New Cousin Dixie! (6-29-23 to 7-2-23)

6-29-23, 3:00 PM – Lupe’s fabulous 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Colorado & New Mexico had ended only yesterday.  So many chores to catch up on!  SPHP was still mowing the back yard when Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea arrived.

Of course, Hotel Lupe’s long standing policy is that humans stay free as long as they are accompanied by a responsible canine.  Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea came fully prepared.  For the first time ever, they’d brought new Cousin Dixie with them!  An AKC registered Australian Shepherd, Dixie was only a little over 2 months old.

Lupe was barking with joy at Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea’s arrival, which initially scared Dixie a little.  That didn’t last!  Soon Dixie was trying to herd her big cousin and wanting to play.  Lupe didn’t quite know what to make of this new pipsqueak interloper, sometimes growling a warning, or even snapping at Dixie.

This is my new cousin, SPHP?  She’s cute enough, but so small, and rather … what shall I say? … annoying!

Dixie’s just a puppy, Loopster.

I’m a puppy, too, SPHP, but I’m not so… so… hyper!

Well, of course, you’re my Sweet Puppy, Loop, but Dixie is very young.  The whole world is brand new to her.  She’s full of energy and excited to learn all about everything, including you!  So be nice to Dixie.  She’ll grow up fast, and we’ll have lots of fun with her.

Do you think Dixie will want to go on any Black Hills, SD expeditions, SPHP?

Oh, I’m sure of it!  No doubt Uncle Joe will want to take Dixie up into the hills with us while they’re here for the next few days.  Dixie’s too little to go very far yet, but we’ll have a good time.

6-30-23 – SPHP was right.  New Cousin Dixie very much wanted to be an explorer, too!  After the whole gang enjoyed an early morning stroll through the park on the Geyser Loop, Aunt Andrea had eventually gone to spend the day with Grandma.  Uncle Joe and Dixie were free to head up into the hills, which was exactly what they wanted to do.

Where to, though?  Dixie’s first Black Hills, SD Mini-Expedition should be something quite easy.  SPHP suggested Centennial Trail No. 89.  The Deer Creek trailhead would be a good place to start.

6-30-23, 11:01 AM, Centennial Trail No. 89, Deer Creek trailhead – Upon arrival, Dixie was happy and enthusiastic, but at the same time seemed to realize she was about to embark on some serious business.

The plan was simple.  Everyone followed the spur trail leading from the Deer Creek trailhead up to the main Centennial Trail No. 89 route.  Once there, Dixie could explore S or N.

Dixie doing great, but soon began devoting most of her abundant energy toward herding Lupe.  The American Dingo did her best to ignore the pesky Aussie, often growling a warning.

Upon reaching the main trail, Dixie wound up going S.  Centennial Trail No. 89 soon crossed the road to Silver City, then proceeded gradually up the side of a forested valley to the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40.  An unlikely new feature was here.  A silver disco ball was hanging over the junction.  Lupe and SPHP had never seen it before.

Sticking with Centennial Trail No. 89, Dixie continued S.  The trail went down into Smoker Gulch.  1.2 miles from the trailhead, Uncle Joe decided this was far enough for Dixie’s first Black Hills adventure.

The day was warm, the sky blue with puffy white clouds, and the grass, green and lush.  During a short rest break, Dixie became interested in digging, while Lupe ventured out into the tall grass.

And that was it for Dixie’s first Black Hills, SD Mini-Expedition.  On the way back to the Deer Creek trailhead, Uncle Joe showed off his funky disco dancing form at the intersection with Deerfield Trail No. 40.

7-1-23, 10:24 AM – This morning’s activities were similar to yesterday’s.  After an early morning group romp through the park, this time on the Downstream Loop, Aunt Andrea once again went to spend the day with Grandma.  Dixie, Uncle Joe, Lupe, and SPHP were now at Centennial Trail No. 89’s Rapid Creek trailhead below the Pactola Reservoir dam.

Heading SE toward the Tamarack trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 was flat as a pancake and on the verge of being overgrown.  Dixie displayed great courage crossing 2 bridges over Rapid Creek.  The big stream was running high, and Joe was quite impressed by what a great trout stream Rapid Creek appeared to be.

Dixie made it past the Tamarack trailhead all the way to USFS Road No. 165.1D in Tamarack Gulch before reaching a spot near an ancient cabin.  At this point, Uncle Joe said she’d gone far enough for a 2 month old puppy.  After a short rest break, it was time to head back to the Rapid Creek trailhead, once again about 1.2 miles away.

Another beautiful day, but Uncle Joe may have been right.  Constantly trying to herd your big Carolina Dog cousin is a lot of work.  Near the end, Cousin Dixie was starting to get tired.

Not to worry, though.  Uncle Joe to the rescue!

7-2-23 – The next day was nearly the same routine.  An early morning Geyser Loop stroll through the park, followed by another Black Hills, SD Mini-Expedition, this time from the end of Horse Creek Road to USFS Road No. 249.  Incredibly, SPHP somehow forgot to bring the camera.  Oops!  Nevertheless, everyone had a great time.

7-3-23, 6:55 AM – Hard to believe, but it was already time for Dixie, Aunt Andrea, and Uncle Joe to head back home to Arvada, Colorado.  While Uncle Joe was packing their car, Lupe and Dixie roamed the back yard, enjoying the soft green grass together.

7-3-23, 7:07 AM – Well, they’re off, Loopster, on the way back to Colorado!  Thank you for not getting too snarly with Dixie.  I know your patience was being sorely tested at times.  So, what do you think of your new cousin?  Isn’t she darling?

No doubt Dixie means well, but she’s a herding fanatic, SPHP!  Do you have any idea how trying puppies can be?

Oh, really?  Tell me about it, Sweet Puppy!

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition              Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

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