Before winter storms close the Cascade Highway, we try to make one final trip to Upper Deschutes River.
The three of us love this spot. Jack for the fishing, JQ for shooting video and photos. As for Tip … this is his favorite swimming hole. Fun is had by all.
In the Fall you can often catch the spawn as the big Rainbows move into the river from Crane Prairie. The river is very different during each of the seasons. not sure when is our favorite. But then, why choose?
One sunny afternoon last week we headed over to the Nature Center at Sunriver Resort.
The idea was to check on the new trumpeter swan cygnets and maybe get a glimpse of the river otters JQ spied earlier this month.
The swans were in sight, however no river otters. Instead we were treated to a close up view of a Great Horned Owl, Joe.
He was hit by a car and is blind in one eye, thus he’s become a permanent resident of the nature center’s rehab and education facility.
The initial frigid fall temps have moderated and we’re currently enjoying an “Indian Summer” of sorts.
Taking advantage of these mild fall days we’ve re-started fall hiking trips that were put on hold when it seemed like winter was upon us.
In spring of last year we’d attempted to walk the Rim Rock Springs Loop trail but it was buried in snow. It’s not a summer hike destination as it’s way too exposed to high desert sun … but Fall is perfect.
It’s a relatively easy hike, taking off from a wayside East of Madras on Highway 26. There are a couple of observation points to get a look at migratory bird habitat and some great vistas of the Cascade Peaks. The first half of the trail is even paved.
The were no other hikers so we enjoyed the solitude, shot a bunch of photos and generally took in the scenery. Finished up with a picnic lunch for a perfect November day trip.
Dogs in general and border collies specifically thrive on routine.
In the case of border collies, if you don’t give them a job, they will create one.
Our morning routine is to walk the neighborhood path ending at the park for a game of fetch.
Typically we head out the door about 7:30 a.m. When our day has a bit slower pace, Tip still starts prepping for the walk about 7:30 a.m. The longer the delay, the stronger the encouragement from our border collie. He has a very good internal clock and very little patience.
Yes, we’re retired. However, we still work on projects.
This blog/journal keeps us busy, when not fishing or exploring. And we have tasks that eventually require our attention.
Our most current, “straightening the office,” has been on the back burner because it’s a bit like housework. (See Rules to Live By in Fossils, rocks and turkeys post).
As with nearly any furniture placement, eventually it will require some tweaks. When it came to the office area, Jack set up his fly tying bench, assembled a desk, and plugged in the computer. He then called it good.
Jacqueline figured there could be a better arrangement and set about tweaking the space. What we have now is many times better than the jumble that was in here and it makes getting these posts ready much easier.
