Heading East

Anne and I traveled together for 4 months and it seemed odd when she didn't pull in and park near me the first night. I don't know what Scruffy thought about this. He had gotten very used to playing with his "Auntie Anne" every day, and stopped by her trailer at the end of his morning walk. (She is Auntie Anne because strangers always refer to Scruffy as Toto.)  It was a sad day when we went our separate ways.

I think my trip east to see family is a good transition. And Scruffy too is meeting lots of folks and having new adventures.

He did really well on our long travel day. It involved flying from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, then on to Philadelphia and finally West Chester County airport.  I was glad flights were early which gave us time for potty breaks for both of us. Fortunately, airports provide dog areas. Unfortunately, you have to go outside and then come back through the security check again. Even the security folks like Scuffy.

I frightened my sister Deb by sending her a video of Scruffy racing around my trailer and she and Rich (her husband) were much relived to meet the other Scruffy, the quiet one. Scruffy had no trouble adjusting to being a house dog. He likes beds, and couches and rooms to explore.

Luckily, the next two legs of our journey only involved one flight each. It was easier on both of us. The next stop was Orange City Florida where we spent a week with my father.

My Dad and Scruffy grew fond of each other. Every day when we got back from our morning walk, Scruffy slept outside of my father’s door until my dad emerged.  They were often found right next to each other. I think Scruffy would make a good therapy dog and I will look into that.

The day before we left my dad’s house, he told Scruffy he was really going to miss him. Then he looked at me and said, “and just as an aside, I am really going to miss you too.”

I’m lucky to have a father with a great sense of humor and glad that he passed it on to me.

Bound for Albuquerque

Anne and I headed in different directions on Apr. 21. She was heading west then north planning to arrive in Portland, OR in early May. I headed East and then south to catch a plane from Albuquerque on Apr. 25.

The first leg of my journey took me on US89 in Utah through Escalante, past the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, through Page AZ, then on US98 to Rte 160 W. I left 160 at 564 and took a detour out to the Navaho National Monument. It offers a free campground with beautiful views. I would like to come back here for the ranger tour one day.

The second leg was on US160 through Kayenta, past Shiprock and through Farmington to Bloomfield. I stopped around 2:30 to do laundry so I could start to pack. Late afternoon found me back at Angel Peak for the night.

The last leg was down 550 to Bernalillo, NM and the south on 25 to Albuquerque and west on 40 to the Enchanted Trails RV Park.  It is a place I like to stay overnight when I have an early flight out of Albuquerque. It harkens back to the days when Rte 66 was a popular route and they have a number of refurbished trailers that people can rent as “cabins” if they don’t bring their home with them. (The best part is it is close to the airport and I get a 50% discount. (Yeah Passport America)

This was a layover for me. I got a new battery setup for my trailer. Now I will be able to store some of the electricity that my solar panel produces each day. I took Scruffy for his first “Spa” session. (In other words, he is having a bath, hair trim and having his nails done.)  The things a poor dog has to go through when heading to civilization.

Since we have a 5:55 am flight (what was I thinking), we went to the airport a day early to pay the pet fee and get boarding passes for Scruffy. Flying American for one leg and US Air for two even though I am booked on American means stopping at each airline to verify that he is registered and the seats I have booked will fit his carrier bag underneath. I was lucky enough to get great people to work with and one women (AA) told me that she will be working when I come in – she will look for me at 4:30am and call me up so I don’t have to wait. Then I will get to sign some paperwork for the dog and check my bag.

I also checked out a parking lot and verified that I can leave truck and trailer there. $5.50/ day for both. Seems like a good deal. I have used them before for just my truck and know that their service to and from airport is excellent.

I am looking forward to spending a few days with Deb and Rich in CT and then a week with my Dad in Florida. I hope Scruffy enjoys this time too.

Grand Escalante Day 2

This was our second day in Grand Escalante. We chose to visit Catstair Canyon and Paria  Townsite. Both were great choices.

Catstair Canyon is known for its pictographs. We found these after a short hike.

 A Utah Education site noted:  “The canyon was named because only a cat could work its way through this section (before the canyon was blasted out to make way for the highway)’

We decided to continue our hike to the end of this box canyon. I was quite taken with the variety of textures found in the canyon.

We visited Paria Townsite because a fellow hike at the toadstools recommended it.  The road in is a dirt road and it becomes quite steep and narrow about 3 miles from the end. Since it was overcast we stopped to ogle the scenery at a site formerly used for films.  and then headed back out. (Kanab is know as “little hollywood” because of all the films that were made here.)

The signs at the start of the road had warned it would be impassable when wet. My truck is a 2 WD and so I am cautious about the chances I take.

Grand Staircase Escalante

Sunday, we set off for Grand Escalante. After stopping at a BLM office, we headed out with directions. Our first stop was “the toadstools”.  If was a fun hike with interesting formations and the bonus of wild flowers. 

Next we set off for Wirepass, a really fine slot canyon. The drive to the trailhead was about 9 miles of dirt road.  The canyon hike was spectacular. 

 

On the drive back out we were treated to colorful walls reminiscent of “artists palette” in Death Valley.

Scruffy is a quick learner and today he learned to fetch and bring the ball back to me. Earlier this week I would throw the ball and he would run to it and wait for me to catch up. Today he spontaneously started to bring it back and drop it near me.