Goldilocks and the BIG bear

You all know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  But today I'm going to tell you a slightly different version.

I am Goldilocks. 

Here is the big bear:

I met Griffin on our walk yesterday, and he scared me to death!  I made my mama sit between the two of us for the photo op.  He was 4 times my size!  My mama said he was nice.  I'll take her word for it. 

Yesterday my parents went to play golf again.  We had gone on a big walk in the morning, so I was happy to just stay at home and chill out.  While they were gone, I tried out some of my options to get comfy.

This bed was too soft (I even tried to move the pillows around a bit to give it a fair chance):

This bed was too hard (didn't need much pillow adjusting):

The couch and the soft pillows on it were JUST RIGHT:

I know you can hardly see my face underneath that black pillow.  I buried myself deep into that pile of pillows and got cozy.

One more round of golf for my parents today, then they are taking a few days off to do some fun things with me.  I already know where I'll be napping.  

Love,

GoldieGurl

Urban Dweller

My whole life I've lived in the country.  I'm used to the smell of wildlife and dirt.

Here in the Desert, I'm getting my first experience as an Urban Dweller.  It's the concrete jungle here.  Our walks have been on sidewalks, on leash the whole time.  I needed a pedicure before arriving here, and the concrete has proven to be an excellent emory board.  The smells are all different here too, and there are very prickly bushes here called cacti.  I only sniffed that once.

Yesterday we walked to the grocery store for a few items.  The store is just a few blocks down the road, so we went as a family.  My dad stayed out in the parking lot with me while my mama ran inside.  So far, strangers here have not been very friendly.  Certainly not the Minnesota nice I'm used to.  People were walking right past me to get to their cars, and none of them even gave me a second glance.  That was until this nice lady walked out straight toward me.  She stopped and asked me what kind of shampoo I use to get such beautiful and shiny hair.  I told her that I eat healthy food and at work I usually get a lot of cheese, eggs and sausage.  She told me I was beautiful and then went to put her groceries in her car.  When she pulled away, I noticed her car had a fancy leaping cat on the back.  I thought that lady was pretty nice to me, especially for being a cat person.

I also didn't have the heart to tell the nice lady that my shiny coat is just good genetics.  No one wants to hear that.

Last night I got invited to dinner at our friends house.  Lester and Beth retired last year and moved from Seattle to the Desert.  They were so nice to include me on my first full day here.  I tried my hardest to be on my best behavior so that they didn't regret their invitation.  When the time rolled around for us to leave, no one had realized that I moved from my place on the floor to a nice cushy (white) rug in the living room.  Our hosts were so gracious they didn't flinch or make a big deal out of me laying on the rug.  (Little did they know I was eyeing up the couch next).

The weather out here is perfect for me.  We wake up and the temp is a cool 45 degrees.  Perfect for walking so my paws don't get hot.  The heat of the day is about 60-65 and it feels great.  The sky is Robin's egg blue and the purple hummingbirds are crazy in Nan's backyard.  It feels like spring back home.  

My parents are going to play golf today, so I'll be watching the homestead while they are gone.  The house is already comfortable to me, with smells of familiarity that make me feel right at home.

Love,

SummahGurl

(my urban name)

Arrival

It's been a grueling 2 1/2 days, but we made it!  Today we arrived in Rancho Mirage, California at 11:30am local time.  I guess you could laugh when I say "grueling" because we listened to a book called "The Red Circle" on Audible for the last 2 days, and it's about a Navy SEAL sniper. So I guess grueling is a matter of perspective.  I also heard my parents talk about all the men and women who drive these miles everyday to earn a living.  We will admit, the Andrich family of 3 is pretty soft. 

The highlight of our driving today was the Mojave National Preserve.  We chose that route rather than staying on the Interstate all the way to San Bernardino.  The pictures my mama took don't do it justice.  It was purely majestic. 

Then, we finally arrived at our destination.  Here's how happy I was when I got here!  It felt SO GOOD to get out of the car!  I jumped in my Nan's pool right off the bat and swam around.  The water was cool, but I like it that way.

We took advantage of the beautiful afternoon by relaxing outside for a bit.  I got to swim and fetch my dummy in the pool.  Then my parents thought we should go for a 3 mile walk to allow me to dry off, and for all of us to finally stretch.  

We are all pretty beat.  Who knew that sitting still in a seat could be so exhausting?  I'll sign off tonight with 1 more picture of me, relishing in the fact that I was no longer in the car.

Love,

California SummerGirl

Hello Officer, my name is Summer

Our travels today did not go anything like we planned when we left Spearfish.  Let's just say I'm glad my mama is not a Meteorologist.  She would get fired.  We drove in snow and wind from Spearfish all the way to Rawlins WY.  330 miles in snow that took us over 6 hours.  We had periodic white-out conditions, mostly due to tire spray.  Here's what I learned on that stretch of our travels:

• My dad has a lot of confidence behind the wheel, and a lot of patience for my mama.
• My mama talks a lot about:
• Safe following distance on dry roads.
• Safe following distance on snow covered roads.
• The speed limit.
• Safe following distance in general.
• "Arrive Alive" rather than trying to beat your GPS goal.
• What happens when the wind blows across newly fallen snow on an untraveled roadway.
• Did I mention safe following distance?

Not only do I have the gift of a good sniffer, but I am also good at picking up on my mama's moods.  About halfway between Gillette & Rawlins, I started panting in the back seat.  I wasn't hot.  I was nervous, like my mama.  I panted for an hour & a half until we got to Rawlins.  My mama needed a bathroom break for 90 minutes, so she was antsy to find a clean bathroom.  As we came into town the speed limit quickly changed to 30mph.  If you paid attention to my notes above, the speed limit is one of my mama's favorite talking points, so she politely said "it's 30 here" and then looked back at the map on her phone.  As my dad pulled into the Conoco station, he calmly said "I think I'm getting pulled over."  

Carbon County Wyoming has pretty nice officers from what I can gather.  The nice young man asked my dad if he knew why he was pulled over.  I thought it was awfully nice of him to ask!  My dad rolled down my window and the officer enthusiastically greeted me with a "Oh HI puppy!"  I instantly liked this guy and he smelled pretty good too.  My mama later explained to me that he has a pupper that goes to work with him everyday too.  In his line of work it's called "K9".  From the sounds of it, it's a lot harder than my office job.

My dad should have received a speeding ticket for 44 in a 30.  Instead, he received a citation for 35 in a 30 which reduced his fine from $180 to $60, and also won't go on his driving record.  While the nice officer helped my dad understand the consequences of speeding, he also allowed me and my mama to use the bathroom. He was a really nice guy.  

The minute we left Rawlins and got onto I-80, the roads were clear, the sun came out, and my mama and I finally relaxed.  My folks had a goal to see Park City and/or Provo while there was still light.  We made it, and were in awe.

Just a mere 6 hours ahead tomorrow before we arrive in Rancho Mirage.  I overheard my parents talking about some things we are going to do there.  I am pretty stoked to get out of the car, stretch my legs, and see what's in store.

Love,

SummerGirl

Destination Spearfish

We arrived at the Holiday Inn in Spearfish SD last night at 10:30pm.  It was a long day, starting at home (up at 6am) and then traveling to St. Cloud for a fun lunch and games, then 8 more hours in the car to Spearfish.  We all slept like babies in a really comfy bed.  With me in the middle.  Just like old times.

This morning, my dad took me out for potty-poops while my mom finished getting ready. There weren't very many people staying at the Holiday Inn, so the parking lot was empty.  I got to go out without a leash!  Our room  was on the ground level, about 6 or 7 doors from the entrance.  I went out and luckily found a patch of long grass and did my business.  Long grass is my preference, for obvious reasons - I like my privacy.  Dad let me back in the hotel and my nose went straight to the ground until I found the door that smelled like my mama when I sniffed underneath.  I stopped at that door and waited for my dad.  I had picked the correct room.  My dad laughed out loud and told me that I am a good pupper who is too smart for her own good.  I don't know if it's smarts, or just a really good nose. 

We left Spearfish this morning at 7:15 mountain time, in light snow.  My mama checked the radar and it looked like the snow would be stopping within an hour of us getting west into Wyoming.  I hunkered down into the backseat that I have all to myself, and settled in for the ride.  Having the whole backseat to myself is a requirement that I've made sure my parents know.  Here is my Nan's car loaded up before we left home yesterday.  Packed to the gills with nothing to bug me in the backseat.

I will send an update tonight from St. George Utah which seems like a world away right now.

Love,

Summer Girl

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of my favorite people!

I am headed on a road trip to the west coast tomorrow, and I'm inviting you to join me in my adventure for the next 2 weeks.  

Hang on for the ride! (Especially if my dad is driving!)

Love, 

Summer