Francesca Explores the Columbia Gorge: Waterfalls and Wolves

Well, I've recovered from my harrowing experience in the Columbia River Gorge this weekend. Cinnamon insists I write about it so here we go...

It was a pretty nice day so my owner asked if I could join in with a group going to the Starvation Creek State Park. I didn't like the sound of that at all so I took some extra dog treats with me just in case there was any starving to be done!

It was a long ride, much longer than to any dog park I've ever been to so I knew this trip would be special.

I'd much rather go hunting.

We parked and got out of the car. There were huge yellow leaves and some trails. Other dogs were getting out of their cars to go hiking too. Once our friend got there, we headed out on a paved trail. Now that's ok, but I'd much rather go off-trail and sniff for wildlife. But we were hunting for waterfalls, I was told, so I stayed on the paved path.

Soon we got to a waterfall named Hole in the Wall waterfall. I looked longingly at the creek and wanted to go wading, look for frogs and fish, and have fun. But noo..... I had to stay on the path.

I looked longingly at the creek.

After that, we did go farther and even sniffed around for mushrooms in the forest. It wasn't until we were on the way back that I encountered... the WOLVES!

We were minding our own business on the paved trail when I spied them in the distance. Two huge wolves! I immediately started barking a warning to them. "Back off, Wolves," I said. My owner tried to keep me quiet but I absolutely had to bark and scare them. They glared at me.

We made it safely to Starvation Creek. I was a little scared because of the name of the creek but my interest in wading and climbing around the rocks diverted my attention. The water was rushing fast. No frogs or fish to be seen. It was kind of fun.

Here I am sniffing for fish.

I sniffed the moss on the boulders too.

But all of a sudden I smelled something I didn't like at all... WOLVES! My hair stood on end. I looked around and, because of the rocks, I didn't see anything at first. But then I saw them... looking down at me.

The wolves were hiding behind this tree.
They were talking about how to pounce on me!

I saw them and started barking. They howled and yipped terrible wolf sounds. They were really scary. My owner helped me hide in the creek. Eventually they left. I guess they figured I had gotten away. I was really scared and walked carefully all the way back making sure I didn't see or smell them. After all, they would have killed me! Really!

Once I was safely back at the car, I didn't want to go in my crate. I was still on the lookout for wolves. Eventually, I got so tired I went into my crate and slept all the way home.

So that, dear friends, is my near death encounter with WOLVES!

Love, Francesca

Packing for the Olympic Peninsula - Will there be Shapeshifters?

Here's why I'm scared!

I've been keeping some weird hours lately. Yes, Remi and Indy bug me but I've also been studying up on my Twilight lore. You see, I'm headed for the Olympic Peninsula soon. I'm going to visit the rain forest, check out Forks (inspiration for the Twilight stories) and try my best not to get scared!

Some of you will know what Shapeshifters are. Some of you know about the Native Americans who live in the rain forest and who can take on wolf form under stressful circumstances. I read about that in the Twilight Saga. I am hoping to do some hiking in the forest and DON'T WANT TO RUN INTO ANY WOLVES!

Sometimes I think we have Shapeshifters in our woods here. That's why I go bonkers in the middle of the night. I think I hear them. I imagine that I can see their piercing eyes looking at me from the dark woods. I've been training in the pasture, building up my strength. But the truth is, these wolves are bigger than me and MUCH STRONGER. And they have a pack. All I have are Indy and Remi.

So I have my reservations about heading out to the Olympic Peninsula. Maybe these things happen only at night. I'll have to ask when I get to Forks, Washington! Meanwhile I'm packing... and worrying.