Oregon, Hosts, & Ghosts

After a long drive with park-breaks along the way, he steered the Subaru into a little village in  northern Oregon called Union.  Quaint streets, modest main street, interesting smells all along the way.  Big shady trees with lots of cones that looked a lot like rats (although I've only heard this, never having seen a rat); "Yep, Douglas Firs" he says after her prompting.  On this hot day I pay more attention to the deep cool under its boughs and the thick earthy scents rising from the massive roots.  Lots of other 4-leggeds have visited this very spot and I take the time to follow up on them all.  As we head back to our overnight place, I pause at the grocery store to greet a fellow 4-legged who seemed a little long in the teeth but was good natured enough not to bark at my 2-leggeds, something I know they appreciate.  She always becomes very protective of me when any unknown 4-legged is around, maybe too protective, but I can live with this. 

We are staying at the historic Union Hotel built circa 1921, a find by her who spends much time surfing the internet to locate pet-friendly accommodations (an example of why I put up with her often obsessive, quirky behaviors).  Sitting three-stories high with architectural styles varying from Doric to Art Deco, this brick and stone lady oversaw the resort crowds in the first half of the 20th century when Union was an overnight stop for travelers heading to hot springs. Ginger, the resident 4-legged, welcomed us (she's a little shy but my playful nature won her over) into the grand lobby of tile, stained glass, and furniture infused with smells decades old.  Just the kind of furniture 4-leggeds long to investigate!  The 2-leggeds, Dave and Rob, have been fixing her up floor-by-floor with wonderful results.  As we cooled our pads on the long veranda as evening set, Dave regaled us with tales of Union, the hotel, his life before Union, and best of all, Ginger's rescue and the adoption of missing-limbed cats.  If you go there be wary of the 3rd floor ghost which can be spotted at any time day or night.  

Guess I should be tracking that ghost down....

well, maybe not just yet.