Saturday, September 1
It seems like everyone here at McKenzie Bridge National Forest Campground, east of Eugene, Oregon, knows the story of Bridget’s injury. Not that she blabs it around, although I’m sure she would if she could. Suffice it to say, The Tale of the Tragic Incident has gotten around.
What happens is people see her sitting in the middle of the road while Spike and I stand around doing nothing and undoubtedly look stupid. This garners odd looks from fellow campers, which compels me to explain her injury. Her latest thing is to stop and plop her butt down in front of every campsite.
Sometimes she refuses to take a walk around the campground with Spike and me.
She sits next to the PTV and watches us walk away. Other campers walk by our campsite and laugh. Anyway.
At first I was going to take us up to Cougar Reservoir.
However, camper JoAnn told me that the campground is “clothes optional.” Hmm . . . Hence the name? Even though I think there’s nothing shameful about the human body, I do think it’s shameful what it looks like after several laps around the track, if you get my drift. Noooo, not my idea of sightseeing.
Instead, I drive us on a scenic tour of Blue River Lake.
It’s beautiful, of course, as you can see from the photos in today’s slideshow. Trees grow right down to the lake’s edge. Mona Campground is at the upper end of the lake, and, of course, each campsite’s view of the lake consists of three square inches if you stand on your picnic table and peek through the branches and leaves. Why is that anyway? There must be a gazillion-gabillion trees in Oregon. Geesh . . . Would the ecosystem be disrupted that much if a few branches were cut?
The day use and boat launch area has been opened up for camping. The RVs are squished in there so tightly, it looks like a small city. Can’t blame them though. At least they can see the lake.
I drive home, smug in the fact that OUR campsite has it’s very own riverbank!
Sunday, September 2
Today the crew and I set out on the McKenzie River Trail, a 26-mile hike. Bridget is still hopping on three legs so our hike is more like .00007 miles. Nevertheless, short as it may be, we see a lot of river and rapids, moss, big trees standing up alive, big trees lying down dead, ferns, and various other forms of vegetation. More importantly, Spike takes a soak in the McKenzie. No big news there!
Bridget and Spike like a well-defined trail.
They really get into it. I guess because they can anticipate where we are going, and they feel like they are in charge. Sometimes, when the trail narrows, they bump shoulders while passing, as if to say, “Hey, it’s my turn to lead!” Usually Bridget playfully nips Spike on the cheek before putting him in her rear view mirror, so to speak.
Tomorrow, Monday, September 3, we see the Pacific Ocean for the first time!
The crew and I travel westward on Highway 126 through Springfield and Eugene to Florence. Sutton Campground is our destination, not far from the Pacific Ocean and the beach!
rvsue
Canine Corner: “What Do I Have To Do To Get Some Sympathy Around Here?” by Bridget
I’m injured so what do we do? Go hiking!
I don’t care if I get laughed at. This is a serious leg injury. I have to rest a lot. Sometimes I’m unable to walk at all. I could be paralyzed!
Spike and rvsue walk around the campground and leave me behind. Of course, Spike acts like a big shot because he has rvsue all to himself.
One of these days, Spike’s going to hurt himself and I’m going to go, “Ha. Ha. Ha. Stop being a big baby.” That’s what he says to me. Sometimes Spike is so mean I want to bite his face off.
rvsue and her canine crew 