Where are we?

Ok...  Two things.

First, I've added a cool new feature.

Actually it's been re-added.

If you look over on the immediate right hand side you will see the question:

"Where are we today?"  in Yellow typeface...

Under that in Blue type is a link for you to click.

"Click here to see a real time map......."

Clicking on the link will bring up a map that is usually updated every

5 minutes and will show our current position and travels throughout the day.

You can even select a longer time period and see our travels over days and weeks.

It just started to update today so there is only one days worth of data right now

but as we move north to Alaska the map will get more interesting.

I had something like this before using Google Latitude but then Google

stopped supporting Latitude so now I'm using Spotwalla and reporting location from

an app on my iPhone.

Anyone who is interested in this for your blog send me an email.

Props go to my Buddy Hayden who is using Spotwalla with a Spot Satellite reporter.

It was Hayden and his telecommuting that opened up the whole world

of working from Sailboats or RV's to me.

Now...  number two.

I had a bunch of emails asking about the Marmots that are keeping the

Doodles entertained.

Kinda reminds me of Bill Murray and Caddyshack.

Can't you just hear the music?

Kenny Loggins..  I'm alright....

There are dozens of these little furry rodents here.

Its kind of funny - they come out in the morning... peak around 3 pm

and then by Marmot Rush Hour... 5pm... they disappear.

Must need to go home to cook...

It's a hoot!

The Hills are alive... with the sound of Marmots....

Just like Pica, Prairie Dogs, and others...   They let out a high pitched

chirp when danger appears.

So of course when the Mighty Hunting Doodles come walking down the road with me

the Marmots all sound the alarm.

As I type this - Lucy is at the screen door (for hours) looking outside at the Marmots.

Gracie is up on the couch looking out the window.

It is a good feeling knowing that we are safe....

That the Doodles are keeping a watch for us....

Alas....  if only the furry little rodents knew.

They could probably open up a can of Whoopass on Doodle butt

and send my furry little girls running home with tails between their legs.

Anyway -  Back to number one...

Check out our "where are we today?" link.

Keep it in mind as we head to Alaska.

I think it will be some cool new content to the blog.

Lincoln Rock State Park

Its been about a week and a half and many more miles since our last post.

We moved both the Montana and the Dog House from

Twin Falls, Idaho to Walla Walla, Washington.

We then moved the Dog House to Jim & Kristis place in the

foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Cle Elum, Washington where it

will stay till we return from Alaska in July.

While all of this was going on, Kate lost her Aunt Jean' 

Having helped raise Kate - Jean was like a second mother.

So we were scrambling to try and find flight accommodations that would

allow Kate to make it to Long Island.

Unfortunately we were in off the beaten trail enough that she would have

to spend almost 24hrs traveling to get there so the decision was made

to remain here in the west.

Jean was a Librarian and avid reader and loved to receive our blog.

She would often say how much she anticipated receiving the next installment.

We spoke often of the places that we were visiting and the sights that we were enjoying.

She traveled with us thru the blog.

She will be missed.

Since leaving the coast we logged about 6,000 miles in just under 2 weeks.

After finally dropping off the Dog House in Cle Elum,

we arrived back in Walla Walla where we spent last weekend with

John, Jim, & Kristi and got some much needed downtime. 

On Monday the 5th we moved on and now are settled at Lincoln Rock State Park

just north of Wenatchee, Washington on the shore of the Columbia River.

It is a beautiful park.  Lots of green grass, trees, and there are only a few other

campers here so it is quite peaceful.

The weather is cool, dry, delightful.

There are lots of Marmots - small Beaver like little critters scurrying to and fro...

It is a constant source of amusement for the Doodles.

The view of our front yard.

The view of our back yard.

We are going to stay here for about 10 days.

While we are here I plan to run across the border into Canada and

get the sim card that I need for my iPhone that will give me

the data coverage I will use for work while traveling 

thru British Columbia and the Yukon.

Staying connected is key!

Today after work we took a short drive up into the foothills

to the town of Leavenworth.

Leavenworth has this whole faux German Village thing going on.

Originally a timber town, In 1962 the townsfolk got together and

decided to reinvent the town as a mock Bavarian Village.

Its in a very pretty setting with the snow capped peaks surrounding the town

It was fun for a short visit but hard to get too excited over

since we've been to the real thing.

Back down in Wenatchee we headed for the river.

They have over 10 miles of park and walking paths along the Columbia River.

That was the scene for todays self portrait.

We probably won't be doing another post for a week or more since we'll be basically

static and I don't anticipate too much excitement in the week ahead.

However in just over 2 weeks we will be heading north and I expect

that there will be much more to share then.

Stay tuned.