Depoe Bay Whale Watching

Every year, in the winter  nearly 20,000 gray whales travel south from mid-December through mid-January as they travel south to the warm lagoons of Baja Mexico. They go to Baja enjoying the warm water lagoons along the peninsula's coast to mate, give birth and raise their young.

Grey Whale Spouting

Sealion on bell tower

In late March, the gray whales travel north on  their way towards Alaska, calves in tow. The  first surge swims by around the end of March, and you can watch the north-bound whales all the way until June.

Pacific Harbor Seals

Depoe Bay is a special area that hosts resident whales who choose not to go all the way to Alaska.  Instead they choose to stay for the summer, staying close to shore, to the delight of residents and visitors alike.  

Thursday was a beautiful day to be on the Pacific Ocean and the whales, seals, sealions, and other wildlife did not disappoint.

Shore Acres Botanical Garden

Shore Acres began as a private estate of lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson with luxurious gardens featuring trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. In 1942, the Simpson’s estate was purchased by the state of Oregon for use as a public park.

The botanical gardens are carefully tended by volunteers and State of Oregon Parks employees and still boast beautiful rhododendrons, all-American roses, and a lily pond.

 

Hobbit Trail and Beach

A wonderful afternoon on a magical trail ending at a beautiful beach.

Day 11 Bryce Canyon National Park

A view from the Most Beautiful Trail of Sinking Ship

"The tilted rocks of the Sinking Ship impart an impression of geologic unrest to viewers, and rightly so. These rocks are a reminder of the tectonic activity that began 15 million years ago, raising the Paunsaugunt Plateau to its present elevation and dragging sections of rock along the faults, resulting in the tilt we see today. Earthquakes in recent years remind us that Earth is constantly adjusting and that activity along those faults continues, although in relatively minor magnitudes."  NPS.gov website

Day 10 National Parks - The Most Beautiful Trail In The World

Bryce Canyon - View from the Most Beautiful Trail in the World

When I stopped at the Visitor's Center, the map claimed this to be the Most Beautiful Trail in the World.  It certainly was gorgeous.  And it's length of 3 miles should not have been a big deal for me since I do that daily.  But what I don't typically do is the 500+ feet down AND then back UP.  My legs were definitely burning when I stopped to take this shot half way back up the trail.

Day 9 National Parks - Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is known for its "hoodoos" where erosion has shaped the rock into amazing spires, fins, and pinnacles.  The Paiute Indians, believed that the hoodoos are ancient "Legend People" who were turned to stone as punishment for bad deeds.  If you were going to be turned to stone, this is a beautiful place to be.

Day 8 National Parks - Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Day 7 National Parks - El Malpais

El Malpais 

National Parks Day 5 - Elk at El Malpais

Well, hello there.....

Elk at El Malpais National Monument

National Parks Day 4 - El Malpais

El Malpais

National Parks Day 3 - El Malpais

El Malpais

El Malpais... On the Road

El Malpais

Some would have cut the road out of this picture....I thought it gave perspective..........

El Malpais

It seemed appropriate to focus July's photographs on the wonderful National & State Parks we have.

This is El Malpais National Monument located in Western New Mexico.

Independence Day

Have a wonderful, safe Independence Day everyone!  This is not only  our nation's birthday, but the kickoff to my birthday month!

I'll be 6 later this month.  So while you wait for my upcoming birthday adventures, be safe out there & take extra care of everyone who doesn't understand that fireworks are just meant to be fun. Those loud noises can be scary!!!

Hug & Kiss & Reassure us lots!  AND be sure to thank those who fought so we could celebrate our freedom today!

Happy 4th, 

     Faith   

a.k.a. AKC Rottidox-Mishon "Semper Fi"

Independence Day Weekend 7.3.17

Vets Memorial Park

Independence Day Weekend

Vets Memorial Park

Day 30 Garden Reflections

Day 30 Garden Reflections

Day 29 Garden Reflections

Day 29 Garden Reflections

Veggie's Graduation

I'm ready!  I had a great time here, but I've been dreaming big dog dreams of my forever family so it's time for me to find them!  

Hopefully I'll see you around Albuquerque with my new family!  Hugs & Kisses, Vegemite

Are you looking for someone to play and cuddle with?  If so, then I may be your match! My name is Vegemite and I might be small but I have a HUGE heart and personality.

After a great night’s sleep in my crate, I am so excited to see you and start the day that I shower you with kisses and crawl right into your arms.  Then after breakfast, exploring, and playing, my little forehead will wrinkle right up.  That’s how you know I’m tired and I’ll crawl right back into my crate for a morning nap.

I’m not afraid of anything!  Cats?  Gotta love those fluffy tails!  Dogs?  My foster home had a Rottweiler and we spent hours playing and sleeping together.  Toys twice my size? Ha!  I tackle them all day long!!!  Just watch me run and jump and toss those toys into the air.

Play hard, Cuddle Harder, that’s my motto!  So after playing, I love to lay in your lap or arms and just be with you after I’ve gotten all of my puppy energy out.

So are you looking for a cuddlebug, with a great personality, who loves to have fun? If so, I think we would be great pals. What do you think?!?

Day 28 Garden Reflections

Day 28 Garden Reflections