Finding Our Way

Isn’t it funny, humans use gadgets to get from one place to another. Take my pair.

Used to be, if we were going on a trip, Dana would get out the road atlas and by using a mileage wheel, comparing distances on the “Driving Distance in Miles” chart, and the mileage scale (1” = 50 miles) with the help of a flexible tape measure, she would plan where we would end up at the end of each traveling day. Then out would come the campground books to find the location of the closest campgrounds.

Then came a cool internet tool, Mapquest - just put in where you wanted to end up and print out the turn-by-turn directions. You could use that to break down the trip into manageable daily drives.

When GPS got into the “affordable” range that became our next gadget. While trip planning can be down through Good Sam Club, Mike and Dana rely on the GPS for back up, especially in detour situations, and to see what is local (restaurants, attractions, grocery stores, etc.) once we’re at our destination.

As nice as all these gadgets are, however, you can still have some exciting moments. Like when we were on our way to a KOA in Hill City, close to Mount Rushmore. We followed our lady GPS, turned right, turned left and …ended up at a gate with a sign on it, “This is not the entrance to the KOA.” When we checked in, heard other RVers had the same experience.

Mapquest isn’t infallible, either. On another trip we followed our print-out, turned right as instructed and noticed the addresses were going in the wrong direction. We turned around, passed where we had originally turned right, then drove to our destination in the opposite direction.

At times, it’s not the fault of the GPS, sometimes it’s because the driver’s brain has a delayed reaction to the instruction. When you hear the irritating, “Recalculating” it brings the driver out of his stupor.

Even with GPS and Mapquest, Dana keeps maps handy because sometimes she just wants to see where we’re at. The “Take This Exit” book comes in handy, too - it’s easy to see what’s available at the exit number.

Once we get somewhere, I’m their GPS because I just know which way to go. They try to trick me by parking in a different site every time we return to an RV park but I can’t be fooled - I always remember. One time we took a hike and on our way back, they wanted to walk back a different way than we had come. I had none of that - I knew which way to go and no matter how hard they pulled and tugged on my leash, I would not budge until they went my way. I don’t know why they thought that was so funny.

But I’ll let you in on a secret - it was because my paws were tired and I didn’t know where they were headed next!

Hanging Out in Buellton

Every once in awhile, a dog needs a change of scenery, so we went to Buellton/Solvang.

We stayed at Flying Flags RV Park. It is close to the Chumash Indian Casino, Solvang, a lot of "Sideways" was filmed around there (so lots of wineries to visit as well as the restaurants, etc., that were in the movie), Monty Roberts (Horse Whisperer) has a ranch on the road between Buellton and Solvang, there's the ostrich farm and, of course, Andersen's Split Pea Soup Restaurant.

The RV park itself is pretty nice. The spaces are fairly nice size (especially for California) and the grounds are clean. Besides a lot of RV and tent spots, there are five rental cabins and good-sized rental tents in season. They have a nice size pool with an indoor and an outdoor jacuzzi - a waterfall for ambiance. Mike and Dana ate the BBQ the park put on Friday night and were surprised at how much food you got for $12 and it tasted good! (I can actually attest to that because Mike kept slipping me bits of his.) There's a nice playground for kids as well as an arcade and a nicely equipped work-out room.

But the best part for me - the dog park. They have two small ones, one that's split in half with a roof for cats (can you imagine) and a nice big off-leash area. (I made some new friends in that one.)

These were Golden Retrievers, too, but they sure were pale! (English Cream) The two pups were 10 months old and the "oldster" was 15!

Then I met Mojo - she was my kind of gal!

(Don't tell my Wednesday night girlfriends!)

We had a wonderful time but one of my favorite things about staying in the motorhome is how close everything is:

(You can't tell in this picture, but that last Little Smokie was trembling on the plate...)

We had a wonderful time last week - hope your week was fun, too!

It's a slow week for Archie...

Slow week - travel wise. We were in Santa Barbara for Mike’s medical appointment but that was it. I did get to go on a nice walk along the beach sidewalk. J

On the way home, Mike got himself a shake and I got to lick the cup! C

Later that evening, everybody paid for that one! N

Dana tried to warn him… L

We stayed home for Christmas and some of my other family came to see us. One morning, they took me to our park. I was sitting there, enjoying the nice day when, suddenly, Mark got a great idea.

  







He notices the other kids like it, so maybe I will, too.

                                                   

Mark took me to the top of the slide.
                                                                            
                                                                                           

and then down we went!

I liked it!  I liked it!

I wanted to go again. Peyton tried to hold me back...

                                                        

but I was raring to go - so ran around, up the ramp and then down all by myself!

        

       Notice my tail is still wagging!

                                                                      

I went so fast, Genie couldn't even get a good picture.

Then, I was off to find another adventure - like I'm going to do right now!

Happy 2012!

2011 went so fast! People say time does that as you get older...

Practiced clean habits.

Enjoyed the beach.

Made new friends.

Took time to smell the roses.

Enjoyed doing things I love with people who are fun to be with..

Always remembered my old friends.

Visited some interesting places with interesting people.

Enjoyed myself wherever I was.

Made sure to get plenty of rest.

Never took myself too seriously.

Welcomed new family members!

Saw some strange sights.

And had a great time celebrating the holidays!

Hope your year was as much fun. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

Merry Christmas!

From our house to yours!

I'm all dressed up in my jingle bell collar - can you see one bell peeking out from my fur? Hope this Christmas each of you is able to find a way to grant a special wish for someone you love.

A Book About A Puppy

This is Archie, when he came to join our family almost 9 years ago.

Since this is gift giving time, I thought I might take up more space than usual to recommend a book - especially for people who might be thinking about giving/getting a pet.

First, I was not sure I would like “The Puppy Diaries - Raising a Dog named Scout.” Since it was written by Jill Abramson, a managing editor of The New York Times, I figured it might be a little snooty for my tastes, but I liked her writing style - not the least bit uppity.

She tells the trials of a New Yorker raising her British Standard Golden Retriever. (British Standards are more cream colored than the reddish gold more used associated with the breed.) Whether you live in the country or city, any pet owner, but especially a puppy owner, can relate to the trials that she goes through incorporating Scout into her life style.

She takes a few jabs at Cesar Millan throughout the book but by the end, her conclusion was the same as I have - dogs need different training/behavior methods at different times in their lives. Any one who has a dog as part of their family knows the dog is not a stagnant being and behaviors change, for better or worse. It’s up to the thinking members of the family to come up with what will work for their dog at that particular time.

Jill is not the first person to be put-off by Cesar’s methods but I always wonder if the people who knock him are watching/reading the same information as me. He is never mean or hurtful to dogs. When you see him on TV with his pack, there is no doubt - those dogs love him. I think dogs know what they like and they like Cesar. In case you haven’t noticed, I like Cesar (on TV anyway), too.

What I really like about this book, though, doesn’t sugar coat anything. She told about the problems she had with her pup, even those that were grounded in her own insecurities. Scout was not a “Marley,” but she did misbehave once in awhile and had some real issues Jill had to address.

Which is why, if you are thinking about getting a dog or know someone who is, read this book first. I think too many dogs end up in shelters because the families think it’s going to be like a Disney cartoon once they get their pet home. Puppies need training, love and to be a part of the pack. For most of them, that means they need to live inside the house with their humans. If you aren’t willing to put up with the changes a pet will make in your routine or the responsibility a pet entails, please just leave that cute puppy in the window. If you are thinking of giving a pet as a gift, make sure the intended “receivers” are also aware of the changes this gift will make in their lives.

If you do feel you are ready to include a canine member in your family, and especially if you are thinking about a puppy, take the time to read Ms. Abramson’s book. After reading it, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.