Over Texas Hill Country with Houston Overlanders

Terlingua, Spicy Chili and Dry Cold Winds

When the option of driving to west Texas came up for the famous Terlingua Chili Cook-off with other Houstonians, the answer was yes!  We pulled together our camping gear, watched the weather reports, and booked a hotel room before we left.  It is a ten-hour drive if we are lucky.  First stopping in Kerrville for the night, we stayed in dog friendly hotel, La Quinta, for an early rise in the morning before headed to Terlingua.  Lots of dogs and hunters stayed at the hotel that night. The parking lot was full of trailers with four-wheelers since deer season began that weekend.  We made it to Alpine for the last grocery store for bread and cheese, and saw lots of blue haired, tattooed people going into this local store.  Finally 2 more hours until Terlingua on TX 118, enjoyed a beautiful drive through old rock formations, mountains, desert, but saw no live wildlife.  This is a geologist dream location, once with seven volcanoes in the area.

So Thankful

Together with my family on Thanksgiving I am so thankful for still having Bud in my life.  His cancer, liposarcoma, is growing but he is still up, mobile, and happy.  I wash him with my tongue on a daily basis.  Bud just closes his eyes and enjoys it.  Every day is a blessing with Bud.  With some help from Papa Bud can get on the boat.  He eats a bit slower than before he got sick.  So I have to now wait for him to finish breakfast before I get to lick his bowl.

The only time Bud whimpers is when he has to go the bathroom.  He stares at his food and water bowl when they are empty and looks at our family.  He sleeps a lot more which means I sleep more since I have no one to play with.  I grab his paw and bring him my toys which he stands and tries to play for a few minutes.  Then he goes and lays down on his many soft cushy beds around the house or boat.

His cancer has doubled in size.  Not sure what to do.  Very sad. Hopefully we will still have Bud at Christmas.  Planning another sailing trip to Moody Gardens soon, and hopefully Bud will be fit to go. Praying for more time with Bud.

Halloween Costumes for our Dogs

Whitley Lioness in October 2017, so happy

October 31, 2014, Astronaut Whitley and Elvis Hound Dog King, Bud

Hooray Return to Marfa

beautiful architecture of Marfa Courthouse, 1886 Presidio County

Do you believe in the Marfa lights? Nah

Dogs in New Braunfels

Tubing the Comal River and Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, TX in the summer 2012 and 2013.

We rented houses both years Lil Kahuna one way up the River Rd, and the next Market Haus off the Comal River in downtown New Braunfels (good walking distance). Both were close to the tube rentals.

 At Lil Kahuna on the Guadalupe I swam with my lifejacket all the way to the bridge. My family rode in tubes which looked boring since they could not swim with me. There is only a couple of places to pee (on dry land) so don't let them pass you by.

Most of the river is shallow but the last part is way deep. I saw big geese and ducks along the swim but was not allowed to chase them. Finally we made it to the bridge and I had to go. But my family said "NO" because it was a campsite and they had no bags.  We jumped in an open aired bus and went back to the cottage for lunch and bathroom break.

Oh was I tired. I slept for hours and got to go for dinner on a patio over the river. A live band played over the river's edge (Three Men Band), and I got to shake my tail feathers with everyone else.

The Comal River was cold and clear, but we decided that I should not go because of the shoots which are pretty fast, and not a safe thing for my injured paw.

I found out that you can walk around the shoots but I was happy at the rental house watching television and listening the parrot next door.

Saturday morning was the farmers market and dogs were allowed. Since this was my family's first time going, they felt that I should stay.   I was pissed when I heard that dogs were there.  I had a big backyard.  The grass made my feet itch so I stayed by the bamboo to avoid the grass. Next door there were a few little dogs that would not stop yelling at me. This house was not quiet.

My family made me some healthy snacks from the farmers market and a few bites of grassfeed beef.

Good with grass.

Mooing in Fort Worth Stockyards

From our Hotel Room at the Stockyards, watching the horses

That's the one that gave me the long stare...

Cattle drive

Put those pups to bed...

Cannot wait for a Love Shack burger

Bud and I are here. Finally after arriving from College Station, we ride around the old Stockyards of Fort Worth. Where are all the cows? I heard that it was called Cowtown, cow pens and ramps, but no cows. I love cows not just because of hamburger, but they are our backyard neighbors. The young ones play with us along the fence, and if I get a chance, manure perfume is my favorite.

We pull in front of the Stockyard Hotel, and there were horses walking down the road. I love horses too (they scare me though face to face). We walked around until our Cowboy themed room was ready. There was the biggest cow that I had ever seen and it was looking around at me. Oh the smile on my face lit up Fort Worth. Longhorns stretched as long as the cow was. He kept watching me as we walked far around him. People were getting on his back for pictures. Wow! He had on a saddle too. I meet some horses too. We sniffed noses, and their noses were huge.

Our room is ready and the busboy loads all of the dog food, jackets, popup crates, and toys into the cart, and we go up a magic old style elevator. The floor changes and we go to our room. There on the floor is a sitting area and a walking area (feel like your outdoors) not a potty area...

The room was nice, and we setup our crates and blankets. Papa saw cowboys on horseback walking down the street, so I had to see for myself (he lifted my front paws to see out the windows). Tied up to a post was a horse (woof, it could not hear me), and the cowboy was getting a drink.

We were on our best behavior, and all the guests at the hotel said that we were better than their kids. I hope so. There was a grassy area next door that was a perfect potty spot. The sidewalks were crowded with people, and got to see some old family friends last seen in Estes Park, Colorado. Fun times... We missed the cow parade because our family was worried that someone might spook the cows (only 10 cows anyway). Something fell from the ceiling in our room so we did not have to pay for the dog fee, and Ma got sick from something in the air. Pa got sick from too much drink. We stayed in perfect health and got a serving of steak the first night.

Cool Spots in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Numerous sources to collect spring water for home use

Head Quarters of Hot Springs National Park

Walking from Embassy Suites to Bathhouse Row by the former Hot Springs rehabilitation center

Ready for a soaking in Hot Springs, AR

Hot water fountain of Hot Springs, Arkansas

Kissing the Barney Stone

Beachside in Corpus Christi

We drove the six hour journey from my home to see my extended family in Corpus Christi, Texas. Bud and I were so excited to play on the beach and in the water. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Emerald--which is right on the beach of the Corpus Christi Bay. We ran up and down the beach. The hotel was close to the downtown area, so we could walk everywhere.

The room was on the ground floor that walked right out to the beach. On the first night the wind was blowing hard and I didn't get to play on the beach much. On the second day one of the family members got really sick (maybe from the mold in the room), so we left to go back home.

The beaches were clean but had broken shells all over it. So if you go, be careful of your paws. Petsmart is way down (5 miles or more) from the hotel-- make sure that you have good directions if you are not familiar with Corpus Christi. We loved the drive down Shoreline Drive. The family loved Pier 99 restaurant next to the USS Lexington-good music and food.

No official dog parks in Corpus Christi yet. But the city officials are looking into it. There was a great skate park which was packed with all ages of boys.

Protect the dog from the sun too

Playing in the Surf in the Gulf of Mexico (TX)

Pace Bend on Lake Travis, TX

Near Surfside, TX

Lake Travis, cliffs in Pace Bend County Park

Tanning Bad

Sun tan and Health

Protect yourself and your four-legged friend. Careful because I was burned by Helioplex sunscreen when done as a test.

Dogs need their own kind of sunscreen in the high Texas Sun. Our yellow Labrador, Bud, loves to lie out in the sun, and he needs his own type of sun protection. Whitley wears her life jacket which helps protect her from the sun rays.

Remember to eat your cooked tomatoes to protect from the sun.

Little preparation for the Cold dry desert with stickers and snow

Jump in with booties and winter jacket is the way to go when your family travels across the Southwest in late December.

We drove to Stonewall, Tx and stayed the night in a nice tuscan style cabin with heater and woodburning fireplace by the bed. (absolute charming B & B) They lent us an extra dog bed that Bud loved and and I used the old bed. As the fire burned, the logs moved during the night and I got scared. I asked mom to move my bed next to hers and then I felt safe that nothing would fall on me. I made some new friends, Sophie, a standard poodle at the owner's home, and two dog friends next door.

The cabin had a little kitchenette to keep our food and they gave my family quiche and fresh fruit for breakfast. The bathroom had a jacuzzi tub which my mom and dad enjoyed.

The next morning we were off to Marfa, TX through the Fort Davis mountains. Tell the TX DOT to put real grass or stepping stone in the pet rest area; we both got stickers in our paws that hurt my parents when they pulled them out. Once in Marfa we walked the streets with our family and looked at the Galleries. The temperature was warm and the wind was still. I played with some new dogs at the Arcon Inn B&B, and met many dog friendly people around town.

We headed out of town to Valentine, TX to see the only Prada store around. It was closed; it is always closed. They call it art. But I did not see anyone named art around.

We drove on to Truth or Consequences, NM and I lay by my parents who were soaking in the hot springs. It is too hot for me. We left the desert and headed into the mountain and played in my first snow. It was cold, fluffy, and perfect. I rolled and dove in the snow. We met another dog who came to play in the snow in the middle of the National Forest. Wild time.

On the way back to Texas after Christmas we drove the northern route through Sedona, Flagstaff, Winslow, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM.  It was getting cold and snowy.  In Santa Fe we rented a house for New Years celebration.  I love the snow and rolled in it every chance that I could get.  I could plunge my head in the snow, eat the snow, and even catch the snow as a ball, but it broke apart in my mouth.  

My momma found some pet friendly snow trails for us to go snowshoeing or cross country skiing with dogs (5K trail in the Enchanted Forest), but we did not have a 4x4 vehicle and the volvo had little clearance in the snow.  We did not get to go.

We walked around the square in Santa Fe during New Years Eve.  There was an ice sculpture of Santa's sleigh and eight reindeers.  Don't lick the ice sculptures.  The streets were still lit up with Christmas lights.  

Bud and I both wore jackets, and Bud had dog boots.  He hated the cold.  In the morning he refused to walk in the snow and only pottied under the porch cover with no snow. 

When we were walking back to the casita from the square, one of Bud's four booties fell off.  He refused to put his bare paw down.  Momma had to go back down the street at night and find Bud's missing booty.  Thankfully she found it and wrapped it tightly around Bud's leg.  I can imagine seeing them carrying Bud back or him limping on three legs four blocks back home.

We stayed at the warm house as our parents ventured out to celebrate the changing of the year.  Not many places available or the prices were too high.  All they wanted was a drink and dinner.  So they went to one of the most expensive hotel close by and sat at the bar.  They meet a Flamingo guitar musician, Daniel ?, at the bar who was playing at the restaurant.  He was from NM and a famous musician to many, but not to us.  He gave them a CD for free, and they stayed at the bar until the new Year started, and walked back to our casita.  They had a wonderful time.

Puppy Pool Party in Austin, TX

We traveled to Austin, Texas in the second weekend of October. Bud, my parents, and I swam for hours every day. We stayed in this great house with our own private heated pool near UT campus and was next to a leash-free park called Upper Shoals Green Belt. We played until we passed out.

Austin Vacation House 512.481.2816, info@austinvacationhouse.com

Mom would wake us up at 5:30 am, and we would swim and play until 8:30 am, and next breakfast, and then sleep. After the nap, we awoke and swam some more. Over 50% of my day was in the pool.

At first, Bud was scared and would not jump, but I was fearless, leaping high and long into the pool. When Bud was swimming, I leaped on top of him from the side so that he would not get the toy. Down Bud would go. Then I would be in time out for dunking Bud. I would save my mom and dad a few times when they splashed too much, and take them back to the side.

Our last day mom bathed me and blew my hair dry (which I love), and dressed me in my Texas flag Bandanna. We went down to the pool and she said that I want to stay clean a little bit longer for my photo shoot.

A car pulled up and ran to greet the photographer, Kurt, who has two goldens. He used a bunch of different cameras, and I posed and smiled. Finally I was told to jump in the pool. Hurray my favorite part of the photo shoot. I leaped and soared over the pool to get the toy. I tried to give the toy to Kurt, but mom always yelled for me to go to her. 

I had a great time, and I will be the month of June 2008 for the Gold Ribbon Rescue Calender for Austin Golden Retrievers.

Traveling back to H-town

We left my hometown a few weeks ago, and I sure do miss all my puppy friends. Finally my family takes us back and I got so excited when I saw the skyline. 

We stopped by my old doggy park, West Webster, and played with Maggie and Max. 

 My family stayed at Hotel ZaZa in the Museum district, and we were so excited until after we pulled up.

First the manager came back and said the two retrievers are not allowed (only one 20 pound dog). Daddy tells the manager that yesterday when he called the front desk he asked up if dogs were allowed. The front desk said yes with a $50/fee, and he said that we have two full size retrievers that are well behaved and travel everywhere with us. They said that is fine (retrievers are allowed). 

Now this mean man tells us that we can not stay. We have to stay outside with momma until all this is over. Finally the nice Concierge, Mo, comes back out to tell us that we can stay. 

Then the mean manager says that we cannot bring in our bag from Spec's outlet store and tells us that we cannot bring in outside food. WHAT? My dogfood is in that bag. So we put the food in a cooler and brought it in. Illogical and irrational. The room was okay, but no doggy beds or doggy treats. They did offer dog walks but with all the rudeness that we felt in the very beginning my family would not use it. We lay by the cabana doors watching my family play in the pool area, with five horrible childen jumping on all the cushions and hitting each other with noodles.  No one told their parents that they were too big.  Herman Park was so close, and we loved walking the trails.

Journey to Estes Park, Colorado from Houston

Camping in Las Vegas, NM (National Forest)

Palo Duro Canyon, TX

Pups Painting the Cadillac with Texas Mud

My Own Personal Cook!

My matriarch has been doing tons of readings about dog food and what I should be eating. She has now started cooking our own meals for us and boy are they good. Yesterday and today was cooked hamburger, brown rice, carrots, roma tomatoes, oil, and a cup of iams. It was so good and our wastes were so much smaller than with just plain iams. She chops everything so that Bud will not choke since he inhales his food versus chewing.

She went to the big farmers market and bought tons of fresh vegetables for us, and even to a meat market for hamburger. Tomorrow she said chicken, brown rice, carrots, roma tomatoes, and steamed broccoli. Wow, I must have done something wonderful to get all this great food.

I am still scratching and licking, although not as much. So maybe it might take a few meals to help with my allergies. She has been mixing the new food with iams so that it will be a smooth transition. I wonder how she is going to cook for us when we go camping in Colorado. Any suggestions out there.

She still questions the raw meat diet (too scared about E-coli and salmonella to attempt, and not willing to shoot an animal for me).

Galveston Beach Exploration

We returned to Galveston for more Birthday celebrations and rented the same house as always on the Seawall (known as our beach house) with our family.  The house has a big kitchen to ask for treats, and a front porch to watch everyone walking, running, or biking by.  The steps down to the beach is right across the street with many friendly dogs to play with and waves to jump.

Travel to Marathon and Marfa, TX for my Birthday

Gage in the daylight

Gage at night

Beautiful sunset in the TX desert

Dogs and a goat roaming the streets of Marathon

Porch watching in Marathon at Gage Hotel

Three course dinner at the Canyon Cafe to benefit Humane Society

My family took me out to a nice restaurant. The waiters brought me my own bowl of water, salad, beef and vegetable stew, and a peanutbutter pupsicle. It was so good. There was nothing left except the bones from the stew. The waiters were so nice and everyone else brought their dogs too. I was so excited. My compliments to the chef. It was so TASTY!!

My family said that the cost of my meal all went to the Houston Humane Society, which has been providing help to many animals hit by the hurricanes. I can tell you first hand why I feel so lucky to have such a loving family to protect us from the bad weather, and that it did not hurt my home.

Canyon Cafe, a excellent mexican restaurant, is doing the meals next weekend, too. Give it a try if you are in Houston.

Do not like hurricanes!!!

Bud and I were happy and playing around our home in Houston. My family pulled out suitcases and putting their clothes and my toys in their bags. I get concerned when I see the luggage out because normally that means someone is leaving us or we have to go "camping" at a kennel. We all went to sleep Thursday night, and then suddenly in the middle of a good sleep I heard a bunch of commotion. My backpack was placed on me and we walked to the car. I was so tied and passed out in the car. A few hours later we were still driving and we had to go poddy!!

Many, many hours later through the heat, and poddy stops we were in our old old house in Naco which was fun. We ran around and played all day, but the next night was not so enjoyable.

The winds started to blow and there was a strange smell in the air. The rains and winds got worst throughout the night. My family made us move into the hallway. The trees around our house were blown in all directions and rains fell sideways down the road. The lights started flicking on and off, and then never came back on. We stayed huckered for many hours in the hallways. There was a lot of noise coming from the roof. I snuggled with my family and felt protected. Finally the storm was over. There was trees and debris everywhere which I got to bring it to the house. But these horrible things called fire ants kept biting my feet. I guess the storm blew them in and because we were not here yesterday. Bud and I are playing and trying to stay cool without A/C or power. Hopefully they will turn it on soon since we love A/C. We miss our home in Houston and ready to go back home!!!

Make room for Whitley

We went camping last weekend at Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis, and we had so much fun. Bud and I ran all around and sniffed every plant. Beware of prickly pear cactus, they have pokers that hurt when you sniff them. We ran around all day and night. Sat by the campfire and could go to the bathroom when ever we had the urge. We met some other dogs and their families as we walked around the park. The water was a little chilly, but played so much that we didn't even notice.

At bedtime Bud and I had to sleep on the feet of our family. We didn't like that. We all got in the tent and my family wiggled into some bags, but never told me where to sleep. I just sat there, waiting for them to make me a bed. Nothing!! They finally told me to lie down and I rested my head on my mom's legs. She kept disturbing my sleep all night.  Bud started getting cold. He said that he was going to climb into one of those bags. He started shaking and Mom opened the bag and let him in. I can't shake like he does, so I could not get in.

I loved the camping, but the sleeping part needs to change. Bud kept running to the vehicle to go home to his bed, but I didn't complain and enjoyed Pace Bend.