Memorial Day Weekend 2013 Tour - Sequoia National Forest and Vasquez Rocks.

California Road Trip #3: Sequoia National Forest and Vasquez Rocks. A 2-day, 600-mile adventure through farmlands, cowboy country, the Sierra Nevada's, and the Mojave Desert.

The Sequioa National Forest (southern portion) was about 50 miles and 1.5 hours of hair-pin turns winding through the mountains to elevations of 7,200 feet. 

We stopped at the train of 100 Giants, which is one of the hikes featuring several giant Sequioas.

 The largest tree in this trail was 220 feet tall, with a diameter of 20 feet. That's very tall.

Here I am at the base of a sequoia tree. 

I was told to be careful and watch out for bears when traveling in the National forest. No one mentioned that I would have to watch out for a gang of cows. MOO-ve over cattle! 

After leaving the Sequoia National Forest we headed back home via the Mojave Desert,  past Edwards Air Force Base, and through Palmdale, to Vasquez Rocks Park. 

Behind me is the most famous section of the Vasquez Rocks

Hey, its pretty fun here, climbing on the rocks.  

And strangely familiar? Didn't Captain Kirk fight the Gorn here?

Close to Home - The Day to Day

There is plenty to keep oneself occupied around the house: 

Taking in the snow topped mountain view (in those winter months)

Keeping an eye on a certain squirrel who likes to taunt me. Seen here in the fir tree, dining on an orange that was stolen from the tree in my yard. Geesh!

Chasing the lizards that crawl on the fence. I think this one likes grapes, as he likes to hang out near the grape vine.

Tending to my garden. A little patch in the yard were I'm growing tomatoes, corn, peas, and some herbs. 

Helping Pat draw in the afternoons. Not that he needs my help, but I like to think i'm doing something productive, here. Maybe holding down the drawing pad with my butt so the breeze does not blow it away.

Catching up in California - The First Few Months

There's been quite a lot of excitement here, 

since we arrived on the west coast. 

Although, before any other adventures could begin, I had to do some unpacking! It took a really long time to figure out which one of these boxes had my dog bed. 

Unpacking was strenuous work. It was time to relax.

(Not sure how relaxing this actually is?)

But not for long! Everything is so new, and there is so much to see and do.  I think I'm going to be spending a lot more time in the car!

California mini-road trip #1: Mountain climbing. Right in my backyard are the San Gabriel Mountains. We took a trip up a very curvy mountain road, route 2. Pretty nice view up here!

We continued through the San Gabriel Mountains and made out way to Mount Wilson. At 5,600 feet, on top of Mount Wilson is the Observatory. This is one of the telescopes. Checking out the mountains was a lot of fun.

California mini-road Trip #2: Beachcombing. A few weeks later we headed up the coast on the PCH to the Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach) in Santa Barbara. 

There is a section of this beach that is dedicated to dogs. It was so nice to play in the waves and hang out and sunbathe. Oh, and check out the other four legged friends.

Phoenix Across America Tour 2012

The tour has begun! I have left Brooklyn and I am heading west. First stop Clearfield PA. Rocking out in a Super 8 motel for the evening. This was my first time staying over night in a motel. Very strange to ride all this way in a car and not see any of my favorite relatives that I am used to seeing.

Here I am, watching the coffee pot. For some reason the smell and the sound is mesmerizing. Looking forwards to another day of fun filled travels. Today we head towards Ohio. Catch you soon!


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September 22, k-9's Log:
Today we travelled from Clearfield PA, across Ohio, and are now resting in Richmond Indiana. We went from route 80 to 76 heading south to Akron, and then to 71 to Columbus. From there, we headed to route 70 that put us heading west again, just in time to drive into a massive blaring sunset across a very flat landscape filled with lots of corn fields. It was very windy around Dayton. In all, about 7 hours of car riding clocked in, from 11 am to 6 pm with one stop in Youngstown. the end of day 2 we have gone 12 hours and about 600 miles. Tomorrow we are heading to St. Louis.

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September 23, K-9's Log:
Today we hopped in the car and set sail across the the great land they call Indiana. Indiana was incredibly peaceful with breezy cornfields and brightly colored farm buildings. I'm not gonna lie to you, we crossed the border into illinois, and it was much the same: Very flat with lots of corn and farms. As we neared Missouri, we made a detour to Collinsville where the worlds largest bottle of catsup is located. Check it out. The worlds largest bottle of catsup. What an amazing sight. Only in America my friends.

After this excellent detour, we made it to St. Louis and then onto O'Fallon Mo, where we stopped by to see some family. I met my doggie relatives Maggie and Dewey, they are part beagle and pomeranian. It was a lot of fun, and I think I might have a new girlfriend. That maggie is a cutie!


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September 24, K-9's Log:

We had a great time hanging out with the family. here I am with Pat, Dewy and Maggie who is flirting with me. Despite the great time I had hanging out, I had to keep moving. Next stop for today is the Arch of St. Louis.

Here I am at the Arch of St. Louis. It's huge. I had the best time visiting the park. The day was so sunny it was really a great time to be at the gateway to the west.

After an afternoon at the arch we drove across Missouri, and stayed overnight in Springfield MO. This time we crashed at a La Quinta, a dog friendly kind o place. It was very nice.

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September 25, K-9's Log:
Today ventured to Oklahoma City to visit with more family. We saw Lynn and Joe and their 3 girls, and husky Dog named Nanook. He was the most friendly dog that has ever lived, but for whatever reason I was unable to bond with poor Nanook. I may have been to wound up from the car, or maybe its been a while since I have hung out with a dog significantly larger than myself. Oh well, it was  nice stay, despite all. We left Lynn and Joe's house and continued through Oklahoma. It was mostly flat, and  not too much to see. We stopped at a cherokee rest area where there were live buffalo and a bunch of native american decor. I barked at a statue of a buffalo, because "it looked so real", and we went into a wigwam. It was fun.

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September 26, K-9's Log:

Onwards to Amarillo TX and the Cadillac Ranch! Just west of Amarillo on the old Route 66, here I am taking it all in. 10 Cadillacs lined up from the 1949 Club Sedan to the 1963 Sedan de Ville, all covered in spray paint. If I had opposable thumbs I would have grabbed a can of spray paint and joined the fun, as others contributed to the artwork.

As I was saying, many folks contributed to this automotive installation, including Pat who added these initials. Gee Pat, where are my initials? Hmmmm.......

continuing onwards past the Ranch, we made our way to Tucumcari NM where we stayed for the night.

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September 27, K-9's Log:

Today we did a lot of car traveling. New Mexico is not Like New York, despite the whole "new" thing. The state is very wide. 

 New Mexico is also the first state where we started to see some very unusual landscapes. Lots of cactus-like vegetation and check out these plateaus!

Just over the boarder into Arizona we stopped at the painted desert. I thought this was pretty neat, but Pat mentioned that if we make it to Flagstaff, he would take me to an even cooler national park. Oh Boy! So back in the car we go!

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September 28, K-9's Log:

After an evening in Flagstaff AZ, we went to the Grand Canyon! This was the best day ever. So sunny and lots of walking around with terrific scenery. Here I am at the canyon of grandness.

It's so majestic, and awesome. I would love to run all around the canyon, but its so big.

You know, its a long way down there. Maybe I don't want to run all around the canyon.

 I think I will stay with Pat. But seriously, look at this view.

After the visit to the canyon, we drove over to Kingman AZ. Tomorrow we drive to California.
I think we are gonna drive through the desert.

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September 29, K-9's Log:

California arrival.

In Honor of My 5th Birthday

I just recently had my 5th Birthday. I can not believe that I have been on this planet for 5 whole years already. I seems like yesterday I was just a little pup without a care in the world frolicking around with my brother and 3 sisters. Thats right! There was 5 of us in the beginning, hanging out together, playing, running around, terrorizing. Oh, would you like to see a picture of me with my siblings? Can you guess which one is me? I'll give you a hint: I'm the cute one! Here's to year 5!

To all my Pups, a Happy Valentine's Day

Love is in the air!

Swan to Dog - Dog to Swan

There is some confusion here in Prospect Park today. For I am but a dog and not a swan or a duck, or a seagull. I do appear to have similarities, with a dark face and white body. But Mr Swan, I will bark at you if you try to get any closer!

Working Class Dog

Of course this album was around long before me, but I do think that I would have made an excellent choice for the cover to Rick Springfield's Album Working Class Dog. I think I look rather stunning in this tie. Don't you?

My Very First Christmas Tree

BONEHENGE

If dogs ruled the universe, all the world would marvel at a henge made of bone, rather than stone. Who's to say that there wasn't a Bonehenge? If there was, I can give you one good reason as to why it may not exist today . . .
my belly!

Hiking in New Jersey

Hiking Rocks!!!

I Might Be Lazy

Despite popular belief, there are times when I am quiet and possibly Lazy

Top of the Rock!

This photo was taken last summer while visiting Essex. We were walking around the Manchester/Essex woods and Agassiz Rock. I will be traveling to Essex again very soon and hope to go on another hike. When you climb this high you can look out and see Gloucester harbor.

Happy Memorial Day

This is where I plan to be for most of the summer: My terrace.
I love the sun. It makes me happy.
Take a look behind me. See those plants? I am growing tomatoes!
I hope that by the end of the summer we will have lots of tomatoes to eat. I love tomatoes.