Water Dogs

It's official -- I am raising pups who love the water.  Up to now it's been water hoses and bath tubs until my annual family reunion where they played and explored the Sand Creek falls.  Then each took a turn going out for rides in my kayak.

 

A Busy July

July has been passing by quickly.  It's a month with plans every weekend.  The work days have been busy.  I've caught a few rounds of golf on the week days, the top has been off of my Jeep and the warm temperatures have me spending time at the pool working on my tan.  Summer projects have turned to the crochet hook making swimsuit coverups.

And a patriotic crochet Star Spangled Banner bunting for the front porch.

Independence Day (and weekend) was spent shooting fireworks with the neighbors and a block party of sorts stay-cation campout in the front yard.  The kids loved it almost as much as the adults.

Time has passed slowly at the lake(s) with the dogs, friends and my inflatable kayak.

I absolutely LOVE summer!

OKC Kayak

Pattie and I met up with Laurie and a couple of her friends at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City for kayak lessons. OKC Kayak offers all sorts of lessons and trip adventures. We've started with the Quickstart basics course and I took to it like a fish to water. I really enjoy the rhythm of paddling and being on the water. We were exposed to different kayak styles and this basic skill will be useful to have for future water vacation destinations. Although I could see myself owning a kayak, logistically I think it would be more convenient just to rent one.

Wherever we go for adventure - we also find yarn. Pattie and I stopped at Gourmet Yarn's newly expanded shop and about four feet into the shop we both found our next knitting projects. Mine, the sample Noro shawl on display (pic above) and for Pattie a pair of Spud & Cloe pink lacey socks.

A Day in Hood River

My excitement to start the day woke me at 2:00 a.m. and even then I had no idea how much fun and adventure the day would bring. We left early and drove along the Washingon side of the Columbia River to Wet Planet for our rafting trip. (We were with a group of 18 Rangers ready to be sent abroad and several guides). We slipped into our wetsuits/gear and took a bus up the White Salmon River. They paired us with a couple from Alabama and I fearlessly agreed to be at the front of the raft with the husband. We learned all the navigating commands from our guide and hit the rapids. As expected, the water was shockingly cold and we got wet but the wetsuits they provided were very warm. Halfway through the trip we had to get out and hike along the the river to a bluff where we jumped off into some slower rapids and swam to our rafts. That part was optional but no way was I going to pass on that! Aunt Janine jumped off too and it was exhilirating. We all cheered each other on and as you bobbed up to the surface and swam to the raft, all hands were extended to keep you from being carried down the river. That was cool. (I guess the part I enjoyed most was the teamwork it took to move down river). We got to go under a volcanic cave section and prepare for the waterfall drop at the end where we hunkered down and went completely under water. Simply amazing.



We dried off and drove across the bridge into Hood River, Oregon and had lunch on the river. Found a knit shop in town and made our way around the Fruit Loop making stops along the way to some of the 34 local farm stands with a snow covered Mount Hood as a back drop to the orchards. Made a stop at Cascade Alpacas and Foothills Yarn where I purchased some alpaca roving/yarn and Aunt Janine got to feed the alpacas and several crias. We finished the day going over to my Aunt Rita's where she prepared some fresh sole. It was very good day.