Mercedes Livestock Show

Decided to head on down to the Livestock Show at the Mercedes Livestock Arena

We start out at the Chainsaw CarvingAt this point Gary guesses a dolphinI was thinking maybe a Goat or RamNow it's becoming more obvious from this angleYep - it's a horse



We wander into one of the Exhibit Halls . . . . and find BBQ'sTexans take their BBQ very seriously!



The thought of BBQ makes us hungry!How about something from a Texas Size Griddle?Texas Size Ice Cream might be good. . .But we opt for a Baked Potato stuffed with Brisket - now what for dessert?It's hard to eat without a knife!

Oh Yeah! The Livestock!











There were some interesting ridesTraveling Shows

and of course the Lumber Jacks!






Next door was the slingshot rideand last but not least the greased pig wrestling


Meanwhile we keep on Trek'n Melissa & Gary

A Date with Hunky Jackson

Before leaving for vacay tomorrow, I pawed Mom to arrange a date with Jackson again! Woo hoo... my heart pounds just to think about him!

Here he is (above) displaying his gorgeous smile - yummy! Since he was headed toward my house, I decided to show him Miller Creek in nearby Marinwood. Avalon and I were just there, but Jackson had never seen it and he loves water as much or more than we do!

Although I refer to Avalon as my sis, she really isn't. Actually, she is Jackson's half-sis from a different litter. Jackson's Mom thinks she looks like Jackson a lot - what do you think? (I'd take that as a ginormous complement, of course... but I'm blinded by love...)
Here is some of the fun we had in the water, which is a year-round springfed running creek - rare in these parts!
If you can believe it, all three of us got our toofies around that blue cloth baby bumper! Our pawrents thought that was pretty funny! We'll leave you with a little movie - Avalon mostly wins... Have a good August! We are going to try to do a couple of posts on the way, if Mom can figgur out the technology heheh! And we want to thank Corinna, Jackson's Mom, for taking all the pictures on this post! Silly Mom only brought her little movie cam. See you soon!

Do You Know the Way to San Jose Obedience Trial?

Dear Friends: I've been "out of the office" for a large part of this week, but please take some time to visit http://howsamseesit.blogspot.com/. Sam's beautiful sister, Cisco, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today and I know they would appreciate some support. xo Mom and Dad furry rudely awakened me at 4 a.m. today. Sheesh! O'dark hundred! Luckily, they had my breakfast ready, cause I was tired from barking all night at some bold intruders occupying our backyard. Mom and Dad didn't look so hot, but they loaded me into the Jeepmobile and off we charged into the night.
One and a half hours later, I found myself looking at this from my crate. A Novice A Obedience Ring... argggghhhhhh! You can see the judge there, doing something at the edge of the table.
Mom took a stroll around the ring to check out the footing and the heeling pattern I'd have to do.
Mom always gives me a quick brush - love this! Then we practice things for a short time. I get lots of my favorite treats. I didn't get steak this time, but I do love my string cheese!
Uh oh. Here we go. The last time I did this a few weeks ago, mom came unglued and I was simply clueless.
Today, even though Ma was so tired, she seemed to step confidently. I just did my thang. Still, there were lots of distractions with so many pups in the ring for "sits and downs." But we've been practicing heheh! And I had a worried look on my face later when Mom made this furry weird look on her face. First number called for winner.... was...
Oh my Dogness! Moi! I didn't know how to deal with Mom's surprised expression, but she looked pretty happy. On the way home, I slept. And once home...
...continued purusing the pawsome dreams so rudely interrupted this morning...

Escape from the Heat!

Temps here on Saturday had soared into the mid-90s and we were due for the same Sunday, so we loaded up the Sammiemobile and headed for the coast. Our destination? Bodega Bay - about an hour's drive northwest - and where "The Birds" was filmed (see here for more info if you like.)

Once leaving 101, the countryside is bucolic - old chicken coops (Petaluma was once famous for it's chickens and eggs) and farms, pretty dairies and even newer spas and retreats.
We stopped in the actual town of Bodega, about 5 miles inland from Bodega Bay. Above lower right is Potter's Schoolhouse and right is St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, both in the movie.
We were headed for Doran Beach, a Sonoma County park and beach. The air was fresh and cool - whew!!! What relief!
Oh yeah! Love the beach! Gotta show Av the nuts and bolts of waves and sand.
Don't have my kong today, but this stick is perfect!
Salty and fibrous - yeaaahhhh... most excellent!
Hey there - pull that harness up, girl!
Sakes! You're embarrassing me!

Okay, okay... maybe I just embarrassed myself! We have to leave now, but let's check out the camping scene before we go!
Wow! Look at these guys! They have got it going on! I would love to live in that house on the beach with that front yard full of doggehs! How cool was that?
It was time for lunch. I wasn't allowed. Bummer. So after Dad ordered some goodies, we took a walk to check out the place.
Bodega Bay is truly charming - a little fishing town really, but the tourists have found out all about it.
Look at these! We couldn't get any closer, but I sure thought they barked funny. I woofed back a proper woof, but they're apparently slow learners. It was time for lunch.

And Dad shared a bit with me (heheh!) and ohhhhhhhh.... yummalicious fishie with a chip or two. Mmmmmnnnnnn. Then we drove home... except it was still too hot.
Soooooo.... we motored down to Sausalito, as we knew the temps were cool by the water. Here, we got another amazing treat. Boy, Dad and Momzers were in a great mood! Me and Avalon got scrumptialicious Strawberry Frozen Yoghurt with Strawberry Sorbet Swirl in it. Oh. My. Dog. We licked and licked and Avalon finished first. Then she tried to steal mine. Just like a little sister, huh! But we even got lots of pats from humans, big and small as we strolled down the streets of this also-charming (and waaaay too touristy) town. What a cool day!

Game cam bucks

Hubby moved the camera to an area where we'd spotted a buck rub. It worked!
I think he's leaving a scented "keep out" message for other bucks.
We mainly get does on the game cam, so I forget how powerfully built the bucks are.

We'd gotten this shot just before moving the camera. At first I thought it was the same buck, but after examining the zoomed-in views, I think the first one is actually a 6-point (as opposed to the second 4-pointer).

See Rock City

On the road again. Wednesday I drove from home to Paducah, KY. Yesterday, it was on to Chattanooga, TN. Drenching rain between Paducah and the TN line. Had plenty of time for go some sight-seeing when getting in town.
Decided to start my tour of Chattanooga with Rock City. Most of Rock City "tour" is walking the trail with the various rock formations. The trail winds you thought the rock and man-made structures to Lover's Leap. There you can see 7 states.
More view-points, rock formations, to the Fairyland Caverns. The grand finale is Mother Goose Village. It was interesting, some pretty good photos. A little more than just a "tourist trap".
Weather was threatening, and time to check into the motel. Got hit with a storm by the time got to the motel. Spent time getting settled into the room. After some food, I hit East Ridge Bicycles to check out the trails, places to ride. Chris Dodd gave me a very good "lay-of-the-land". I returned the motel armed with recommendation for riding dirt and pavement. Thanks, Chris.

Mosy squadrons, RVs and big trucks

Richard rode up while I was having tea in lakeview. He had the new Salsa Fargo (a bike designed for racing this route) He was running super light a laying down 100 miles on a bad day. We chatted for the afternoon, crossed into Idaho in a rain storm and then he rode on at his pace. safe travels man.

I set up camp on the edge of Yellowstone at a beautiful spot on Grassy lake. The swarms of mosqitos had chased me into my tent. I was lying back watching Loons divebomb after fish and chipmunks scurry around, When suddenly this big ass truck comes roaring down into my campspot. The dude drives up practically on top of me and yells "You seen any wildlife?" "Were looking for Wildlife" I look up at him and irritatedly just say "No"; too stunned by his retardedness to say anything more. Then he backs up and drivews away. Yep, unfortunatly these kind of people are alive, well and flock to Yellowstone.