Little Badger Creek

Huck invited his two pals, Bert and Wally, on a hike Saturday out to the Badger Creek Wilderness on the far east side of Mt Hood National Forest.  We all hiked up the Little Badger Creek Trail.

Little Badger Creek flows east through the mixed fir, Ponderosa Pines and oaks that form the edge of the Cascades, it is the transition zone with the high open countryside of central Oregon.

Bert is 13 years old, he is in great shape.  He is slower than he once was but had no major trouble on the 8 mile hike.

Wally is about 8, he is a small bundle of muscle and energy. He is the smallest dog I have known, a very fine fellow.

The trail was rather flat for the first 3.5 miles or so.

Bert had a small issue at one of the blow down trees blocking the trail.  This jump would not have been a problem in the past.  He is downhill from log so harder than it looks.  He hopped right over this coming back down in the afternoon.

Water break.

After about 3.5 miles there is an abandon cabin and old mine shaft.

Wally is the explorer in the group, never afraid to stick his nose into places.  Here he is exploring the remains of a bed near the edge of the cabin.

Wally was the only one interested in the mine shaft.

Bert and Huck were not interested in shaft at all.

After the mine the trail is very steep on a climb out of the canyon up to a ridge.  Wally always runs up ahead on the steep parts and then waits for the rest to catch up.

 Tough climb up this section.

The view from ridge looking farther into the wilderness area.

I was looking for birds, saw a few. Not bad for so late in the season One was the Black-backed Woodpecker.

Back at the car after 5.5 hours, great hike.

Sandy River

Huck took one of his pals (Tess) out to the Sandy River today (Oct-11-2015).  Tess stays with us sometimes under the care of Sierra. 

 I assumed Tess would stay with us and not run for the horizon. I was not sure how she would react, this is her first off leash adventure she has gone on with Huck and I.

First video is right after I let them off leash.

Huck and Tess both went out to check out the Sandy River

Tess wanted to be chased and Huck was happy to oblige.

I made the mistake of telling Huck that was his stick.  Lots of growling and crying but nothing serious when both Huck and Tess went to pick up the stick.

Tess was having fun digging around her stick.

Tess chasing her stick and the big jerk waiting for the prize.

Fun day, thanks for visiting.

Huck at Fifteenmile Creek

Huck has been hanging out with me on my birding hikes.  He has not received the press he deserves for all his effort.

Fifteenmile Creek was our destination last weekend.  I was worried about snakes, but none  detected.

Huck was trying to get out of creek by climbing over the log, took him two tries to jump up.

A cool drink is always welcomed.

Our usual lunch spot along creek.

Back at the car.

Huck in the Ochoco's

Huck ventured to the Ochoco's this past weekend.  


Up near our campsite we found this artesian well.   I assume it was set up for some wild horses in the area.  Huck sniffed around and found some scent.

 A quick run around the area and his inspection was complete.

Returning back to road.

There was this odd structure, what was it for and why here?  No fence line in area, I thought it was meant to be filled with rock as an anchor post. It was too small to hold a horse.  No idea.  Huck inspected it and it seemed to interest him.

Huck has various projects he works on while I bird.  Most involve some sort of study he is doing involving sticks found on the forest floor. 

I think it involves what lies under the bark of the twigs and branches.

Rodent analysis is another project, their burrows are constantly being evaluated.

General road inspections are also done.

Gate inspections and cattle locations and counts are carefully noted.

Survey markers are also placed.

No wonder he got so tuckered out after two days of hard work.

Bayocean Spit Beach Romp

Today (5/3/15) Huck and his pal Bert went down near Tillamook to the Bayocean Spit, a beach they visit frequently.  I went along to search for shorebirds.

The beach was empty of people despite the great weather.  Those are all dead jellyfish on the tidal line.

Huck always needs to blow off steam, and Bert is often the target.  Bert once would play back just as hard, but in his elderly years he has mellowed, but just a little.

Both Bert and Huck like to cool off with a quick dip.

Two weeks ago, Huck got his spring shave.  It leaves him looking like a lab.  He is much cooler and acts like he is 6 years younger.

 After the dip, the play resumes.

Sometimes Bert just dodges the blows in the hopes they stop.

Bert returning from a meet and greet.

After lunch at the jetty, we cut back home down the road along the inlet.  We cut across the dunes along a trail in the interior of the spit after a few hundred yards down this road.

Bert checking out the Garibaldi Inlet.

They settled down for a portrait, after this we cut into the dunes.  It must have been hot and tiring for Bert, he started to lag behind.  So I went back out to the beach.

Bert went straight for the ocean and another cool dip.

After that dip we had to cut back over to the bay and the road to the car.  Bert saw that the tide was up and went down to the bay for another dip.  He stood there for awhile waiting for me to  join him.

Huck was the only one who decided to go down the steep embankment to the bay.

Bert finally gave up hope that I would go down to the bay, he worked his way back up the bank.

Back at the car after a 5 hour hike, about 7 miles in all.