Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland, via the southern route!

Day 16 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. We drove from Bozeman, Montana, to Buffalo, Wyoming, with a slight detour to Livingston, Montana, one of the entrances to Yellowstone National Park. Lawrie and I were in Yellowstone in 2001, just before 911 happened. Oddly, when I switched my printed photos over to digital, that entire trip was lost. We stopped in Livingston on the way back to grab a cup of coffee for the trip. I was in the coffee line-up when the news of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center was broadcast. The woman handed me the coffee just as the second plane hit. I got back in our vehicle and told Lawrie what had happened, and he said. "We have to get back across the border as quickly as possible." And we did, driving nonstop until we arrived at the Osoyoos crossing around midnight. Driving through Livingston brought back those memories. It's a cute town, and I should have taken more photos but I thought I still had the ones from 2001. 

Montana

Day 17 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. We explored the downtown area of Buffalo, Wyoming, until another thunderstorm chased us inside. It's a good day to catch up on emails and reading. One of the reasons I wanted to stop in Buffalo is Craig Johnson, the author of the Longmire mystery novels, has written extensively about this area and the cafe at the Occidental Hotel on Main Street. It's called the Busy Bee in his books. I poked my nose into the cafe It was packed with locals enjoying their morning coffee and breakfasts, so, instead, Sparky and I wandered a few doors along and discovered a dog-friendly cafe, Lolly's Sugar Shack. Sparky played with the resident dog, Dakota. I sampled their Lappuccino (a latte-cappuccino) and a fabulous cinnamon bun. Talk about a sugar rush. I rarely eat sweets, but cinnamon buns were Lawrie's favorite, so I couldn't pass them up. 

Buffalo Wyoming

Lolly's Sugar Shack in Buffalo Wyoming

Day 18 of Sparky's Epic Adventure across North America. The weather has been cranky all day as we drove from Buffalo to Cheyenne, Wyoming. We passed several interesting places but between fighting to keep the car on the road in a torrential downpour and rain, rain, rain, I didn't stop for anything but a quick rest break or two for Sparky and me. We are overnighting in historic Cheyenne. 

Big Boots Cheyenne Wyoming

Our drive from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Colorado was cloudy, foggy, and rainy. The Big Boots of Cheyenne, Wyoming, each tell a story about the spot where they are located in the city. 

The red one made me smile. It is located outside the Laramie County Library of Cheyenne. It depicts some of the statues that are scattered around the library's reading trail - and several of the books that have been banned by libraries in other states but not in Wyoming. I love their cheeky humor. 

Cheeky detail on Big Boot

Day 19 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. We're staying with friends, John and Cayce, at 9000 feet in the mountains, a bit south-ish of Denver, Colorado. Great dinner with lots of laughter and stories. 

Day 20 Yesterday John and Cayce Chalk toured Sparky and me around their neighborhood and the Red Rocks Amphitheater. It was spectacular! The short fuzzy guy and I had a slight challenge with the number of stairs, but we eventually huffed and puffed our way down to see the stage and then back up again. 

Red Rocks Colorado

Day 21 of Sparky's Epic Adventure across North America. Today was a driving day, across a good chunk of Kansas. It's pretty flat, and I don't remember having to turn the steering wheel very often. Just straight ahead for 5 hours! 

Oakley Kansas

Oakley Kansas

Day 22 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. We are in Topeka, Kansas, but I am not posting anything on Facebook except this. The hotel network isn't secure. 

Day 23 of Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland, Canada, via a convoluted route. We're in Jefferson City for a few days, visiting good friends Robert Goth and Julie from our time on Isla Mujeres Mexico. It's a beautiful area. Lush rolling hills. Forests. Streams. And fields planted with corn and other crops. Sparky and his girlfriend, Princess Izy, had a cute little reunion. They recognized each other after a separation of over 3 years. The eastern half of Kansas was much more scenic than eastern Colorado, to somewhere west of Topeka. Today's drive was quicker than I thought it would be, and the 'house pests' arrived at Rob and Julie's at noon. It will be good to stay put for a few days instead of driving every day. We have traveled 5340 kilometers or about 3320 miles since May 1st.

Are we there yet?

Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland (coast to coast!)

Wooden VW Van at Hotel Zed, Tofino

 Day 9 of Sparky's Epic Adventure (Newfoundland via Vancouver Island, BC).

We spent more time this morning exploring Tofino, Long Beach, and Incinerator Rock Beach before heading east for the first time on this adventure. We are back in Nanoose Bay with Rosemary and Glen, then heading to White Rock/Surrey tomorrow on the car ferry from Nanaimo.

Tofino Harbour

Day 10 of Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland, the long way.

Sparky and I spent the day in and around the BC Ferry transportation system. I drove to Duke Point, a bit south of Nanaimo, then we sailed past Gabriola Island and across the Straight of Georgia to Tsawwassen BC. The weather was perfect for the two-hour crossing.

Sparky on a coil of mooring lines

Day 11, Sparky's Epic Adventure. Relaxing with my friends, cleaning, and reorganizing my car.

This is just some of the stuff that fits into the car, and most belongs to Sparky. The foam mattress. A doggie stroller. Dog food. Leashes. Sunshade. Teddy bear. Brushes, combs, and medications. A black doggie bed to keep him from rolling around if I hit the brakes. And my suitcase and a sleeping bag, just in case.

Some of Sparky's stuff!

Day 12, was spent lazing around doing not much.

Day 13 of Sparky's Epic Adventure.

Blaine Washington

Sparky and I drove from Surrey/White Rock to Wenatchee, Washington. It's only 334 kilometers or about 210 miles, but the drive turned into a 7-hour trek. The Peace Arch border crossing was backed up, then there was a road construction delay between Bellingham and Everett, Washington, and again somewhere east of where the I-5 and Highway 2 intersect. It was stop-and-go for quite some time. The weather has turned hot, hitting 34C or mid-90s F.

The beautiful route cuts through towering mountains, then beside emerald green rivers, and through small, sleepy mountain towns with names like Start Up and Gold Bar and architecture from the 1890s. Once we passed the Stevens Pass Ski Resort at 4000 feet above sea level, the climate began to change to dry and semi-arid with orchards, farms, and vineyards.

Owl Drugs and Fountain since 1926 Wenatchee

Day 14, of Sparky's Epic Adventure.

Is this sounding like a prisoner marking off the days until his release? At times I hear a loud 'fuff!' from my travel companion and then I know he's fed up and needs a break.

We hit the I-90 freeway from Wenatchee to Superior Montana, scooting past Coeur d'Alene Idaho. I've been there a few times and didn't feel the need to stop again, even though it is very beautiful.

Tonight we are settled in a tiny town of 900 people near Missoula Montana. I prefer the tiny, old, and quaint towns to larger cities. We drove through the semi-arid moonscape of eastern Washington into the mountains, lakes, and rivers of Idaho and on into Montana. All is well, except I still don't have the energy to figure out what the heck is wrong with my phone's roaming plan. I might get lost a time or two, but that's what adventures are all about.

Superior Montana 

Day 15, of Sparky's Epic Adventure.

I'm sure he's fed up already. He spent most of the day snoozing in the back on his foam mattress or glaring at me from the footwell of the passenger's seat. Poor pupper.

My photos don't do justice to the gorgeous scenery between Superior and Bozeman Montana. Towering mountains. 6300-foot summits for highway I-90. Broad valleys. Massive ranches. And cows, lots of cows. I detoured onto a few secondary roads but wasn't able to stop for photos. Even on the secondary roads the speed limit was 80 M/ph or about 128 KM/ph. The roads don't have wide shoulders (although the men do!), and the edges drop a few inches before veering over the bank. There were very few places to pull over and take photos so I missed some really beautiful photo ops.

Gorgeous mountains visible in Montana

Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland (via Vancouver Island)

Day 1, the start of Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland. We are driving west first to visit with family and long-time friends. We don't turn towards the eastern side of North America until the 10th of May. Right now, I am squishing all of the 'must-haves' into my car.

The beginning!

Day 2 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. It's a long and winding route that will eventually take us to Newfoundland, Canada, by July 1st. Today's drive was from Kamloops to Surrey, BC, to visit with good friends Jenda and Surinder, and their pooch Gizmo. There was dense fog this morning, which turned to brilliant sunshine by noon.

Cheery trees in bloom White Rock BC

Day 3, of Sparky's Epic Adventure. Hanging out with my friends in Whiterock/Surrey. I love the lush vegetation of the Lower Mainland in BC. Sparky likes grazing on fresh grass. He looks like a small Holstein bull.

My little Holstein bull

Day 4 of Sparky's Epic Adventure, via the long way to Newfoundland, Canada. We traveled from Surrey/White Rock to Davis Bay, BC. It's only 80-something kilometers, but the drive is in heavy traffic, multiple bridges, and a ferry. I had booked Sparky and me into a cute cottage called Seas the Day in Gibson's, but the 'greeting committee' of three snarly dogs changed my plans. I moved along, up the coast to Davis Bay. I am currently working on getting my deposit back from the operator of #SeastheDay.

Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal

Day 5 of Sparky's Epic Adventure via the long route to Newfoundland, Canada. Thursday's sunset from our room at the Coast Oceanside in Davis Bay, BC. It's been a wet and rainy Friday on the Sunshine Coast and most of BC. I met up with my sister and nieces for hot beverages and laughter. It was so good to see everyone again.

Snug Cove Ferry Bowen Island

Day 6, of our adventure. We drove from Gibsons to the ferry terminal and on to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver by ferry. Then we had a second ferry ride to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, and drove north to visit my friends in Nanoose Bay for a few days. Beautiful scenery, but a damp and grey day. Sparky and I are a bit tired and were in bed by sundown.

Cathedral Grove Vancouver Island

Day 7, Sparky and I are hanging out on Vancouver Island with my long-time friends. The weather is pleasant and intermittently sunny. Today's wandering included a trip to the French Creek Fresh Seafood, with the big fishing boats moored in the marina behind the store. We did a repeat visit to the fascinating Goats on the Roof stores at the Coombs Country Market and took the two dogs for a long stroll through the forest trails.

French Creek BC

Day 8, and we have finally traveled 1000 km! Most of this week has been spent with family and friends so we haven't put a lot of miles (kilometers) on the odometer. Tonight we are in Tofino, on the outer rim of Vancouver Island. The next stop would be Japan. Tomorrow, Sparky and I turn east and start the trek toward our goal of Newfoundland.

Chesterman Beach Tofino BC

Getting ready for Sparky's Epic Adventure!

 

It's been a busy and expensive week getting ready for Sparky's Epic Adventure starting Monday, May 1st.

Tuesday: interior car detailing by Auto Aveda on Okanagan Avenue.

Wednesday: a hair appointment for me at Rose & Co on Main Street, Penticton

Wednesday: a new foam mattress from Hagel's Upholstery covering the backseat of my car for the Fuzz-butt to lounge on as we drive across North America.

And today: a tire change-out and servicing from Canadian Tire in Penticton.

My poor bank account took a big hit this week! Only 4 more sleeps until we are on our way.

Cheers, Lynda and Sparky.

Sparky's Epic Adventure - begins May 1st 2023

Sparky and I are going on a cross-country adventure that, if all goes well, will take us from British Columbia to Newfoundland Canada, across several American states, and the ten Canadian provinces. 

I will be posting regular updates on my Facebook page and on this blogsite. We hope you follow along on our adventures. 

Cheers, Lynda. Sparky sends his woofs!

Our book of plans, reservations, and adventures.

Sparky's first Christmas - final excerpt Chapter 9

 

Chapter 9

Life is good!

What an exciting day. I played gently with my Christmas gifts because I didn’t want to hurt them. Tommy and Chica raced around the bedroom, shredding the wrapping paper and chasing the pieces blown by the warm tropical wind. Servant and Driver laughed at their silly antics.

Chica batted her catnip mouse and her little foam balls across the room, back and forth, until they got stuck under furniture. She was only five years old and had a lot of energy.

“Never mind, Chica, Servant said. “I’ll get them for you later.”

Tommy discovered canned shrimp and a bag of catnip in his stocking. The catnip made him very playful for a few minutes, and then he fell asleep. Maybe because he is fourteen years old, he gets tired faster.

Later in the morning, we had breakfast, played together in the kitchen, and then everyone, including Servant and Driver had a siesta. Early in the afternoon, I could smell delicious aromas coming from the barbecue in the courtyard. Driver was slowly roasting the turkey for our Christmas dinner. In my previous home, I didn’t know what that smell was or where it was coming from, and it made me drool with hunger. Now I was here, in this house, and I am going to eat some of that delicious meat. What a lucky doggie.

After sundown, the festive lights on our palm trees created a fairyland of light and color in our yard. Beautiful music drifted through the house, and our people sang about funny things I had never heard of: snowmen, one-horse sleighs, and jingle bells.

A few of Servant and Driver’s friends came over, and we ate a tasty dinner exactly like Chica had described. Turkey is amazing! It was the best meal I had ever eaten. The humans talked, laughed, clinked their glasses together, and wished each other a Merry Christmas. ¡Feliz Navidad!

I slowly drifted off to sleep, clutching my new stuffed toy. I was grateful, happy, and very sleepy. I thought about all the people and animals who had never known so much love.

Merry Christmas. ¡Feliz Navidad!

Available in online book stores, 

or Ruby Blues Winery, Coles Penticton, and Coles Vernon. 

Grab your copy today! 

Sparky's 1st Christmas with us - excerpt from A Surprise Gift

          Sparky in his golf cart on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Chapter 8

It’s Christmas!

“¡Feliz Navidad! said Driver.

“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Servant said, and then she kissed Driver. “Happy Christmas, my love.”

Tucked into the king-sized bed, between our humans, Tommy sleepily opened one eye. Being the most senior animal in the family, he was allowed to sleep in their bed.

Chica stretched and yawned. She liked her cozy little nest on the nightstand beside Servant. She jumped onto the bed to say good morning.

I was curled up in my comfy bed on the floor beside Driver. It was a good place for me to sleep because I could keep an eye on both entrances: the bedroom door and the patio door. As the only dog in the house, it was my job to protect everyone.

Christmas Day. I had forgotten this was the day I had planned to hide outside in the bushes, in case the cats were going to play a trick on me. I quietly slithered towards the entrance, hoping I could zip past when someone opened the bedroom door.

Servant hopped out of bed and opened the patio door. “What a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Just look at that view!” she said, pointing towards the turquoise Caribbean Sea. “I’ll go get our coffees and be right back.”

“Sparky, where are you going?” Driver asked. “Come here, little buddy,” he patted the bed.

I tucked my tail and slunk back towards Driver.

“¡Feliz Navidad, Sparky!” Driver said as he scratched my ears and rubbed my tummy. “We have presents for everyone, including you.”

Presents? For me? I gazed hopefully at his kind face.

Servant returned with a tray holding two cups of coffee and a pile of goodies; some were for our humans and some were for us. She handed one cup of coffee to Driver, then distributed the treats to everyone.

“Okay, time for presents!” Driver said, pulling several objects out from their hiding place. Two were wide red sacks that were filled with colorfully wrapped items. Two were long and looked like oversized socks, and another was shaped like a large red paw.

Servant held up the fuzzy red paw, “Sparky, it has your name on it!”

For me? Just for me! I carefully took it from her hand and then set it on the floor. I grinned happily, as my tail swished back and forth. A present. A red fuzzy paw, with my name on it.

Tommy looked over the edge of the bed to see what I was doing, “Silly dog, open your gifts,” he said.

“I did. It’s a big red paw.”

“That’s just the container. The gifts are inside.” He reached into his sock and snagged a brightly decorated parcel with his claws. Then he pulled it out and ripped off the paper. “See, this is a bag of cat snacks, and there are more things inside.”

I stuck my nose deep inside the fluffy paw and pulled out a stuffed toy. Oh my, I’d never had a toy. It was beautiful, a black and white dog that looked like my younger brother. We hadn’t seen each other since we were puppies, and I hoped he was having a good Christmas too.

Chica said, “Look inside again, Sparky. I think you have another present.”

I put my nose inside again, and yes, there was another toy, a silly yellow cat. This one didn’t have big, sharp claws. Two toys!

I really like Christmas.

Available in online book stores as e-books or paperbacks. 

Grab your copy today!

Learning the rules - excerpt from A Surprise Gift, Sparky's story

 

Chapter 7

Learning the rules

“Buen diá Princesa Chica. ¿Cómo está?” I said, “Good day, Princess Chica. How are you?”

“¿Estoy bien, gracias, y tú?” Chica answered me in cat-Spanish, and I understood. She had said she was doing well, thank you, and then asked how I was.

I was so pleased I couldn’t stop my tail from doing its helicopter-spin of happiness. “I’m very well, thank you,” I replied, then I noticed she was sitting beside a little tree that was covered in cute decorations.

“Oh, that’s a good idea, an indoor bathroom for pets,” I said. “But why is it sitting on a table? It should be on the floor.”

“No!” Chica quickly said. “This is our Christmas tree, un árbol de Navidad. Our humans would be upset if you peed on it.”

“Really?” I put my front paws on the low wooden table and gave the tree a sniff. It didn’t smell anything like a real tree. “What’s a Christmas tree?” I asked.

“It is part of the decorations our humans display at this time of the year.”

“So, Servant and Driver are also Decorators? Do we call them Decorator One and Decorator Two?” The rules of my new home were very puzzling. And why shouldn’t I pee on the tree? That’s what trees were for.

“No,” Chica answered, “she’s always Servant and he’s always Driver. Tommy says we don’t want to confuse them.”

“Si, now I remember. He told me that humans are difficult to train.” I agreed.

“Si, very difficult,” she agreed. “Tommy is very smart, and you should always listen to his advice.”

“I will,” I said, carefully studying the fancy tree. I still didn’t understand why I couldn’t use it for my indoor bathroom.

“We are extra lucky because we were born in Mexico and there are many winter celebrations, not just Christmas,” Chica said. “The holiday season starts with December 12th, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe- Virgin of Guadalupe Day. Then, December 16^th to the 24^th is the Posadas, the procession recreating the journey of Mary and Joseph, and December 24^th, Nochebuena or Christmas Eve, is when Mexican families have their special feasts. Our people and many of their friends are called Gringos, and they have their feast on December 25^th.”

“Is that when the people create loud noises?  Lots of booms and bangs?”

“Yes, fireworks scare me,” Chica answered.

“I usually just hide under something and try to sleep,” I said.

“Me too!” Chica said. “The best part of the holiday season is that our people like to invite their friends and some of their cat-friendly dogs to a party at our house. They laugh, play music, sing, and eat lots of yummy foods.”

“I don’t think my first human had a lot of money. We never had a party,” I said, wistfully. “Parties sound like a lot of fun.”

“Si,” she agreed, “and our humans also go to our friends’ houses to celebrate.”

“Do you get invited too?” I asked.

“Tommy and I are invited to the parties that are close by,” she said, “We follow Servant and Driver along the beach.”

“What else do you do to celebrate?” I asked.

“My goodness, you ask a lot of silly questions!” Chica flicked her tail and glared at me.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t understand everything about my new life yet.” I said, “Please be patient with me.”

She sighed, “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry. We were all strays at one time.” She licked one paw and cleaned her whiskers.

I was fascinated. She knew how to self-clean just like Tommy. Maybe she could teach me, but not right now, because she was still talking about the holidays.

“And there are parades with funny costumes,” she said, “and music, and people tossing candy for the children and their parents. Many people go to a building called a church and sing nice songs,” she added. “It’s a very busy time on the island, but we enjoy the excitement. My favorite day is Christmas Day. We get presents in the morning, then we eat turkey and sweet potatoes at dinner time.”

“Turkey? What’s that?” I asked.

“Turkey is awesome! It’s a huge bird that is roasted for hours, and then we feast on it. Servant, Driver, Tommy, me, and of course you this year. We eat and eat, and then fall asleep.” Just thinking about the upcoming feast made Chica feel sleepy. She stretched and yawned, “The celebrations continue until January 6^th, Día de Reyes, when the Mexican children receive their presents from the three kings.”

“Presents? What are presents?”

“Presents are my favorite,” she replied with a sly grin. “You’ll see.”

Oh no, I really don’t like it when a cat gives me a sneaky smile. I am pretty sure it means something bad for me, like another visit to the cat-doctor.

Maybe I should just hide outside in the bushes on Christmas Day.

 To be continued ...

Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings

A Surprise Gift - Sparky

Available as an e-book or a paperback.

Grab your copy today!

Woof, woof, Sparky