Mechanical Kitty Coin Bank

So cute!

Mechanical Kitty Coin Bank: "

Want to teach your little ones a thing or two about saving up money? Well, that is possible with the Mechanical Kitty Coin Bank from ThinkGeek. Not only does this $29.99 purchase comes in an appealling candour to kids, it also plays on humans’ weakness of not being able to turn down a kitten when they see one, never mind that this is a mechanical model. Hiding inside a Japanese box, all you need to do is place a coin on the food bowl that is located on top of the box and the kitten will then pop out covertly, snatch the coin like a greedy dragon, return into its enclosure and give a heart breaking meow to carve a smile on your face. You might then be persuaded to put in another coin! We would say you will have to hold around 10 BBQs before your friends donate enough for you to make back the $29.99 asking price for this.

I made my favorite pic of PY, MM, and Bear's Portland trip my wallpaper on my Blackberry.  So cute!

Quick Rain Shower

We were suddenly hit with some showers on the way out of Crater Lake.  We had to slow down a little bit but it helped clean off the dead bugs on the windshield.

Rogue River Gorge

Mike and Bear checking out the Rogue River Gorge. We found this spot by a happy accident. This cool are was formed by lava tubes. It was a nice spot to take a break and for Bear to take a walk.

Rogue River Gorge Water

Bear checking out the rushing clear, cold water of the Rogue River.

Crater Lake is a Volcano (Inactive of course, at least for now)

The lake was formed after Mount Mazama blew it's top off. We drove around the rim and took a hike down to the lake to check it out. It was a quick hike as the mosquitoes were out full force! I only escaped with 4 bites. Bear stayed in safely in the mosquito-free car.

Too Bold!

Of course the chipmunk got too bold and started to pull on my turkey sandwich. Didn't capture it here but he was pulling. Bear didn't see this as he was under the table. Apparently he can't smell out chipmunks.

Not So Wildlife

Sharing lunch with a chipmunk at a rest stop on the way to Crater Lake. Mike was concerned that I would get rabies.

Deschutes Part Two

It's cool that the town is near the river. You can float down the river starting from the downtown area but we decided we didn't have enough time. Folks come down here to cool off and enjoy the outdoors.

Deschutes

Mike trying to get Bear interested in getting in the cool water to cool off. It's not as hot today - 86.

Sawyer Park in Bend, OR

Mike and Bear walking across the foot bridge in Sawyer Park. It's right next to the hotel and is along the Deschutes River.

Open Road

On the way to Bend on Route 197. if anything happens to the car while we're out here we're screwed. I'm not drinking my own pee.

Downtown

Downtown Hood River. It's about 5 blocks long.

Wiped Out

Someone's wiped out from our little trips to Mount Hood and Hood River. (Of course the near 100 degree temps didn't help.)  Bear may be relieved that we have about a 2.5 hour trip down to Bend in an air-conditioned car.

Hood River

Mike and Bear looking out onto the Kite Surfing and Paddle Boarding area in Hood River. It's 98 out and even with the Kool Collar I had to soak Bear in cold water several times to help him keep cool.

Snow

Yes, there's still enough snow on the mountain for summer snowboard camps. This particular lift was closed but there were a few opened for summer fun.

Lodge

We got denied food service outside as Bear's not even allowed on the hotel premises. Here's Mike and Bear on the deck before we leave hungry. Hood River it is for lunch!

Mount Hood

Bear at the parking lot of Timberline Lodge. That's Mount Hood behind him.

There It Is!

Getting closer to Mount Hood....

On The Road Again

On the way to Mount Hood and to visit Timberline Lodge. Timberline Lodge is where they filmed some of the scenes of one of my favorite horror movies, The Shining.

Late Night Snack

Mike and I got some doughnuts from the infamous Voodoo Doughnut place near Burnside. The doughnuts were alright but didn't live up to the hype for the food but more to the hype of lifestyle.

Shopping

Shopping at The Portland Outdoor Store! Thank goodness this store was able to survive all these years. Where else can you get great outdoor gear for cowboys? They still even sell saddles.... Mike and I got some jackets. Mike also got a western shirt from Pendleton that has the dress faux pearl snap buttons.

Lunch Near the Marina

Taking a nice seafood lunch by the Marina. Mike had the fried oyster po' boy sandwich with a salad and I had the seafood Cobb salad that had crab, scallops, shrimp, bacon, avocado, egg and lettuce. Bear was good and just hung out under the table. (Which was not always the case when we ate out. Being good that is...)

Steel Bridge

Mike getting ready to take a snap of one of Portland's many bridges across the Willamette River.

Waterfront Park

View of a great park along the river.

Waterfront Park Water Feature Part Two

Second attempt at getting Bear interested in the water feature....

Waterfront Park Water Feature Part One

Today it's 90 degrees so Mike was trying to get Bear to cool off at one of the park's water features.

Not Impressed

Bear was not that impressed about Multnomah Falls. Yes, he's wearing his Kool Collar to help him keep cool in the heat.

The Big One

Multnomah Falls. This was the 3rd and the highest falls in the group of 5 falls in the same area on Route 30.

That's Pretty High

Mike checking out one of the falls on Route 30. I already forgot the name but it starts with the letter 'L.'

Looking...

Mike and Bear looking at the falls.

Columbia River Gorge

Peek of the Columbia River Gorge.

Looking east out onto the gorge. Bear wasn't sure what was going on.

On The Way Down...

Mike and Bear on the way back down the trail.

View of Mt. Hood

Mike and Bear near the view of Mt. Hood. At this view point you can see all five mountains (St. Helens, Adams, Hood, Rainier, Jefferson) but Hood looked the best as it's the closest.

Oatmeal Food Truck

This morning we got oatmeal the the Bloop Oatmeal food truck for breakfast. Yesterday we got egg sandwiches for breakfast at another food truck called Brunchbox.

Getting coffee at Stumptown, a local coffee company that roasts their own coffee. They have a jar of dog biscuits for the pups inside. Yes. Portland is ridiculously dog-friendly.

No Sleeping In

There's no sleeping in when The Bear is around.

Bear's Shopping Trip

Yes. Bear is on vacation too and got to have his own shopping trip. That's a cooling collar that will be filled with ice. And yes, that's a T-shirt.

Second Pub in PDX

Mike enjoying one of the local brewski's .... All the while enjoying listening to Night Ranger....

And Waiting...

Bear waiting outside Powell's Books for Mike. (The nation's largest independent bookstore!)

Still waiting...

Hurry Mike hurry!

k@t ^_^

Waiting

Bear waiting in the hotel lobby for Mike.

k@t ^_^

Luxuriating

Bear taking a break after our morning walk on the nice dog bed the hotel provided. He has TWO nice beds in the room.

Mike and Bear

Mike and Bear are plum tuckered out after day one in Portland.

Bear's on the Board

Bear's registered at the hotel we're staying at!

Dog Friendly Hotel Monaco

They delivered dog amenities that included this nice bed, bowls, a rope toy AND an all-natural dog biscuit. Peanut butter flavored!

Hotel Monaco

Bear watching Mike unpack.

Giant Tree

Welcome to the Great Northwest! Bear looks especially small next to the Redwood. And yes, he did pee on it.

Road Trip Breakfast

Getting breakfast at Food 4 Less. Classy.

Bear's Impersonation

This is Bear's impersonation of luggage, c'mon quit it Bear you're not fooling anyone!  Heee.

Road stop at the Avenue of the Giants

Mike and Bear took a little break by a river while we were in the Avenue of the Giants area. That area was the old 101 highway that ran through some pretty huge redwood trees. Bear went straight for the water and wanted to walk in it. Bear looks so happy walking.

k@t ^_^

Bear's First Hotel Stay

Bear's Big Shrimpy even matched the bedding at the Quality Inn at Medford. He was great at his first night! He started to bark a little bit when someone was walking outside the room but Mike calmed him down. Good Bear!

PY, MM, and Bear Grab Some Grub

Yup, we ran out of time trying to find a dog friendly eating establishment on the way so we resorted to the BK Lounge. Bear ate his meal in a parking lot and then waited in the car for us to eat this delicious meal.

PY, MM, and Bear go to Portland

My sister and her bf are taking a road trip to Portland from San Fran, where they live now. Hopefully she'll remember to send me pics along the way!

Here's a pic of Beary Bear chilaxin' in the back of the Mini in his Big Shrimpy bed.