Saturday, August 30, 2014

Exploring Dog Friendly Kitsap Peninsula: Point No Point Lighthouse and Beach

Like I said yesterday, I wanted to explore more of the Kitsap Peninsula. So as soon as it stopped raining today, we hopped into the car and headed north... to Point No Point. What's the point? (ha ha) Well, we were told that Point No Point Beach was a great one for dogs like me!

They had lots of these in Haida Gwaii
We drove through the woods. It wasn't all that far from the Poulsbo area. We were on the road to Hansville.

Soon I saw the Salish Sea (I guess they also call it Puget Sound). There was a float plane flying overhead which reminded me of Haida Gwaii. I was worried that it might be crowded at Point No Point because it was a holiday weekend. I don't like to be bothered when I am exploring beaches!

Imagine my surprise when we pulled up to the parking lot right at Point No Point Lighthouse. There was plenty of room for ME! First thing we did was head for the beach. It's a Kitsap County Beach so I didn't have to use any of my blogging income for fees. Yay! This beach had nice sand, driftwood and plenty of shells. There were some people fishing. One guy caught a Silver but didn't offer to show it to me. Others were off shore in fishing boats trying to catch SALMON!
Here I am on the Point No Point Beach. I love beaches!
As I walked down the beach, I was left pretty much alone to sniff the sea life, climb on driftwood and enjoy the sea air ruffling my floppy ears. Crows cawed at me.

I loved my time there listening to the water lapping on the shore and hunting for stuff in the sand. I found a driftwood shelter and thought it would make an amazing beach house for ME, CINNAMON!
Don't you think this would make a great driftwood beach house for ME?
Reluctantly I walked back to the lighthouse area. I was really surprised when the docent at the lighthouse INVITED ME IN AND OFFERED ME SOME WATER! Wow! I soon learned that the Point No Point Lighthouse is the oldest on Puget Sound. It was built in 1879. They sure take good care of it. There was lots to see in the museum including a huge fog horn. There was a ladder up to the fresnel lens but they wouldn't let me climb up there. They offered us a guided tour but I just preferred to sniff around and look for dog-related things.
Here's the light station. They were really nice to me there.
Soon we left the lighthouse and went over to a two story house that once housed the lighthouse keeper and his family. But now people (but NO dogs) can stay there overnight. I'd love to do that, especially during a storm, but I guess that won't happen.
Here's the Keepers Quarters
We walked back down on the beach for a little bit and I loved looking at the boats. I wished I was on one... fishing.
Dream on, Cinnamon. Dream on!
Oh yes, wanna know why Point No Point is called that? Well, back in the 1840's the Wilkes Expedition arrived in the area. They thought the point there would be a really big one. But it wasn't. It was just a small point. So they were disappointed (pun intended) and named it Point No Point. Sour grapes, I guess.

I liked it there. It's a great place for a walk, for beach combing and maybe even for a stay in a driftwood dog house!

More Information
Point No Point Beach
Visiting Hansville, WA
More Dog Friendly Kitsap Peninsula Articles from Cinnamon

Friday, August 29, 2014

Exploring Dog Friendly Kitsap Peninsula: Let's Go Tidepooling!

Here I am headed down the Suquamish
Fishing Dock
I'm taking a break from my geriatric dog care duties here in Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington State. It's been misty out but that doesn't stop me from wanting a bit of adventure. And, I found out, it is excellent weather for checking out the tidal life along Agate Passage.

It's easy to find a beach on the Kitsap Peninsula because it is surrounded by water and easily accessible beaches. In fact, there are about 300 miles of shoreline! Much of that shoreline is dog-friendly. But I just wanted to travel a short distance today. I headed down the road about 8 miles and ran smack dab into Suquamish. Down to the water we went. I was excited. I couldn't wait to smell those smells and chase a few crabs and seagulls.

I noticed a huge public dock and there were people crabbing. Now that interested me. I could smell the crabs from the parking lot. So we walked down the long dock and checked out the people. Some children said I was "cute!" They said the crabbing was pretty good today. There was a sailboat moored at the end of the dock but we didn't go aboard. It was time for tide pooling, one of my favorite hobbies.
I loved this. The tide was out and it smelled really good on the beach.

Yep, the tide was out! I noticed a boat ramp and so we took that down to the rocky, crunchy beach. There were some seagulls there checking out the beach too so I figured there would be some interesting things to smell. Now, being a hound, my favorite thing to do is sniff around. I could care less if the beach is a sandy one where I can chase a frisbee. The Kitsap Peninsula has those too but I'd rather find a few crabs and check under the seaweed to see what's there.

I love finding stuff like this... a crab shell and fresh seaweed!
There were sea anenomes, crab shells and even a fish skeleton (which my owner wouldn't let me smell). It didn't even rain on me. Some boats were going by on the beautiful water and the waves from the wash lapped the shore, scaring me a bit. I like to wade in the water, but I'm NOT a swimmer!

I loved the marine air, I loved seeing the boats and I LOVED SMELLING THE CRABS! It was a great outing and made me want to do more. Maybe we'll check out the beach at Point No Point. I heard it's a great one for dogs!

More Information
City Dog Kitsap Article
Pet Friendly Kitsap Peninsula
More Dog Friendly Kitsap Peninsula Articles from Cinnamon

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Indy the Smiling Dog

This is my Country Cousin Indy. She has a perpetual smile on her face.
She also gets IN your face!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How I Celebrated National Dog Day

This turned out to be a pretty good day after all. I was really worried when my owner left us and took off for the Suquamish Museum. But she didn't stay all that long and came back to play with us and let us out in the pasture.

So how did we celebrate? Remi, Indy and I got to go chase rabbits in the pasture, that's how! I, of course, took the lead and scared two rabbits! Wow!

After that we gathered on the patio at the patio table for special treats. They were from Trader Joe's so you know they were healthy treats. Since they were something different, I was really excited! We each got one.
Hooray for National Dog Day!
Then when dinner time came we each got a scoop of cottage cheese on top of our kibble. That was a REAL TREAT! I loved it!

After that, we got to stay up late and play in the back yard. We had a pretty good time on National Dog Day. All three of us are adopted and all three of us are celebrating that.

Love, Cinnamon

What is National Dog Day?

The best thing about National Dog Day, today, is that it is NOT ABOUT CATS! It's about a special species we call dogs and, particularly, domesticated dogs LIKE ME!

National Dog Day is kind of new. It was founded in 2004 by an author who wanted to remind people of the value of dogs and urge people to adopt dogs rather than buy them.

National Dog Day (Also known as: International Dog Day & National Dog Appreciation Day) is celebrated August 26th annually to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledge family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort.

Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.

And dogs make people happy. So the best way to celebrate National Dog Day is to make the important decision that when you are ready to have a pet added to your family, you will ADOPT A DOG! I, Cinnamon, was adopted and I think that is the way things should be. There are so many of my friends out there without homes that would be great pets and work animals.


If you already have a dog, TREASURE YOUR DOG! Give your beloved pet an extra treat or two today. After all, National Dog Day comes around only once a year!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Little Miss Sunbeam

This sunbeam on the landing is just right for ME!
Ever since I visited Haida Gwaii and stayed in the attic apartment at the B&B, I've earned the name "Little Miss Sunbeam." You see, even on a hot day, I love basking in the sun. There will be no Vitamin D deficiency for me, Cinnamon!

Sometimes I have to search high and low for a good sunbeam. At the Country Cousins' house THERE ARE NO SUNBEAMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR! I finally got smart and started looking upstairs AND THERE THEY WERE! I found sunbeams on the stairs. I found sunbeams in the hallway and, if the bedroom doors were not closed, I'll bet I'd find sunbeams in the bedrooms!

So I am much happier now. I have found my sunbeams. I think I'll go curl up in one now!

Love, Little Miss Sunbeam

Friday, August 22, 2014

Walking Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, WA

There are Vikings
all over the place in Poulsbo.
I'm still in Poulsbo, the little Norwegian town, dog-sitting the geriatric country cousins of mine. I keep busy exercising them, scaring frogs, scaring rabbits and making sure the place is secure.

But I am used to getting out and about much more. So this morning I asked to go for a ride along with my owner to the pharmacy. Yep, I was bored enough that the car ride sounded like fun for me, Cinnamon. Besides, sometimes the people at drive-up windows give out TREATS. One never knows.

So we headed south to Silverdale. We pulled in to the drive up window to get the prescriptions. There were no treats offered. DRAT!

So to make up for it all, my owner drove me to Poulsbo and we parked at the harbor. I love the harbor... all the boats and all the smells.

We took a walk along Liberty Bay and ended up on a really neat boardwalk. I thought maybe I should go down on the beach and check out the sea life but there were signs all over that the SHELLFISH WAS POISONOUS! So we didn't go down to the water or the beach.
Here I am on the boardwalk gazing
longingly out over Liberty Bay.

It was warm out, we had a nice walk. I wished I could have gone on a fishing boat but I can't always have my way, right?

I got hot so now I'm going to lie under the dining room table and take an afternoon nap.

Love, Cinnamon