Yards of NoPo

North Portland, affectionately called NoPo, has great neighborhoods. This is Charley's house, complete with a Maverick in the window. The grass is very different than Florida.


As I walk around the block, I notice so many clever uses of yard space. Winter vegetables and flowers are growing at this house.


These folks are going for a green look, which is easy since there is so much rain this time of year. In the summer, this yard is likely brown like everyone else's (no irrigation in Portland- everyone is too environmental to allow lawn watering!)


I love seeing the fall foliage. Lots of trees here I've never seen.


It's cozy here. Sidewalks on both sides of every street and not much traffic.


The stone wall separates this yard into levels. There was a dog inside the fence on top.

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Playground and Sauvie Island

It was a bright sunny day and 52° so I took the dogs to the playground. Only in Portland would dogs be allowed at a playground, right?

 

Sheba and Wrigley love the chuck-it!


Maverick kind of does his own thing, leaving the black dogs to bark over the ball.

 

Sheba sure gets around in her chair!


I hollered at Mavie for jumping up front and getting my seat muddy. He was embarrassed and ride home facing the other way!


We dropped off Sheba and picked up Charley for a beach visit to Sauvie Island in the Columbia River. Notice Mt. Hood in the background.


It was chilly, but so darned pretty!


The boys had a good time.


We saw fields full of pumpkins! Loads and loads of pumpkins and squash.

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2-day Friendsgiving/Dogsgiving

Charley's best friend invited us for Thanksgiving dinner. I went over a day early to help his wife cook. The house was full of big dogs and good food! Their pup Bernie welcomed our pack of three, and Jen out out extra rugs and beds to keep everyone comfy.


Mavie was not scared of Baby Avery, which was a surprise. Sheba loves babies and Maverick used to run the other way at the sight of one! Carter played trains at Maverick's feet, it was quite a sight.


Back at home, with full bellies, in front of a warm fire. Maverick may have gotten over his fear of babies, but he's developed one of fires! Look at his face, poor boy thinks we're crazy for having flames inside. But the temp was supposed to go down to 29 tonight, so I insisted. Dogs and I cuddled and napped while Charley watched football. Cozy!

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Ape Cave and Lava Canyon

Dany and I went to College of Charleston together but haven't seen each other in three years. She lives in Washington now so we met for a hike between Olympia and Portland, at Ape Cave.


It was pretty much a hole in the ground, with a staircase. Spooky!


We walked 3/4 in through the lava tube before it got too narrow for us to pass. It was scary being so far underground with no one else around! Her boyfriend Patrick was there to keep us sane.


Next stop- photo op with Mt. Saint Helens. The lava tube we just explored once carried magma to this volcano. It's not pointy on top like Mt. Hood because the 1980 eruption blew off the cone.


It was chilly, but seeing snow was awesome! We didn't get to the snow until we reached at least 1,000 feet. Portland is at around 70 feet in elevation so it rarely snows.


Then we explored Lava Canyon, which was, until 1980, covered by a glacier. When the volcano erupted, the lava melted the ice and now it's a breathtakingly gorgeous river with waterfalls that are that icy blue color you only see in glaciers.


We hiked the short, but intense trail. Everything was covered in ice, so it was difficult to keep footing while climbing rocks. The 120' suspension bridge was beautiful, and the view from the middle was epic. Sorry, no photo to share- too scary to use phone on bridge when concentrating on breathing!


Pictures don't do this place justice- it was loads prettier in real life!

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Ponytail Falls

Emily and I took the boy doggies on a nice hike to Ponytail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.


The trail leads you behind a waterfall!


It, like everywhere I've explored here, is beautiful.


We got so close to the waterfall that we got wet- and it was cold!


Another pretty angle.


Handsome Maverick, posing by the waterfall.


Wrigs had a great day, showing Mav the ropes.


My boy Mav. Loving life in the Pacific Northwest!

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Dinner at Emily's

Emily invited us for dinner- I still can't get over how funny it is that we're both in Portland! We went years without keeping in touch and now we are hanging out regularly. We picked up right where we left off last Xmas when I told her I needed a change. She told me I'd love Portland, but we had no idea at that time that d be here, trying it out! And she's right, I do love this city!


She met Charley, and I met her husband Dave. And Sam, who looks an awful lot like Maggie!


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10,000 acre dog park

How do you transport 3 giant dogs to the dog park? Squeeze them in the Subie!





The park is so huge, it was too much for Sheba's wheels. Charley pulled her along the trails in the wagon until we reached the river, and then she swam to her heart's content. Maverick went exploring while the black dogs were swimming and got lost. His hearing is really going and he can't hear my whistle anymore. I put him on the leash on the way back, which was embarrassing for him. He's learning the ways of Oregon, sometimes the hard way! ❤️

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A day in the life

I've been working in Charley's office and this was the scene today, while I video conferenced back to Florida. Mav is picking up on the dog door, but still scared to do it by himself.


We met up with Terri and Kent at her brother-in-law's Mexican restaurant. They were in town for the week from the Outer Banks and we haven't seen each other in a whole year! Really great fish tacos and excellent company.

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Beautiful fall day

I love being a three-dog mom! I definitely have my hands full, but it's really great. The sun is out and the temp is low 60s. I love wearing fleece and vests!





Sheba is doing great with her wheels. If you think Maverick looks mischievous, it could be because he peed on Charley's beer bottle collection.





Four dog beds at night, and the black dogs choose to share.

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Multnomah Falls hike

Mid 40s and overcast- great hiking weather! We took Wrigley with us on the 5.6 mile hike around Weekena and Multnomah Falls. I wasn't sure if Mavie could keep up on the 1400' climb and we didn't want to leave Miss Sheba home alone, so Wrigs was our sole canine companion.





Charley brought me here on my first visit, but there is much more water today!





The leaves were all changing and gorgeous. Not to mention gigantic! Wrigs is not a small dog at 85 pounds!





Douglas firs are simply exquisite and quite plentiful.





Obligatory photo shot at the overlook to the Columbia River.





I'm so intrigued by the moss that grows on the branches. It's called Douglas neckera moss.





Everything is so green and lush this time of year!





There it is, the magnificent Multnomah Falls, 524 feet high. We saw some NBA players on the trail and they photo bombed us from the bridge!





Sheba got to hang out on the sofa tonight since she couldn't do the hike with us. Such a sweet dog.

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