Best Get Started

Ah, Where to start.  It's been a hectic couple of weeks with all kinds of updates.

First up, Amelia and her friend Helen came in from DC for a week.  Lots of running around and fun had by all.

Here are a few pics from their visit...

And while all this was going on, Michael was planning a surprise birthday party for Thea's 40th!  Pretty ambitious and Susan and I volunteered to prep some vittles for the event.

I put together an album of the event as well...

Thea's Suprise 40th B-Day 2k10

And to top it off, we had a visitor of the four legged variety since Liby and Dan headed out to Hawaii leaving us all to fend off the infamous Portland Zombies.

The dogs have been gettting along famously and driving us nuts since they both have to crowd into the bed.

Here some pics of the love birds...

Fries With That Order?

Seems Germany's soccer fans are revolting against their prized Cephalopod.  The poor genius is getting death threats and apparently they want to eat him.  Octopus is tasty but, have some compassion for the love of God.

Spain might take it all and wondering what the Pus will predict.  Either way, I am rooting for the Netherlands. Goooo Clockwork Orange!

Our little genius managed to tear his dew claw yesterday and he is paying the price for it...

Instead of sliced, fried roots, I am inclined to run to the Portland Pet Supply and get him his favorite treat, The Himalayan Dog Chew.  He loves these and this will definitely keep him from chewing his bandage.  Step Away From The Bandage!

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."

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...

Pad My Thai

We were forced to have dinner at Pad Thai Kitchen with Evyl K, Jim, Liby & Dan last night.  This is what happens when one is under the gun.

Veggie Salad Rolls...

Tom Yum Soup...

Spicy Green Bean...

Drunken Noodle...
 

Smiling Bellies...

 

Reaching Baby...

Flying Jowls...

And if anyone had any doubts, "WE DO CATHERING & TO GO"...

Spring Forward!

Well not until Saturday officially.  However, this did not stop Hugo from celebrating early.



Just so ya know, this is what we have to contend with.  As noted in this earlier post, this dog was not made for keeping four paws on the ground, despite his potential back issues.

Avenue Of The Giants

Off to Arcata on Tuesday.  I thought I would go ahead and include a round trip map and as you can see, the total trip was most likely over 1400 miles.

Of course, we need a mandatory Golden Gate Bridge photo on the way out of town...

On to the highlights of the days drive... REDWOODS.

Here are some photos from along the trip...

And when you are in Humboldt county (where they grow and smoke the wacky tobacky in prodigious quantities, not to mention the methheads), one can't be surprised by Yeti fever...

 

Finally opened that store we've been talkin' about...

Now that's some serious wood...

Not as serious as this however...

Hugo Knot sittin' in a tree...

Where's Waldo?

Oh, there he is....

 

Great day all around.  Coos Bay drive up next.