[Jasper]

I sure got my fill of hiking this weekend. I went with mom and Aunt Silly to the coast (well, Oyster Dome) on Friday, headed into the mountains with dad and friends on Saturday, and took a trip east to the desert today. I invited my Italian friends Bobby and Wellie along and they brought their mom Ingunn. Somehow we all fit into mom's Civic and headed east. Originally mom and dad had thought about the southern access point for the Yakima Rim Skyline trail, but they changed their minds and we drove to the Umtanum Creek trailhead off of Canyon Road. I remembered not liking the suspension bridge crossing from a couple years ago. It was still scary, but after that the hike was great. After crossing the bridge we headed left and up towards Umtanum Ridge. There were not as many flowers as mom and dad had hoped, but there was some balsamroot with a little lupine and phlox and some others they didn't identify. For me there was plenty of dirt and grass to roll in along the trail. Bobby and Wellie didn't seem to understand the fine art of rolling on things. We got most of the way to Umtanum Ridge when the 2-leggers stopped and took a break. Apparently they had lost motivation to continue upwards and were going to eat lunch. Mom waited for dad to get the sandwiches out of his pack while he was waiting for mom to get them out of her pack. Turns out they had both forgotten the sandwiches. At least they remembered my treats. Bobby tried to get one of my treats, but I stood my ground. After a nice break we headed back down to the canyon floor, and turned left to head up Umtanum Creek. Ingunn said it was a much prettier hike than her and JK had done last year from the Durr Road. After a mile or so of walking along the creek we found a nice spot to take another break. Bobby took a nice nap while Wellie found a stick to chew on. I got some water then relaxed on the grass. It was a nice relaxing way to end the weekend. Eventually we headed back and drove home. On the way the 2-leggers stopped for some food in Ellensburg while the Italians and I tried to figure out how to start the car and drive ourselves home. No luck. Once we got back on the freeway Bobby, Wellie and I all took nice long naps and had nice doggy dreams. Here are some of dad's photos:

Canine chaos

Early views

Umtanum Creek Canyon

Mom and me

Small snag

Umtanum Ridge

The Italians can't get around me

Stuart and others

Dogs and moms

You will give me the treat

Balsamroot

Old snag

Views while descending

Open spaces

Keeping and eye on Jasper

Reaching for the sky

nom nom nom

zzz

Stout

Break spot

I don't like this

Maybe I can swim instead

Hopefully Ingunn will post some of hers.

[Yana]

[Sadie's Driver]

Amazing Jasper - You're going to have to teach Gus how to time travel. You were able to report on Wednesday's trip today! I'm impressed! s.d.

[Jasper]

I fixed it. Stupid keyboards made for people. And Yana, dad reminded me that the keys wouldn't have helped much as I can't drive a stick shift.

[Yana]

But you had two Italians with you! Surely they knew.

[Ingunn]

The Italians only drive scooters. Thanks for taking us out today Jasper! I'll add photos later, but does anyone know what this thing on the inside of Bobby's leg could be? We first saw it as we were relaxing by the creek. A spider bite?? Should I be worried?

Bite?

Hopefully Bobs will forgive me for putting a picture of his junk on the tubes.

[Mark Griffith]

Love those clouds! Yeah for the dessert.

[Tazz]

oh jasper must get embarrassed being so pork around those thin models!

[Ingunn]

Alrightyroo, I'm back from the vet. The thing is looking much better today and the vet said it didn't look like a spider bite, so since Bobby is acting completely normal he just sent us home (with some antibiotics to ward of any infection). A great, snow-free day! Last year we hiked the Yakima Rim Job* as described in 100 Classic Hikes in Washington, but this was much prettier. Good choice, Jasper!

Kool klouds

Jasper and Dani

Bobby keeping Tom in line

The photographer and his bodyguard

Jasper of the desert

Dani

Alright Ansel, that's enough!

Fat dog blocking the trail

Umtanum Canyon

A desert kind of green

GeoFamily

Jasper in heaven

Zen Bobby

Stout but handsome

I am Wellie, hear me rooaaar!

*I was not a fan.

[Mark Griffith]

[Go Jo]

[Jasper]

Rocco, what Rocco? *Burp*

[Ingunn]

Rocco managed to escape back to his own family (we were only dogsitting that one!) before Jasper got his paws on him.

[Z&A]

<sniff, sniff> We smell a cover-up! Sounds like the old 'Rocco went to live with a nice family on a farm where he can run and play', we're onto you Jasper! PS If you try to eat a TLAB you will have a much harder time hiding it... and walking afterward.

[GeoTom]

Rocco was Italian, and maybe he was involved with some sort of small dog gang and had to be put in the canine witness protection program. Thanks for the photos Ingunn.