Babs

Dr. Cederberg said we would know when it was time, and indeed we did.  Don and I were hoping Babs would just quietly pass away, but that was not to be.  By the time we returned from our trip to Oregon, we knew time was short.  She had lost so much muscle she could no longer stand up.  That was just not fair.

Thursday morning we called the vet and that evening we took her in.  It was heartbreaking to say good-bye, but it was the compassionate thing to do.  Her 22 pounds had withered to under 8 pounds.  She just could not continue the way she was.

Babs was quite the trouper.  As long as Sepia was alive, she was his sidekick - literally.  He would back up to her and kick at her to keep her from getting too much attention.  She would lie down on her side to allow Chaco to groom her.  She did not really like to be held, but she liked to sleep next to people.

The bald cypress in our backyard was particularly difficult for Babs.  The fronds would stick to her fur and not let go.  She hated the way we pulled those off of her!  And she had a fang that was with her until her dying day.  It is particularly visible in this picture.

After Sepia passed away, however, she became the queen bee, and she knew it.  She took her spot in my seat in the RV and did not relinquish it.  She followed me room to room, and she made sure to let me know she was here.  She still did not like to be held until the last month, and then I think it was a comfort to her.  She was a delightful little dog who was great company, and we miss her.  But she, her brother, and her sister are all together again.  We will be spreading their ashes at the cabin where they loved to explore.

Hunting Wabbits!

Go 'Cats!

San Isabel

When Don was a little boy, he used to visit San Isabel, Colorado, with his family.  His Uncle Rod and Aunt Zelma owned a cabin there, and some of Don's best memories during his childhood come from his trips there.  He has always wanted to return, and this trip gave us an opportunity to do so.

Getting there we had to cross Monarch Pass, which stressed the Willie . . . and Babs.  Climbing the hill to over 11,000+ caused both of them a little difficulty.

We drove through beautiful areas, following the Arkansas River down the hill.

We really, really, really wanted to stop and fish!

By the time we arrived at San Isabel, it was close to sundown, but we could still see the beauty of the place.  The next morning we found the cabin where Don spent several summers.  He enjoyed reminiscing about the Crazy 8 games, the trip to the silver mine, and the hike up the hill.  Then it was time to go, but we enjoyed our short stay in San Isabel.

Gorged

Yesterday's drive was so dull, we were hoping for better today.  Neither of us had been on this drive before, therefore we had no idea what we were facing.

As we approached the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, I suggested to Don that we stop. After all, we had a National Park pass.  We should use it.  The twisty, winding road was just a preparation for the rest of the day . . . We just did not know it.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a geological marvel in and of itself, is a one-half mile deep gorge, which is half the size of the Grand Canyon . . . but it is straight down.  No gradual decrease.  Because of the nature of the rocks, they eroded at a torturously slow pace, and without a glacier to help, it just went down, down, down.  

Later in the day we stopped to see a gorge of a different kind.  The Royal Gorge was carved by the Arkansas River.  We were anxious to see it since we were both quite young when we saw it last.  To our disappointment, it was closed.  A fire in June of last year destroyed over 90% of their buildings and the visitor's center.  No one was allowed in, and although there was a free viewpoint, Willie could not make it, so we left without being fully gorged.  Good thing we had spaghetti and fresh Colorado peaches for dinner!

Great Salt Lake

I guess the third time is the charm.  We drove through Salt Lake City on our way to Alaska, but we did not go to see the Great Salt Lake.  On our way home from Nevada last spring, we drove through Salt Lake City but we did not stop to see the Great Salt Lake.  So this time through, Don was determined to stop.

Our first attempt was at Willard State Park, an area that appeared to be part of the Salt Lake and indeed it was . . . in 1964.  At that time it was decided to build a dyke to contain the fresh water that flows into the lake.  This way, the citizens of Utah (Utahans?) could enjoy a freshwater park that allowed for skiing, fishing, and swimming.

$15 donated to the Utah State Parks later, we proceeded to Antelope Island, one of the more fascinating places we have visited.  Situated not far off the shore of the lake, a southern causeway was built to Antelope Island in the 1950's.  In the 1980's it was washed out, keeping cars off the island until the causeway on the north opened in 1993.

We first saw bison roaming the prairie around the visitor center.

We learned the bison were introduced by John Dooly, Sr., who owned the island, and William Glassmann in 1893.  Glassman had tried to start a bison herd south of the lake, but it did not succeed and he sold his herd to Dooly.  They brought 4 bulls, 4 cows, and 4 calves to the island to begin a hunting operation.  The hunting dwindled the herd to just a few, but public sentiment began to take over and the hunts were discontinued. Since then, with careful management, the herd has become a group of 500 - 700 which makes it one of the largest and oldest publicly owned bison herds in the nation.

We also saw a beautiful antelope grazing near the bison.  Antelope were introduced to the park, and in the 1990's, bighorn sheep were introduced.  The sheep have been quite successful in reproducing and they are now transplanted to other areas of the nation.

Although the visitor center is small, we found the information to be fascinating.

And They Say New Mexico is Desolate

AndWe had an idea that much of Oregon would be mountainous and green.  After we left Bend, Oregon, this is what we found:

Looks a lot like the drive through the Oklahoma Panhandle and Eastern New Mexico

And more of this:

This could just as easily be in Arizona

We had no idea that eastern Oregon was just like Arizona, New Mexico, eastern Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.  Maybe it will help us adjust to returning to the flat landscape and heat of Kansas.

A Little Sun On Crater Lake

The sun came out for just a few minutes

The Colors of Crater Lake

Between wildflowers, rocks, water, trees, and meadows, Crater Lake exudes a raft of colors.  Enjoy!