July 11, 2013 by sgeddis

Munson Creek Falls

Dad and I took a short drive just south of Tillamook today and hiked to Munson Creek Falls.

Entrance to Munson Creek State Park is 7 miles south of Tillamook on Highway 101

Latitude 45.36222 N

Longitude -123.76889 W

Elevation 740 feet

The hike to the falls is an easy one but really pretty.

The best part might be Munson Creek. I got to play in the water.

The trail was built by the Boy Scouts in the early 1960’s and is maintained very well by the Oregon State Parks.

Lots of new smells.

Munson Creek and its falls were named for Goran Munson, a settler who moved to Oregon from Michigan and homesteaded along the banks of Munson Creek in 1889.

Munson Creek drops down one of the most impressive waterfalls in Oregon’s Coast Range. The falls were for the longest time cited as dropping 266 feet in three tiers. Oregon State Parks however has cited the falls as standing 319 feet tall and the topographic maps support this figure.

Munson Creek Falls is a rather scenic, and rather impressive waterfall indeed. The small size of Munson Creek only becomes a detriment during the dry periods of the year (July to October generally), and when the canyon has leafed out during the late spring, the whole area glows green. Unfortunately logging has recently taken place right up to the lip of the amphitheater above the falls, which has seemingly resulted in several slides and trees falling into the canyon (including two new ones wedged in the falls itself).

MUNSON FALLS

TOTAL HEIGHT 319 feet

TALLEST SINGLE DROP 233 feet

TOTAL NUM. OF DROPS 3

AVG. WIDTH 20 feet

PITCH 75 degrees

RUN 300 feet

CATEGORY / FORM Tiered Horsetails

WATERCOURSE Munson Creek

GREATER WATERSHED Tillamook Bay

ESTM. AVG. VOLUME 5.0 cfs

ANNUAL FLOW DURATION 12 months

http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Munson-Creek-Falls-4926/

The trail is closed near the base of the falls because of fallen logs. Dad and I went anyway and I walked around on the logs.

I got stuck and Dad had to lift me down. Easier to get up than down!

On the way back we hiked a up Cape Trail and took pictures of the beautiful views.

On the way home I got to sit in the front seat. I really wanted to drive but Dad would not let me.

When we got home I got a well deserved nap.

July 8, 2013 by sgeddis

Lola is here!

Lola is here for the long weekend. The beach is so much more fun with a good friend.

Running together is the best.

Lola brought here Mom and Dad (Dustin and Jenni)

Jenni always gives me lots of hugs and kisses.

Lola and I laid out on the porch with them.

We celebrated the 4th of July with a bar-b-que.

The noise of the fireworks scared Lola. I felt bad for her.

We all visited the Cape Meares Lighthouse

It is very pretty there.

The lighthouse is not active anymore. There was a really nice lady in the gift shop and she had treats!

Dustin and Jenni really love each other.

They love Lola too!

Dustin and Dad hung out and smoked cigars and played cards

Dustin had to do some work while he was here. Pretty nice place to work.

On Saturday Lola and I stayed home while the humans went Antiquing.

They had to leave on Sunday. I am really sad.

Playing alone on the beach is not as fun.

Hope they come back soon.

July 1, 2013 by sgeddis

Cape Meares

Mom and Dad rented a place to spend July in the Community of Cape Meares. Cape Meares is 7 miles west of Tillamook, Oregon. It is a small beach grouping of homes on or very near the beach. Dad and I drove over with all of our stuff and plan on staying until late July. Mom is still in Tucson with Grandma Gwen. I sure miss Mom!! She would really like it here.

Here is the cottage we are staying in.

The Beach is but a few steps away. Boy is it fun!

I love running on the beach and jumping in the waves.

Lots of new smells and very few people so I can be off leash!!

The cottage has a great little front yard I can hang out in the grass. Not much grass at home.

Lola, Jenni and Dustin are coming out in a couple of days!

June 30, 2013 by sgeddis

The Thompson Cup

Dad and Dustin are in a golf tournament this weekend called the Thompson Cup. I will share what I heard from Dad and Dustin talking.

Two teams of 8 players each play 4 rounds of golf in 3 days. Dustin is captain of Team USA and his friend Jason Chambers is captain of Team Europe. They said they play it like the Ryder Cup, whatever that is.

They play at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course

The tournament starts with a Bar-B-Q at Jason’s House.

Wish I could have been there those steaks look mighty good!

The Captains set the pairings,

address the players,

at toast each other.

Beautiful Golf Course

Andy and Lou putting.

Euro Captain Chambers putting for birdie.

Here is Dad and Rich Wold. Rich was Dustin’s basketball coach in college.

Of course there are drinks, cigars and lots of stories after each round.

Dustin and Dad

TEAM USA WINS!!

Captain Geddis gave a victory speech.

Not sure where he got that shirt or why he is wearing it. If I was Lola I would be embarrassed to be his dog if he dresses like this.

Each member of the team took a sip of Jack Daniels (American Whiskey) from the Thompson Cup.

This is Rich Wold taking his sip.

Here is Dustin’s friend Seth.

His wife Julie came to the house to see Jenni while Dad and Dustin were gone. She she brought her dog Cooper and they are really nice.

Dad keeps saying his sticks did the talking, I don’t understand, a stick is a piece of wood that I like to run around with.

TEAM USA!

Tomorrow Dad and I head to the Community of Cape Meares

June 26, 2013 by sgeddis

Day 5 – Portland

Day 5 – We arrive in Portland

After a short stop at Woodbrun Outlet mall for a stretch of legs we arrived in Portland.

First stop at Adidas to see Dustin

I just waited patiently until he finished work

Here is Jenni’s office at Adidas

We went to Lola, Dustin and Jenni’s home and I got to play with Lola in the backyard.

They have a great house and Lola has lots of toys.

June 25, 2013 by sgeddis

Day 4 California to Oregon

Susanville to Bend Oregon

We finally get to Oregon.

We stayed at a great place outside of Bend called Eagle Crest

We took walks on the golf course just like home but it was not as hot.

There were some horses and geese hanging out along the way

They rent bicycles at Eagle Crest

Dad and I drove to Cibelli’s Pizza to pick up dinner. Dad said it was really good pizza. I know it smelled good.

Day 5 – Bend to Portland

Along the way to Portland just outside Sisters, Oregon we passed through where the B&B Complex fire burned

There were these surreal areas of flowers around the burned trees.

They are beautiful. Anyone know what flowers these are?

Next stop Portland

June 24, 2013 by sgeddis

Journey to Oregon – Day 3 Susanville, California

Day 3 – Susanville, California

Today we drove from Mammonth to Susanville. It was a beautiful drive along the east side of Yosemite National Park.

The view after leaving Mammoth

View into Yosemite

On the way we drove through Lake Tahoe and I got to swim!

It is a BIG lake!

We spent the night in Susanville, California.

Dad drove by Lassen College. His wrestling team from Phoenix College used to travel here for Regional meets.

Dad took me to Memorial Park to run and sit in the grass.

A couple of kids got their kite stuck in a tree. We watched them try to climb up and get it.

Tomorrow on to Bend, Oregon

June 23, 2013 by sgeddis

Journey to Oregon – Day 1 and 2

We made it to Mammoth California on the way to Portland.

We took the long, slow scenic route from Phoenix to Portland through Redlands, Mammoth and Susanville California and Bend Oregon. The sights and smells were incredible along the way.

Day 1 – Phoenix to Redlands

We stopped in Redlands to spend the night so we could see one of Dad’s best friends Les and his wife and kids. Alas they had the chance to vacation that weekend so we missed them. We slept in Motel 6 (dogs are free) in Redlands that was a bit scary, I ran into 3 different Pit Bulls when Dad and I walked. They did not act friendly. Really glad they were on leashes.

Dad took me to Brookside Park so I could run around. I had to stay on the long leash, there were lots of people but they were all really friendly.

My bed for the night

On day 2 we drove to Mammoth, California.

On the way I got to sit in the front seat!

And even nap.

I wonder why there is a naval base in the middle of Death Valley?

We stopped at Diaz Lake so I could swim and Dad could stretch his legs. Did I tell you how much I like to play in water?

When we got to Mammoth we went hiking on Sherwin Lakes Trail.

I got to play in the creek!

Boy this water is cold!

It was a pretty steep hike for about 1 ½ hours. The scenery was great!

Dad was a slow-poke. I kept having to wait on him!

Check out this picture!

That night we slept in a Motel 6 again. It was much better than Redlands!

Tomorrow off to Susanville.

June 22, 2013 by sgeddis

Off to Oregon

Dad and I are off to Cape Mears Oregon right outside of Tillamook, where they make the cheese. We are both so sad Mom is not coming with us right now, she is staying with Grandma Gwen in Tucson. Gwen needs her right now and Mom is the best.

It is going to be so good to get out of the heat. The high today in Oregon where we are going was 66 degrees!! Dad says we will be driving near some lakes and hikes on the way. I will post some pictures if I can. I will get to stay in my friend Lola’s house with Dad’s son Dustin and his wife Jenni. I can’t wait they are supper and Lola is a lot of fun.

June 15, 2013 by sgeddis

I am a Therapy Dog!

In February Dad and Mom took me to a place for a Therapy Dog Certification test. I had to be really good. A lady would tell Mom or Dad what we should do. I had to walk on a leash and stop and sit. They brought another dog near me and I was supposed to ignore him and I did. People yelled and dropped things trying to scare me but I was with either Mom or Dad so I was not scared. For me it was really easy but Mom and Dad kept telling me I had done such a good job and they gave me treats when we were done. I am now a certified by Pet Partners as a “Therapy Dog.” I can go in to hospitals, nursing homes and hospices to help people feel better.

We have ID badges! Here are our official photos!

Mom and Maddy Pet Partner’s ID Photo

Dad and Maddy Pet Partner ID Photo

Mom and Dad signed us up to work with an organization called Gabriel’s Angels http://www.gabrielsangels.org/ Gabriel’s Angel’s mission is to deliver healing pet therapy to at-risk children, nurturing their emotional development and enhancing the quality of their lives forever.

We volunteer at New Pathways for Youth http://www.phoenixyouthatrisk.org/

We go to Pathways on Thursday afternoons. We hang out with 2 groups of about 20 kids for an hour or so. Mom and Dad talk to the kids, tell stories and teach them things. I just hang out and let the kids pet me and hug me. One visit everyone had a treat for me that was a really good day but the hugs and pets at the best! A couple of weeks ago the children listened to my heart beat with a stethoscope and Mom and Dad talked with them about what hearts do and how mine is a lot like theirs.

I get so much love when I am with the kids at Pathways.

They drew pictures of me!

The kids are on summer break and we are going on vacation to Oregon but I can’t wait until August so we can back and seeing my friends.

Maddy's Big Little Life

Life through the eyes of Maddy Dog

Author: sgeddis