Days 0-1 of Lupe’s 5th Dingo Vacation of 2025 to Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma & New Mexico!
12-13-25, 3:58 PM – A frigid breeze was sweeping over the nearly empty, snow-covered parking lot for KOTA Territory News up on Skyline Drive when Lupe leapt out of Shadow. Off to the SW, the last rays of sunlight the Carolina Dog would ever see as a 14 year old Dingo still gleamed on the Black Hills horizon.
We’re here to deliver a cake, SPHP?
Yup! Tomorrow you’ll be 15, Loopster, and this year I had 2 birthday cakes made for you. One is for KOTA Territory News, since reporter Brad Walton and meteorologist Ryan Hill were so kind as to invite you along on their Hill’s Hills Sylvan Peak adventure a week ago.
Oh, yeah. That was a blast, SPHP! Are Brad and Ryan here, though? Looks like KOTA is closed.
Someone should be here, Loop. Brad told me specifically to bring the cake today at 4:00 PM, and we’re right on time.
Going over to the station, the door was locked. SPHP didn’t know the keypad code required to open it. SPHP pushed an access call button. No response. SPHP called Brad on the phone. No answer.
Well, Dingo feathers, Looper! Wonder what happened? Only 9ºF! The cake will be a block of ice in short order, if we just leave it by the door.
Suddenly, Ryan appeared inside, unlocking the door. Brad returned SPHP’s call at the exact same moment. Ryan ushered Lupe and SPHP into the comfortably warm KOTA station entryway. A friendly chat with Ryan, notification to Brad, and the birthday cake was delivered.
Whew! Got that done, Sweet Puppy.
I’m glad! Brad and Ryan are so nice to me. Their friend Renae was, too! Now what, SPHP? You still have another birthday cake for me, right? Are you going to throw a 15th birthday party for me tomorrow?
Absolutely! But guess what, Loopster? For the first time ever, we aren’t going to celebrate your birthday here in the Black Hills.
What! Why not, SPHP? Where is it going to be?
At Hotel Dixie, tomorrow afternoon, Loop.
In Arvada, Colorado with Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dixie?
Precisely! Expecting other guests, too! Your 15th birthday party is going to be a real bash, Looper, but I’ve got a lot of packing to do before we head out dark and early tomorrow morning, so let’s head home.
12-14-25, 6:44 AM, still 9ºF – Unfortunately, not as dark and early as SPHP had intended, but all systems were finally go. On her cold, pink blanket, a certain Carolina Dog was excited.
Onward, SPHP! I can’t be late to my own birthday party!
SPHP turned the key. Rather reluctantly, Shadow sprang to life.
Our schedule is going to be a little tighter than anticipated, but you’ll be there, Loop. Promise!
420 miles to Hotel Dixie! A winter adventure beyond the Black Hills was almost unheard of in Lupe’s experience. The tight schedule meant only a few brief stops along the way.
The temperature fluctuated wildly, up and down, during the long drive, but warmed up a great deal overall as Shadow sped on. After leaving the Black Hills, Wyoming was bone dry. Mid-December, yet scarcely any snow at all, except what appeared to be little more than a dusting way up on Laramie Peak.
Approaching Colorado, even the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains didn’t seem to have much snow on them. The foothills appeared to be completely snow-free.
12-14-25, 2:15 PM – An unbelievable 67ºF! Seemed more like summer than winter when Cousin Dixie greeted Lupe with wild enthusiasm to Hotel Dixie. Incredibly, the grass was still green out on the front lawn.
Definitely looked more like Christmas inside, though.
Lupe and SPHP would be staying in the ever-popular Hotel Dixie Cowboy Room tonight. After toting in luggage, SPHP also brought in Lupe’s 15th birthday cake, then stuck video gaming candles into it. Meanwhile, the birthday Dingo got gussied up for her upcoming big 15th birthday bash.
Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe were already here, of course. Andrea had fixed a big pre-cake and ice cream meal for everyone, and soon guests were arriving. Mark came, and began playing the piano, adding to the festive mood. Matt, Cassie, Owen, and Emery showed up a bit later.
Since Lupe had a tendency to lose her party hat rather frequently, Emery took it upon herself to see to it that the hat was never off for too long.
The birthday feast came first. Whether Cousin Dixie believed in Santa Claus, or not, wasn’t entirely clear. However, there wasn’t the slightest doubt that she believed in SPHP. Although feeding Dixie from the table was frowned upon by the management at Hotel Dixie, that didn’t stop outlaw SPHP from smuggling hamburger, cheese, and other goodies to both Dixie and Lupe.
Before long, it was time for the trial by fire! SPHP provided champagne. The candles were lit! Everyone began singing Happy Birthday to Lupe. Owen and Emery were crouched nearby, ready to help Lupe blow out her candles. The American Dingo didn’t seem to mind the massive 15 candle conflagration on her cake at all. She was having fun!
And just like that, it was all over and done with. Owen and Emery made certain every candle was blown out. Cake, ice cream, and champagne or sparkling cider for all who wanted it! And presents for Lupe! Owen and Emery helped Lupe open her gifts.
Lupe got a Vibrant Life Holiday Hedgehog, Chew Level 2 with squeaker.
Treats received included packages of Golden Rewards Pigs in a Blanket, and Blue Buffalo Nudges.
Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea had also bought Lupe a beautiful, white camping blanket to keep her warm during her Dingo Vacations to Canada & Alaska. The blanket was incredibly soft and cozy!
The last present was from SPHP.
Oh, I know what you got me, SPHP!
Do you really now? Are you sure about that, Looper?
You get me the same thing every year, SPHP. It’s a T-bone steak!
Lucky guess, Sweet Puppy! Hope you aren’t disappointed.
Oh, no! I’m not disappointed, SPHP. Not disappointed at all. I love T-bone steaks. Hey, look! It says “Freshness date use or freeze by 12-14-25”. That’s today! Broil it for me, SPHP.
Fully intend to, Loopster. I always do, don’t I?
Good, but wait just a few minutes. I want to show Mika all my birthday loot first, before you broil it.
SPHP lugged Lupe’s birthday loot up to the Cowboy Room where Lupe would be staying, and where Mika was currently trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. If Mika was impressed by Lupe’s good fortune, she didn’t show it. In fact, if anything, she looked a bit miffed.
Cats are the strangest breed of dog ever, SPHP. They don’t have any clue at all how to be a good pack member. You’d think Mika would be happy for me! Maybe she’s just jealous?
Cats are different, alright, Looper. No denying that. Anyway, ready for me to broil that T-bone for you now?
Lupe was. When the T-bone was ready to eat, the Carolina Dog was kind enough to share a few bites with Dixie. Later on, when SPHP checked the back yard where Lupe had gone to devour the rest of it, not a trace of the T-bone steak remained.
What? You ate the entire thing, T-bone bone and all?
Being 15 has gotten off to a mighty tasty good start, SPHP! And now, after a long day, I suddenly feel like it’s time to hit the hay for a luxurious night’s snooze in the Cowboy Room.
Guess so, Loopster. And some serious digesting, too!
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Hey Lupe!
Wow! What a party!!! You deserve it my fellow dingo.
My man found you on Peakbagger a few years ago while we were in South Dakota. I was still a puppy, so we didn’t go on long outings, but hearing the man tell me about your adventures really inspired me to want to see all the high places.
Now we are in Alaska and I feel like I’m walking in your paw prints as we explore the mountains here. Matanuska peak was fantastic! I may be an Australian Cattle Dog, but I feel like we have the same dingo spirit Lupe!
I hope I get to live a long and strong adventurous life like you. I eat Taste of the Wild like you do, and I’m gonna have to talk to the man about this T-bone steak situation you got going on. For health!
Walla🐾
Hiya Walla!
Young, strong, and up in Alaska! How lucky is that? You’re living the dream! SPHP is a fair weather friend, so I’ve only ever been to Alaska when it’s summer or early fall. Must be gorgeous with all the snow on the mountains this time of year.
Matanuska Peak is terrific! So many fabulous places to explore in Alaska! You’ll never run out of new adventures up there. The Yukon and BC are awesome, too. (Tell your man that you really need to do some exploring in Skagway and Haines. Don’t fly. Make him drive, and that will get your Canadian explorations started, too, if you haven’t been there already.)
And yes, you should definitely start educating and training your man about T-bone steaks as soon as possible. So yummy! Maybe let him have a few bites, just to get him hooked on them, too. Make sure he knows that T-bone steaks are a great gift for Australian Cattle Dogs on almost any occasion. Assure him that Australia has a great many holidays, and that T-bones never disappoint. Besides, they are so very convenient. Your man has to drop by the grocery store every so often, anyway, so he might as well pick one or two up for you. It’s no trouble at all.
Happy Birthday Lupe!!
Thank you, Jose, and Happy New Year to you! I did have a wonderful 15th birthday.
Hope many marvelous adventures are ahead for both of us in 2026.
Yay Lupe! Here’s to another year of adventures!
Thank you, Jamie! That’s the plan! I went on 5 Dingo Vacations in addition to some fun times in the Black Hills in 2025, and SPHP says we’re going to go on more adventures than ever before in 2026. When SPHP will ever have time to write them all up for T(M)TAOL, I don’t know, but I can’t worry about that. That’s SPHP’s responsibility. My job is just to have the most fun possible climbing mountains in beautiful places all over the map. Tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Might as well be me!
Hope your 2026 is full of grand adventures, too!
Happy 15th Birthday, Lupe! We’re happy you had a fabulous day. Here’s to many more!!
Poppy, HV, and LV
Thank you, Poppy, HV and LV:
My 15th birthday was incredible! We actually celebrated it for days. I could hardly believe it when it turned into an entire Dingo Vacation. I visited 2 new states, Kansas and Oklahoma, and climbed mountains in New Mexico, too. We didn’t get back home to the Black Hills until Christmas day.
Now, just a week later, it’s suddenly 2026, so Happy New Year, to all of you! Hope 2026 brings you health, prosperity, and countless joyous new adventures.
Happy birthday dear Lupe — it looks like you had a most excellent day! Best wishes from sunny Florida!
Thank you, Shannon! I did have a terrific day.
Happy New Year 2026 to you! Guess what? SPHP says I might get to visit sunny Florida sometime this coming spring. I’m hoping it happens!