trailer.  It will be fun exposing him the Pacific Ocean.  I bet he will love it.  To get ready Randa and I are taking short trips in the truck with all three boys.  For Hunter and Quam, this is "old hat".  Wally came home from Hounds Rest in the truck so it isn't his first time.  But getting in and out and occupying that back seat space with the two boys is a new learning experience.  To make that easier, we are taking this short trips.  

   Yesterday it was Eco Park in the north part of Canby. A nice walking trail  with sunshine filtering through the tall firs.   Today it will be another

Wally the contortionist.  Is he trying to outdo the stuffed dog?

park to explore.  The rain will not stop us.

    Hunter can leap up into the back seat in one magnificent bound.  I'm sure Wally will be able to do it  too, he just needs to be trained.  He is definitely smart enough and strong enough.   We will practice again today.  I will keep you posted.

The Smoke is Gone !

 The Skies are blue.  The sun has been out for a few days.  Life is good.  Right now the the clouds have moved in and we are due for several days of showers.  The rain will be welcome.  We had the awesome Thunder storm at 3am a couple of nights ago.  It dumped several inches of rain on us in a very short time, much of it was lost in run-off.  The rain we receive in the next few days will be slower, gentler and much more useful.  

    We have several solar lights in our backyard.  They were inexpensive ones we bought at Home Depot.  They stay on for a few hours after sunset and then go dark.  During the thunder storm there was much lightning.  After each bolt the lights would blink on for a few seconds.  Evidently lightning can charge solar batteries also, at least briefly.   

Three Dogs on My Wagon

Things are progressing nicely.  Wall-E has pretty well figured out the routine.  If we have a routine.  The smoke from the wildfires has been with us for 10 days so we have been indoors most of the time.  When we did do walks, they were short.  I wore my N95 mask, but the boys were left unprotected.  The weather is slow to offer any help.  The rain predicted for the past Monday, didn't happen.  Same for Tuesday or today.  Tomorrow doesn't look good either.  Our current air quality number is 187.  Not good but a whole lot better than it has been.  We had numbers in the 400s.   

   In past years I have dreaded the end of the dry period.  Not this year.  Come on, rain !  I'm typing this at 4:35.  The big boys are starting to get restless.  Running up and down the hallway, trying to get my attention.  Evidently they thing I am not smart enough to know that it's almost time for their late afternoon walk, which is followed by supper. 

Our noontime walk.

  

Three Dogs on My Wagon Day 3 and 4

 Friday,  I walked the boys under dark orange skies.  It was very eerie.  The only light was a bright redness in the north, the direction of the edge of the smoke cloud.  The boys didn't seem to mind, but I worried about their breathing.  I was wearing , my M95 mask which is not the least comfortable or stylish but effective.  I kept the walk short.

   Wally is doing great.  He seems to be adapting to our house and our rules.  Like any almost two-year old he explores everything, touches everything (with his nose).  Hunter accepts him but thinks of him as competition.  I have to hold Hunter to let Wally finish his food.  Friday morning he finished his meal and tried to get into Wally's.  I now sit nearby and supervise.

   Walking is getting better although three dogs at a time is a challenge.  I perform  quite a dance  during our walks.  I bet I look very rather comical.

   Saturday, the orange skies are gone.  Gray skies replaced them.  Just as bad.  Just as deadly.  The pollution level was near 400.  We spent most of the day indoors.

   

Three Dogs on my Wagon Day 2

Day 2 was Thursday.  What a day!  Wally was fine.  He is coming along fine.  Being a young guy, he is active, always checking things out.  It's like having another two-year old in the house again.  Smelling everything.  Grabbing anything that is lying around, most of the time hearing the words UH UH,  or NO.  Basically, he's learning his boundaries.  You can tell that he is taking it all in.  

   Wally is different from Hunter in many ways.  He is smaller by several inches and probably 15-20 pounds.    He is not as skiddish as Hunter.  He had no hesitation about using the sliding glass door.  Hunter needed to be pulled through the first time.  He is not leash-smart yet but is not freaked out when it wraps around his legs.  He is coming along.  

   The fires are a different problem.  Right now Oregon is ablaze.  About two dozen wild fires are burning in the state.  Several deaths and much destruction.  Portions of at least five towns have been burned.  Whole areas including several towns have been evacuated.  The Fire Bureau has set up a rating system for fire danger.  

   Class 1 - Be Careful Watch out for Hazards

   Class 2 - Fire Danger is close.  Have an evacuation plan. ( Where to go. What to do with animals.                              Prepare RVs. Gather up things that need to be saved.

   Class 3 -  Evacuate.  Get out. Now.

Yesterday  we were told that Canby was now in Class 2.  So we spent the afternoon and evening packing and sorting and loading.  Talking with our neighbors.  Deciding what to take and telling friends and relatives what was happening. Our truck and trailer were loaded and parked in front of the house ready to move out if necessary.  Some neighbors left. Most of us decided to stay and see what happens next.  We all had an app that would call us when the situation worsened.  We all vowed to call one another if we heard.    We went to bed wondering if our phones would ring during the night.