Enquiring Minds Want to Know

Do all of these imposing deadlines ever go away?

Minnie's Coast Trip continued

We probably spent too much time walking around in Newport and that didn't leave us much time for the beach. We stopped at Devil's Punch Bowl, not so impressive at low tide.


As we continued down the path, something caught Minnie's attention.


She became a greyhound statue.


There were tons of these little guys scampering about the path. I was so impressed with Minnie, she never once lunged at them.


The bay to the north of us was peppered with surfers, not really many waves to give them a good ride.


The beaches were beautiful, just as Oregon beaches are.


It was soon time to head home and we looked back one more time.

It's true love when they bring a present

This morning I hear "Terri, come out here. Bring the camera. Don't scream and drop the camera."

I'm prepared for whatever I'm going to see, I think.


But I wasn't. Somewhere Crystal found a baby opossum. He was old enough to know how to play opossum, but he quickly got over it as he heard the shutter of my camera. Once he started to get up and move Karen figured she had better move him to safety so she scooped him up and put him back in the wetland area.


He was an adorable baby.

When a cat brings home a mouse or bird it's present of love, shouldn't a baby opossum be the same?

Minnie's sun day adventure

The sun finally came out to play and Minnie headed for the coast to have some fun. Nothing like a walk on the boardwalk in Newport Bay.

We weren't the only ones catching the rays.

It has probably been 10 years since I have been down by the docks. I remember the sea lions from then and was so happy to see them sunning today.

Newport Bay has a large fishing industry. The docks on the water side of the street are lined with seafood plants.

And the other side of the street is lined with quaint little stores.

But what really makes Newport Bay famous is Mo's clam chowder.

The bridge separates the bay from the Pacific Ocean.

And no matter which direction you look, there is so much to look at.

Rain with a break

Yep, when we got up this morning, this is what we saw.

Must have been an all nighter for the rain.


Everybody looked out in the yard longingly, wanting so desperately to go out and play.

For the most part though, they all stayed close to the patio.


Those that were brave enough, complained about the mud squishing between their toes.


And then, almost magically, the skies parted. We didn't really see the sun, but we saw blue skies.

Needing a break from the computer we took Crystal for a short drive up to McKay Falls.


I'm sure the water is running high from all of the rain, but it was beautiful none the less.

Once upon a time...

There was a day, back in May, the dogs had fun, we had some sun.


They had a blast, but it didn't last.


The sun went away and was replaced, by yet another rainy day.

Butterflies are free

We have a live butterfly exhibit about 20 miles from home.


It's a bit like walking into a sauna, but once the glasses and camera lens de-fog, it's a wonderful place to play.


Butterflies flit from branch to branch and every once in awhile, they land long enough to pose.


Or entertain each other.


We picked up a season pass, just so that I can go out and play.

Greyhounds Don't Shed

One of a greyhounds more desirable traits is their amazingly easy coat care. Most of them shed very little, if at all.


There is however, a very rare hybrid known as the wooley mammouth greyhound. Adam is one of the decendants. Just a little shake in the backyard,


And we get a flurry of hair. Doesn't really matter which season we are celebrating, and it doesn't matter how much we brush him, Adam is just one of those wooley greyhounds.


A slight breeze will kick the hair off of his back, but he's our wooley boy and we love him.

Hey Murph!

Are you hiding from something there big guy?


I thought for sure you would be kicking your heels up. I hear there is another birthday to celebrate.


Murphy! Birthdays are a good thing. Don't bleh your birthday.


What's that? Someone else is celebrating their birthday today?


Happy Birthday Karen and Murphy!

Zena Church

On our way out to the vineyard yesterday, we passed by a small church on the hill. After the tree ceremony, we drove back to take a closer look.

The Zena church was built 1859 and was named after two sisters. Local folklore claims that the church and it's grounds are haunted, partly because the doors open to the west instead or the east, the sunrise.

I have a couple of photographers that I follow on the Internet. One in particular, Trey Ratcliff, had this beautiful photo of a cemetary, and I have been on the lookout ever since.

Happy Memorial Day.

Celebrating a tree

We were invited to a tree celebration on Saturday at one of the valley vineyards, Witness Tree Vineyard. We headed out, not really knowing what we were attending.


Nearly 200 wineries call the Willamette Valley their home. Since I'm not a wine drinker, a grape is a grape, but apparently Oregon is famous for it's Pinot Noir.


The oak tree was used as a survey marker. Original markings in the tree trunk dated back to July 8, 1854 indicating a boundary for donation land claim No. 51.


The vineyard was named after the ancient white oak that looks over the vineyard from the top of the hill. It's circumference is 4 ft. at the base, standing 85 ft. tall and is approximately 200 years old.


Ditches beside the vineyard were lined with California poppies and


and numerous other wild flowers.


When we first arrived, the skies were blue. True to Oregon though, it quickly became overcast.

Oregon established the Heritage Tree Program in 1995. Trees are designated as significant because of their importance in national, state or regional history.

The Witness Tree was the 51st tree to be designated as a Heritage Tree.