Oregon by Greyhound • The Currin Bridge

The Adventure Currin Covered Bridge

Location LAT 43° 47' 34.9"  N  LON 122° 59' 47.5" W 

Date March 21, 2009

Weather 46°, Light rain

Distance 85.9  miles

Built in 1925, the Currin Bridge replaced the original bridge built in 1883. Like many bridges, it was named after a pioneer family.

Amazed that she was still posing for bridges, Minnie smiled once again for the camera.

The country around the bridge was absolutely beautiful, even in the drizzling rain.

The Currin bridge, like Dorena spans the Row River. Her claim to fame is the red siding and white portals. The concrete span that by-passes her was built in 1979.

March's Calendar Boy

Joey was calendar boy for March. Sleek and gorgeous, Joey came to us as a "spook" dog. He was scared of his own shadow. If he were a child, he would probably have been labeled as an autistic child, instead, he was just a really shy greyhound.

At the time Joey came up to have the ice cream cone, he had been with us for four years. Not once in that four years did he come this close. He stood close by, but he wouldn't come near us. 

This summer he started showing an active interest in the food we were eating and on a whim I ran to Dairy Queen and bought him a cone. It was a huge success.

Earlier last fall, Joey stood close enough to have his ears scratched. It was probably one of our most joyful moments. 4 1/2 years we waited for that ear scritch and now every day he noses his way through the hounds just to have his ears scratched. 

Way To Go Joe!

Oregon by Greyhound • The Dorena Bridge

The Adventure Dorena Covered Bridge

Location LAT 43° 44' 14.6"  N  LON 122° 53' 301.4" W 

Date March 21, 2009

Weather 46°, Raining

Distance 93.6  miles

One of the more modern covered bridges on our quest, Dorena was a very beautiful bridge.

Built in 1949, she actually had louvered windows unlike the other enclosed bridges in Land county.

The bridge spans the Row River just before it dumps into Dorena Reservoir. The bridge is named after the town Dorena, now at the bottom of the reservoir since 1946.

Even though the bridge is large enough for two cars to pass, is was by-passed by a concrete span in 1974.

More spring fashions from greyhound gardens

Cinderella models the latest trends in post-surgical after-care-wear.

The gown is a white ladies medium, long-sleeved v-neck cotton t-shirt. Trimmed to just above the ankles for a fashionable, easy to maneuver look, this length allows the greyhound to walk in the wet grass without tripping over the cuffs or getting them muddy. 

The v-neck offers the most freedom around the neckline as well as a slightly sexy look. 

A knot is tied just at the waistline to maintain that desirable sleek and skinny greyhound silhouette.

Last but not least is the comfortably padded bite-not collar. Designed to form fit the long skinny greyhound neck inhibiting the biting and licking acts said greyhound might try to perform when the humans aren't looking.

Cinderellllllllaaaaaaaaa! part deux

And oh how I love our vets at Companion Pet North.

On Saturday Cinderella tried to escape from her kennel only to create a massive tear from her armpit to her elbow. At approximately 4 p.m. they took her into surgery and she was ready to go at about 7:30, a very long day for our vets who went above and beyond the call of duty.

Last night the incision opened up and the skin around it started to die. Back to the vets we went this morning. 

This is the incredible job the doc did this morning for her sutures.

Please Cinderbelli, we really need this to heal.

New spring fashions

Trendsetting fashionista Flo was spotted at the garden bistro last week sporting this seasons hottest trend in muzzlewear.

The hot pink "side bag" promises impeccable style for the most sophisticated greyhound.

Oregon by Greyhound • The Stewart Bridge

The Adventure Stewart Covered Bridge

Location LAT 43° 45' 57.5"  N  LON 122° 59' 38.9" W 

Date March 21, 2009

Weather 46°, Light rain

Distance 86.9  miles

Built in 1930, the Stewart Bridge stands beside the daily used concrete span that goes over Mosby Creek.

Mosby Creek

This 90 ft. bridge survived the flood of 1964 with a few snapped lower cords and a collapsed roof just four years later from a snow storm.

Me and Minnie Me! A rare photograph indeed.

A set of stairs led down to the water, well almost. It at least got us under the bridge.

Minnie is a bottom kinda girl. She refuses to jump... anywhere. Not in the car, had the bottom crate at the kennel, and there was no way she was going to take these stairs like a woman.

She also completely missed the point of the covered bridge adventure. Smile for the camera Minnie.

She quickly got the drill down and was ready to get out of the car every time we stopped.

Pish Posh at Sunset

The Pashmeister after dinner this evening. He is one perfect hound dog.

Even at 12 years old, he still has enough spunk to give chase.

Cool drink from the pools, a dog's best friend.

Oregon by Greyhound • The Mosby Creek Bridge

The Adventure Mosby Creek Covered Bridge

Location LAT 43° 46' 41.7"  N  LON 123° 00' 17.2" W 

Date March 21, 2009

Weather 46°, Raining

Distance 85.9  miles

It's my turn, it's my turn. I'm the lucky dog! I drew the short bone. It's sunny and almost 50° at my house.

There's the sign, covered bridges of Cottage Grove, Lane County, here we come!

Since Douglas Fir was abundant in western Oregon, most of the bridges were hand-built using the Douglas Fir tree. The bridges were covered to keep the wooden trusses dry. An uncovered bridge would last about nine years, but a covered bridge could last 80 years or more. 

We get it now.

Staying dry, Minnie and Karen pause just inside the entry.  

OK mom, is this it? We walk onto the bridge, take a picture and move on?

Okie doakie, onward and upward.

Mosby Creek, a single-lane bridge was the only bridge of the day that had not been by-passed by a steel structure. Built in 1920, it remains Lane County's oldest bridge.

Cinderellllllllaaaaaaaaa!

Sweet, sweet baby girl. You have only been home for three short months. We have apologized over and over and over for making you fly into 20° weather and having unusual snow on the ground for two weeks. Trust me, your other mother and I had no control over the weather.

We laughed when we caught you extreme counter-surfing.

We laughed with you and tolerated the Blackberry cases you destroyed.

But sweetie, we have to talk. Houdini antics aren't going to work in this household. Not today, not tomorrow and not the next day.

When the mommas have to go to work, it is your job to stay peacefully in your kennel. "Stay in your kennel" are the key words I want you to listen to.

You are very lucky that your vets love you and love us. Doing surgery to stitch up your 8 inch tear in your armpit until 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday night was not the hot date they where really thinking about.

Baby girl, the kennel and safety are your friends. Your momma will spend spring break practicing alone training with you again.

Fathead! 

There's a new woman in town

I think I have been replaced.

Mom, Mom, Please?

Just one bite? I ate all of my peas and carrots.

Hark!

Do I detect spring in the air?

Happy Birthday Sweetie

Today would have been your 15th birthday. We miss you much Miss Oneco ala Bear.

Ummm, Ladies

The Superior Counsel of Greyhound Gardens (SCGG) has met.

We wanna watch Bones!

This could be your lucky day!

Party with the garden hounds.

We promise green kibble,

Irish kibble,

Corned beef kibble,

And an all-around good time!

Yup

It's my birthday today. I am the star. I was the star yesterday and I'll be the star tomorrow and the next day.

However, just for today, bring me a little cat with my kibble please. It's my birthday.

Oregon By Greyhound • The Larwood Bridge

The Journey Larwood Covered Bridge

Location LAT 44° 39' 49.1"  N  LON 122° 44' 26.8" W 

Date March 13, 2009

Weather 54°, Mostly sunny

Distance 25.3  miles

Probably the most scenic bridge so far, the Larwood Bridge, like the Hoffman, goes over the Crabtree Creek. Probably the most unique feature, besides the beautiful bridge, is that the Roaring Fork River empties into Crabtree Creek. It is the only river that empties into a creek an oddity in U.S. geography and has even been listed in Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Crystal and Karen pose by the creek.

Roaring Fork river.

A small community was established in 1888 known as Larwood. It had a store, a blacksmith shop and a post office. All that remains now is the Larwood covered bridge, built in 1939 and the old water wheel used to drive machinery.

Karen and Crystal are dwarfed by the size of the bridge.

Just up the river about a mile is the Roaring Fork Fish Hatchery. They were more than excited to receive a handout of "fish kibble."