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Tag Archives: dogs

Beach Dogs

Razor clam season opened up on our favorite Washington coast beach and we were able to get away for a long weekend for some much-needed fun times at the beach. We welcomed the vernal equinox (and my birthday) near Pacific Beach with fried clams and chocolate cake before going out to dig more clams. Ken did some surf fishing also. It was a fun weekend and a great getaway from the long mud season we are experiencing here at home.

As you might imagine, the dogs were thrilled with the idea. We even took along an extra dog, our old buddy Wyatt Ann. She’s not Sky’s favorite dog pal but Luna likes her. Sky seems to be recovered from her strained bicep tendon that has bothered her since December. We still do not throw sticks and balls for her since she puts all of her canine energy into retrieving. She was happy to just run on the beach, bring things to us and have the other dogs try to catch her.

Wyatt Ann will never catch Sky
Sometimes Luna can catch Sky
Sky wants to help Ken with his surf fishing
Wyatt was not as interested in the surf fishing.
Oh look – he got one!
Fast dogs
Would it be too much to ask them to all look at me at the same time?
Hey – look over there!
Looks a little windy Luna.

Winter Dogs

These are mostly photos of Sky. Luna had some minor surgery and had to take it a little bit easier. That and being nine now, has slowed her down a little bit. She refuses to go in any of the deep snow. Who can blame her? We have one good path and some minor paths and the plowed roads on our hillside where we can easily walk. Sky loves the deep snow and nearly swims in it when she is in pursuit of a toy or stick. We have lost many tennis balls and when snow melt does happen, I expect it will be like an Easter Egg Hunt for the dogs.

That’s a favorite toy
I’ll get it!
I need some new sticks!
Nice nose

Snow-covered Falls Creek Falls

Last week MA and I and the four dogs skied to Falls Creek Falls. This is the same place I visited back in November when we could still drive there. Photos of that day are here. It is a very pleasant outing on classic cross country skis and during the week there was no snowmobile traffic. It is groomed for snow machines.

The falls are very frozen and also snow-covered so the interesting formations were buried. It was still quite beautiful. There was little color to the day except from Sky’s eyes and Frida’s fur.

The dogs enjoyed time on the trail and three out of four were willing to pose for a photo. Luna said no. She is an independent thinker.

We did this same trip a couple years ago when there was far less snow and Sky was still a pup. Photos from that day are here.

Cedar trees
The creek seen from the bridge downstream from the falls.

Settling into Winter

After two years of lower than average snowfall, this season we are happy to see lots of snow on the ground with more on the way. We rang in the New Year with below zero temperatures and clear skies and glimpses of northern lights. I enjoyed time with our friends and did not try to get photos on that frigid night!

The skiing on groomed trails is wonderful and up until this week, skiing in the hills and backcountry has been marvelous! It made me wish I had some more rugged skis with skins for climbing the hills. A few days ago the temperature warmed over thirty degrees and it felt downright balmy at 34° Fahrenheit.  Of course, that sort of ruined the two feet of powder snow, leaving a one inch crust on top of it. It makes it very hard to get around once you are off the beaten path. Even for dogs but Sky seems to manage.

Speaking of dogs, Luna had to have surgery last week to remove a cracked tooth and an unusual growth on her side. The growth is benign so we can quit worrying about that. Whew. She has had to be less active and is missing her dog friends and skiing at Big Valley but the stitches need to time to heal. Hopefully in another week or so she can resume her regular fun activities.

Winters can be hard on the native birds so we put out black oil sunflower seeds, nyger seeds and suet for the songbirds. That also attracts raptors like hawks and kestrels who might try to take advantage of the situation. We figure that they all need to eat and are happy to see the diversity of species.

Frost on the snow
We’ve grown a few pretty impressive icicles!
Classic skiing above Pearrygin lake
So nice to be among live ponderosa pines!
More new Snow
Sometimes Sky has a hard time finding sticks with all this snow cover
Sky normally sits up straighter than that.
When will we get cookies?
Common Redpoll and American Goldfinch
This American Kestrel is pretty efficient at hunting Mourning Doves
Female juvenile Northern Goshawk
She’s probably hitting the Mourning Doves pretty hard too.

Big Valley Skiing

These images are from earlier this week when the girls and I went out to Big Valley to enjoy the newly-groomed ski trails. We returned yesterday with Ken for our annual Christmas ski and had more fun but I didn’t make any photos. It was similar but with more people out celebrating with their friends, families and dogs!

Big Valley is part of the Methow Trails system of over 200k of Nordic trails in the Methow. Skiing is free for people at Big Valley but dogs do need to have a trail pass.

Brand new tracks for classic skiers and corduroy for skate skiers.
The girls were happy to see their friends Trip and Bree at the trailhead too.
Watch out for snow dumping out of trees!
Winter Wonderland
Pretty poodles out enjoying the day.
Delightful skiing through the woods.
Bluebird skies
Luna
Sky wants me to throw the ball that Luna swiped from Bree and gave to Sky as an early Christmas present.
Almost back to the trailhead.