Sense A Theme?

We've had a tiny taste of summer.  We're anxious, now, to turn to our passions of summer...it might be another couple of weeks!  The girls and I are not sure we can wait that long!

Murphy's Day.

Sitting By The River

Notice we didn't say fishing.  We're sitting...waiting for the rivers to go down.  And waiting, and waiting.

We never thought we would be upset that there is TOO much water!

Murphy's Day.

Getting Out of Town

Recently I have been cranky about the so-called "new urbanists" who have this belief that anyone who lives in a city soooooo thoroughly enjoys staying in the city there is no need for a car, no need to get out and see the rest of the world (unless, of course, you fly there which oh, by the way, airplanes release more greenhouse gases than driving, but hey....).  These "new urbanists" paint a culture where you live and work in the same building, walk to "sweet little shops" that are located within walking distance, and isn't life grand?

Me?  Well, I've got to get out of the city.  And so do the girls.  I reside in the city because, at this moment, it's where my house is, but it isn't where we live.  Our hearts and souls live near a river, underneath a Ponderosa pine, around a trail from an Aspen stand.  I'd rather work standing in a river than sitting in front of a computer, I'd rather shop at fly fishing stores in a small town in Idaho, and I'd rather find my friends scattered around the countryside.

Murphy's Day.

Water Baby Sage

Sage loves to swim (she comes by it as a McDonald).  And in the summer, nothing is better for her that a dip into a river, lake, or creek (or as we say it out West, crick).  I love watching her swim around while simultaneously drinking water.  Sage gently enters into the river, then swims, unlike Annie who cannon-balls in after a stick (good thing I don't duck hunt with Annie, those ducks would all be in Canada by the time Annie got done leaping into the river).

For Sage, I also think swimming is good for her leg.  And as she ages, I think this kind of exercise is the best...my water baby Sage.

Murphy's Day.

Where's The Stick?

Summer finally arrived in the the PNW, or at least, in eastern Washington.  Which means many trips to rivers or lakes to get the girls cooled off (imagine wearing a fur coat in 80° weather).  Of course, we have had an epic late season snowpack which also means the rivers are flowing at higher than average cfs for this time of year.  What that means is even though the girls get in the water, I stand on shore, longingly waiting for the rivers to get into what we fly fishing folks call "in shape."  In other words, being about to wade without drowning.

Sage and Annie love rivers (the good fly fishing dogs that they are).  But Annie doesn't just get in like Sage, and swim around an eddy.  She needs a stick thrown in.  Or, in the classic self entertaining dog fashion, she will find her own stick.

This picture is on the Yakima River.  An old, out of commission boat launch where Annie was working a submerged stick.

One of these days she is going to ask me for her own pair of Barracuda swim goggles.  Full submerged face!

Murphy's Day.

Sometimes It's All About The Bed

Sometimes for a lab, it's all about the bed.  Having a spot dedicated for you.  Annie doesn't really care that much for a real dog bed.  Sage, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoys having one.  At home, she has two, one in the dining room and one in my study.  Both spots giver her great visuals of the comings and goings of the house.

In eastern Washington she has one near the sliding doors, where she can get a cool breeze in the summer, keep a close eye on the grazing deer, and know instantly when dinner is ready.

It's all about the bed.  Real estate for dogs.  Like some humans, it's: "location, location, location."

Murphy's Day.

Happy Fourth of July

Fourth of July.  I remember sitting on the steps of the US Capital for the Bicentennial fireworks display.  And sitting on Mt. Stuart to watch the amazing sunset over the Cascades.  Or racing sailboats on Lake Whatcom.  Fly fishing on the St. Joe.  Watching a grizzly bear wade across the North Fork of the Flathead.

This 4th of July will be less dramatic, quiet, but nonetheless, outside, making sure the girls don't panic with the fireworks.

Back again mid-week next week.

Happy birthday America.

Murphy's Day.