Packing for our big trip.

 We are getting things organized and ready for our big trip to New Mexico. We leave on April 14th. Mom has piles of stuff all over the house. I got a little upset with Mom because she packed our treats. 

Going back to Sundance, Utah

In just under a month I am headed out on a big road trip with Mom and Dad. In honor of Dad's birthday and my fifth we are going back to Sundance, Utah as part of a road trip from the Washington, coast to Santa, Fe. I am getting ready.

Woof, Woof and More Woofs -On Our Way to Santa Fe

I am all wags this morning. Mom and I are on a big silver bird way up in the sky. We Are heading west to see Dad, he is waiting for us in New Mexico. Dad left a couple of days ago to get our Casita ready for us, and of course Mom had to work. We have a layover in Chicago, if I am lucky I will be able to get out of my carrier,  and stretch my legs and maybe get a few pats too - I'm a crowd pleaser. We are going to do lots of hiking and some camping too in the Gila Wilderness. One of my favorite things to do is to walk around Santa Fe and poke my nose into some shops- good thing it is a dog friendly place. Mom and I did have an adventure at the airport this morning. I don't know why she brings so much- I just can't help her carry anything.  I am under the seat at the moment and the smell I admit is a little not so great, I just see all kinds of bags and feet. Going to snooze a bit and next blog will be from the Casita in NM.  

Goodbye for Now

 This morning we went to the flea market -- again! Same people, same stuff, same smells.

 Then we did something very different: a hayride (behind a tractor) through the Santo Domingo pueblo to see their new idea for growing crops -- sunflowers.

 A woman from the University explained that the tall sunflowers are for sunflower oil, biofuel and walking sticks. The short ones are for seeds. One Santa Domingo woman started this, and the tribe has  only been doing it for two years, but they are very excited about it.

 This is Mom and me next to a field of short sunflowers. You know how much Mom loves sunflowers. She was just as excited as the Indians!

Now we are packing up to go home. As usual I am sad to leave New Mexico, but happy to be going home to my couch and my friends the cats. I'll blog you next time!  Love, Sundance

The Big Laundry

 You'll know what kind of day this was when I tell you that doing the laundry was the big event. Pat left early for her next adventure, and we went into Santa Fe. Mom and Dad went to Farmers' Market (No Dogs Allowed), where Mom had a chocolate donut and Dad got his hunting knife sharpened. After the laundry was done, we drove back down Cerillos Road (the main shopping drag), stopping at stores for hardware, groceries and a new feather pillow for Dad. ("Finally!" -- Dad)

 Back home Mom and I hung out on the bed while Dad did projects involving a dimmer for the dining room lights, and hanging artwork. Mom fed me and cooked dinner for them (I got a bite of a turkey burger -- yum!).

After dinner we did some more hanging out, this time on the steps watching the sun set over the Rio Grande. They tell me tomorrow is going to have some more action in it, but I didn't really mind today. Even a dachshund needs some time off ...

Snoozin' in the Car

 We spent a lot of today in the car driving out to Chaco Canyon. This is what's left of an old old city that Indians built a thousand years ago. They were wicked good architects and craftsmen, according to Mom and Dad.

They cut stones from the canyon cliffs and made cement from river mud and carried trees from a hundred miles away. Even with the wild weather, their buildings are still strong.

 I had to look at it from the car because they don't allow dogs. Actually I spent most of the day in the car which was fine with me, because I woke up still feeling a little sick from our hailstorm adventure in the Pecos and I didn't even want breakfast. (If you can imagine!) But after a day riding around northern New Mexico I felt fine.

The four of us had a hearty dinner on the deck of the casita and watched a really beautiful sunset. Guess I'm just a car-trip dog because I really enjoyed today.

We climbed so high we almost touched the sky- then it came crashing down.

 Aspen grove the top of Round Mountain, Pecos Wilderness

Lee and Sundance on top of Round Mountain, Pecos Wilderness

Pam and Sundance resting on top of Round Mountain, Pecos Wilderness

Pam and Pat hanging out at campsite, Pecos Wilderness

Let's have a reality check here- I am a dog, but I was born for adventure. I haven't been keeping up with my blog because the latest adventure has taken me to the top of Round Mountain in the Pecos Wilderness. I am dictating to Mom as she types my blog on her blackberry. This place is really something!  We camped last night at 8600 feet and have just completed a hike almost to 10,000 feet. We are hanging out in a big meadow overlooking all the mountains of the Pecos Wilderness. I am quite proud I ran all the way up the trail with Mom struggling to hang onto my leash. Dad kept the rear up and took pictures.  Well it is clouding up, and the skies will open up soon for the daily monsoon. We will head back to camp and hang with our friend Pat and her cat Luz. This truly is  a place on top of the world.  

As we hiked down the Mountain ( this was added later) the sky let loose. It was torrential rain, hail, thunder and lightinng. I dashed ahead with Mom. Then we found a big rock and Mom picked me up and zipped me in her raincoat, Dad stood over us.   The hail started coming real hard and fast.  I was terrified!  It was just like the scene it City Slickers when Billy Crystal rescues Norman. We stayed put until the hail stopped, and we started down the mountain. We had rivers of mud flowing beneath Mom and Dads feet.  I was snugged in for life inside of Mom's coat. Finally the rivers stopped and I hopped out and we got down. Pat was real worried. We got all dry and the sun came out, I rested as Mom and Pat made some things with beads and string. We had an early dinner and the rains came again.  It was ok- we were in our tent. This morning we left early to go back to the casita. Dad and Mom did chores as I chased lizards. Tomorrow I hear we are off to Chaco Canyon for a day trip. That is ok Because I can snooze.