Sore Feet and Sore Eyes

by Logan

I thought I'd covered all of the bases on desert hazards for dogs but then I discovered yet another -- volcanic rock. Doesn't sound like a big deal to you maybe, but it does a number on a dog's pads after a few miles. In fact, at least in my case, it wears the surface right off making it extremely painful to walk on anything but a nice smooth surface. Luckily, I have very caring people, who bought me some boots to get around in until things were less sensitive. It was a bit embarrassing walking around camp and having people pointing and saying, "Oh, look at the doggie in the cute little boots!" But it was worth it. I seem to be mostly okay now, although rough surfaces are still cause for a bit of tenderness.

After a week in Tucson we spent a couple of days next to a lake in the far south of Arizona, Patagonia. Sandy soil, a lake to swim in, and grassy hills mostly without cactus, dog heaven! Well, almost. Dog heaven was actually the next stop just a few miles up the road near Sonoita at Xanadu Ranch. I felt like we'd come home -- pastures, horses, wide open spaces -- it was a sight for a travel-weary dog's sore eyes. And then it got better. Owners Karen and Bernie came out to meet us in the driveway as we drove in. Chico and I didn't get out right away, but the windows were down so we could hear the conversation. When Sa asked about rules for dogs, Karen said to make sure they didn't put us on a leash or tie us up. That was the best dog rule of the whole trip!!

We spent three days at Xanadu and I made myself a nice spot underneath the horse trailer, just like I do at home. Chico and I played frisbee in the horse pastures, Sa & Nollind took us for long walks up the road. We even walked to a tack shop one day about a mile from the ranch. If the weather had been better we might have stayed longer but a storm rolled in, bringing first wind, then rain, and finally snow. That's what can happen at 5,000 feet in Arizona. We pulled out in the blowing snow, heading for Tombstone.

In Tombstone we got to walk down the main street past the famous O.K. Corral. Seems odd that such a fuss is made about a bunch of cowboys killing another bunch of cowboys but humans are a strange lot. We dogs just go along with it and try to enjoy ourselves.

Yesterday we left Bisbee, the farthest point south we've travelled on this trip, and drove all day heading north. I hear we're going home! Now, don't get me wrong, I've had a good time, but I am a bit of a homebody and I'm looking forward to my farm, my bed, my doggie friends across the road, and leashes that hang on a hook in the porch. Oh, and friendlier plants.

Pizza Crusts and Other Highlights

by Chico

We were on our way to Phoenix when T and Nollind took one of their flyers and we ended up in a place called Ajo near the Mexican border. Their detours always seem to take us somewhere fun or interesting, and this one included a day trip to Organ Pipe National Monument, a desert area filled with plants we had to stay away from. Just because I made the mistake of jumping up on a saguaro, once, they seem to think I'm going to stick myself to anything with thorns.

The rest of our time in Ajo, Logan and I hung out in the trailer and in the yard watching T and Nollind vacuum, dust, do the laundry, and wash and condition the roof of the RV. It was a very relaxing time. Our last evening there we walked to the centre of town to a cafe and got to sit on the patio with the people! Finally -- equality! Although...I have to say I didn't actually get a latte, or a chair.

When we got to Phoenix I was pretty excited because I could hear and smell the horses as soon as we rolled into the RV park. We were going trail riding! I love trail riding! I kept waiting for T and Nollind to go get the ponies and saddle up until Logan informed me that we were just camped beside a race track and there would be no trail ride. Oh...drag. Logan always seems to know what's going on. I wonder if I'll be that smart when I'm his age.

The city means a lot of time waiting for T & Nollind to come home from things, but I do like the great selection of food it offers -- pizza crusts, rib bones, cheezies, muffin wrappers. There are snacks everywhere! Nollind is always trying to keep me from eating the things I find on our walks but I'm pretty quick and becoming increasingly crafty in my approach. "Just sniffing at this rock over here, nothing to concern yourself with" ...and then grab and swallow as quickly as I can. In the campgrounds I hunt out the picnic tables. You'd be amazed what you can find underneath. They don't call them picnic tables for nothing!

After a week in the big city it was sure nice to be back out in the desert under the stars. Picacho Peak State Park is between Phoenix and Tucson and we went there for a few days of "country" before heading back into the city at Tucson. It was such a nice place that a few days turned into a full week of hiking, photography, painting, and cocktail hour. Now I've not been offered a cocktail just yet, but it's still fun hanging out with T & Nollind while they sit and talk and laugh and enjoy the sunset. They don't do it every day, but a lot more often when we're out in the desert. Desert and sunset watching just seem to go together.

Tucson has meant a bit more trailer time for me and Logan, but today we drove out of the city and went on a hike in Catalina State Park, right at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It was a hot day, over 30 degrees, and I was pretty excited to hear there would be three creek crossings on the way up to see the wildflowers. Back where I come from, creeks have water in them, but not so here in Arizona. Even rivers can be just big, sandy ditches. The first crossing was completely dry and the second one had a few pools of standing water that T & Nollind wouldn't let us near. I was pretty disappointed, not to mention melting. And then, at the third crossing -- water! Cool, clear, running, glorious water! As you can see, I'm not shy about going for a dip, and I'll find a way to cool off, even when the water is shallow.

I hear we're on the move again tomorrow, back to the desert and another state park. This one has the word "lake" in the name. The weather forecast is for more hot so I'm hoping the lake has water in it.