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.