Arizona Visit continues...

Our visit to AZ continued this week. I worked my shifts from a friend's house, and the dogs spent long lazy days in the sunshine by the pool. The weather has been perfect every day. We have continued to visit some old friends and favorite places here in 'the valley of the sun'.

We got out to hike at McDowell mountains a couple of times. We did it one day this week at sunset. The desert landscape was beautiful, and the hike was a good one, you really feel it as you climb this trail. (yes, climb!) Some pics are below.

More to come, as my Mom comes to town this weekend, and the Dogs and I move the trailer to my sister's house for the visit...

~Be Well All!

Awesome night for a sunset hike...

Just a gorgeous Sunset!

Camelback Mtn at Sunset.

Lights coming on in N. Phoenix, Wow, we started at street level!

Resting after the big hike... they are so cute!

Hangin' out in Arizona.

We have continued our visit to AZ with many visits to family and friends.
Aside from some great outings catching up with several good friends made during my time living in AZ,
we have spent time with my Sister and Brother in law, Niece, and Nephew.

We have had fun this past week visiting a big kid's playhouse, Playing board games, playing in the park, having a silly string fight, visiting the San Tan desert center and seeing snakes and lizards, and also getting some yummy Yogurt.

We have my Mom, their grandmom, coming to visit for this Easter weekend. I will take the camper to my sister's house and spend the coming weekend there. I am looking forward to lots of fun with the kids...

Here are some pics of me and the pups spending time with the family...

'Uncle' Rob, Olivia, and Logan.

We're all winners at the game of Life!

Silly String Fight!

Making a mess with Silly String!

Good Dogs!

MMMMMM, Make your own yogurt cups,  Yummy!!

Our return to Arizona...

Our trip continues with a 3-4 week visit to Arizona.

We used to live in the area, and have Family and friends to visit, lots of catching up to do.
Through the generosity of a good friend, we have a place to stay, and keep the rv while we are here.
I will also use the time here to clean up and reorganize some things in the trailer, and take time to pay the final bills from the Santa Rosa house, and file/pay my taxes. Putting those chores behind me are sure 'lighten my load' even further as we continue on this journey.

The drive from Cali through the mountains to AZ went well. I will say it was nice to cross the border and pay less for gas! (getting 9-10mpg will make you think about that).

I enjoyed a wonderful Sonora desert sunrise, and we rolled into Phoenix last Saturday. Its already been a fun and interesting visit. *Check out the Doggie Motorcycle sidecar pic below! 

I'll catch all up on our time here in Az in the next post, 
Be Well.

Sonora Desert Sunrise!

I just dig Southwest Landscaping...

Saw this in line for gas at Costco, This pup even more spoiled than mine!

Wrapping up San Diego

Our visit to beautiful San Diego concluded with a full day spent working and playing on 'Fiesta Island' I setup the trailer, and we had a great day on the beach.
I noticed Brittney was really focused on something in the water a few times. After watching her, I realized, she's really amazed and hypnotized by Jet Skis.  This was really cute, as she does not ever sit still long, but watching the jet skis whiz back and forth had her sitting for 20 minutes or more... I'm pretty sure riding on one would not be her thing.
At the end of the day, we packed up, and I began our drive to Arizona.

We have been blessed to have had such a great first 3 weeks! I'll catch you up on the drive to AZ, and a bit on what we are up to here in Phoenix next time.
Be Well!

Last Day on Fiesta Island with the trailer in tow.

Brittney watching the Jet Skis...

San Diego Visit continued

Our Visit to San Diego continued through last week. I returned to work and spent the days in the campground, but we went out on Dog Friendly outings a few times after work during the week. Here are some highlights...

The Doggy Bakery: (Paw Pleasers!)
This Bakery makes dog cakes and cookies, even ice cream! We stopped in and got some treats, and also got several suggestions for additional dog locations. The owner and patrons there were all just wonderful and i'm glad we found this place, we will visit again in future San Diego trips.

The BBQ Place:
At Bull's Smokin' BBQ, the dogs were greeted with beef bones and a bowl of water. We had a great spot in the shade on the patio, and I'll also note they had a Clapton concert playing, which gets points with me.
Great choice of smoked BBQ, i tried most of it, as i went here another time before we left. The salmon with some aoli BBQ sauce was my favorite, it was all good, and the sides were tasty. The dogs had a great time, and so did I.

Mission Bay Park:

We spent most of our time along the shores of Mission Bay, as that is where our campground was. Mission bay park is a very large city park that was adjacent to our campground. The dogs are allowed almost anywhere in mornings and evenings, and there are a great many facilities and different parks and beaches. There is a bay trail that goes for miles and miles around Mission bay. It is popular with locals and tourists, and the weather is not as hot, nor as cold as the open ocean beaches. I will return here next spring and stay longer.

San Diego Visit

Our Week in San Diego was great,

Below are pics of our first weekend.
We enjoyed 4x4 wheeling on the beach on 'Fiesta Island', a truck and dog friendly island in Mission Bay.
We had breakfast by the fire on the beach.
The next day, we went to "Dog Beach", a large Dog park on the ocean, across the bay from Sea World. The dogs got to play with many new friends, and run in the surf. We later went to Mission beach boardwalk, and enjoyed Fish and Chips and Beer at a Dog Friendly Brewhouse near the water.
It was quiet a fun weekend in Southern California.
I'll return soon with another post of some other adventures was had in on the weekdays in San Diego.
Be Well!

 

 

P

The Journey to San Diego...

We left the Monteray area last Thursday and headed for San Diego.

En route, I got my first taste of a rural detour trying to head to Salinas, from Monteray, the direct route was closed, and the 'detour' led us in a vary large circle. Having always living in an area with 'alternate routes', it was frustrating, but i eventually settled back and enjoyed the ride, realizing i was in no hurry... 
The weather got really rough, wind, rain, hail... We made it down the 101and to the 5 by nightfall, and slept at a truck stop on the I-5 and woke up surrounded by trucks on Friday morning, an unusual amount of trucks... We soon learned the I-5 was closed due to snow in the mountain pass, known as "the Grapevine".

I setup a small camp behind a burger place, and found a place for the dogs to run, while we waited for the snow to be cleared and the road opened.

Eventually the trucks began to clear out, and I followed them up into the sleet and snow.
At the rest stop at the top of the mountain, we got out and had some lunch. The Pups got to play in the show, which was a fun surprise.
After coming down the mountain and battling the LA traffic, we made it to San Diego, we found our campground and setup. We then had dinner, and a Root Beer float on the Beach!  California is one of the few places you can do lunch in the snow and dinner in the sun on the sand!

We have been here on the Mission Bay and around the San Diego area since last Friday, the weather has been clear and in the high 70s and low 80s. I am back at work, and it has been quite a busy week, but we have a few more small adventures to share from the week here, bu almost have you all caught up.

Be Well,
-R

They have only been in snow 4-5 times in their lives.

She's so cute!...

Campground on Mission Bay

Pups exploring the coastline.

"Carmel by the Sea"

The most Dog Friendly place so far has been in Carmel, just south of Monteray.

It is a very schwanky area, lots of spas and great little eateries, antiques, etc. Dogs are allowed almost everywhere they can. Including the Market, most restaurant patios, and parks/beaches.
As we walked and explored, Many, many people noted the dogs and stopped to pet and make suggestions on where to spend our time.
We eventually chose "Forge in the Forest". This fancy pub has a great outdoor area, and was very pet friendly.

Upon sitting down, the dogs were given treats, and water, and i was presented with my menu, as well as a Dog menu! (see pic). The dogs and i enjoyed a great lunch!!! I enjoyed soup and a sandwich (and a Big Beer, of course), and they got some Chicken Breast and kibble.  If ever you find self in Carmel, please stop into this place!. http://www.forgeintheforest.com/

Yes, That's a Doggy Menu!