Posts from the ‘Pets’ category

WA to OR Photos plus

Yesterday’s drive was absolutely beautiful. The interstate hugs the shore of the Columbia gorge with wonderful views of the rushing water, barges, boaters and some lush looking vineyards. There are nice RV parks, state parks and camping areas (motels also) along the way and this area would be on my list to spend more time. It was the perfect temperature at 68. Occasionally a bit of wind but nothing too bad.

Bob and Karl shared a moment as I got situated at a rest stop. Karl rides on the couch behind the driver seat, Bob on the recliner across from him. On occasion they have shared the couch while underway, but typically, they like their own space!

No espresso, but a “safety” coffee trailer manned by husband and wife. I had coffee, was kind of hoping for donuts but cookies were the order of the day. I neglected to ask for names but had a nice chat and got some great info for returning. One thing we had passed was groves of cedar trees – I finally saw a sign that said cedar wood trees. They were fairly obviously planted “forests” – come to find out, they are for pulp and the locals call them toilet paper trees :)!

And a couple of blasts from the past – I was so surprised to see a phone booth that I had to take a photo – apparently it is currently an oft photographed item. Less photographed and coffee couple laughed with me, are the glass insulators – still apparently in working order!

I am not having a lot of luck with my windshield photos this trip. But, I had to try for Mt. Hood. I was completely surprised to round a corner and there he was. Mt. Hood is over 11,000 and standing there all by his self. Looks a bit small and lost in this photo, but trust me, it was spectacular to see!

The gorge…too tired to disappear the bugs…

You can see more of the gorge in my mirror, but I confess I was mostly shooting the GPS display. This is my first trip with the new version of Delorme Street Atlas and this is the best. All the good info is large and easy to read – on the left is miles until the next turn, miles to go and ETA. On the bottom is detail about the next turn including things like “stay in the left lane on the ramp”. This is the tool that makes it easy to do this on my own. Between the text and voice guidance, it is almost like having a co-pilot…neither Bob nor Karl like to look at a map… Anyway, am loving this latest version. San Fran will NOT beat us!

We all enjoyed a bit of relaxing outside before dinner. Another great day!

8 years ago

Eight years ago today, Karl came home to be my dog. He was 7 weeks and a few days old, 14 pounds, a white strip down the middle of his forehead, one ear up and one down.

I lost my previous dog, Zack, a part-Karelian Bear Dog, to lymphoma when he was 6 years old. I was heartbroken and spent those first days looking at pictures of Karelians and of Zack and trying to ease the pain of the loss. I found a litter of Karelian pups in Choteau, MT. They were 5 weeks old. I called the owner and explained that I thought it was too soon to get another dog, but that I just wanted to see the pups. They were so nice and understood and I went – with photos of Zack and my beloved tuxedo cat Gus – to Choteau.

The owners patiently looked at my photos and listened to my Zack stories and then took me to see the pups. We sat on the ground outside the chicken coop where the pups were housed. Karelians, even the pups, are not gregarious and will take their time and decide about people. One, by one, the pups came to investigate me. The largest of the pups, a nearly totally black male crawled in my lap. I looked in his eyes and asked if he wanted to come live with me and be my dog. He fell asleep in my arms. I left a deposit and Gus and I returned in 2 weeks to get our new boy.

I had a Suburban at the time and it had a front bench seat that accomodated a large dog kennel sideways. I had soft towells and the teddy bear that Gus and I had slept with and then sent to be with Karl for the two weeks with the idea that he would know us from our scent. I don’t know if that helped, but he loved that bear! I put the towells and bear in the kennel with Karl. As we pulled away, he put his nose in the air and howled. Gus looked at me with a look that said: “What have you done?”.

I kept up a conversation, we stopped several times to walk outside and then in West Glacier, I stopped for a burger and crawled in the back of the Suburban, let Karl out and we bonded over beef.

As puppies do, he was either going full speed or dead asleep. He liked his crate or under a table or bed for sleeping – he has always been a “den” dog. It is the closet in this house.

He was the typical little brother, working hard to be a bud with his cat brother.

His other ear stood up…

His sense of humor grew…

Karl’s paper name is Kharlampii which is Russian for “Joy Shines”. Karelian Bear Dogs were bred in Finland from the Russian Laika so I looked for a Russian or Finnish name that fit that big, black pup. Kharlampii – Joy Shines, shortened to Karl, was perfect. Karl has lived up to his name. His joy shines every day.

Eight years ago today, Karl brought joy back to my house.

We all walk together

Bob came on the late afternoon walk today.

He accidentally got ahead of Karl.

If you lie still, the dog does not chase…

…no game, he walks on by.

It was a companionable walk.

More Polson

A beautiful morning.

Father, daughter and dog enjoying. We met briefly yesterday. Mom is along also but this morning Dad and daughter walked the collie, Carlie. I think they are all having a grand time.

It was such a beautiful morning and I am so enjoying the lake view AND a few things I forgot at the grocery so we stayed – there is a wonderful Safeway here.

Above is the view from the Safeway parking lot. When I first came through Polson, it was not long after I moved to the Flathead Valley from Los Angeles. There is a MacDonald’s here that has an even better view. It was astonishing, coming from L.A. where a view like this would command $Millions.

Looking from Polson, northwest towards where the RV park is located.

Polson is on the south end of Flathead Lake and the southern end of the Flathead Valley. Polson’s position on the lake often leads to warmer and milder weather than around and north of the lake. Although there are some condo and housing developments on the lake, there are also some wonderful older neighborhoods and a lot of public access as well as a public marina. The main highway stays close to the lake and the majority of the hotels and restaurants are of the diner and motel vintage. I don’t know how long it might stay this way, but I enjoy the mostly low key mix that this area has at the moment.

After our grocery run, I set up the office outside and write this afternoon, From Under the Awning ;) !

I’ve worked a bit, walked a bit and watched the clouds pile up against the mountains, but so far, it is blue sky over the lake and the valley. Karl has enjoyed the nice grass, shade from the just leafed out birch and breeze off the lake. It is 59F currently at 2:00 p.m. – VERY pleasant as far as the crew of Wild Thing is concerned!

Bob retired to his dashboard spot in the sun. Rving is exhausting…

Yes, nose prints and drool marks on the windshield. I am one rvr who spends as much time washing the inside of the windshield as I do washing bugs off the outside!

Up in the air

Friday afternoon, I heard what sounded like a really small helicopter…

It WAS a really small helicopter!

Actually, a fairly large remote control helipcopter…

The “controllers” were situated on the property adjacent to mine. I had a pretty good idea who they might be, but Karl and I walked over to check. Gravity Shots is the website for a Montana Aerial Photography company and I had seen the site. Husband and wife team Jeff and Adele Scholl combined love of Montana, the outdoors, photography and flying – good on them! Their photos are fantastic. They were hired by my part time neighbors.

Right above me – you can see the camera and extended lens.

Not sharp focus but a little more detail.

Karl watched too.

Might as well sit down and enjoy the show.