Francesca's First 10K Volkssport Event - Complete with Terrifying Things

Hi, it's me, Francesca. I suppose it's only fitting that my first 10K distance volksmarch should be at the location where I did my first volksmarch ever... North Bonneville, WA.

It was a drizzly day when we packed up and headed east on Hwy 14. I settled in, sensing I'd be in the car awhile. We went past the Doggie Day Care, past the dog park and past the turnoff for the Doggie Country Club in Washougal.

Here's the dam gushing away.
I hear the fish can get upstream by using a fish ladder.

So after awhile we pulled up to park within view of a massive dam... it was the Bonneville Dam and it was gushing water. I was very excited to finally get out of the car. I spied some pink and green ribbons in the distance. We were on a volksmarch! Usually we follow the green 5K distance markers but today... I had my pink leash and harness on. Today was a 10K kinda day, all misty and cool. I was up for it! So we chose to follow the pink markers.

At this point I decided to follow the pink markers.
After all, they matched my leash and harness!

What I didn't realize was that this 10K wouldn't be all squirrels and kitty cats. It was going to be a terrifying foray into an unknown zone.

So we followed a path into the woods and took a brochure on the history and remains of Fort Cascades. We went through a place with mossy rocks and then I spied a petroglyph on a mossy rock. The ancient eyes peered out at me. But I didn't get scared because it was only a replica. Soon we were out of the woods and I spied a cat in a field. I stared at it and it stared back. But when it ran away, I couldn't take chase. I was on a leash. Drat!

Here's the petroglyph. A little scary but
nothing like what was to come!

As we walked through town I saw a sign pointing out all the trails that you can choose from in North Bonneville. But there weren't any dogs out on the trails. They seemed to be in fenced yards. I soon found out why.

The Totem Pole of Doom
I walked by a grassy field and was sniffing around when all of a sudden I looked up and saw this strange pole with big black things on top. I got scared! It must have been the Totem Pole of Doom... just looking down at me menacingly. My owner said it was a tower with sirens on top, in case of a flood. But I didn't believe her. I wanted to get outta there fast!

The Sasquatch on the Links
So then we walked across the bridge. I looked up at the light posts because I was still a bit scared. And then I saw it. On the edge of the golf course was a figure.. a scary figure. Now I had read about the Sasquatch Trail but never thought we would encounter one... but we did. I pulled hard to get away. The Sasquatch had some golfers in mind for his next meal. Not me. So we got away from there fast!

Here's the Sasquatch.
This really scared me. This is as close as I would go!

The Bear of Strawberry Island
After encountering yet another Sasquatch, this one near the ball field, I was ready to go home. But, no... we had to walk out on Strawberry Island first. We were walking along the grassy trail when we spied... Bear scat! I held my nose high to see if I could sniff a bear. My owner decided to turn around and go another way to avoid the bears. Good move, I thought!

Is that a bear over there?

I was happier as we left Strawberry Island and returned to the trail through the woods. It was farewell to the Totem Pole of Doom, farewell to the Sasquatch and good riddance to any bears that inhabited Strawberry Island!

When I hopped into the car I realized how tired I was. I was used to doing 5K volksmarches and today, I completed a very terrifying 10K volksmarch.

I couldn't wait to tell Cinnamon about my adventure. I slept all the way home. I was bushed!

One tired coonhound.