Vancouver, WA

I promised “Layla” I would take her to a park today but first I wanted to walk to the bank and then stop by Freddy’s for a picnic lunch treat, in this case a Mounds candy bar we could split.

Back at home we get our lunch ready, bundle up Layla and Mystie and head for the park. Today I’ve chosen Cascade Park at 13003 SE 7^th, however, I usually head north from McGillivray Boulevard because the park is easier to reach from Laver Street. Turn north on 125^th Avenue and take a right onto 11^th Street, go two and a half blocks, which is now Laver, and there it is on the left.

This is a neighborhood park. It is relatively close, has some parking in front, picnic tables and two playgrounds but it does not have any restroom facilities. What really attracts me are the trees, huge fir and pine with a mix of deciduous trees with their leaves just now starting to come out, and even a cherry tree in bloom.

Mistie has been cooped up all day and wants to WALK, so we head towards the playground at the back of of the lot, meant for older kids

We eat lunch because Layla is starving and then she decides to tackle the play equipment. Next thing I know she is on her hands and knees, screaming. I rush over and discover she is terrified of standing up and insisting I come up with her so…I boost Mystie up, climb up myself, but she still will not stand up. I place one of her hands on a bar, take the other in mine and she manages it, just barely. We walk across the swaying bridge to the platform for the circle slide then back to the other side with the straight slide. As soon as she sits on the slide she is fine, but the dog wants none of it; we go down anyway. Layla isn’t panicking now, but she does not stand up. I figure as long as she is willing to go alone, she is doing fine; but I have to explain to her several time that Mystie does not want to go down the slide with her.

The sunny interlude is fading fast as clouds descend on the park and we decide it is time to finish our walk. The trail around the park is wide and level, perfect for strollers or wheelchairs. We follow the circuit and reach the second playground for babies and toddlers. Layla has no problem with this playground at all, except she still wants Mystie to go down the slide. Mystie will walk up and down the wood plank, even struggle with the half moon wood stairs, but she plants her feet and refuses to go anywhere near the slide.

We were probably here about an hour. It was just enough time to work off some energy, enjoy the view and the big blackbird that wanted to share our lunch before heading back to the car.