I'm back! Time is flying like a watch on an airplane and there is so much going on that it's hard to keep up these days. Forgive me for not posting! Let me try to summarize. My second book is underway and the deadline to get over 100 hikes completed is firmly attached to my life's steering wheel (the pedal is down)! Those of you who sit in 100+ degree east coast heat, probably find it hard to believe that we west coaster have yet to see much of the sun and have been freezing our tukkuses off. The month of June was the 5th wettest and 10th coldest on record. Just today, I was walking out of the store noting how bundled up people are- jackets and long pants all around. It seems almost odd to see tiki torches, inflatable water toys and kiddies swimming pools for sale. The coldest day in June was the 6th, when we had a low of 43 degrees and only 8 days of that month reached 70 degrees. With the book deadline not far off I'm glued to the weather and crossing my fingers for warm days. My hiking opportunities are between the melt off from last years snow, and the next round of snow which usually shows up in late October. I need it to be warm to get into the high country, which is still covered in feet of snow! The good news is that it's slowly melting and I'm seeing progress as the weeks go by. Most of my hikes so far have been in deep forest lowland or the rolling hills near central Washington. The forecast for the week after the 4th of July looks warm and they are even tossing the 80 degree mark around, so I can't wipe the smile off my face. Not to mention I love warm weather; I'm pretty sure I'm part reptile.
In house news, V recently finished putting in a basement craft room and it came out super! The master builder himself built a great countertop, installed cabinets, and drawers all in a feat that would make Martha Stewart proud. It's a joy having a place to put all my crafting stuff- no more diggin! Of course, he's enjoying it for his RC hobbies (the real reason for the build). Next up, the hot tub deck- (hey a girl can dream).
In wildlife news Little Bear got into trouble up here. About one week after I posted the picture he showed up at our neighbors house and started causing problems. First, he wanted inside and who could blame him? It's cozier, smells delicious and there were some kids to play with. He walked around their house several times trying to figure it out, pawing at french doors and muddying up siding. When that didn't work, he got bored and found a basketball. He rolled it down their steep driveway, then had a party chasing it around. Hairylem Globetrotter. When that got old, he went around the house chewing and scratching whatever looked fun. He put holes in the basketball hoop base, diesel fuel cans, bags of soil, and finally and worst of all, the bumper of their Acura. He was not afraid of people and clearly had been fed before. He actually begged- stood on his hind legs and waited for a handout. The worst part was that when the neighbor tried to scare him off, Little Bear didn't budge, in fact he started walking forward. He showed no signs of aggression, just curiosity, but the situation was unnerving. So, we called in the team from the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (DFWL) to hard release the little stinker. The release went very well and so far, he has not returned. He was a 124 pound male- a true teenage troublemaker. My heart always breaks with the tough love, but I know it's the best thing for them.
While we're on bears..there is a mother and her two darling little spring cubs making their rounds in the neighborhood. They've visited several yards and delighted everyone who sees them. Mama is huge and the babies could not be any more darling. Two days ago, Pup and I were outside at dusk. I was playing with my camera and he was oddly curious about the meadow, sniffing and walking in a zigzag pattern. I didn't give it much thought, since deer have been camped out there recently. When I got inside, I checked email and to my surprise there was a note with an attached picture taken minutes before. Mama bear and cubs had been in the yard directly in front of ours when we were outside. I shudder at the thought of what would have happened if she had brought the cubs over here with Pup outside. There is no doubt he would have given chase and tragedy could have ensued. I was so grateful for the guardian angel who watched over both of us that innocent evening. It seems there's never a dull moment in the spring and summer up here. Usually the fireworks on the 4th of July chase every furry beast far away, so we see less after that day.
And speaking of wildlife, recently, I was invited to help Officer Richards take a baby fawn to the wildlife rescue facility. It was such a highlight! The little one was only a few weeks old when it wandered into a machine shop in Auburn, WA. The folks there didn't know what to do, so the DFWL was called in to help. They put the fawn in a crate in the mud outside to see if mama returned for it. After a few days, there was no sign of her or prints in the mud, so it was clear she wasn't coming back. Perhaps the thing that touched my heart the most was how Officer Richard's service dog Mishka took care of that fawn. The fawn thought that Mishka was his mother and followed him around like a shadow (hilariously even trying to nurse). Mishka kissed and kissed the baby and let it snuggle up. The display of two very different species showing that kind of affection was so heartwarming to witness.
And in even more wildlife news, our neighbor's trail cam caught a hunting cougar right in front of our property in the middle of the night. It's no secret that they are here, but it's a little unnerving to know that one is hanging out near your house. The exact time the trail cam caught the cougar, Pup wanted to go outside. Could he have heard the cat? Doubtful, but possible I suppose. Thankfully there was no nocturnal, potty-break run in. I guess I shouldn't be too shocked, neighbors up here average sightings of about 2 cats per year (sans trail cam shots). As my neighbor jokingly puts it " with the cougar and the bear cubs, you risk your life just going to your bbq." He's kidding of course as this neighborhood is a good example of how people and wildlife can coexist. The kids up here stop playing catch in the street to watch the bear walk by, then pick up the game right where they left off. The kids know about wildlife etiquette and have grown up surrounded by hoofs, antlers, whiskers and fur.
We'll, I think that about summarizes things. I'll let this long-winded post be all for now and do my best to continue updates when I get caught up on my writing. Photos are another story- there are so many! I'll post a few so you can get the visual on the updates and share some that I've taken on recent hikes. I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer. Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday to America!
