By Bryan Dorr
Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 7:36 PM PDT
TYGH VALLEY, Ore. – It’s definitely hot out there!
I decided to make a stop at White River Falls State Park today with both my dogs. The last time I was here with my two Labradors was in April when the temperature was in the upper 60’s.
The temperature was over 100 degrees today under the blazing sun.
The intent was to get the dogs down to the sandy beach and water near the old powerhouse for a swim, but that failed miserably.
About 100 yards into the hike, around the upper spillway footbridge, both dogs apparently showed some discomfort walking on the hot pavement. The dogs express discomfort by slowly raising up one paw at a time while standing briefly in one spot.
We got to the dirt part of the trail, hoping the surface would be cooler. The dogs still showed some discomfort.
I took off my sandals and tried walking barefoot on the dirt trail. The sandals went right back on my feet in less than five seconds. The dirt was hot!
The dogs took a short break behind the valve tower in the shade and then headed straight back for the air-conditioned car and greeted with a jug of drinking water.
We never made it to the beach and the water. It was really that hot.
