Hi Humans,

DOGTV’s Production Assistant, Mike, is continuing to report from the road, on his US trip, and share with us his observations about the United States of Dogs.

 

 

“Crater Lake… still defies the limited power of words to convey the full range of its magic.” – Paul M. Lewis

I continued my journey to another dog-friendly national park on the west coast, Crater Lake. Crater Lake is located in south central Oregon and a must see if you’re within driving distance. The lake was formed from a volcano eruption over 7,000 years ago and is the deepest lake in the United States.

 

When I arrived, my breathe was taken away by the deep blue color of the lake. This is great news for dogs because they can see the color blue! There are no rivers flowing in or out of the lake, so the water is some of the purest in the world.

 

If you’re looking for a place with an amazing view of the lake and where you can take your dog, head immediately to Rim Village. There’s roughly a quarter mile of paved pathway where dogs are allowed on leashes. I saw many dogs while I was there.

 

If you’re looking for more serious hiking, there are also several trails that allow dogs to be on leashes, although they are further from the lake:

• The Godfrey Glen Trail
• The Lady of the Woods Trail
• The Grayback Drive
• The Pacific Crest Trail

 

“Where young people go to retire” – Portlandia

 

After several days of camping, it was time to head to civilization for a few days. I continued north to the charming city of Portland, Oregon.

 

Whether you like coffee, beer, food, roses, or hiking, Portland is a great city to bring your dog to because with a little bit of planning you can enjoy it all together.

 

One of the things I liked most about Portland was the many different neighborhoods. Each has its own character and feel. Below is a list of dog-friendly places that I visited and I tried to spread it out among the neighborhoods.

 

Coffee:

Ristretto Roasters is a local roaster with a few hip coffee shops around Portland. I visited the cafe in the neighborhood of Williams. They had dog treats inside and large tables outside under an overhang, so it makes for a great place to have a latte with your pooch.

 

Beer:

While there are many dog-friendly breweries and drinking spots in Portland, Lucky Labrador Brewing Company tells you all you need to know with it’s name. The brewpub even hosts a “Dogtoberfest,” an event that combines great beer, live music, and a dog wash. The patio lets you enjoy one of their many beers on draft while your dog smells the barley.

 

Roses:

Speaking of smells, the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is one of the world’s most famous gardens. Dogs are welcome here on leashes, so together you can check out thousands of different roses. The park also offers a picturesque view of the city with Mt. Hood in the distance.

 

Food:

I just so happened to walk into a restaurant that has both a dog lover’s night and a menu for dogs. Tin Shed is located on Alberta Street in the funky Alberta Arts District. The place was packed and the food was delicious. Tuesday night is Dog Lover’s Night, but really on any night, this place will be a great choice.

 

Hiking:

Dog Mountain. Enough said. Technically, this hike is in the state of Washington, but it’s only an hour outside of Portland. The views of the Columbia River gorge from Puppy Lookout (yes, that is the real name of the lookout point) are incredible. I was here in the fall, but if you visit in the spring, you’ll see wildflowers as far as the eye can see.