In Memory Of...

For those of you have not visited or did not see our little shelf of tribute, here are a couple of pics.

Doug, Phil, Rex and Pumpkin (and some random eyeballs) hanging out with the heart (by Diana Maria Rossi) and creepy doll head...

She is watching you..

More fungus photos from the neighborhood.

And here is a cool flowering plant...

Day 2 Central Oregon

Hit the road around 11 yesterday intending to hit another lake on the way home for some more kayaking fun.

In our pursuit for the right spot, we came across Suttle Lake Lodge & Resort. Very cool place with newer large and small cabins for rent. This is on the list for an outing possibly with a group of friends.

Cap'n Hugo was way tired from all the excitement from yesterday's outing.

Keep your head down buddy...


Keep your butt up pup...


No need for any new fangled tractor for this dude...


Well Ma, where's the white lightning...


Saw this last one in the town of Sister's. Super touristy spot with lots of kitch.

Stopped at a road side stand and picked up some hand picked Morel mushrooms.  They smell amazing and the price was right. We bought about 3 ounces (dried) for $20.

So, we were going to hit Detroit Lake for some water fun but, found that it was heavily trafficked by speed boats and decided to just pass for the day.  We did stop for lunch at a day use area for the Upper Arm of Detroit Lake

We'll have to carve out some time during the weekdays to get out more this summer.

Lake Billy Chinook 2010

Great day yesterday here in the high desert. Headed to Lake Billy Chinook and kayaked for about 4 hours. The mercury hit about 86 in Madras and made for perfect weather to be out on the water.

We were the only Kayak on the lake, however, we had to put up with some speed boat wake here and there.

Here are some photos from the day.

This was Hugo's second kayak outing and he was pretty nervous at first, but calmed down later in the outing.

Here is a quick video of Cap'n Hugo...



And here is the route today with plans to Kayak on some lake, Maybe Detroit Lake. Then home!


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Two Madras Please!

We pulled it together yesterday and headed for Madras, Oregon...


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Vamanos!

Goal: A day of kayaking on Lake Billy Chinook.

Here is a shot of Mt. Hood...

I guess I did not remember or realize that Eastern Oregon has some pretty cool high desert rock formations...

We are staying at the Best Western Madras Inn and it is pretty standard BW fare.  A little pricey for what you get but, they take dogs (the Hugonot is going kayaking too!)...

After getting settled in, we popped into Mexico City next door to the hotel for some authentic grub from our southern neighbors.  Pretty friggin' tasty and we were stuffed to the gills.  The portions were huge and we were only able to eat half and took the rest para llevar.

We will leave the hotel around 10am and hit the Store at the Marina.  Oh why is that you say?  Because I was so lame as to forget my swimsuit.  Go figure.

Oh and I also got some strange looks at the Bi-Mart when asked if they had PFD's for dogs.   His reply was essentially, "Nope never heard of that.  Most dogs I know can swim."

Dim Sum, Unicorns And Gardening

Had a meet up with Mo and Evyl K (and Josie of course) for Dim Sum at the yummy Ocean City out on SE 82nd Street.  As it was a blizzard of dishes, no need to go into details here but, very tasty and we were packed to the gills.

And if you needed to grab a nap afterwards, the Unicorn Inn is right next door! 

Wonder if they have an hourly rate?

Yesterday was pretty nice.  Stopped into Dennis' 7 Dees after lunch to grab some plants for the front garden bed to accompany the roses.

First up, the Imperata Cylindrica (Red Baron).  Per Wikipedia, this plant has been used for thatching roofs in Papua New Guinea.

Next Up, the Brunerra Macrophylla (Lookinglass).  This plant has heart shaped leaves with a shine to 'em that will brighten up any garden.

Susan also chose a couple of Lavender plants for extra color.

Boom!  The Ligularia (The Rocket) comes at you with brute force.  This baby is perported to be a hummingbird favorite.

In order to keep The Rocket under supervision, we added Lugularia Dentata (Othello).  This fella has the nickname elephant ears based on size and the shape of the leaves.

Throw another Fern on the bed...

Can't wait to see how this fleshes out the rose garden.  Should be downright awesome.

Oh, and we picked up this man eater the other day as well for the indoor area...

Happy Summer To You Too!

I suppose this is relative to your location and weather patterns.  We are still suffering what global warming denialists would point to as global cooling here in our region.  Even though last year during a blazing hot summer, it was just nice weather, so enjoy it (we went to the coast to escape the wave.  Past links here, here and here).

Anyway, we are being inundated with pregnant ladies this year.  We had Evyl K last year pony up one human on St, Patrick's day.  Mo stepped up to bat last fall and plans to cross over home plate around July 23rd.

Josie's latest death metal rock photo op...

Remember Mo?

Here is a shot of Mo being her radiant self...

And now we recently learned that a yet to be named lady friend has been drafted into the preggers conspiracy. Must be the lucrative welfare checks lurking behind these motivations.

Congrats to all three!

Not to mention the NYC & DC crew (Lorrie, Kristin and Val).

Here are some photos from Heidi & her sister's birthday Saturday night (God forbid she might be next, or Thea?)...

Happy Happy Joy Joy...

And it seems Julian got her some TruckNutz for her birthday (sweet!)...

Fertility is in the air.

Hearts All Around

We headed out early on our walk with the Hugonot this morning.

The neighborhood loves Hugo...

Now it's time to turn on, tune in, drop out on the Magic Bus (note the license plate and click here for the video)...

Now that we are sufficiently, as they say, in the right frame of mind.  Check out the pretty flowers....

What a most awesome bird feather...

Pets Gone Bad

As any animal lover will tell you, there are No Bad Dogs.  Just freaked out owners...

As history can attest to, this can not be said of cats.  Here is factual evidence from the neighbor kitty...



I can also say that dogs just want to have fun. The title of this video of Hugo and Bo (Maria & Bill's dog) has attracted a surprising global following and now has 105 views (that is a major hit given my expectations).

Maybe too much fun in this case...



Now to finish this unsightly post off with something a little more pleasant...

Perfect Day

We have been in full prep mode for the festivities about to be brought upon us come 4pm.

Pork Loins (count em' 1,2) marinating in teriyaki and crushed garlic (rubbed them with garlic first), 1.5lbs fresh Black Cod marinating in miso & sake, Peanut Sauce Pasta with broccoli and an Asian Salad.

Not too mention what the others will rain down on the grill and additional sides.

Just to feed the eye, here is another Skyscape from the other day...

Hugo didn't even see this little fella checkin' us out...

And here is the latest addition, the Porcupine Tomato, to the foliage in the back yard...

Super cool!