Idle Blogger

Lest anyone think I have been lazy because I have not been blogging...well, never mind.  Actually I have been quite busy on the home front.  I have committed myself to working on my house and finish all of the projects I started 18 years ago.  It has been hell.  At some point I will post some pictures.  I did a little snow shoeing, no skiing this year and I have not figured out why besides the time factor, and I have been on a few short hikes.  I have become re-addicted to bicycling.  All winter I was riding my new "Justin Original" which I had outfitted with studded tires.  IT WAS SOOOOOOO COOL!!!!!  When we had ice and snow I was able to get where cars were not.  This spring, after Uncle Sam gave me my money back I bought a new road bike which I have been riding a lot.  I tried several times to get away on a camping trip but it never seemed to happen.  As a result I have had serious nature deficit disorder.  I have been grouchy, impatient, and generally not very happy.  So this week I said f@#* it to the house and the fact that I did not really feel I could afford gas because I have spent so much on flooring, tile, trim, and drywall and I took Walter and Arlo to the central part of the state.

South of Moses Lake is the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.  It is a pretty big place.  The area used to be part of the Columbia River when the ice dams near Missoula would break loose.  Until sometime in the middle of last century it was a dry desert until O'Sullivan Dam was built.  Water then started seeping into the low spots creating lots of little lakes and creeks.  This is where we went.  We camped at Potholes State Park sort of across the road.  The park is not that cool but it got us out of the wind which was horrid and gave us a place to sleep in the suburban.  Unfortunately all the hikes that I was planning were in areas that were closed off due to the cranes.  Oh well, I found other ones!

The area is amazing with lots of basalt cliffs and coulees and sagebrush.  I love the open desert areas as much as I love the mountains.

Makes me feel like a cowboy!

Where is my horse?

This is either upper or lower Goose Lake.  The lakes are deep and full of fish.  If the wind would not have been blowing so hard I might have gone for a swim.

Arlo does not have much camping experience.  Walter is an old pro.  I hook his leash to a picnic table, give him a blanket and he just chills.  Arlo was not sure what to do.  He wanted back in the suburban so I let him.  Every time I checked on him he was in this position.

More basalt!

Lots of phlox among the rocks!

Arlo learning how to drink out of the doggy canteen.

Walter and Arlo: "Hurry up!"

A gap in the cliff that at one time must have been a hell of a waterfall.  Aside from work around the house I have been working on DIY backpacking gear.  I decided that this summer I want to start backpacking again but I don't want to carry a ton of weight.  So far I have made a stove out of aluminum cans, a backpacking quilt that is lighter than a sleeping bag, I am half way done with a tarp tent which rolls up smaller than a Nalgene bottle, and have just started on an uber light backpack.  I am getting close to being done with my house projects and when that happens I am hitting the trail.  I need it in the worst way.