| Typist: Bethany Last year, Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley and I spent time in our own dog friendly state capitol, Olympia, and we stopped in the capitol of Idaho on our return road trip from Buffalo, New York. It seemed appropriate to take the time returning from our Southwest road trip to visit another Cascadian capitol city, Salem, Oregon. Obviously, what I love about visiting pet friendly capitols is all of the amazing photo opportunities. But I can tell that the dogs enjoy all of the smells: the people and other dogs who have visited, the historic trees and shrubs and even some of the sculptures seem to really interest them. Our visit Salem was Leo's first trip to a capitol and he also seemed interested in the sights. Even though we didn't run into many people, Leo was most enthusiastic to greet them with a hardy "hello." |  Good morning Salem! |
"A Parade Of Animals" by Peter Helzer at the Oregon State Capitol Building, Salem, Oregon (slightly enhanced by the Cascadian Nomads canines and cockatoo.)
Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley meet the "Capitol Beaver Family:"
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"The Circuit Rider" by A. Phimister Proctor, Oregon State Capitol Building, Salem, Oregon.
 Walk Of Flags, Oregon State Capitol Building. |  Leo at the Capitol Building, Salem, Oregon. |
 Day five drive from Salem, Oregon to Seattle, Washington: 220 miles. | We only had an hour to explore the Oregon State Capitol grounds and I feel like we only scratched the surface on what there is to see there and at the Capitol State Park across the street. I am sure we will have an opportunity to return someday but we had to get on the road. Not only were we finally headed back to our house, there was a planned stop for an afternoon hike with two Portland blog dogs, Mr. N, the Tenacious Little Terrier and Sage of The (mis)Adventures of Sage. The first thing we did in Portland was let the dogs meet and run around. All five dogs hit it off right away and had a great time together. Sage and Mr. N were just like I expected them to be from following their blogs; they are both fit and no nonsense dogs. The kind of straight forward attitude that Mr. N and Sage exude, is exactly what Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley like in playmates so the five dogs were a fine match. Mr. N and Huxley's interactions proved to be particularly amusing (see slideshow.) Im not sure if it was their size difference or just that I captured in in photographs, but the two of them were a funny, friendly pair. |
The leashed dog friendly Portland hike we went on with Sage and Mr. N was in the city of roses famous Forest Park. I was a little nervous about leaving Leo in his cage in the van at the park entrance because of all of the shattered car window glass on the ground but Leo would not have liked some of the shady and overgrown parts of this hike. We did part of the Maple Trail, which was sadly too overgrown to fully follow, and had a wonderful view of the base of Mount Hood and of the Willamette River. The forest we hiked through truly lived up to what is expected of one of the nations largest urban forests. And, of course, the dogs loved it!
After our quiet and uncrowded Forest Park hike, Leo came out of his cage to meet Mr. N and Sage. The traveling cockatoo was quite pleased with these fellow Cascadian blog doggies and offered them a "tickle, tickle doggie." As we loaded up to complete our final day of driving, we promised our new Portland friends that we would return soon for more five dog (and maybe even a parrot) adventures.
 A curious Leo looks at the Tenacious Little Terrier. |  Sage was intrigued by Leo and Leo by her. |
Just a few hours after our Portland hike with Sage and Mr. N, we were back in our home city, Seattle, Washington. And it looked beautiful! I thought I was going to have to wake three tired, napping, traveling dogs for our triumphant return photo but they were just as excited about being back in their neighborhood as I was. Leo, however, chose to stay asleep. The excitement of traveling 3,900 miles, through nine states in nineteen days can make a cockatoo very tired Wait. We're all tired. Leo just expresses his loud "goodnight" better than the rest of us Cascadian Nomads. Regardless, we have a whole ten days to get caught up on our sleep before we hit the road again. It sure is good to be home!
Saturday evening in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia: Welcome Home!
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