Tag Archives: road trip

Odee’s Frist Big Trip!

February 8, 2022 Odee 4 Comments

Woof, I went on my first big trip not long ago. Matt drove for a long time, it took two days. We went to a place called California where his cousin lives. I have been on short trips before but only for a day or two, maybe three. This time we were gone long enough I thought we had moved. Matt said he and Jackson took trips like this all the time and he wants us to do more soon, that sounds like fun. California was sunnier than Oregon. When we left snow had changed the way everything looked at home. It was all white and slippery and fun to play in but it made me shiver!

While I was riding shotgun with Matt, he had to explain that meant riding in the front seat, I saw a lot I haven’t seen before. We drove by a huge man and a big blue dog with horns, Matt told me it was really a bull, whatever that is. The man was called Paul something; he had a big axe too. Maybe he uses it to cut down big trees to make big houses for big dogs and big people. Some of the roads we drove on were real windy and twisted back and forth and I didn’t like it. Sometimes going through those curves the truck made a scary loud rumbling sound. It didn’t happen often but when it did Matt would apologize saying it was his fault for getting too close to the side of the road. I told Matt slow down!

This was before we saw big Paul and the big blue dog.

The first night we stayed at a place called a motel. It was the first time I have ever been to one but it’s a lot like home just nosier. Matt found out what a good dog I have become when he left me in the room to pick up dinner. I worried a little but I was quiet; I knew he would be back because I was guarding all our stuff. When he got back he told me I was a good boy and gave me some special treats.

Woof, me guarding the room at the motel.

While we were staying at my new friend Francie’s house in California we went on long walks in the city. On some of them we saw big noisy locos with bells, horns and lights flashing making a bunch of squeaks and hisses! At first I was frightened then Matt told me they would stay on the tracks and not bother us. I really enjoyed visiting Francie except for the few times I had to stay at the house by myself but again I showed Matt I was a big boy. Matt said he had to leave me because there were some places I couldn’t go. I wasn’t happy about that but I was a good dog anyway.

We stopped at Cache Creek Natural Area for a picnic one day. — We stopped at Cashe Creek Natural Area for a picnic one day.

On our way home we had more adventures, we spent some time in a forest with trees so big you can’t see the tops; we hiked on trails dogs are allowed so I got a close look at them. I have never seen things so big! One time Matt turned around when we saw some big dogs with horns sticking way out of their heads with lots of pointy ends. He stopped and photographed them in the rain; I guess he really wanted pictures of them. Matt said the beasts were elk and those horns were called antlers. And can you believe this? Those antler things fall off and grow back every year, wow! I wonder how those elk dogs walk around in the forest, and don’t get stuck or tangled in the trees and bushes and things.

That's how close those elk dogs were, woof! — That’s how close those elk dogs were, woof!

Well I have rambled on longer than I meant to and Matt told me my tail was getting long enough. I wonder what he means by that? I hope we go on another adventure soon, even a short one; I need to practice using my camera!

Until next time,
Woof, woof!

Odee

On Our Way to the Tetons

September 25, 2019 Odee 1 Comment

Woof, when we left on our trip it was warm and when we returned it was warm again so I didn’t mind the wet. After leaving early in the morning we stopped at a place along the way in central Oregon called Crack-in-the-Ground and what a big crack it was. We hiked a little way but there were some spots Matt thought was too steep for us so we turned around but it was a neat place. It was in a community called Christmas Valley, but it didn’t look like Christmas to me but it was still nice. I like the Oregon desert, woof!

Woof, me in the big crack in the ground!

After our hike we decided to drive on to Ontario (Oregon) instead of camping in the area to visit another place in eastern Oregon. Matt said if couldn’t find a campsite close to Ontario he would get a room, which he did. I was ready to go the next morning because we knew where we would be camping the next night it’s an unusual place. Matt doesn’t like to drive on the Interstates so we took a slightly longer but less stressful drive following the Snake River for at least 40 miles. Matt said we would get to see that river again when we got to the Grand Tetons.

We had visited Craters of the Moon National Monument two years ago. It’s out in the middle of Idaho and looks real strange. The ground is mostly covered in rocks and gravel, and the rocks have lots of holes in them. I usually have to wear my boots there because the rocks can hurt my feet, woof! Matt got there early enough to choose a nice campsite and we had plenty of time to explore, even with the added time Matt had to go back to the campground to get his forgotten camera bag. We are lucky most campers are honest and leave other people’s stuff alone, though Matt was nervous until get got the camera bag!

Our camp set-up at Craters of the Moon National Monument.

We got up the next morning, Matt cooked breakfast, and we left for the Grand Tetons right after eating. It was still a long drive, we don’t like to drive more than four hours a day and Matt said it was going to be about a half hour longer than that and of course that doesn’t count for the stops for Matt to take photos, or just regular breaks. Sometime on our trips we are out where there isn’t much of anything but land, or mountains, or things like that. Matt always tells me we know we are in real remote places when you don’t see power lines next to the road for miles and miles. We went through a lot places like that in eastern Oregon and in Idaho, you can drive for hours and not see any signs of people. Now animals are a different thing, on these trips sometimes we see animals you wouldn’t see where a lot of people live, though we didn’t any on this trip unless you count squirrels.

Driving through these big open areas, we both love being able to see from what seems to be from the edge of the Earth to the other edge of the Earth. The most fun part of the drive for me was going over Teton Pass. The road winds back and forth and goes up and up. When you get to the top you feel like you are on top of the world, I made Matt stop at the top so we could look out over all the land below us. Woof, what a view!

I’m going to stop here; my next post will be about what we did and our return to Eugene.

Rain, Wind, Cold, & Snow, Woof!

February 25, 2019 Odee 2 Comments

Woof, are we there yet? I know Matt got (and gets) tired of me asking that. We had such a hard drive to get to Joshua Tree National Park. We had planned to camp along the way but Mother Nature and some ocean guy Matt calls the Pacific or is it Specific? It rained, and rained, and then it rained more. Along with the rain was wind that shook the truck around as we drove. It was just too bad to try to camp out because we would be soaking wet every time we got in and out of the back of the truck. When we got there Matt told me I was a bit excessive about asking if we were there, but I was worried. It wasn’t fun being in all that bad weather. It was hard to see we were in the truck, no fun or hiking so I just wanted us to be there. Matt watched the news every night and there were stories about mudslides and all kinds of bad things happening. A lot of times Matt would say we had just been right through that place or in the case of Joshua Tree we saw what it looked like after the flooding that happened the day before we got there.

A sunny day at Joshua Tree National Park.

Our first night camping was windy and cold but at least there was no rain. I had to get right next to Matt to keep warm under the warm and fluffy sleeping bag. The next day was windy but Matt said it was too but clear for photographs so we hiked a lot. When we went exploring the next day it was clear and sunny where we started but by the afternoon it started getting cloudy and started to snow while we were hiking, woof that was fun! Matt decided late in the afternoon we should get dinner instead of cooking and go to camp. The next morning when we woke it was sunny but everything was covered in white! I got out and played in the snow that morning, it was fun. That morning we drove through the park and too photographs before going to our next camping place.

Us hiking in the snow at Joshua Tree National Park.

After all that rain and the snow we finally had a couple of nice days at a state park called, I hope I write this right, Anza-Borrego in California. It was nice and sunny for two day, but when we left there it was getting cloudy again and Matt was worried about rain. Well that rain followed us all the way to Arizona and the rained on us like crazy for ours. We got to the place called Organ Pipe Cactus, and why they call it that I don’t know, I did not hear any organs at all while we were there. We got there in the dark and the next day it rained, and rained. We stayed in the truck all afternoon and night. When we got up the next morning it was all wet and the mountains had snow on them. Woof, more snow. After spending the morning there we headed to Phoenix where some of Matt’s cousin’s live and we even saw snow there!

The morning we woke up to snow at Joshua Tree National Park.

We are getting ready t go camping again this morning so I expect some more adventures, though Matt said he wouldn’t mind a bit less rain and snow and some warmer temperatures and honestly I think I agree with him.

Bye for now!

Jackson in the City

March 19, 2018 Odee 7 Comments

Woof, honk, honk, people rolling by on funny wheels and I am not talking about bicycles, I know what they are, and all kinds of weird noises. That’s what I think of places called cities. All that plus all of the strange smells are what I first experienced. Cars, trucks, and big things called a bus go up and down the roads and there are so many of them. What are they all doing? Most times we just drive through the cities without stopping. Sometimes we are on the big roads and there are a lot of cars and trucks and all you can see is road. Other times we drive through streets lined with buildings and I see people out walking.

The other day when we were on our walk in Oakland I started wondering where all these people were going and what were they doing. We spend a lot of the outdoors and I have only lived in small towns. I had no idea there were so many people. Especially all in one place like this, most of them seem to be in a big hurry so they must be important or have something important to do. I know when Matt has something important sometimes he gets in a hurry.

Crossing a busy street in Oakland. — What are all these buildings used for?

When we walk in the city it is different when we cross the road. Usually all we have to do is look both ways and wait until traffic is clear. In the city you have to push buttons and then the lights tell you to wait. Next it beeps until it is okay to cross. Plus there are signs that let you know when it is safe to cross too.

We did find a nice park next to a lake where we could get away from all of the hectic running around a little. I did see a lot of other dogs out with their people enjoying their day. On our way back we did stop in a couple of stores. One was sort of boring; all it had were clothes that had been worn by other people. Another store we went in smelled wonderful. I could smell it before we crossed the street and I was hoping we were going there. Matt said it was a bakery and he bought some stuff. He did let me have what he called donut holes. I thought he was crazy, they weren’t holes, they are balls and they taste good! People have such strange names for things though, woof!

Grant Lake sure is pretty but I don't think I want to swim in it! — Grant Lake sure is pretty but I don’t think I want to swim in it!

When we were walking back to where we were staying I saw a lot of children out with their parents so even more people were out walking. Matt told be the schools had let the children out for the day. I asked him what the children do at school and he said it was like when we train for my service work but a lot harder. Woof, I think I will just stay with service work!

Our campground at Pinnacles National Park.

While I do like the city because it is different I still prefer to be outdoors in the woods or wilderness. I’ll be writing from somewhere out there next.

Camping is Fun!

February 5, 2018 Odee 4 Comments

Woof, right now home has an entire different meaning. I guess home is our truck. Sometimes we stay in the same place sometimes we drive a longs was and then we are home. I had to get used to this different meaning of home a long time ago when we first started traveling. Sometime home is with a friend of ours or one of Matt’s relatives. I do like exploring new places and I love when Matt decides to stay longer than planned at one place. I have stayed in motels, campgrounds, and people’s houses since we left our regular home. Sometimes I miss my regular home and my friends there but I meet new and old friends along the way.

Matt always packs all my toys when we go camping.

We do a lot of camping in all kinds of weather. On rainy days we spend time in the camper on the back of the truck. I remember on our last trip we were in the back of the truck during wind storms, thunderstorms, and snow! When it gets cold I burrow under Matt’s warm sleeping bag and get right next to him to stay warm. Other nights it stays real warm. The weather has been changing from hot to cold quite often on this trip. Just when I am getting used to the temperature it changes. I am glad Matt got a sweater for me but if it stays cold I just might need another.

Woof, I like my sweater and I have my own down sleeping bag!

We usually walk around the campground and I see other dogs and people there. Sometimes we stop and Matt talks with the people and introduces me. I also get to talk with the friendly dogs but some are grumpy and not happy or friendly. I do not know why some dogs are that way; Matt tells me people can be the same. He says sometimes it is best to avoid people or dogs like that.

Sometimes I get to sleep in the puppy tent instead of the truck.

I like campgrounds where there are a lot of trails. We usually take long hikes and take pictures but the best part is just getting out and smelling and seeing nature. I smell so many new strange things, different animals and plants, Matt tells me we have to be careful because there are many things we are not used to that can hurt us. He told me we have to stay on guard because there are bigger and more aggressive wild animals were we go a lot. Back home I could run loose sometimes but when we are traveling we stay close together.

Well we are going to have a lot more camping adventures to go on this trip before we get to our new home in Oregon and I am excited about that. Right now we are in Austin visiting Matt’s cousins. Like coming here to Austin to see Matt’s cousins I love them all.

I am going to sign off for now; I will be writing again soon,

Where Are the Keys?

January 26, 2018 Odee 6 Comments

Woof, what a great time we had in the Keys. When Matt told me we were going to a place called the Florida Keys I was expecting to see a lot of keys all over the place. I did not see any when we got there and told him so, Matt laughed and told me I had been seeing them for quite some time. They were the islands we were on. I would bet you are wondering why we are in such a pretty place. Well when we were on our long trip last year when Oregon Matt decided to move us to Oregon near the city name after a man call Eugene. I had to sit at home a lot while he was working hard so we could move and of course things did not quite work out like he planned. We had to rush down to the Keys instead of taking our time like we usually do because Matt’s plans were delayed beyond his control.

Our Campsite Before Getting to the Keys.

I did not know we were going to meet someone famous and even better we stayed at his house. His name is Tie Dye Mickey and people call him this Hippie Paparazzi, I had to check with Matt on the spelling, he had to look it up, tee he. I like Mickey he is my newest bestest friend, woof! He too Matt on bicycle rides every morning, he even took me on a ride. While we were visiting I got to go to all kinds of places. We went to a pub that had no name, a place call KiKi’s, and another called Boondocks. We listened to good music and I even had something from the doggy menu from Boondocks. One day Mickey took Matt and me all over Key West we went into bars and restaurants and even saw a bunch of people and dogs even on a march. Did I mention how dog friendly the Keys are? I got to meet a lot of nice dogs at almost all of the places I went. Mickey told me almost everyone love dogs here and a lot of places will let all dogs in, not just service dogs. At Kiki’s dogs can play and run around, woof! I am not used to that.

Aunt Mar and me in the chair at Boondocks!

Woof, here I am rambling on about all the dogs I met. I almost forgot to mention my Auntie Mar came down to see us also, we had so much fun! All the people living here were friendly. Mickey’s friends were so nice; they made me feel so welcome. I almost asked Matt if we could move there instead of Oregon. He laughed and said it would be nice, but it gets too hot there in the summer for him and something about it would take more money to stay there. Why do people worry about money so much? I will never understand that.

Mickey giving me a ride in the Trykadelic Lollipop, woof!

Well we are about to get on the road again. We just spent three great days in Everglades. I still am not sure what an Everglade is but our next stop in at a place called Big Cypress Preserve. Can you eat Big Cypress Preserve, like on toast? I guess I will find out, woof and out for now!

Wrapping It Up (and more to come!)

August 17, 2017 Odee Leave a comment

Woof, I have been one busy dog! We have been back for a while, but I never did a wrap up of our trip. After we left St Paul we were super busy. We went to visit my friend Nate in a town with a funny name like Wetcorney or Corneywetter or something like that in Wisconsin. Our friends, Nate and his humans Bob ad Paulette used to live in North Carolina but moved to that Croneey place. We had a great time visiting with them.

Our next part of stop wasn’t really a stop, we met up with another of Matt’s friends and we drove and hiked all over this place called Up somewhere in Michigan the only problem I could not figure where up was! I got to see some new places though. I liked the Great Lakes, they are big as oceans, woof! The waves are a lot nicer there, not as scary as the big ones at the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. We went to waterfalls too there is a lot of water in Michigan (and mosquitoes too!).

This is me at Pichured Rocks rocking it in a boat, woof! — This is me at Pictured Rocks rocking it in a boat, woof!

I am swimming in a Great Lake and woof, was it great!

Next we went to Ohio to see my friend Lisa, I had not seen her for a long time and was sad to learn my friends Pugly and Lucky had gone over the Rainbow Bridge I miss them. I was so glad to see Lisa and meet her new furry owners. All of us had fun at her place.

Woof, Matt has so many cousins I cannot keep up with them all and I wonder how he does. When we left my friend Lisa’s house we visited another of Matt’s cousins in West Virginia. I saw some big birds when we were there, Matt said they were turkeys. I have never seen such large birds like that before. The next couple of days we did a lot of driving, Matt went to the place where he was born where he went to a bunch of places and took pictures.

I am glad we came back to Marlene’s place in Welcome Valley. It’s always nice there even though Hobo, her cat does not like me much. We stayed there for a week sleeping and resting and relaxing, woof it was nice not driving, well riding in the truck for a change. After Welcome Valley we left for the Smokey Mountains in the rain. I was looking for Smokey the Bear the two days we spent there but I did not see him

Our campsite at the Great Smoky Mountains.

Then we stopped at Matt’s friend in Asheville. I get to meet Ziva while we were there. She is the boss of Rodney and Valerie, her humans and Matt’s friends. After we left Ziva’s house we were back on the Blue Ridge Parkway and camped at a place called Crabtree Falls. I wanted to ask Matt why the trees are crabby but I was afraid he would laugh at me. We hiked down to the falls while we were there and enjoyed our last hike of our long trip.

Spending the night at my friend Lucy’s place where her human works at Betsey’s at Wilson Creek in Mortimer was next. We stayed for two lazy days so we would not be too tired by the time we got home.

After we got home I still needed to rest and Matt had to do a lot of catching up, after all we had been gone for five months. Now we are both editing our photographs and videos plus writing about our trip so expect to see more soon, woof!

We are off to Tennessee this weekend to see the eclipse (it’s my birthday present from Matt!)

Woof, woof,

Heading East

June 14, 2017 Odee Leave a comment

Woof, hello everyone we have been busy the last couple of weeks and what adventures we have had. We are now well east in Minnesota visiting friends in Saint Paul.

We headed east after we drove to the end of the US until we could not drive any further and then we walked until we could not walk any further. When we reached the very point of Cape Flattering, oops, I mean Flattery, I got so close to the edge it made Matt nervous. He said the cliffs there were undercut so you could fall from the edge breaking off. We were pretty high above the ocean. I stood there and thought about how far we have come. Living in the truck can be cold and cramped but it has been fun so far. We started driving east after our walk and have seen a lot more but it will still be a while before we get home.

This is Cape Flattery and as far as we could go west!

Before our walk out to the very edge of the US we were in a rainforest. It was a green, green forest. Green enough where I can see the difference. It was wet all over and mossy. It smelled wonderful. I liked when Matt drove up into the clouds and then up above them to see snow and tall mountains. On a hike by a big river we saw big deer. Matt said they were Elk and not really deer. One of them barked at us and Matt said we needed to leave right then. It was real loud, and I think they followed us a little way.

I also wanted to mention after walking to the edge of the continent we went back to my friend Sophie’s house. I got excited when I recognized the smell of her place until I remembered Matt said no one would be there. I really wanted to see Sophie again and also Liz and everyone else but Sophie is my special friend. We left the next day and Matt drove the truck onto a big boat called a ferry, I like riding on those. I have ridden on one before, but this one was bigger and I got to walk around on this one instead of staying in the truck.

So far on our trip east we have enjoyed visiting several parks. We have seen more tall mountains and snow. In North Cascades National Park where we spent two days hiking and enjoying the sights and smells. Glacier National Park was fun too. It was another park that was not all open. We camped on both sides but had a long drive to get from one side to the other. We really started going further each day after making quick stops by other places. One place was called Littlebighorn – woof! I just cannot figure out that name, next we saw Mount Rushmore that place had four big heads of men carved out of the tops of the mountains. Matt told me they were big in more than one way after I told him what I observed. Our next stop was called Badlands, I was wondering why they were called bad, did they do something wrong? I did not want to listen to a long explanation this time so I did not ask Matt about it, woof!

This is St Mary Lake in Glacier National Park I had to get a permit to hike in this park.

Well after St Paul we will be going to a state called Wiscoccon tomorrow and visit my good friend Nate and his humans and after that to a place called the Upper Peninsula.

Bye for now!

Oceans and Big Mountains

May 30, 2017 Odee 7 Comments

Woof, I was so glad we left Eugene. I know it was restful for Matt but it was a bit stressful for me. Where we slept was not as bad, but during the day Ginger the dog just would not leave me alone. Woof! I like attention and getting to know each other but this was way over the top! It did make me a bit happier our last day in Eugene Matt took me on an extra long walk and we played some Frisbee before we got on the road again. Then drove all the way to the ocean, I could tell we were getting close because I could smell it. Matt told me this one is call the Pacific, at first I thought he said Specific. He laughed a long time and corrected me but you should hear some of the mistake he makes. Even I know they are wrong, ruff! I laugh to myself when other humans correct him sometimes. When we got to the beach we were the only ones there so I ran and played on the dunes and I got swim in the ocean. We camped at different places as we traveled up the coastline and honestly I think it was prettier than Nova Scotia, I think I called that place New Scooty last year when I did not know better.

At Cape Outlook State Park we got to see this man building a sandcastle.

He let me ham it up in front of the finished sandcastle. He was a real nice man.

After the desert we sure have been around a lot of water. We went to a big tall waterfall, I can’t remember the name but I do remember it was in the Columbia River Gorge. I will have to ask Matt to name it on the photo when he uploads this blog. We rested some in our campsite at the river; Matt liked listening to the trains. He told me he was going to take me on a train trip sometime. I think that would be fun, woof, woof!

Trying to keep cool on a hot afternoon at Ainsworth State Park.

Photo Dog Jackson at Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge. (Caption by Matt.)

Next we went to some tall mountains where the tops were all covered in snow. Matt said they were volcanoes and they could be very surprising things. Matt said the first one we visited he actually watched explode, well not in person, he saw it on TV. Another one was the tallest mountain and it was covered up by clouds when we first got there, but while we were on a hike it cleared off enough for us to see, and oh, all that snow, woof!

After seeing all these wonderful places we came to Port Townsend to visit and stay with some friends. I have even met one of them before a long time ago. The best part is I made a new best friend, Sophie, who plays with me all the time. I do not even mind when Matt leaves because I can play and not work. There is a big yard and it is pretty far from busy roads so I can run and roam and not worry about watching out for traffic. I really like Sophie and I think she likes me a lot. I think sometimes I wear her out throwing the ball so much but it is so much fun. The only bad thing is after Matt washed his truck he told me it was time for a bath. You know I do not mind water, I just do not like smelly baths, ruff!

We have just left for Olympic National Park; this will make number 23 for me. Matt has one more because he visited a small national park in Seattle. I do not mind because I got to play with Sophie. Of course we have visited more places than that. Those are just the national parks and monuments we have seen. More adventures, WOOF!

At the Canal Bridge before Port Townsend.

Woof, it Snowed Again, and Again

April 9, 2017 Odee 1 Comment

Woof, we have been doing a lot since I last wrote. We have been in Arizona a long time now. We hiked through a forest turned into stone. At first when Matt said we were going to the petrified forest, I thought he meant it was afraid of something but he explained the other meaning of the word. I liked it when we went to a big canyon Matt said it wasn’t the Grand Canyon, but it was so pretty green on the canyon floor. Woof, I even got to sit in four states at one time. How many dogs or even humans can say that? Then we stayed at a mountain cabin and then we went to the Grand Canyon and boy was it grand. It seemed grander than the last time we were there. I know I have left some things out. I’ll just have to write more often, ruff.

Woof, I'm trying to help! — Woof, I’m trying to help!

I really enjoyed staying at the cabin. We stayed there with Matt’s aunt Nancy and Janet. I got to lie down by the fire and it was so warm and cozy and I got to chase the big birds out of the yard. It snowed while we were there too, I have not seen this much snow in a long time. It was nice visiting with them; I like both of them so much. We left for the Grand Canyon after staying at the cabin.

When we got to the Grand Canyon I got to ride on a big thing called a bus. Matt laughed when I called it a big truck, he explained what it was to me.. I have only seen them from the outside and wondered why they were so big. A lot of humans ride on it all at one time and it has doors that open all by themselves. The doors have windows too, I liked looking out at the road and things passing by. The bus stopped a lot of times to let humans on and off. It was nice Matt did not have to drive. Woof, woof, it snowed again when we were camping at the Grand canyon, everything was white when we woke up one morning, but it melted all away.

While we were at the Grand Canyon we went on a hike down into it. Before we could go we had to go talk to a ranger three times. She was real nice. Matt had to explain what I did to help him on the trail. Then she had to tell all the rangers and something called a mule driver we would be on the trail. I really appreciate all the help we had from the Ranger Casey. We got to the trail and walked down, and down, and down. There were a lot of humans on the trail. A lot of them said hello and some wanted to pet me but Matt had to tell them I was working. On our way back up we had to step to the side of the trail because some horses were coming towards us. Well I thought they were horses but Matt said they were mules, so I guess the humans riding them were the mule drivers, woof!

Woof, on the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon!

Well I had better start on my next blog because I left a lot out of this one!

Later,

The Adventures of Odee & Matt