Arizona!...and More Snow

by Chico
Arizona! We were all excited when we crossed the state line -- not sure why since it was just a sign on the side of the road but I'm always happy to join in anything fun. We were gunning for the Grand Canyon that first day but, after making some stops through the Navajo Nation for beads -- oh, and BISON JERKY! -- it was getting dark. We got as far as Cameron instead, a Navajo town with an old trading post. Early the next morning we were off to GC but, it seemed my people hadn't learned from the day before, stopping again to shop from the Navajo along the way. Luckily there weren't as many miles to cover so we managed to get to our destination well before dinner.

Our first look at the Grand Canyon was at the Watchtower on the east end. We couldn't go up in the tower but, even with all the tourists, they let us go right out to the edge and have a look. After so many places dogs weren't welcome in Utah it was sure nice to be able to get out and say hello to some fellow travellers. I don't know what those Utah people thought we were going to do to their trails...but anyway, that's behind us now. Truth is, they have rules at the Grand Canyon too, not allowing us below the rim. They don't say why that is but I think it's just so we don't show up the humans. For them, it's too far to walk to the bottom of the canyon and back up in a day, and there are warning signs and notices everywhere about the dangers of attempting it. We've followed horses for more than 20 km, sometimes up steep hills, and with many side trips to chase squirrels! I can't see how 14 km, half of it downhill, would be such a big deal.

So T and Nollind did the below the rim hike on their own, going down about a third of the way and back up again. Apparently it was fantastic. After that Nollind was much more impressed and stopped calling it the "big ditch". Until then he didn't seem to see what all the fuss was about, especially after all of the great places we'd already been. Logan and I got to go on a walk about the village and I was so keen to get out I kept pulling on my harness. When I do that it tightens and I have to give a good shake to loosen it up again.

We stayed two nights in the National Park campground and then headed south toward Sedona. Along the way we took a detour to see some ruins -- which is apparently a place people lived a long time ago. There wasn't much to smell with everyone gone for so long but it was a nice little walk. The drop in elevation of two thousand feet from GC to Sedona made for summer-like weather, so T and Nollind spent the first day hiking to three of the vortex locations. Now a vortex is an energy centre that's supposed to amplify whatever you've got going on and if that applies to diarrhea then I'm a believer! Whatever Logan slurped up from that canyon pool passed to me and I was up 3-4 times every night for four nights. If they'd left the door open I would have been happy to let myself out but I had to wake T up to take me out instead. After the first night she and Nollind took turns letting me outside. I don't think they liked it much but they felt bad for me and were nice about it. We stayed in Sedona four days -- one of them like summer, two like fall and the last one a lot more like winter. Predictably...it was time to go. The first snowflake hits and those two are running like a couple of greased pigs at the Strathmore rodeo!

On a snowy Sunday morning we left Sedona and went to an even colder, snowier place up in the hills by a mining town called Jerome. I still wasn't feeling so good and was happy to sleep in the trailer while T and Nollind had lunch and walked around town. Not wanting to camp in the snow again, we left Jerome, driving off into the sunset, heading for Nevada.

Murky Water and Magic Cheese

I didn’t intentionally leave Chico out of my blog. I just knew he’d be all too happy to bounce on up and introduce himself…he does that everywhere…with everyone. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all up for gregarious, but really buddy, you can be embarrassing.

Our last day in Moab we went to a great place called Dead Horse State Park and, because it’s a state park rather than a national park, they let us on the trails! We had to be leashed but that’s just the way it seems to be lately. This park was very dog friendly, even providing a drinking hole along the way, a nice little pool in the rock. The water was a bit murky, and tasted kind of funny, like it had been there for a while but, when a dog’s thirsty, anything will do. I didn’t see much of the view when we reached the lookout due to the walls all around -- to keep the humans safe apparently…clumsy things. “Mr. Enthusiasm” had to climb up and see of course, and ham it up for the cameras.

The next day we left Moab heading to southwestern Utah. I didn’t feel so good, my stomach churning and I was sure glad for the first rest stop for lunch in Capitol Reef National Park. Hmmm….maybe I shouldn’t have drank that water the day before. It did taste a bit strange. As it turned out, I was to regret that warm drink of water…for about a week.

Humans can sure be confusing at times. After all the hurry to leave Canada and the talk of avoiding snow, where do we go but camping in the snow at Bryce Canyon at almost 9,000 feet! And it wasn’t just snowy but cold and icy. Fortunately, they came to their senses quickly, and we left after only one night and a morning tour through the park.

Now I’m not sure what all the fuss is about red rocks and cliffs but Sa and Nollind seemed pretty enamoured with Zion Canyon. The best part, in my opinion, was a long walking trail along the Virgin River, with them looking up at the view and Chico and I with our noses to the ground. I can’t believe they don’t smell all the great stuff that we do, even a little bit. They appear to have noses…but maybe they’re just for decoration. The one thing we could all agree on about our time in Zion was that the weather was fantastic. After three weeks of a lot of staying warm in the RV, the sun shone and we could lie outside. Even Sa and Nollind got into the spirit and joined us on the mat. It’s always a treat when they come down to our level and hang out for a bit.

I think I’m finally getting a bit more comfortable with truck time. Sa and Nollind think it’s due to the new treat they got for me that they call “magic cheese”, but it just says Havarti on the package, which I've had before. There is something special about it though because I feel really mellow about an hour after I eat some, and riding in the truck is pretty cool then, watching the world go by outside the window. I like sticking my head out and getting that rush of a thousand scents at once blasting in. Oddly enough, the cheese also seems to make me more hungry, something my people call “the munchies” and seem quite amused by. It’s usually Chico making them laugh so I’m happy I can entertain now and then.

Well, that was about it for the Utah portion of our adventure. On to Arizona!

Hey gang! I’m Chico.

I noticed Logan didn’t mention me in his post so I thought I’d best introduce myself. I’m almost three, just a pup really, and the newest member of Logan’s family. I’ve been around since last January, when they adopted me from a rescue organization. We’re on a great adventure, me and him. Oh, and of course, our people, T and Nollind. Life is so good.

Logan showed you where we live in Canada. It’s a fantastic place with so much to do there just isn’t enough time in a day. I supervise all of the work the people do around the farm and make sure that intruding birds and animals (particularly pigeons and gophers) are chased off the property. You might say that on this trip I’m taking a break from the “rat chase”. Sorry…just had to say it.

The pace is a lot slower since we moved into the little house and hit the road, but there are new things to see and smell at every stop, and truck time is a great opportunity to rest up for the next exciting destination. As he already told you, Logan doesn’t like truck time. I know he says he needs to keep an eye on things, but I think he’s just a worrier. Our people have it all under control.

A couple of days ago T and Nollind were celebrating because we’d finally reached our “first destination”. I’m not sure what the others were – Vernon, Kelowna, Salmo, Spokane, Clarkston, Boise, Salt Lake City – but it seems this one is special – MOAB! And yesterday I found out why. We drove from the RV site along a road right next to the Colorado River. There were high red cliffs on both sides, some of them with what the sign said was “Indian Writing”. Nothing much interesting in that but when we stopped just 10 miles from camp, we took a walk, or hike I think they called it, up this canyon to a huge arch in the rock. There were odd prickly plants, lots of red sand and, most thrilling of all, a Bighorn Sheep that came from behind us and ran right across our path! I’m sure I could have caught him if they’d just unclipped the leash but apparently there are some rules around here about dogs on leashes.

Parts of the trail were a bit tricky but I’m quite sure-footed and not at all afraid of heights. At one point I ran right up to the edge of a cliff and sat down to look at the view. T said I was making her stomach feel queasy. Not sure how I did that since she was standing far back behind me. In another spot they had a cable strung along the rock and, as you can see from the photo, Nollind needed to hang on but I didn’t.

We got to a great view spot of the big arch but couldn’t make the last part of the trail due to a climb up a rock face and a ladder. T and Nollind thought that we dogs would slip on the rock and not manage the ladder but they were probably just afraid. I know I could have made it.

Sounds like we’ll be staying here another day or two. The trails in the national parks are apparently closed to dogs, even leashed dogs, but that’s okay…I know T will find us somewhere to walk.

Hi, My Name is Logan

I’m probably not your typical blogger; although, admittedly, I haven’t read a lot of blogs. I’m a 7 year old Border Collie/Lab cross. Yes…a dog.

This is where I live, or did until two weeks ago. I have 21 acres and a bunch of horses to look after, or at least I try, when they’ll listen to me.

Below is where I live now and the yard changes every few days. It’s a nice little place, where the rules seem much more lax on where I can sleep, so I move between the couch and the bed when I’m home.

The stops are filled with new sights, sounds and, most importantly and best of all…smells! It’s an absolute scent-fest every time we stop in a new place. Travelling between stops is a lot less appealing, or let’s make that more terrifying -- hurtling down the highway at great speed with others doing the same thing in the other direction. Does no one else recognize the danger we're in? Have they not read the newspapers or watched the nightly news? My people sit blissfully naive in front, seemingly enjoying the ride, regularly trying to reassure me of the safety and okay-ness of it all. But I’m not falling for it. I’m a Border Collie and we’re known for our intelligence. Some might we’re say obsessive…I prefer to think of it as focused.

The morning we left Canada they slipped something into my food. It made me feel a bit sleepy, but I fought it and remained ever awake and vigilant all the way to Spokane. Somebody has to watch the road and remind them of the danger.

The first week away we spent visiting family, or at least my people were visiting. I was mostly catching up on sleep in the RV so I didn’t mind really, and in Kelowna I had a chance to play in a yard with other dogs for a day. It snowed the day before we crossed the border and although I would have liked to stay and play in my first snow of the year, Sa and Nollind were not nearly as excited about it. In fact, it sounded like it was part of the reason we were leaving, with comments about driving until we run out of “watch for snow plow” and “bridge ices” signs.

It’s been like fall everywhere we’ve visited with coloured leaves in the trees, crunchy leaves underfoot, and all those great autumn smells. We’ve taken longs walks along the Spokane River, the Boise River, and the Jordan River in Salt Lake City. In Salt Lake City there was even a small dog park along the river where I had a chance to run and play with some new friends. I don’t mind the leash but it sure felt good to run free for a while.

I have a feeling we’re going to be travelling again today -- they’re up extra early and are making preparations. I’d better get some sleep now in case I have to supervise a particularly long drive.