Pacific Crest Trail Smells Like Puppy Dog Tail

This morning we went for a hike in the Columbia River Gorge along a short section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Thinking 5-year-old Aubrey wouldn't like a long walk in the woods, we asked Jana's sister, Stacey, to take Aubs. In exchange, we took Jackson, Stacey's charismatic fox terrier pooch, on the hike with us.

Stacey tried to get Jackson to eat before we left. Dogs need calories too, right? Stace tried dog food, and Jack was having none of that. In desperation, she tossed him some pepperoni. Mmm, pepperoni! He gobbled it right up. Good boy.

We piled into our Jeep, and our friends in their Suzuki, and headed for the Gorge. We didn't even get out of the neighborhood before the pepperoni's effect on Jackson's gastro-intestinal tract became disturbingly clear. Thank goodness for electronic windows.

For the kids in attendance to meet a hiking requirement, our journey needed to be three miles long. We planned to hike in for about an hour, then turn around and hike out. Jackson the fox terrier, still digesting his pepperoni, had more leisurely plans.

As soon as we got on the trail, he pinched a loaf of nasty solid waste. A few minutes later, he did it again. Then he decided he needed to "mark" every 100 yards or so of the Pacific Crest Trail. This dog is no through-hiker. He is incapable of high-mileage days. He's just got too much personal business to take care of to be bothered. I'm afraid we left the Pacific Crest Trail smelling like puppy dog tail.

Vancouver Bittons Cheer as Portland Trailblazers beat Sacramento Kings in Rose Garden

Image of Brandon Roy (with ball) borrowed from nba.com

Last night the four of us went to the Rose Garden to watch the Portland Trailblazers play the Sacramento Kings. We usually only get to one game a year, and that's if somebody gives us tickets. That was the case last night, as the Gibson Family gave us four passes to the exclusive Club Level for the contest.

Our team suffered a bad beginning, but kept the game close as the evening progressed. Our win was not secured until the final seconds, so it was a truly exciting fourth quarter! Here's a story about the close win from our Vancouver, Wash., daily newspaper, The Columbian. Thanks to the Gibsons for the tickets, and thanks to the Blazers for giving us a win!

Mike's First Salmon

My First Salmon, originally uploaded by mikebitton.

The other day, I went salmon fishing for the first time. For nearly 20 years, my friend, Morgan Andersen, has been fishing for salmon in the five rivers that drain into Tillamook Bay, Oregon. He took me to his best places, and I came home with a 40-pound Chinook!

Mike on Assignment in Missouri

Paddle, originally uploaded by mikebitton.

Hey! I'm in Potosi, Missouri, photographing the national championship race of the US Adventure Racing Association. Click on the photo above to see a gallery of gorgeous Missouri Ozark fall colors!

Mike Looks Married Again

Light Check, originally uploaded by mikebitton.

Mike's been without a wedding band since Ashton destroyed his during a (painful) visit to a dentist. Jana brought this silver ring back from India "so you'll look married again," she said.

Jana Returns from India

IMG_1137, originally uploaded by mikebitton.

Jana returned from India on Wednesday, Sept. 12, to the eager arms of family and friends. Jana was in India for six weeks to study microfinance in action. So glad you are back!

spidey

spidey, originally uploaded by mikebitton.

Spending the night at my in-laws house because another niece or nephew is getting a blessing in the morning. Saw this bug and shot it.