Strutting the Street of San Franisco. March 3, 2011

I am really enjoying hitting the city streets for the last time. This town is far more dog friendly that my old hometown of Boston. I have been in art Galleries, Louis Vittuon, Borders and Cheeko B a really cute dog boutique, I have been everywhere!  I embarrassed mom by peeing on the front of Shreave Crump & Low. Hey, it was a beautiful planter I had to leave my mark.  I have met people from all over, some visiting the city like me and very nice locals, people stop me on the street just to say hello and tell me how beautiful I am.

I am so tired out. I am ready for a nap in the sun puddle that is on the bed back at the hotel.

Thanks! SF SPCA March 2, 2011

I knew it the moment I got out of the car, they all smell the same. The Vet!

The people at the San Fransisco SPCA are great. They all knew what had to be done to finish the paper work for little ‘ol me. It looks like every thing is A Okay and didn’t have to get a shot. They passed off some pills in a Greenie treat but  I didn’t let on that I knew what was going on. Humans think they are sneaky. I met lots of other pups while waiting for the Dr., Clohe and very sweet Pit Bull, a Min Pin puppy named Doby and a very happy-go-lucky chihuahua who lost an eye.

Mom is getting the crate “ready”. I don’t like the sound of that. The correct bowls and “live animal” stickers and a packet that will hold all the paper work United Airlines and the State of Hawaii needs for me. The humans say it was much easier getting the car to Maui than me, but I am more important for sure!

Tonight we are heading back  to Union Square for a few days of pampering at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. I really like the Kimpton Hotels, they really know how to do the dog-friendly thing.  I hope to get out and about in the city, but it look like rain for the next few days. It my put a damper on a cable car ride and a stroll through Chinatown.  I hope the sun comes out.

Quick Trip Over the Bay Bridge March 1, 2011

Took a short trip past Oakland to visit my Dad’s uncle. Picked up Grandma Hilda for the ride. I am so happy it is warmer outside the city, I am so over wearing this hoodie. Uncle Arnie has a very nice house and an even nicer back yard! Mom and I played fetch for almost 2 hours. It has been a long time since I have had a chance to run off leash (not easy to do while on the road).  I tried Mom out pretty good. As soon as I got home I found the perfect sun puddle for my mid-day nap. I think I can skip the dog park today.

Mom is getting that crate ready for something……… I know there is talk of the V E T . They don’t think I hear those things.

Hanging in the Heights February 28, 2011

It feels good being back in a big city. Lots of people, city smells and much more walking, I missed the hustle and bustle.  Hanging at my “uncle’s”  house in the Bernal heights area of San Franisco.It is nice being in a home and not getting in a car first thing in the morning.  Bernal Heights is said to THE dog friendly neighborhood in San Francisco, boy they are not kidding. Most of the cafe’s and shops on Cortland St. welcomed me, one cafe brought me treats while the humans ate. There  is a gym that we can hang out with our humans while they work out and a store just for my diva needs, The Bernal Beast. 

Now let me tell you about the dog park! It is one block up and a flight of stairs from my uncle’s house. The stairs are winding and straight up the hill, but once you get there is puts my old park to shame. The view is a 360 of the city, you are on top of the world. It is clean & green with a paved walk way and trails. All the dog and their people are so nice, nothing makes you feel like home like a neighbourhood dog park.

The Sweet Smell of Garlic February 26, 2011

We had a little change of plans. The humans decided to skip Fresno and drive right through to Gilroy CA, the Garlic Capitol of the World. Seriously, you can smell the garlic as you drive in to town. Oh yea,…. the drive. It was the first time we caught weather since we left Boston, just a little rain, that formed a beautiful rainbow that stretched across the highway. Leaving Bakersfield was miles and miles of cherry groves. From saplings to mature trees all starting to bloom, looking like white puff balls as far as the eye can see. The groves turn into rolling hills covered in a vibrant green carpet. I am amazed how the grazing cows could stand on such steep hills.

Gilroy for being the Garlic Capitol of the World, surprisingly, has very little restaurants that embrace the whole garlic thing. Since it is Friday, we opted for Italian. We found a great pizza joint, Pinocchio’s another NYC Italian who relocated to a small town, glad we sniffed him out.

I am happy to say tonight is our last night in a Motel 6. Some have been great some not so great,

but that is a whole other blog. We will be staying in the city until we take off for Maui in a week. That way I can get my paws on urban sidewalks and sniff a few public parks. There is talk about a vet visit, my last check up for the trip. I am sill not getting in that crate!

Bakersfield CA February 24, 2011

Another beautiful ride this morning. Flat land through Boron Ca. the top producer of Borax of all things. Past the Mojave Airport home of aircraft speed trials and space technology,then though green hills, followed by miles of orange groves. Welcome to Bakersfield CA. We spent a few hours at the car dealership getting the oil changed. The crew at the dealership sent us to a great place for lunch with a patio so I could dine with the humans, again a great meal. The Crest restaurant is part of a RV Resort, it was a drive-in theater, it is now a pretty fancy RV Resort, with the restaurant, pool and a spa.

Today the humans decided to skip the stop in Fresno and go straight to Gilroy tomorrow, adding an extra day in San Fransisco. After almost two weeks staying at Motel 6′s we need a little pampering, so we will stay a night, or more I hope,  at another Kimpton Hotel. They know how to treat a dog right.

I have to say, I am one pooped pup, all this on the road really wears you out. If this is what living like a rock star is all about I’ll be happy being a pampered diva dog!

Mother Nature is Amazing. February 23, 2011

 Driving cross-country has shown me how physically beautiful this country really is and I have seen so little. We were up and out early this morning to start our drive. In Flagstaff it was 6 degrees, snow on the ground and the car was pretty frosty. As we headed down the mountain the temperature rose in minutes. The snow  disappeared, the vegetation changed  to yucca’s and palm trees.  Hundred of miles between town’s just the land and a long stretch of road.

Like most of our travels,it is on Route 40 which shares it’s asphalt with Rt 66.  Barstow is one of those famous towns from the Rt 66 hay-day. The town has hung on much better than most. I have to admit Mc Donalds did a great job of using the old rail road station, hey a town that has a Starbucks  OK in my book…I am a city girl after all. We did our lunch hunt and found a little family run Mexican place, again the food was great. We have lucked out in the food department by staying local. We only bad one bad meal, but your should never order chinese in Virginia……..I know, I always end up talking about food.

The rest of our trip is short hops  so we can spend more time hanging out, looking forward to Gilroy. Garlic Capitol of the US!

Flagstaff Az February 22, 2011

Breath taking as you drive into Flagstaff from the east. The higher in elevation the more snow on the ground. The air is crisp and the sun is warm and bright.( They still are making me wear a hoodie…not happy.) Historic Downtown Flagstaff is great,with new modern shops in wonderful old style store fronts.It  reminds me of my morning walk to work along Charles Street.   I was invited in to many shops to sniff around and I met a pup named Timmy who looks like my Boston pal Mercado  and is just as sweet and friendly. The humans even found really good sushi, of all things. I like this Flagstaff place, it’s a little old, a little new and full of life.

 Tonight we get ready for the morning trip, will be the longest drive of all, all most 6 hours to Bakersfield CA.  I sure a few piddle stops long the way.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66 February 21, 2011

Just on the New Mexico-Arizona  sits a little taste of old Route 66.   Not much to look at any more, there are only a hand full of motels and restaurants left, but lots of Indian jewelry stores and outlets. We got in early and grabbed lunch at the West End Deli and Donuts. This little shop did not disappoint. The sub rolls are made in-house the deli cut for each sandwich and then toasted. We will be back for breakfast in the morning. Donuts are fresh and small 60 cents each, yummy.  We strolled the downtown area, all 4 blocks of it. So many empty store fronts, it is very sad.   I was welcome in many of the shops and made lots of friends. My favorite was Richardson’s Trading Co. they loved me there and it was so cool and the people are so nice.  Thanks for the nice visit, Gallup NM.

Visit my friends at Richardson Trading CO.    www.richardsontrading.com

Beautiful New Mexico February 20, 2011

New Mexico  layed her beauty out before us as soon as we crossed the state line. Nothing  for miles but masa’s full of color, the day clear and crisp you can see the snow  in the mountains. Our first pit stop, in search for coffee, was Russell’s Truck and Travel Center. This place was amazing as far as truck stops go. A cafe, sub shop, store, and a classic car museum Best of all Russell’s as not one but two fenced in dog runs.

 We took a bit longer and went north to Santa Fe. The city is beautiful, adobe homes blend in with nature around them. Historic district is quaint and full of shops, and food, it is too bad we planed this stop on a Sunday because most of the area attractions are closed. We did find a nice plact for fish taco’s and green chile. Very glad we came this way, looking forward to heading west into Arizona.