I Think I Saw Noah Float By!

After the longest May dry spell in 20 years (17 days), the rain returned to Eugene, OR today with a vengeance.  It was a nice gentle showery kind of day until mid-afternoon when we got a sudden deluge that threatened to float us all away.  The rain is expected to last until Friday when the sun is scheduled to make it’s next appearance.  That’s okay – at least I don’t have to do the watering tonight!



Yesterday was a mild, partly cloudy day and so off we went on a short adventure with our mutts.  We went to another park on the lake that we don’t get to visit much during the winter.  That’s because it’s closed ha-ha!!  Unlike Orchard Point, which stays open all year, Richardson (panorama above) closes for the winter.  There is a day use area and a campground there and the crowds are usually non-existent.

This is a great spot for a picnic – trees, table, BBQ, boat dock, and restrooms just out of view. 



Rusty did so well!  He did his little “shuffle and drag” all the way down to the water and he even got in!  He thinks he is swimming but in truth his feet were always touching bottom.





He enjoyed himself, even if he was exhausted by the time he made it back to the car.  And this is what the parking lot looked like when we left.


We also hung up the feeder I got for Mother’s Day.  However our hanging job was not very sturdy and the feeder was on the ground before we knew it.  Didn’t seem to stop the local wildlife from enjoying its bounty however.


Checking to make sure the coast is clear.


Enjoying a snack.


The End!

Fall Frolics and Silly Squirrels

Before I talk about the last couple of days, I just want to take a minute and thank all the wonderful folks out there who read my blog and comment once in a while (or more often!).  Like many other bloggers, I started this as a way to keep in touch with friends and family when we travel and also as a diary to help me remember the where we had been!!

When other folks started following my blog, I was astounded.  I had no idea there was an entire community of like minded people out there in the blogosphere.  Some of you I have been privileged to meet and others I certainly hope to meet someday.  These friendships and sense of community have become very meaningful to me.  And if we disagree from time to time, or tease, or laugh or cry together, well…that’s what friends are for!  Thank you all for being my friends.

And now back to our regularly scheduled blog, already in progress!

What a great two days we have had here in Eugene.  A bit on the damp side, but the temperatures are still mild, with just a bit of a nip in the air.

We have been making regular trips to the lake to exercise the dogs (and ourselves!)  The lake has already begun to shrink as the water is drawn down in anticipation of the rains to come.  The boats are being removed from their summer moorage.


It always looks kinda lonely when the slips are empty and the water starts to recede.


This fella is getting a head start on his treasure hunting this year!

Don’t think I would be that dedicated.

We went to Detering Orchard to pick up some apples and just enjoy the nice day.  We found an interesting bin of onions that Russ said had Jerry’s name written all over it.


I think they have a Peanut Butter Bush growing out back. The jars were in all sizes – just like the onions.

Here are some more pictures of Detering Orchard and their wonderful fall colors.



We are so fortunate to have farms and orchards within minutes of our house.  Today we visited our favorite farm, Lone Pine.  I have to admit to thinking Lone Pine is getting a little too big for its britches!!  They have become so commercial that it really isn’t a family farm anymore.  But on the plus side, it’s a great attraction for kids and at least gets them out on the farm. 

Some of the produce is still raised right here on the farm but in the fall, the hayrides and attractions seems to be the big drawing card.  I noticed something new inside the store.  They had little bags of what looked like sand but it promised an artifact of some type inside each bag.  These little bags sold for almost $5.  Seemed silly…until I went outside and saw they had installed sluice!  Buy your bag of sand then run it through the sluice and discover “Treasure”!!


Well, I suppose the kids get a kick out of it.  Click on the slide show below for more pictures from the farm.



Back at home Russ saw this little critter scampering around the yard.  He was digging holes all over the lawn…big holes…holes his whole upper body could disappear into.  When Russ went out to have a heart-to-heart with him, he was all sweetness and innocence.


And that of course is…  THE END!