From the State of Jefferson

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

Todd and Kaden here from The heart of the state of Jefferson.

(about a rifle shot N. of the Oregon/California border).


We went up to do some brood surveys on Blue Grouse, but found none. No hooting, no ruffs drumming no nothing!


We had a great hike though,
and I figured I should start sharing again on this website, before I disappear entirely.


We parked at the ski lodge and walked the S slope road to the top... I'd guess it is about 1000 feet elevation difference between the two.


I always take my sidearm and my water, a bowl for the red dog to "loop up" water out of and lace boots tightly, because the trail is tight, and the slope is steep!

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9072381052/]DSC_2860.JPG by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr

The S. Slope looks off over Mt Shasta and Kalifornia.
The N slope offers views of my spawning grounds (the Rogue Valley in SW Oregon.)


There were a few wildflowers out and I thought I should capture them in their moment of glory.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/8674244348/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/8674244348/]DSC_2744.JPG by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr

At the top of the mountain, I stopped and threw an orange into a snow field for the red dog. I forgot his tennis ball, but that orange had been in my backpack for a long long time anyway, and he seemed to enjoy rolling around on it and bringing it back.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/7925726596/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/7925726596/]DSC_2239_edited-1.jpg by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr




I was up on the top with the red dog having a pop, when I heard a vehicle approach.

A lady and an elderly man stepped out.

The man seemed tired but glad to be there, and the lady seemed to tend to him like he was on fragile legs.



I said "Howdy," and the red dog went up to inspect them.


They seemed glad to see the boy, and gave his ears a tussle and his nose a rub.



I spent a moment to talk with the gal, and it was her father's last wish to come back to the top of the Mtn (one last time.)
I said, "is he sick?"

She acknowledged that he was indeed very sick.

She started to snap a photo of him on the edge, but her cell phone camera wouldn't work.


I said, "hold it one second, I've got a good camera and I can email you the snapshot."

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9069752251/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9069752251/]DSC_2864 1.psd by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


So I did!

I shook the man's hand and Wished him well on his journey.



Soon they left and the red dog and I descended the face of the mountain and into the Rogue Valley.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9072385270/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9072385270/]DSC_2861_edited-1.jpg by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr

I thought about when my father died from Cancer as they drove off.

Reckon it was the very next day that me and mom and my big brother hiked the face of the hill to remember him, and to remember what family is.
Mom was a young 70 something then, and that was back a spell.

She could still do it now..

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9070166437/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9070166437/]DSC_2868.JPG by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


It is surprising how steep the mountain is without skis on.

Kaden kicked up a doe that was resting in the manzanita, and he chased it for about 20 yards. I gave him the whistle and he put on the brakes.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9070169799/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/9070169799/]DSC_2873_edited-1.jpg by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


It feels good to get so high that the pollen doesn't make my eyes itch.

I have to remember that the ski hill is 3 feet deep in buckbrush in the summertime though.


Ah well, live and learn....
but,

Live more than anything else.
 
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Todd~

Great photos, great words and thoughts - and isn't it fine to have the opportunity to help others in a meaningful way, especially in their last days? Great job!

All the best,

SJS
 
I sure enjoyed this Todd. Very refreshing. I noticed the hiking shoes? of the older couple. One always wishes people well when something like an unfortunate mishap of the vehicle not starting which might force them to walk.
I really loved that shot of the Rouge Valley.
Al
 
Nice Pics and story Todd. It was a great thing you did for your fellow travelers. We are all only here for a little while.
 
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