The weather is beautiful here. Even early in the morning when we took a nice walk from the RV around the point between the bay and the ocean and back it was very pleasant.
After our morning walk, Mike drove around to check out beach access sites, find stores, learn the way around this area, and check for things he'd like to do in the area.
This area is the beginning of the Oregon Dunes. The RV park across the street is extremely large and is completely packed full of people with ATV's. There is even an ATV lane on the road. This lane goes as far as the entrance to the dunes.
As you might guess, sand in the dunes is extremely soft so finding a beach with hard sand is pretty much impossible here. But Mike found a beach access that even though the sand was soft, at least ATV's were not allowed. So in the afternoon we went to the beach.
This beach was so unlike the beach we were at last week. This beach was much more crowded, was on quite a slope, had no rock formations anywhere to be seen, had soft sand and at some places had huge waves - although not at the beginning!
We kept all the dogs on leash and walked down to the water where the sand was at least a little more firm. After walking quite a ways down the beach until we got to a fairly long section where there were no people, we then let the three big dogs off leash. But with such big waves there was no way we were going to let Boogie off leash at all.
The dogs were ready to chase balls and sticks into the water like they always do. Sparkie was having fun chasing balls along the edge of the water.
Wazzu was a happy girl as we had found a really big stick - for her the bigger the stick the better.
As you can see in the above picture, there is a huge wave coming toward Wazzu. But she was speedy and outran it.
The dogs have been in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans so they are old pros at this water stuff. So Mike once again threw the stick and the dogs went roaring out after it when suddenly they came face to face with a strong wave. You can see both dogs putting on the brakes.
But Slugger isn't afraid of water at all. He gets focused on the stick and he's going to get it no matter what. So after dodging the wave he went after the stick while Sparkie quickly retreated to safety. Slugger finally spotted the stick but not before the next wave was upon him.
The wave picked up both Slugger and the stick.
The wave was strong and immediately took both Slugger and the stick under. In the next picture you can just see the end of the stick.
Somehow underneath all that power and water, Slugger came up with the stick!!
Wazzu figured it couldn't really be all that bad so she thought she'd show him how it is done. She turned to chase the stick and very quickly decided maybe she'd underestimated the waves here. I can't see her face but I'm pretty sure I know exactly what she is thinking.
There was no way she was going win this battle so she decided just to turn her head and brace herself.
As you can imagine, Wazzu went totally out of sight. When the water cleared, Wazzu had completely forgotten about the stick. She's still in the water when she decides she really needs to shake off all that water. That's a lot of water - I don't think I've ever seen Wazzu so drenched!
It was indeed looking a little scary so we decided to throw a really short one for Sparkie as she really wanted to be included. Wazzu said nothing doing and for the first time ever was content to just watch. Sparkie is leaning way in hoping to get the stick and get out of their quickly.
Oops. That plan didn't quite work. But she stayed with it.
She wasn't coming out until she found the stick. What a brave girl.
Even though Boogie wanted to join in the fun there was no way we were letting him off leash and there was no way we were even letting him get anywhere close to the water. So we threw the tennis ball on the sand for him and he was quite proud of himself when he captured it.
Those waves may be big but Slugger was going to show them who's boss. He was ready for another try. Sparkie was going to tag along until she saw about a 10' tall wall of water in front of her. I'm not afraid to admit I was really scared when I saw this huge wall of water right in front of my little boy.
Fortunately it crashed just before reaching Slugger.
But it still had plenty of power and took Slugger completely under and tossed the stick into the air.
Poor Slugger had been turned around under the wave and was very disoriented as he's facing out and the stick is behind him.
But he didn't give up, he kept swimming in the swirling water.
Wouldn't you know it - as soon as my sweet boy located the stick the next wave was upon him.
And under he goes again. I don't think I've ever been so worried for him. He may not have been panicking but I was coming close to that.
Finally I spotted him coming out the back of the wave.
And amazingly enough, he actually had the stick. I'll never know how he could get that stick while he was being tossed around and submerged under such strong waves. But there is my little trouper - victorious!
I was sure that Slugger would have thought that was enough as that takes a lot of work and energy to fight that water. But he was rip roaring and ready to go so Mike threw the stick again at a time that the wave didn't look all that big.
But we found out that water can be very deceiving.
What started out as a rather small looking innocent wave was now a very tall wall of water and if you look closely you can see that the water has picked up the stick and thrown it into the air. Poor Slugger looks so little.
Look how the wave totally encloses Slugger in it's wrath. The water is so clear that you can see Slugger even though he is totally covered by water.
Here's a close up of him being enveloped by the wave. Somehow he managed to keep the very end of his nose out of the water so he could get one last breath of air before being swept completely under.
Then after it sweeps him under it throws him up in the air. He's probably 10-12' off the ground. You can't see it from the pictures I have, but Mike said Slugger's little legs were a moving and a moving trying to swim as fast as he could even though he was way up in the air.
When the wave came crashing down, Slugger was nowhere to be seen. Where is my sweet little boy?!
I think I finally see him!
Oh shoot, I think it's just the stick.
I don't know how he did it, but attached to the end of the stick is my little Slugger. That is determination and talent. I still can't believe he came out of all that .... and with the stick!
That was one rough ride and even Slugger decided that was just a little more than he had bargained for. So we moved down the beach a ways to where the waves were maybe a little calmer. Mike was careful throw the stick at a time where Slugger wouldn't have to fight so hard with the waves.....and Slugger was much more careful to judge when to make his move to the stick. That's not to say he was in a lake by any means as you'll see!
Believe it or not, this is a smaller wave!
He's in there!
And shortly thereafter he comes up for air!
But he never gives up his search for the stick.
After all that we are all tired......especially Slugger. So it's time to head home.
Debbie
8/13/07
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