We Went Camping!

The last two weeks we were out of town on a big camping and hiking trip! We went all the way up to Sandpoint, Idaho (where Ernie's mom and brother's family lives) for our nephew Lucas's and Hallie's wedding. Sandpoint, Idaho is in very northern Idaho, almost to Canada, and is a beautiful area. We like to go on a trip every summer and decided to turn this in to our camping vacation so we could bring Zephyr with us. Zephyr had been camping once before, but not such a long trip. He has always been a great car rider and loves being outdoors, so we had a great trip. Prepare yourselves, this is a long post.

Our first night was spent at Coral Pink Sand Dunes, outside of Kanab, Utah. Zephyr thought the sand was great!

My favorite hike was on the west side of the Grand Tetons. Dogs aren't allowed in the national park, but this canyon was just as nice.

As we hiked into the canyon more of the peaks became visible.

Lots of yummy new smells!



Sometimes a dog just likes taking in the scenery.


A good time was had by all.


We did get chased out of two camping spots and into hotels by swarms of mosquitoes. Once was along the river near Star Valley, Idaho and second was at North Fork, Idaho (which we realized had happened to us there a few years ag0). Zephyr didn't seem to be bothered by the bites, and of course he's on heart worm meds, but even after a few minutes he ended up looking like he had the chicken pocks which made us feel really bad, and they were driving us nuts too so we retreated. The other camping spots only had a few mosquitoes, but they still really liked Zephyr. So we came up with a few ways to protect him.

Most creative was the very regal afghan. People in the campground really enjoyed this.

Most successful was Zephyr's raincoat.

Dog is definitely his Co-Pilot! How cute is that!

Zephyr had the whole back seat of the Pathfinder to himself. Plus, it was extra comfy with our sleeping bags and pillows, and his blanket and afghan.

In very western Montana there is a small canyon that has some really cool giant cedar trees, a lot like the redwoods. They seemed to be preserved here because of the cool flat valley they were in.

I'm King of the World! Or so he thinks. There were also giant boulders just for dogs to climb on.


We had originally planned on staying in a hotel in Sandpoint, rather than with Ernie's mom Elizabeth, because we were really worried that Zephyr would be too rowdy and we didn't want him to run in to her. We stayed the first night in a hotel and then took him to the local dog park the next morning where he really played it up. Then off too Oma's (Elizabeth is from Switzerland, it means grandmother) it was for a first meeting. True to the calm greyhound personality Zephyr was perfect and we canceled that hotel room! Zephyr loved his Oma and she loved him!
A family portrait. Very Cute!


He had lots of fun with Zoey, she actually loves dogs.

And, he hung out with Percy. Zoey and Percy like dogs because the grew up with Ernie's parents German Shepard, Shasta. Shasta has passed away and the kitties love it when dogs come to visit.


The wedding took place on a beautiful rock overlooking a canyon and with mountain views. A small group of people made the drive. I don't have pictures of the wedding, but this is a picture of everyone trying to help Hallie's aunt and uncle's car after we took a wrong turn and tried to go up a steep gravely road. All turned out well. Apparently the wedding party watched all of this and had a good laugh from the top of the rock.

The reception was back at Hallie's parents place. No pictures, but it was beautiful. We wish Lucas and Hallie all the best.



The trip home was a little more direct, but we still had nice camping and hiking.

The last night was back at Coral Pink Sand Dunes. This is one tired and very dirty dog. He got a bath when we got home!

PackHound Training

Our friends Chris and Dan have two Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Friday and Linus. Besides getting together for play dates we also go hiking together and Friday and Zephyr are in training for the first two legs of their Pack Dog certificate through the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America. Linus is still a puppy so he doesn't carry a pack yet and just goes along for the hikes. The dogs have to build up to carrying at least 20% of their weight at the start of each days hike. So far the hardest thing about the training is keeping the dogs from exploding in to full out playing when they are supposed to be "working".

Friday and Zephyr love to splash it up.


They really seem to love hiking together.

The official hike is planned for the end of August and it will be an overnight primitive hike that will require the humans to wear packs too. So far we have at least two Swissy's, one Bernese Mountain Dog, and one Greyhound training for the hike. I have heard rumor that we may have a Bearded Collie and a Papillon join us too.

Spring Hiking

During March the snow started to melt so we were able to start doing more hiking. This is a hike out Pump House Wash which is really close to our house. As long as we get good snowfall and summer rains this is one of the few creeks in Flagstaff that will have at least a little water all year long.

Some parts get deep enough for Zephyr to swim in. Here he is doing his Blue Heron imitation.



From the parking lot it's about a mile and a half to where the canyon gets a little rocky and bushy. But, there are lots of other trails that link with this and go off into the forest so you can really make the hike as long as you like.

Zephyr loves to play in the water and here was trying to bite the splashes.

A handsome little beast!

Just past here is were the canyon gets rocky. Most people don't come back here so this is one our favorite off leash play spots.



Zephyr likes to play in the water a little bit.

And then get a major case of the Zoomies!


What a happy dog!


Afterwards he warmed up in the sun for awhile and let me take some photos.


He even did some nice stays so I could take some timed photos of us together.


Until he got bored.


And decided it was time to play some more!

Play, Play, Play!

One of the best things about going to Albuequerque for lure coursing or shows is that we get to stay with our friends Sarah and Peter and their dogs Chinle and Yeasa. Chinle, Yeasa, and Zephyr get along great. They alternate between playing and hanging out in the grassy back yard. Zephyr loves it because we don't have other dogs or grass in our back yard. :-) Here are some pictures from one of their play sessions while the adults were having a little party in the background.

Check Us Out!

Well, Zephyr and I have been giving conformation showing a try. This weekend we went to the Durango, Co shows. We didn't win but this is pretty cool.

http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/05/18/Top_dog/

We made the front page of the local paper!

Bruce Clark, left, with Tallualah, and Caron Jones, with Zephyr, both greyhounds, strut their stuff Sunday at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds at the Durango Kennel Club’s annual dog show.

Very exciting!

I'm still not sure what to think of conformation showing. With me being so new it is really hard, and it requires a lot of travel to get to shows with greyhounds which also requires a lot of money. And, although I like it, it's not as exciting lure coursing or agility (which is still a dream). But, we have had some fun. The week before Zephyr won reserve in Albuquerque which had many greyhounds entered.

We'll see how it goes.