A visit to Rattlesnake Lake - Part 2

We headed back to the car to get Viva.  She loves to explore and we were guessing she would love this place!  As you can see Viva is ready to rock and roll.

"Let's not waste time watching, lets get moving!"

Off we go. Both dogs on 50 foot long lines

  

Pictures really don't capture the moon scape beauty of this empty lake.

You could spend all day out here walking and looking all the stumps and rocks. It's really beautiful.

The notches in the trees are from were logger placed planks.  The loggers stood upon the planks to the cut higher on the trees.

Viva and I are off!

 

We then realize to get good pictures of the dogs, one of needs to take both dogs while the other takes pictures.

I take both dogs, thinking I would have the easier job...

Clearly not the case!

 

 

I recover and I change leash lengths.  I always have multiple length leashes for this reason!  I've had people ask me how I walk two dogs on 50ft long lines.  And my answer is I don't!    It's impossible to have that much line and two moving dogs.

Because D'light and Viva are good on leash (Viva is good on leash when there are no other dogs around), I opt for 9ft leashes and we begin exploring the landscape.

 

This place is huge!

You can barely see us in the picture.

Viva was in full sniff mode and D'light was wondering what dad was doing!

D'light finds lots to smell

Watching the birds

More sniffing and this was a great spot to bring D'light. I'm sure he was disappointed that there were no critters but, life has to have more than critter hunting.

The stumps are just cool to look at

One reason this was good spot for D'light is he gets moving on different terrain.  Back in the day he wouldn't even move over rocks like this - it was too scary.  We've done a lot of work with him around feeling comfortable with different terrains.

 

Speaking of terrain... lots of navigation on rocks and random logs and big pieces of lose wood.

 

Amazing pictures!

"VIVA, come see what I found!"

Something long dead and stinky!

The are in the shell of an old tree stump.

D'light says: "Let's go find more!"

 Stay tuned for part 3 of our adventure!

A visit to Rattlesnake Lake - Part 1

 

We've had very little rain this whole year.  That has not been good for a variety of reasons but, it did give us a chance to see something super cool! Here's a link to the article talking about our latest adventure: 

 

Amid drought, Rattlesnake Lake reveals its roots

 

We were at Rattlesnake Lake back in March of this year for a Nose Work class.  You can see what a beautiful place this is.

 

 

D'light at Rattlesnake Lake in March 2015.  You will see the changes in landscape!

 

 

March 2015 and this fantastic stump with tree growing out of it
 



 

And here's the same spot this last weekend...

 

 

 

 

Again March 2015 and the center tree is what you will see in the below October pictures.

 

 

October 2015

 

 

 

 

"Where's all the water?"

 

 

 

"WOW has this place changed!"

 

 

 

"I need to check this all out!"

 

 

 

 March 2015 - the stump on the far left is what is below in the October pictures.

 

 

 

  

 

October 2015

 

 

 

 

A cool rock that is now exposed

 

 

 

"I can see so much from up here!"

 

 

 

 

We brought Viva along but, left her in the car to scope out the environment. 

 

 

"Looks good for Viva, let's go get her"

 

 

 

"I have to check this out before we head back to get Viva!"

 

 

 

Stay tuned to see a lot more of Rattlesnake Lake. 

I will say that Viva and D'light had an excellent time and the humans were amazed with so much to see!

 

A fun and beautiful adventure!

We have a great park that is about 5 minutes from us. It's even more amazing this time of year because of the fall foliage.  Sam Smith Park is a 15 acre park that spans the lid of I-90 tunnel.  No big surprise it's a busy park.  There are lots of walkers, runners, bikers, kids and people playing with there dogs.  So, we made sure to go at an off time.

I've never been able to figure out some of the artwork at this park. I've looked on line and can't find any links about them.  Here's some of the artwork -  these little sculptures with quotes are along part of the path. 

Viva doesn't know what the are either but, they have lots of smells.  No doubt from other dogs...

"Enough of this, lets see what's going on here!"

"WOW!  Look at this foster mom!"

Viva had lots of fun running through the leaves

A huge pile didn't slow her down!

So much to explore!

Beautiful leaves!

Lots to smell!

Time to check out more

Pretty bushes turning a deep red

Lots of walkers and biker use this tunnel that is on top of the I-90 tunnel. 

Love all the colors of the trees and trailing vines.

Off we go

Big open spaces which is perfect

The City of Seattle parks crew had just mowed all the lawns. As a result, I'm sure there's a ton to smell.

Working on recall!

Viva and I have figured out the 50 foot long line together and we both enjoy using it!

Time to check out this sculpture

This is the Urban Peace Circle Sculpture

Looking good Viva!

She hops up on the rock to get a better view

Then back down to root in the leaves

Back to the rocks and she watches...

The parks crew. 

She headed over to get a closer look and then came a running when I called her. Good girl Viva!

More running around

Viva watching the tennis courts.  There were a number of people playing and she wasn't sure what to make of them and their fast movements.

Like the parks crew, Viva headed over to check out the tennis players. Once I called her she came running.

We start heading back and there are people that we need to pass.

Viva says "No problem" and she is reinforced with food for ignoring the people.

"Hey foster mom, here's another art thing"

Viva had a great time

And I loved all the fall colors!

We timed this just right as yesterday it was windy and raining.  A lot of the leaves have now fallen on the ground and our window of the beautiful foliage is about gone.