Arizona Spring Trip 2014

April 28, 2014

Arizona Spring Trip 2014

So we recently took a trip down to Arizona to escape to warmer temperatures. We visited my sister in Phoenix, camped several nights in Oak Creek canyon outside Sedona, and then proceeded to visit Kurt (colleague/mentor) in Tucson. With the puppy tagging along, we decided to take it pretty easy and just see how he did traveling and camping with us....to summarize we had a blast!

Here are a many few pictures of our trip. I apologize in advance if you get sick of seeing this dog....probably 95% of the pictures he is in ;)

View from an aquatic riparian park in Phoenix.

We normally don't let him sleep in the bed with us, but this night at the motel was an exception. He didn't mind it.

Are we there yet?

Trying to climb behind my back as I drive....

Not sure what's going on here, I'm just trying to stay on the road.

It was rather odd to leave snowy Gunnison and 12 hours later arrive in Phoenix, 85º and summer conditions. Felt like we completely skipped spring.

Reese is really happy to finally be out of the car.

First full submersion experience went alright.

We took Julianne on a hike 45 minutes outside of Phoenix in a beautiful water-filled slot canyon we know of. Temps were in the mid 80s.

Getting to the narrows part of the canyon.

This canyon is so fun because large parts of it have house-sized boulders blocking the thruway of the canyon, so it becomes a scrambling adventure, staying high and dry or going into the cavernous pooled up bottoms.

The water was a bit chilly and it was shady in the canyon and the dog seemed to prefer staying dry here, so we carried him through the deeper pools.

Once it got pretty scrambly, again we had to carry him.

Luckily he only weighed 17 lbs so he was pretty easy to handoff.

Prickly pear in bloom.

Trying another swimming attempt in an overly stagnant pool...

Too worn out to swim.

Please, I'm done, leave me alone.

Asleep before even making it back to the car.

Back at my sister's apartment, he preferred the cool wood finish of being sandwhiched in the coffee table over the hot sweaty carpet (?)

After a couple days in Phoenix, it was time to get out of that metropolis and head for some quieter, calmer greener places. We stayed at Cave Springs campground in Oak Creek canyon about 15 miles north of Sedona. It was gorgeous!

Poor guy had to be tethered up as part of the campground rules.

Before this trip, he wasn't quite fully house-broke. I don't think that being outside all day in the woods helped that training.

Time for a morning nap after breakfast and a short play session.

Miranda enjoying the view from a short side trip to an old ghost town now tourist town - Jerome, AZ.

Hanging out in camp is great fun. Plenty of new sensory experiences for this guy.

So nice to have a relaxed sunny mornining, drinking coffee eating food.

Reese for the first time realized his digging capabilities when he found this hole. After 5 minutes of digging though, he wore himself out. He was funny to watch, but we generally don't want him to turn into a digger.

Definitely some priceless, timeless moments were had on this trip.

I'm glad this dog is learning to chase the ball.

Taking a morning nap again after too much playtime.

Ready for a noon nap now!

Later that afternoon, we got him in the water again. Even though he followed us and swam a bit, as soon as he got out he started whimpering and shaking some, it seemed like he was cold? Who knows....maybe too young to know if he'll ever be a water dog.

One of the days in Sedona, we decided to check out the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon.

The West Fork of Oak Creek is probably one of the most scenic and popular hikes around Sedona. It reminded me of a slightly scaled down version of Zion. We had a great time, despite the crowds. Once the "maintained" trail "ended", we saw virtually no one, and beyond this was the most beautiful part of the hike.

Old structure near the start.

Small trickle going. Definintely felt the effects of the ongoing drought in AZ, similar to California's....plus the state just doesn't have a whole lot of water to begin with.

When are your ears going to decide how they want to be in life?

Pretty awesome!

Again, we had to carry this mutt through some of the deeper pools.

Trippy narrows, most scenic part of the hike.

Lunch time!

Oh my god, look Miranda, its your favorite! It just wanted to say hi.

Batteries are depleting....

A 10 mile hike would be the biggest day this dog has had in his entire 100 day life.

Dreamy

We stopped for a break, he fell asleep on this rock, and quickly became the center of attention for all passerbys. One woman even offered to buy him off us on the spot - clearly delusional thinking.

Back to the ranch, guess who is sleeping.

yummmm

Please just leave me alone and let me sleep.

Next, we visited Kurt in Tucson and stayed at his house for a few days. We took Reese swimming in the pool, and despite 95º weather, he still was shaking when he came out. Wimp.