Paws and Friends

Wednesday, August 21, we met a long-time friend for lunch at Kyllo's, at D River (a 120 foot river, one of the shortest in the world), completed a geocache, and chatted a great deal about this and that! The geocache took too much time (that is to say, Lindy could NOT find it!)! Lindy and Audrey walked down to the cache, following directions on Lindy's phone...and walked into the area from the back--big mistake! Lindy finally called Mike who seems to find caches quickly. She drove down, walked around the back where Lindy met her (mistake! Don't listen to Lindy!)....still no luck! Finally a gal came out---Lindy told her what we were doing, and she directed us around to the front!!!!  We should have been there all along! The cache was found! We had a great time! Thursday morning early we loaded the dogs in the car along with their beloved balls for a trip to a beach. We drove up to D River State Park with easy beach access, and with an Earth Cache--also a kind of geocacche. ...

Monday, August 19, we pulled out of beautiful Valley Camp after 3 glorious months--well, mid May to end of June was on the rainy side--and hit the road! We stopped one night at Castle Rock, Toutle River RV Resort, in keeping with our "daily mileage average" of under 200 miles, AND to give both of us "practice" in all the chores required in moving and setting up our rig! We definitely used our checklist, but still had to open cupboard doors very carefully! Seems we are a little out of practice in stowing items in preparation for movement! Toutle River RV Resort is a very large park! Their website states they can accommodate over 800 RVs! However, we were the only RV in our row. They seemed to space the rigs out. Perhaps mid August is not a busy time, or perhaps it is the economy. They do have very nice facilities for rallies/large groups! We would return, and will the first of September for a few nights to allow us to spend time exploring Mt. St. Helens, so expect...

This "passion" for the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway started with a 2011-2012 Guidebook Lindy picked up last summer. Here is the web link. There are 9 regions in the Guide Book, so we explored those areas "closer" to North Bend (The term "closer" relative!) and created our own start and "finish"! The book has the loop beginning at Everett, on US Hwy 2, up to Lake Chelan via US 97A, WA 153 to WA 20 where you are in the North Cascades, where you end up in Region 9, Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. We especially want to see the North Cascades, using our own start and finish points, on our future "to do" list! When Mike's dad  heard that we were heading out for Cashmere, the geographic center of Washington, and also home to the world-famous Aplets & Cotlets Candy Kitchen , he requested some Aplets and Cotlets, so of course we had to stop there! They offered free tours, but since we had the Corgis in the car, and it was already heating ...

We were to be long gone from Valley Camp--but with all plans comes the need for change...and when Mike's dad fell down the back steps of his home early Sunday morning July 7; falling against a hand rail shattering his shoulder, we adjusted our plans! Surgery went very well, and he has been an excellent "student" in rehab, returning to his home in North Bend two weeks ago. Thankfully, we can make necessary adjustments to our time, for that is what we are rich in:  TIME! In this instance, time spent with family when needed is rich indeed! We have teased her dad--regarding his method in getting Mike to spend more time with him....! We took a couple of day trips:  to Leavenworth, stopping by Roslyn (featured in the TV show, Northern Exposure, several years ago....!) on the way; and then another a week later to Cashmere, the geographical center of Washington--exploring a little of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, and noting places where we WILL return to stay with the coac...

The weather gods continued to grace us with good weather in Redding. We explored a few of the many bike trails--falling completely for the ratings on line (easy NOT!);  or perhaps it was Lindy who didn't quite get the information correctly...! It happened each time we went out! The first time we rode down Trail along the Sacramento River near the Sundial Bridge hill to the river, to ride along the river and explore the Sun Dial Bridge (yep! A hill to walk up later!) The second time it was Lindy choosing the wrong parking area! Experience is a GREAT teacher, and now we know where to go the next time! We did have a nice 2.5 mile ride on what the locals call the "roller coast"! Oops, I should have said ride-walk....for pulling the 2 corgis in their chariot--50 + pounds--does require additional effort....! Trail north of Redding Trail north of Redding where we walked more than rode! Along the trail north of Redding, along the river  The Sundial Bridge...