mt. hood

While visiting Portland for Brooke's conference this past week, Townsend and I took some time to escape to the Cascades. This was his first hike/snowshoe, and you would think a 15 week-old puppy would get worn out on a 5 mile hike...but this pup totally proved me wrong.

Setting off.


He took some time getting used to the snow. He ate plenty of the ice chunks...


and found some interesting objects along the way.


Isn't this supposed to be a little higher?


Finally, we were on our way.


We hiked out along Tillapus Lake at the base of Mt. Hood. This is the view looking up at the (clouded over) mountain.


I enjoy getting out in the winter. Fortunately it was a beautiful 50 degree day!


I love how green this state stays even in the winter.


Townsend and I, about half way through our hike.


Isn't he handsome?


We had a great hike and saw some awesome scenery. I guess we can call this trip successful.


Did I say he wasn't worn out after the trip?....yeah. He pretty much passed out the second we got back in the car.

hind legs...

friend or foe?

Townsend...in Port Townsend!

we took townsend to meet his namesake today; port townsend, wa.


he had an eventful day sniffing up and down the street, talking to all the nice people, and getting love from just about everyone. we couldn't walk fifty feet without someone stopping us to ask how old, what kind, or just to comment on his big paws! he was very nice to everyone he met.

we used his big leash, to give him a little extra running room. running off some steam before introducing him to the beach.


look at that stance! it's improving; he's going to be a fine looking dog in a few months.


dad!...dad! i'll walk myself! dad, i got it!


look at those beautiful olympic mountains across port townsend bay.


across port townsend bay.


a stroll along the beach.


he likes clams.


so another day winds down on one of our favorite places in the u.s. this is a typical scene.


we were walking townsend around a green space and came across a statue we had never seen...


andrea loves statues!

Meet TOWNSEND!

INTRODUCING: .... Townsend!


Townsend is a 12 week old german shorthaired pointer from salem, or. he was one of 12 puppies from jill and scott at hunterpuppies! check out their site for early photographs of townsend; referred to 'windsor' and '#7.'


his favorite toy is his duck! he like to to wrestle with it until it honks.


Townsend also likes to play with his retrieval dummy.


he likes to jump and pounce on it.

he also likes to shake it around and return it to his mommy and daddy.

mainly, he 'liked' to chew on it; it is retired now. look at those forehead wrinkles! he has a lot of skin to grow into!

Townsend's favorite pastime is napping.


i'm not sure how that is comfortable...but he'll sleep hours in that position!


Townsend loves his mommy! whenever she's sitting cross legged, him curl up and take a nap! he wanted us to tell you that that is one of his favorite blue blankets!


this puppy's a cuddlier! ...and has already brought us much joy.

we'll keep you updated on the growing up process!

Kendall Peak Lakes

went up into the cascades today for some snowshoeing. the snow was hard and crunchy [cascade concrete], but we felt a lot of freedom in the crisp cold mountain air.



we've had a spell of fog, so the lower elevations made our photos look a little antiqued.


not all snowshoeing is a walk in the park.


the art of nature is supremely beautiful. i don't think an artist could mix a shade of blue like the packed snow and ice revels in it's crevasses.


this is flocked tree nation.


perspectives are sometimes skewed. we wandered up to the 'little' snow covered three foot tree. after the snow melt, we would discover that we would actually be looking at the top of a twenty foot tree.

taking a break for cookies and frozen rivers...


and re-gloving.


the remaining half of mile of trail to kendall peak lakes laid of the other side of this blown out river bed. we could of crossed it, but were content in just basking in the beauty of the frozen ice.

Skiing at Mt Baker

we went up to mt baker this past weekend to go skiing for the first day out this season. the skiing was great and the weather was unbelievable.


the group consisted of bryan, brooke, andrea and jenn.


mt baker normally has incredible skiing, but add that with a bright sunny day and 55 degree weather...you can't beat it! it was so bright that it was hard not to squint without goggles or sunglasses.


it was such a beautiful day!


being able to look upon a volcanic mountain while you ski is breathtaking. behind bryan is that volcanic mountain: mt baker.


this will go down as a great ski day!