The Journey

Adopting a greyhound is a journey. We love the journey through thick and thin, and we almost always take a path we don't expect, but one we never regret.

The journey starts out with a twinkle in their eye and a spark in our heart. It starts with a love affair and the moment the greyhound comes home, the honeymoon begins.

We really never know what will happen during the honeymoon and beyond. Ours has always been filled with love and laughter and amazement. We've had the days, days that our greyhound seemed a little off and we would pack them up and off to the vets office with a huge knot in our stomach. Most of the time we walk out, relieved and the knot undone.

Days, weeks, months and even years go by. Our greyhound lives in the moment and does not realize that he is getting older nor does he behave like it and so the years slip by for us as well.

Another day comes and we are back to the vet. This time we leave with a knot in our stomach, a lump in our throats and tears welling up in our eyes. We know that our time is limited and the last leg of our journey is swiftly approaching.

Everyday is counted more closely and enjoyed to the fullest as we wonder, sometimes silently, "when do we say when."

I write about this now because we are facing the end of another journey with one of our greyhounds. Sometimes the sadness is almost overwhelming, but we will be alright, we will be wrapped in warm memories.

We have made wonderful connections through our greyhounds. Years ago, when we picked out our first two racing greyhounds at the farm, we met their handsome sire Ethan and later on were fortunate enough through the Internet to connect with Ethan's adopted family.

Sadly, I received a note from his family saying that Ethan had crossed to the Rainbow Bridge.

And so, as we weep for our own, we also cry for Ethan and his family. This part of the journey is never easy. I admire Katie (Ethan's mama) for her courage and compassion. She loved him so much, that she recognized the look in his eyes, the look that said it was time. Ethan's journey as we know it has ended.

Our lives are filled with so much joy from beginning to end. The pain from loss is tremendous and although the pain never goes away, the joy eventually takes back over and we smile as all of the grand memories come flooding back.

WW Windy Ethan • December 11, 1999 - July 7, 2009

To Ethan, thank you for the two beautiful babies you have given us. You have been a true joy to your trainers and your family. Goodbye sweet boy.

Oregon by Greyhound • Jawbone Flats

The Adventure Jawbone Flats

Location LAT 44.8469 N LON 122.2093 W

Date July 2, 2009

Weather 92°, Sunny

Distance 50.6 miles

This one of the hotter days this summer and we both had the day off. Knowing that we were looking at a seven mile hike, we opted to travel without a greyhound.

We headed back up to Opal Creek with Jawbone Flats in our sites.

The old logging road through the old growth forest was peaceful, beautiful and pleasant when we started out.


At the 3.5 mile mark, we reached the old mining town of Jawbone Flats.


Expecting original buildings, we were a little disappointed, but we found many rusted treasures from days gone by.


The old cars parked in a row were especially enchanting.


Just up the trail from the little community of Jawbone Flats and past the rusted cars the trail led us to Opal Pool Canyon.


Looking up stream from the bridge.


And down stream.


Just below the bridge a huge round boulder was lodged above the creek between the canyon walls.


On the way back to Jawbone Flats we walked through a meadow of daisies.


Cascada de los Niños was on our way back.


Looking downstream from the falls.


And across to the opposite side of the creek where ferns were growing on the rock.

By the time we finished the hike, it was getting hot. The last mile seemed to last forever. We knew it had been a long hot trek when we started to see outhouse mirages.

Ya know it is summer...

When the toys fly in the cool evenings.


Moose loves his squeaky treasures more than anything else.


Grungy and dirty, this remains his favorite toy. He whips side to side...


and prances around the yard like a Tennessee Walker.


This toy has 16 delightful squeakers and Moose likes to sqeak each and every one.


He will drop it momentarily to chase after a diversion toy.


But in the end, he really is happiest with his squeaky, squeaky, squeaky toy.

Sweet Sixteen

It's your day Lucee girl. 16 candles on your kibble!


Your sixteenth summer of rolling in grass and acting liking a goofy basset hound.


Sixteen years of strolling around. Everyone knows that basset hounds move in two speeds.

Slow and...


Stall.

Happy, happy birthday Lucee girl. The cherry tree is full of fruit, just for you.

Oregon by Greyhound • Sullivan Creek Falls

The Adventure Sullivan Creek Falls

Location LAT 44.84085 N LON 122.26541 W

Date June 28, 2009

Weather 83°, Sunny

Distance 45.8 miles

Feeling a little restless, we decided to head out for a quick Sunday afternoon drive. Where better to head than one of our new favorite places, Opal Creek Recreation Area.

Sullivan Creek Falls gets it claim to fame as a true roadside falls. A drive-by. Composed of multiple tiers, it's estimated height is nearly 200 ft.


All of the water up in this area is almost always crystal clear and the pool at the base of Sullivan Creek Falls is no exception.


This is the final drop before it reaches the pool, approximately 50 ft. From here the water rushes under the road and drains into Cedar Creek.

Of course, we had to walk across the road and down the embankment.


And we were pleasantly surprised with Cedar Creek.


We spent so much time just enjoying the creek...


that Bert the salamander came up to see what on earth we were doing in her territory.

Attack of the salamander

This is Bert (short for Bertha) the salamander. We had parked ourselves on a couple of rocks on the banks of Cedar Creek. And Bert came up to see what we were doing in her territory.


Enjoying the attention and not an ounce of camera shyness, Bert posed and modeled for the camera.



When she had had enough, she looked like she was going to exit stage left. Keep in mind, she had one of the bigger rocks on the creek bank.


All of a sudden she whipped around and squared off with me. Note the raised paw as if ready, willing and able to attack.


Instead of going off multiple other sides, Bert headed straight for me. I was being charged by an attack salamander.

Never fear, no one was harmed in the photographing of Bert, the attack salamander.

Oregon by Greyhound • Green Peak Falls

The Adventure Green Peak Falls

Location LAT 44.33578 N LON 123.49459 W

Date June 27, 2009

Weather 83°, Sunny

Distance 65.7 miles

This time we took the trail head that started at Alsea Falls picnic area. The trail to Alsea Falls was on our way.


And then, it was over the river...


and through the woods as Karen and Minnie led the way to the long-awaited Green Peak Falls.


The trail took us through a dense forest, but overall was a very pleasant hike.


Green Peak Falls was worth the wait. Peak Creek drops down a 45 ft. wall into a pool and then down a 4 ft. wall into a second pool.

I found an almost perfect outcrop that I waded out to set up. The entire time I was eyeing a perfect spot on the opposite bank. After the first series of photos, a delightful fly-fisherman waded out to the middle of the pool, creating multiple ripples in the calm water and planted ass 10 ft. directly in front of me and began whipping his fly rod back at me.

Quality time at Green Peak Falls was abruptly ended.


On the trail back we took a detour down to the bank of the Alsea River.


Lupine where in full bloom along the roadside.


The Willamette Valley.

WooHoo!

Four day week-end coming through.

Maddie, what will you eat now?

Ummm no, I don't want rump roast. Maybe some of that rotisserie chicken from Costco?

Bleu on blue

We've talked

Make the fireworks stop.