Today is Friday and it is time to catch up on a few things. Just finished a 3-mile walk with Zeek and have had breakfast. But before I spend too much time wasting time on this blog I better get the lawn mowed its going to be very hot soon.

Okay have that done and even watered some. Its time to get after all the time wasting things I can. Here are some of examples of the things I have that should get done. I am three trips behind in my log about the boat. One trip to Yaquina Bay last week for crabs, and two fishing trips to the “Jaws” in Alsea Bay need to be documented in that log. 15 Crabs and one Chinook salmon were harvested. Pretty cool, this represents three fishing buddies, about 20 gallons of fuel, and 9 meals in total, one crab dinner, and eight salmon dinners for LeAnn and I.

Some time today I will need to get the dishes done and do a load of laundry. I also need to remember to squeeze in a little nap. Seems like a lot of things to do so I better get some of it started.

Update: I just woke up from the nap got about half of the stuff done. Still thinking about that nap so I might have to go outside which will also going to make doing the rest of the stuff on the list harder. It is so good to have a plan “B”.

Seems like I slept in a bit this morning and am having a little trouble gaining momentum for the day’s activities. Zeek has had his walk and breakfast but after that seems like things are going a little slow.

I do have a to do list but most of the things on the list are checked off and the stuff that is left doesn’t look like much fun.

One of the things on the list is to catch up on the boat log. I have two trips out with the boat this week and haven’t documented either one. Now for most of the people of the world that isn’t much of a big deal. I am sure it shouldn’t be a big deal for me but I did start the log and have an obligation to myself to continue it. You never know I may want to look back at the information someday and see if I remember what happened on a given trip.

Like yesterday when I was out on Green Peter fishing. I saw a fellow I don’t know real well but know is a good fisherman. Ask him how he was doing. He told me he had over twenty in the boat. That was great but I only had about 6. He was doing something much better than I. I didn’t document the contact yet but the other day I was in a store and the subject came up.

General knowledge in the store was that this guy is doing real well up there in the lake and is being very secretive about where he is going. I found out what he had been buying. Now I haven’t tested my theory but I would be willing to bet I have a good idea where that secret spot is and the method used to get those twenty fish.

Too bad the quest for the information is more important to me than the use of the information. That way I don’t have a problem resolving my slow start today and the information of yesterday that under normal circumstance would require action.

If you are completely lost at this point my ramblings have done their job and I will get my butt off the chair and onto the to do list. Zeek and I have a camping trip to get ready for.

Sunday evening Craig and Stephanie were over for dinner in the afternoon. About 5 pm it seemed to be a good idea to take a boat ride. So without any destination in mind I hooked up the boat and loaded the bunch into the truck. Zeek had to share the back seat with Craig and Stephanie. LeAnn wouldn’t give up the front seat. Some kind of dominance thing I think.
I put $40 dollars of the first class fuel into the boat and then and only then did I decide we were going to put in at the boat ramp under the Ellsworth Street bridge.
So to refresh 5 pm at home, wild idea for a boat ride, on the river headed up stream by 6 pm. I love it when it’s spontaneous.
Water level is at 3.4 ft. and the water temp was 69. Looked pretty clear.
Zeek took his position on the bow watching for whatever he watches for. It was a good run with lots of birds and plenty of tubers to slow down for. Only one guy in canoe fishing. The trip up stream took about 50 min including the obligatory stop for Craig and the slow downs for other river traffic. The trip back to the ramp took about 30 min.
This week I hope to do some fishing and next week I am going to take that camper to the Metolius River for a couple of weeks. I am really glad Summer finally got here. I think Zeek is glad also.

The boat is so close to being in our driveway it is beginning to scare me a little. Wednesday I took a good friend with me to go see the boat. It had been a over a week and I got a wild hair to go. We found the boat almost ready to go.

There is a small part for the fish finder that is on order but at this stage in the boats service it is not mission critical. The part ties the GPS receiver to the fish finder. For now I think I can get along without a GPS. So the wheels are in motion between finance, title papers, and training.

This little dream is getting very close to being a real event. I need some time to learn how to handle the boat. I don’t want to be “That Guy” at the boat ramp if you know what I mean. So if all goes according to plan I might just see that boat in the drive way in the next couple of days. But be reminded that this week hasn’t seem many things go according to plan.

Yesterday was the dentist visit that would never end. Speaking of which last night was a good nights sleep. Today was pain free, without the aid of any medication, despite three teeth being drilled, four shots, and those pliers.

Now that was one interesting trip to the dentist. I started out the day with a trip to the dentist at 0940 hours. Not bad I am thinking, I will get the teeth cleaned and one cavity filled. No big deal.

Think again it is now 1400 hours and I am home for the rest of the day. I have taken a pain pill and having second thoughts about ever going back to the dentist. While I don’t share the Princess’s hatred of them or the boys fear, I don’t ever look forward to going to the dentist. Today reminded me of why. It also reminded me I should have brushed more often when I was a boy.

So while the good dentist is filling the one small cavity on the upper left side he notices a crack in a filling on the lower right side. No problem he can fix that and does so with ease. It was easy for him but required another shot in the lower right side. Of course that couldn’t be the end of it.

While looking at a small spot on the lower left side he notices another cavity and they have to take a picture of that one. Okay it needs some attention and they can do it next monday. Hot dog another trip to the dentist. The appointment is made and I get for home. A few minutes to let Zeek out and then I get the phone call I never should have answered.

Come on back the nice lady at the dentist’s offices says they can do that last one right now they have a cancelation. Okay I think it is better than dragging it out, just go and get er done. Right back into the breach I go. Another shot now the upper left, lower right, and lower left are all numb, along with half of my tongue. No problem it won’t last forever. Then the good news.

They can’t save the tooth it is too far gone to get a crown. The really good news my dentist isn’t too keen on pulling it. Says he would rather have an oral surgeon do it, but he can put a temp crown on it while I am waiting to see the other guy. Okay this sounds like a solution. Soon I will be home and I can do some stuff inside cause it is raining. Wrong again I have lots to learn about dentistry today.

They have an opening at the oral surgeon and I can have it pulled today. Hot dog just when I thought my luck was running a little low. Two blocks away I met my next dentist chair and settle in for the extraction. That event sounded different than a filling. Cracking noises and stitches. Do I want a prescription for the pain, he asks. You know at this point I just laughed. Normally I would say no, and then tough it out. Today I have had enough.

Now I plan on just chilling at home. See ya

Well I am setting in the kitchen trying to remember how it was to camp in the sunshine and warm weather Zeek and I enjoyed this last summer. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were in the mountains enjoying good weather well into September.

Now it is just a little different. This morning it is in the high 30′s and wet. Well it won’t last forever sunshine and warm weather will be back. We had such a good time this last summer camping and traveling.

Zeek asked to me count up the days, miles, and states just for the heck of it. I think mostly cause he can’t count any longer than 8. Once he gets past the number of toes on his front feet it becomes a little abstract for him. So I kind of balked at first. I think it is better to plan the next trip, than it is to stare at the last one. After putting it off as long as I could and almost to a point that I have begun to forget here is a best guess as to the numbers for this season.

Since January 1 this year we have been out over 110 days in the trailer. We camped in Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Washington. We traveled close to 9,000 miles, and visited close to a half dozen National Parks. The Princess was with us for about half of the time in the trailer and all of the National Parks.

Now we are home and waiting on the next piece of our recreational puzzle. Zeek got to telling me during one of our last trips out that it might be a good idea to find a way to recreate just a little closer to home. He knew that I have always wanted a Jet Sled and we might be able to find some people who would be willing to go with us on the river if we had one.

I told the Princess what Zeek had been saying and she agreed. Now if you have a Princess and a Dog telling you something is a good idea you should listen. If it is for something you really want like a boat you should also make sure that you are hearing them both right. I gave both Zeek and the Princess several opportunities to change their minds. I didn’t expect Zeek to change his after all he is just a dog and doesn’t think very deep sometimes. The Princess is a deep thinker and knows lots of things I can only touch the surface of. Neither changed their minds. Then I asked several people who would give me good council especially if I didn’t tell them the down side to things. They also agreed it was a good idea.

The whole concept was really driven home when the guy selling the boats told me he thought it was a good idea too. Go figure, the answers you want are out there you just have to ask the right people and dogs. Not being able to or willing to come up with a good reason not to the deal was struck and order placed. I hope all this good advise plays out for the best. Right now I am left to day dream about the next recreational adventure.

What kind of boat you ask? Well once again I am getting something I don’t deserve and far nicer than I should. I am sure glad I am living this dream and not someone I don’t like. It would be one of those times you have to smile and say how glad you are for them when deep inside you are thinking why does he get all the breaks. Enough of that kind of thinking. It is counter productive. For some reason I am getting the boat and I will have to find time to enjoy it.

Oh yea you asked what kind of boat it is. Well, it is a 20 foot sled being manufactured by Koffler Marine in Eugene, Oregon. This sled is 6 feet wide, will have a 150 hp Mercury Optimax motor with an S series Pump. There will be a 9.9 hp Merc kicker, Lawrance Fishfinder, and will be set up with a tiller handle to control the motor from the rear of the boat.  Here are a few pictures of the boat being constructed at Koffler Marine.

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The boat is open and will have storage in the bow area. Should be able to handle some white water and anything you can find on the Willamette River. Now if I can just find someone to go with me and Zeek. I am in hopes this will be in my driveway pretty soon. If the next couple weeks are like today I am either going to have to just admire it in the driveway or break out that rain gear and insulated pants for a little practice run in the lake.

Wish us luck.

We have made the turn and are now on the west bound leg of our trip. Zeek and I have settled back into our routine. I have been concerned that he isn’t eating as much as he should so tonight I bought him some new dog food.
Don’t worry I am going to break him in to it slowly but I think the other stuff might have gotten stale.
The new food is Bentiful and he seemed to go for it with feeling.
Tomorrow we continue to the Tetons and Yellowstone. 
Hang in there Zeek your going to see some different animals tomorrow.

It’s been a good weekend visiting with relatives. Most of the goodbyes took a couple hours. Had lunch and said more goodbyes.
After lunch it was time for a few more goodbyes and then time to go. For awhile I was afraid I might have to say goodbye some more. I was spared from more goodbyes, but realized we have time to get Zeek today instead of waiting for tomorrow. That is if we can get there before 5 and after 4 pm.  The hours the kennel is open on Sunday.
Well we shall soon see how being apart has effected Zeek.
When I got Zeek it was like he never left just got in the truck and went to sleep. It was a little different for me.
I felt like I had amnesia. For the past year and a half I could tell you everything he did and were he did it.
Now there is a couple days he was doing things I don’t know about. Feels kind of weird. Good to have him back. Welcome home Zeek.

Well the official  Oswald Family Reunion started this evening in Estes Park, Colorado.  That meant that Zeek had to go to a kennel for the weekend.
I am sure he is taking it better than I am.  That dog has been part of my morning routine for a year and a half.
I may just spend the morning wandering around lost.
I don’t think I better try to walk LeAnn. 
Good night Zeek.

Today we drove to the Pouder River west of Ft. Collins Colorado. I got to swim in the river and I think I might smell a little better than before. 
The Old Guy laughed every time I shook next to the Princess. She made faces at me. I am pretty tired now but it is a good tired. Tomorrow I go back to the kennel for a few days. Should be fun. As long as they come back for me. We need to do some more traveling.
I am a camping dog.
Zeek from Loveland, Colorado.