Morro Bay

LAND HO! We were sailing off the coast of California when we spotted this rock sitting in water near the shore. We landed on a sandy beach nearby, and found out that we were looking at the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”, (Gibraltar is another famous rock off the southern coast of Spain). Morro Rock is the plug or lump of rock in the neck of a volcano- long extinct, thank goodness. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo named the rock “El Morro” in 1543. In Spanish “Morro” means crown shaped hill. Morro Rock is the last peak of the Nine Sisters rocks in the area- volcanoes that exploded 20 million years ago. Purrs, Gulliver.

morro-rock

Mouse in Portland

My friend Mouse, who is a cat so I never understood her name, moved from Salinas, California to Portland, Oregon last year. Now she has invited me to come for a visit! I think I will go when the iris are in bloom, and maybe some of the roses that Portland grows in its famous garden. I love visiting gardens and looking at pretty flowers.

Maybe Mouse and I will take a day trip to Mount Hood. It is about 100 miles away, but as the tallest point in Oregon, it can be seen from Portland. I called it a mountain, but Mouse explained it is an active volcano, though not likely to erupt in an explosion. There are several ski resorts and lodges on the mountain, and 12 different glaciers, or ice fields. We had better take some snow boots to avoid frost bitten paws. Purrs, Gulliver

IMG_0409 (Edited)

Camels

One hump or two? The single hump is a camel from the Middle East or upper Africa. The camel with two humps is native to Asia. Camels are suited to the desert because their eyes have three eyelids and two rows of eyelashes to keep sand from entering their eyes. They are also able to close their nostrils and lips to keep out the dust. I wish I had that kind of super-power! The camel is a symbol of patience, tolerance and strength. Camels are usually very peaceful. Just don’t get a camel mad – they can “spit” a stinky green fluid from their stomach all over you – it is as bad as a skunk smell! Purrs, Gulliver