Pearl, Lulu and the Cats

Pearl and Dad, Gabe

We are so honored to be part of 13 year old Pearl’s “Coming of Age” ceremony.  Gabe spent many hours putting together academic, physical and emotional challenges for her (one of which I don’t think I could have done).  She passed all of them and now warrants the responsibilities of social media access, future dating, drivers license, etc.  Missing in the photo are Pearl’s mom’s parents and Zoe’s neighbor, Liz who is taking the picture.  We really had a grand party afterwards.

Their one-year old cats are so snuggley and want to be outside all the time.  Here Orion is falling out of the hammock as Zoe picks up Kira to join them.     

  

One early morning I was looking out the RV window next to our bed and saw a large cat walking by.  My first thought was bobcat even though I knew it was too big.  My brain went “tilt” as it registered the large tan cat with a tail as long as the body walking down their driveway about 15 yards from my window!!  In their jobs traveling the wilderness, Gabe and Zoe are told of all kinds of sighting of wolves, cougars and bears which often turn out to be dogs, sheep, deer, etc.  So Gabe, being a scientist, gave me a “show me the money” look.    He went out (and almost ‘master tracker’ that he is), saw the prints!!!!  This is not an actual picture of the cougar (aka mountain lion) I saw because it was only in my view a few seconds and I was so shocked I didn’t think to get my camera.  Interesting, but no big deal to those living up here in the wilderness.  I stayed in and no walks to the river or bike rides for me for a while.  Bears also spotted in area now and then so Zoe always wears bear spray around her waist when she runs or hikes by herself just in case.....

Lulu and I spend time together playing games, tromping through the forest, and cooking. I took Pearl and Lulu and their friends to the Columbia River one day where we paddled, swam and had lunch on the pier.  WHAT A BLAST!

Lulu on Pistol’s Back