PICTURE FROM "CHIEF TIMOTHY TRAIL"

Pepper's people did indeed return, though with some disappointment in their Florida vacation. They suffered identity theft immediately, had rental car issues, and were disappointed in the loss of historic ambiance in some of the old communities.Two of the quilt shops on their route were out of business. When the airline offered them the opportunity to return a day early, they took it, so Ken was available to walk the dogs with us Thursday afternoon. And yesterday (Sunday, April 22), we got together again to walk the dogs on "Chief Timothy trail." This time I took the camera.

Trees in bloom; hills turn green

It was a lovely warm afternoon. I was too warm in my sweatshirt. We're now at that point where mornings and evenings are chilly while afternoons are quite warm, necessitating a change of clothes or layering.

Mike with Nellie and Bess

In fact, it was warm enough that Pepper and Bess chased sticks in the river, and Nellie waded in for a good long drink.

 
Many trees along the river are in bloom now, loaded with white blossoms. I'm not an expert in tree identification, so I'm not sure. Serviceberry? Maybe -- and that would make sense. I thought of hawthorn, which also does well here, but the blossom doesn't seem right.

Blackberry bushes grow in abundance along that trail, but Mike suggests it's a popular area at picking time. He might be right because it's very accessible. 

And then we came upon a different tree with larger white blossoms. Very pretty. I can't identify it either.

From the time we left the house until we returned, it was more than two hours. I think we walked about three miles. KW

ANOTHER NATURE HIKE

Wildlife Management Area on the Snake River near Asotin, WA

 Over the past week, we have been exercising three dogs – Bess, Nellie, and our friend Pepper. Bess and Pepper run and play while Nellie explores here and there at her leisure. So, we’ve been hiking in spots where dogs are welcome and we don’t have to worry about traffic. Our favorite is Critchfield Gulch, which is in our neighborhood. But there are other nice places.

Shirtsleeve weather -- finally!

Monday we went to a wildlife area near Chief Timothy Island, but the sky looked threatening and I didn’t take the camera. Pepper is boarded with her veterinarian, and on Tuesday she had her teeth cleaned, so we didn’t take her out. But yesterday was a lovely warm afternoon and we went to the Wildlife Management Area just beyond Asotin on the Snake River. The pictures here were taken there.

Interesting rock formations

Trophy houses with views

I’m not entirely comfortable with these hikes. The trail winds through grass, and it’s tick season. I removed a white one from Nellie’s head yesterday, and Mike felt one crawling on his neck this morning. Mike says he can always feel them, but I have a vivid imagination and feel them crawling whether they’re there or not.

Scenic

As we returned to the parking lot at the wildlife area, a young man pulled in and said that he was planning to fish. Mike asked if he could be successful when the water is so high. He said he had been in the past and would give it a try. 

Yarrow is everywhere

I think Pepper’s people return tonight, so our time of responsibility for her exercise comes to a close. KW

POSSIBLE – JUST NOT PROBABLE

Mike ambles above Critchfield Gulch

“It’s going to be nice on Saturday,” said Mike hopefully on Wednesday as he gazed at his weather app. My heart went out to him because he so looks forward to some real warmth. He hopes every fire he builds in the little stove will be the last one of the season.

Evening rainbow (several days ago)

“It’s going to be nice on Saturday,” Mike reminded me on Thursday. “We’ll see,” I said to myself.

“It’s supposed to be nice tomorrow,” said Mike on Friday. “70 degrees. I’ll grill a pheasant for supper.”

“Okay,” I said, still skeptical. It was 32 degrees again Friday morning and we haven’t seen much sun. It just didn’t seem likely it would turn into spring by the next day.

And it didn’t. Temps in the mid-60s, more clouds than sun, and a little rainy. It’s just too soon to expect consistency.

We’re exercising three dogs for a while. Our friend Pepper is boarded at a facility nearby, so we pick her up and head to a dog park. She and Bess, both five years old, run ahead exuberantly while independent Nellie, now 14, prefers to explore by herself. Today Mike dubbed her the “Ridge Roamer.” I worry because she lags so far behind, sometimes out of sight, but Mike says, “Don’t worry – she’ll be first at the pick-up,” and sure enough – she is!

Nellie

Bess smells something

The real problem with Nellie is that she’s deaf – or nearly so – and doesn’t respond to voice commands. Of course, as in any situation of hearing impairment, you never know what she will hear, so we’re careful what we say in her presence.

Spring cleaning for the Dakota

On today’s walk up Critchfield Gulch, we saw a coyote watching us from the ridge above. It continued to watch us as we were leaving. Sometimes it’s tough to remember that the coyote is my ally in the great rodent war. 

And don't think that because we walked the dogs this morning that they'll be willing to let us off the hook for the afternoon walk. Oh no! Promptly at 2:30 they begin to think about it, and by 2:45 they are insistent.

Yarrow plants

Today I’m planting 15 yarrow plants (root stock) in pots. The next step will be to be plant them on the bank behind the house at the farm. That's the trouble with ordering plants -- they don't come at a convenient time -- but oh! -- I do so hope this works! KW

Yarrow -- copied from Brecks.com

THERE! WAS THAT SO HARD?

I’ve finished up a few things that have been on my list for a while.

Searching for advice on how to freshen the old mohair throw, I read that it need not be dry cleaned. “Why would you put it into a chemical bath when you can wash it,” asked the expert. “Yes, you can wash it. Just don’t put it in the dryer. You can even wash it in the washing machine on the delicate cycle with detergent formulated for wool.” So I did that, and nothing bad happened. Even the mended area held. Then I draped the wet throw over my wooden clothes rack outside in the breeze. When I was sure it was dry, I tossed it in the dryer on air fluff. Now it’s draped over the back of the sofa in the sewing studio, a lovely reminder of a mother who loved to sew.

Here’s a cute little robe that I made from Simplicity 8281 for American Girl dolls. Frankly, I’d like to try this again for several reason.

1)   I think I could do better. (Isn’t that the way? The first is always a prototype.)

2)   Though the pattern doesn’t call for a lining, I think the hood would be prettier if lined. I don’t like seeing all those seams and darts when the hood is down, and it just has a flimsy feel.

3)   The weight of the fabric I used was too light. I have a heavier knit in mind.

4)   It was fun to make, and several dolls on my list want one.

And here’s another cute finish – a crocheted sweater using Sweet Pea Fashions Cobblestone Sweater pattern, purchased through Pixie Faire. Patterns abound online and not all of them are easy to read or come out right. This is a good one.

Some weeks back I bought several packets of “blanket flower” seeds and four starter trays (a dozen cells each), and this morning I planted them. Yes, I’m late, but for the farm, it probably won’t matter. I’m not terribly hopeful that this project will be a success, but the trays and the seeds didn’t cost much more than one plant, so we’ll see how it goes. KW