Petrified Forest National Park

 Our next stop on our way home was Petrified Forest National Park.  This turned out to be one of Mom's favorite National Parks.  They actually allow dogs to walk on the trails, but it was so cold and windy that I only did one.  We actually broke out the winter coats while we were there.

The wood feels smooth, like glass.  

Route 66 is right there in the park.

Mom has been getting her National Park Passport Book stamped since 2012.  She has wanted to get the collector editions book but no one had it until this park. She was so excited and it was priced below what she saw it for online at the National Park's store before it sold out.  The employee told her they were increasing the price at the end of the week. She plans on copying her old stamps and putting them in this one.

The new book vs. the old one.

The first stamp in the new book.

We planned to stay in a Walmart parking lot, but the temperature was supposed to be 21 degrees, so once again we had to scramble for a campground.  Mom called several until we came up with one.  It was actually called Route 66 Casino RV Park in Albuquerque, NM. This was a nice park and it had two dog parks.  The dog parks had grass! We didn't know for sure if they would accept us because we are in a van and they are more upscale.  They had one site left and they gave it to us.

This dog park had some gravel and sand but it had grass!

Another stop on Route 66 before we stopped for the night.

Jaxson,

The Greyhound Who Was Not Allowed To Pee on The Petrified Wood

I stood on a corner in Winslow, AZ!

 After being on the road for 6.5 weeks, it was time to begin the long trip home.  Mom said there was a corner in Winslow, AZ that she wanted to stand on.  I didn't really understand until she sang me the song.  I have to admit, it was fun to stand on that corner.

Hey, mister, I like your song.

Our plan was to stay in the visitor center's parking lot, but the folks didn't know how safe it would be and high winds were predicted for the night.  We decided to drive on and stay in a campground, but it was not easy to find a vacancy.  We ended up staying in a place called OK Campground and that about describes it.  I hated it because the dog park was gravel.  Mom and I walked and walked until I finally found a spot to do my poo.  There were big burrs we found while walking so that was not good.   Mom refused to take a shower there because the shower house was old and dirty.  It was a safe place to stay and we were parked between two big RVs and we didn't feel the wind that got up to 50 mph.

This was the all gravel dog park.  I refused to walk in it.

We explored a little bit of Route 66.  Mom wants to do the whole thing but count me out until Arizona gets rid of their gravel.

Wigwam Resort in Holbrook, AZ

Our trip home continues in the next post.

Jaxson,

The Greyhound Who Hates Gravel

Sighthound Shivoo 2021

 We came to Kanab, UT for the greyhound gathering which is called the Sighthound Shivoo because it is not just for greyhounds anymore. There were other sighthounds there.

The event began on a Friday night.  The first event was a talent show.  I did not participate, but I definitely could have because I know how to sit, stay, lay down.  Those were the basic things that the dogs did.  I also am an excellent package carrier.  Mom decided that I probably didn't want to get on stage and she was correct.  I did learn how to bark at the event.  Most of the greyhounds did a roo which is basically a howl.  I just barked and at the end I did a roo.  I tried to get the rooing going again but no one listened to me.

Me watching the show.

The second day of the event, we were supposed to go on a hike.  It was canceled due to rain. It rained all day.  The event was supposed to be held outside, but it had to be moved inside.  I don't really like to be stuck inside with other hounds because I don't like hounds sneaking up on me and sniffing me while I am relaxing, so I stayed in the van.  The folks went to the event in the afternoon to listen to a few speakers and to shop. There was all you can eat pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner.  An auction was held and grab bags were given out.  

Saturday was our parade.  I dressed in my Mardi Gras outfit.  There was supposed to be music, but there was a problem with it, so it didn't start working until we were done.  I won a collar for my costume.  Mom was happy about that.  The afternoon was another day of auctions and grab bags.  I won a coat and a purple leash that goes well with my Mardi Gras outfit.  Lunch was chicken pitas but it wasn't really chicken. We spent the evening at Best Friends which is an animal sanctuary.  We took a driving tour of Best Friends earlier in the week.  It was a chilly night at Best Friends.  It was held at Angels Landing.  There was a happy hour with wine, beer, nuts and dog treats.  There were also auctions and grab bags.

Angels Landing- My Dad is in the red coat on the left side and I am there wearing my new coat.  Mom is getting treats at the front.

We don't know this gal.  Mom just thought she was cute.

This guy was a real character.  He had Mom laughing all weekend

This is a cookie with the the logo of the event.

Another cookie.

The last day of the event was on a Sunday.  I participated in the Blur of Fur.  This is where the hounds show off their running skills.  The folks didn't think I would run because I don't like to run.  I rarely run when given the chance.  I found the event very exciting.  I loved watching the other dogs take their turn to run.  Each dog runs by themselves with their Mom or Dad calling them.  I was more than ready when it was my turn, however, just as I was ready to show my stuff, they stopped the action.  The dog before me didn't want to stop running and they couldn't catch him.  I had to wait.  I lost a little bit of my excitement but I was still clocked at 15 mph by the radar gun.  Mom said I would have been faster if they hadn't made me wait.   The folks were really impressed with me.  There is a video but Mom can't make it work here. 

After the Blur of Fur, I decided I was done with the event and went to the van and watched TV. The folks had lunch which was an Indian Taco. There was another auction and the last of the grab bags were handed out.  That was the end of the event. 

We enjoyed the event.  The people were nice and it was well organized.  We were given nice program booklets that told us where everything was and it included maps. The event included three meals and there was more than enough food.  That has not been the case at the other event we have attended.

We enjoyed our time in Kanab, but with the event over it was time to hit the road and held home.  

Jaxson,

The Greyhound Who Can Run When He Wants

Little Hollywood Museum and Pipe Spring National Monument

 We did a little sightseeing around Kanab yesterday.  Kanab has been the shooting location of over 100 movies and TV shows and it has the nickname of Little Hollywood. In the 50's and 60's, many westerns were shot here.  We visited a museum called Little Hollywood Museum.  It is free museum.  They have several of the buildings from old movies set up outside.  Dad is a big Clint Eastwood fan and there were two buildings from his movie Outlaw Josey Wales.

We then drove to Pipe Spring Naional Monument. Pipe Spring National Monument is rich with American Indian, early explorer and Mormon pioneer history.  The folks spent a very short time here because I couldn't go on the hike with them. They were not able to tour the building because of Covid.

Mom said she has been having dreams about canyons and red dirt.  She said she needs a change of scenery.

Jaxson,

The Greyhound Who Wonders When He Is Going To See His Beach Again

We Finally Made It To Kanab And A Day At The North Rim Of The Grand Canyon

 We finally made it to Kanab, UT.  This is where the greyhound event is being held this weekend. There are signs all over town promoting it.

Kanab is a nice town.  There are two grocery stores and several restaurants. The grocery stores are still pricey, but not as bad as other places we have been on this trip. There is not a Walmart or a Target. We haven't seen a Walmart since we left Colorado.  Mom has been frustrated with the high prices.  Oh and don't get us started on the cost of gas on this trip.  Our budget was blown halfway through the trip and we still have to drive home. 

We arrived here on a Saturday.  The campground has a dog park that I love.  I am not thrilled with the gravel that I have to walk on to get to it but our site is about as close as it can be to it, so I am happy.  There are several dogs here.  Another greyhound arrived yesterday. I know that there will be a few more as the week goes on.

An action shot.  Yes, I am flying with my toy.

On Sunday, we drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  The folks said it is totally different from the South Rim.  When you drive to the North Rim, you go through quite a bit of woodsy area. The trees are beautiful right now.  The pictures of the trees were taken inside the van and the windshield was dirty as you can see from the photos. Only 10% of the Grand Canyon visitors come to the North Rim. We had a 25 minute wait to get into the park because there was only one employee taking the payment.  It is crazy that we had to wait that long.

There are two trails that dogs are allowed on but we didn't go on any of those.  I was fine with that.

There is really a lot to do and see in and around the Kanab area.  We have a busy week planned.

Jaxson,

The Greyhound Who Loves A Good Dog Park