A Quick Trip to Colorado – Visiting Babies Felix & Owen plus a fun White Ranch Park outing (12-28-17 thru 12-31-17)

Christmas had come and gone.  The year was almost shot, but Lupe had a final chance for adventure in 2017.  Xochitl, Steve and baby Felix were flying into the Denver area from Chicago for a couple of days.  They would be staying at Matt, Cassie and baby Owen’s home in Parker.  Lupe and SPHP had an invitation from Joe and Andrea to come and stay in the Cowboy room at cousin Dusty’s home in Arvada.

Adventures with babies?  That was something new, and a rare opportunity!  Babies have a way of changing fast, and not being babies any more.  SPHP told Lupe that even though it would be a quick trip, there might be time for an outdoor adventure or two as well.  Even if Loop wasn’t certain about how adventures with babies might turn out, the year was going to end with bitterly cold subzero weather in the Black Hills.  Nothing was going to happen these last few days here at home.  So, did Loopster want to go to Colorado?

Cousin Dusty comes to visit the Black Hills every so often, so Lupe’s ears pricked up at the mention of Dusty’s name.  Loop hadn’t been to Colorado, though, for a very long time – not since November, 2015.  She could scarcely remember the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house, other than a vague sense that it had been a great place to stay.  There hadn’t been any babies around back then, but Lupe had climbed a couple of choice Colorado county high points.  That had been fun!

Babies in Colorado, with the possibility of an outdoor adventure or two?  Or stay home and spend the rest of the year laying on the living room rug staring bored-to-tears out the window at a subzero polar display?  Hah!  Lupe knew the answer to that one!

The novel adventure began on the frosty morning of 12-28-17 (6:58 AM, 16°F) when Lupe left home in the G6 comfortably riding shotgun atop her usual pile of pillows and blankets.  A Dingo Vacation in the winter was something completely unheard of up until now.  Lupe had great expectations!

At first those expectations were disappointed.  Hwy 471 S of Edgemont was snow-packed and slippery.  The day hadn’t warmed up a bit.  SPHP cancelled two possible short peakbagging breaks in the Nebraska panhandle, deciding to stay on main Hwy 18 which was clear to Mule Creek Junction in Wyoming.  No consideration was given to any other significant breaks the rest of the way.

Lupe arrived at cousin Dusty’s house in Arvada before mid-afternoon (2:06 PM, 39°F).  Dusty and Andrea were both home and answered the door.  Lupe dashed right in all excited to see them!  After the initial excitement, Loop sniffed around for a few minutes.  Yes, it was all coming back to her now.  The Carolina Dog did remember this place!

A lot of pent-up canine energy needed to be released.  Dusty, Andrea, Lupe and SPHP set out on a favorite walk around the 100 acre field out in back of Dusty’s house.

Andrea, Dusty & Lupe in the 100 acre field behind Dusty’s house. Photo looks W.
Cousin Dusty was sure surprised when Lupe showed up!

Cousin Dusty loves to fetch sticks.  The bigger the stick, the better.  She ran ahead of Andrea and SPHP looking for sticks to drop in their path, hoping to entice them to throw them for her.  Dusty would then zoom away after the stick, often catching it on the first bounce after a good throw.

Dusty waits for Andrea or SPHP to toss the stick she has carefully positioned out in front of her. Photo looks N.

Lupe never shows the slightest interest in chasing Dusty’s sticks.  Instead, she loves to act as defense on the stick’s behalf.  As soon as the stick gets tossed, she focuses entirely on barking and trying to herd Dusty.  While Lupe ignores the stick, Dusty ignores Lupe.  It’s a game they rarely tire of.

Dusty awaits the tossing of the stick, while Lupe awaits the opportunity to herd Dusty.

When the journey around the 100 acre field was over, Lupe was quick to reclaim the Cowboy room back at Dusty’s house.  Even though they like to spend time in the wilderness, American Dingoes are big fans of luxury, too!

Lupe was quick to claim her spot in the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house, where she would stay the next 3 nights. American Dingoes love luxury in addition to the outdoors!

As sunset approached, Lupe, Dusty and SPHP took one more trip around the 100 acre field.  There was more Dingo excitement when Joe came home after work.  After dinner, Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP went on a long evening walk on the bike path near Ralston Creek.  Lupe went all the way past Jungle and Utah bridges.

The next day, Joe and Andrea had to work.  Dusty and Lupe went on dawn patrol with SPHP around the 100 acre field to get the day off to a good start.  Lupe and SPHP then drove down to Matt, Cassie and Owen’s house in Parker, arriving late in the morning.

Babies Owen (6 months) and Felix (9 months) were up looking bright-eyed and happy, but the adults were about shot.  The plane Steve, Xochitl and Felix had taken last evening had been hours late, arriving in Denver after midnight.  Felix had then proceeded to cry and scream until 3:30 AM.  A bleary-eyed Xochitl was up, and so was Matt.  Matt was probably exhausted, too, but he is always so calm natured, it was hard to tell.  Cassie and Steve were both asleep.

Lupe with Felix. Lupe isn’t used to being around children much, especially infants. She sometimes eyed Felix suspiciously as he crawled toward her. Perhaps it was because Felix liked to whack her face, his way of petting her.

The afternoon was spent watching, feeding, and playing with Felix and Owen.  Lupe also played with Matt and Cassie’s dog, Maya.  She went on a neighborhood walk with Matt, Maya and SPHP.  Cassie eventually appeared, long before Steve finally regained consciousness at 3:45 PM.  By then, Felix was taking a nap.

Steve, Xochitl, Matt, Cassie and Owen all went out for sushi around dinnertime.  Lupe and SPHP stayed at the house with Felix.  Felix is known for not sleeping much, so he was expected to wake up at any moment.  Instead he was still snoozing when everyone returned from the restaurant at 9 PM.  Lupe and SPHP then headed back to the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house in Arvada.

Saturday morning was Lupe’s one chance on this short Dingo Vacation for an adventure in the Colorado front range foothills.  Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed for the lower E trailhead at White Ranch Park, which was only 10 minutes from Dusty’s house.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe about to set out on the Belcher Hill trail from the lower E trailhead at White Ranch Park.

It was a chilly 14°F when Lupe and her pack set out on the Belcher Hill trail.  The trees and fields were frosty, wisps of fog and low clouds hung in the air, but the sky overhead was blue.  The trail lost a bit of elevation on the way N to a low spot, then started climbing gradually as it followed the dry Van Bibber creek drainage NW.

Joe leads the way on the brief initial drop down to Van Bibber creek (where the frosty trees are). The creekbed was dry down here, but contained a little flowing water higher up. Photo looks NNW.
Joe, Dusty & Lupe near the start of the climb. Photo looks NW.

The Belcher Hill trail starts out on an easement across private property that leads to the rest of White Ranch Park.  At first there were homes not far from the trail.  It wasn’t long before Lupe had gained enough elevation to be looking down on several Colorado shacks.

As shacks go, they were really quite nice.  No doubt one can be had for only a few million dollars.  Lupe liked the looks of them, and asked SPHP’s opinion.  SPHP liked them too, but sadly checked pocket change and came up rather short.

Looking down on several Colorado foothills shacks from the Belcher Hill trail. Photo looks NNE.

After 1.1 mile, Lupe reached a junction with the Whippletree trail.  She stayed on the Belcher Hill trail, which turned SW here.  By now it was clear that a huge expanse of cold air E of the foothills was capped with a layer of low clouds.  The city of Denver and all its surrounding suburbs were hidden from view.  Lupe could see the top of  North Table Mountain (6,570 ft.) off to the SE floating barely above the clouds.

The flat top of North Table Mountain could be seen floating like an island above low clouds. Photo looks SE.
Joe and Dusty on the Belcher Hill trail a little beyond the junction with the Whippletree trail. Photo looks NE.

Shortly after bypassing the Whippletree trail, the effects of a powerful inversion became evident.  The temperature started changing rapidly, sometimes quite noticeably within only a few feet.  Overall it was getting a lot warmer out, but Lupe came to pockets of cold air, too.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe nearing the end of the Belcher Hill trail portion of the hike. It was already a lot warmer out, mostly due to a powerful inversion. Joe & SPHP were soon shedding layers. Photo looks SW.

The Belcher Hill trail steepened, and made a switchback shortly before coming to another junction, this time with the Longhorn Trail.

North Table Mountain again from the Belcher Hill Trail. The low clouds were just starting to clear out, moving slowly off to the E. Photo looks SE.
Lupe still along the Belcher Hill trail. She had started out near the frosty trees seen way down in the valley below. Photo looks SE.
Joe and Dusty pause for a look around near the end of the Belcher Hill trail section of the hike. Photo looks W.

At an intersection 1.8 miles from the E trailhead where Lupe had started, Joe and Dusty led the way onto the Longhorn Trail.

Lupe at the intersection of the Belcher Hill and Longhorn trails 1.8 miles from the trailhead. Joe & Dusty are already leading the way on the Longhorn Trail. Photo looks NE.
As clouds moved off to the E, it became possible to get a good look at Ralston Reservoir (R). Photo looks NE from the Longhorn Trail.
Ralston Reservoir (L) from rocks near the Longhorn Trail. Photo looks NE.
Another look at Ralston Reservoir from some different rocks. Photo looks NE.

After a short steep section, the Longhorn trail leveled out and became more of an up and down affair as it headed N.  After 0.4 mile, a junction with the Shorthorn trail was reached.  A longer loop could be made by taking the Shorthorn trail.  It was such a nice warm day this high up due to the temperature inversion, longer was definitely the better choice.  Everyone hit the Shorthorn trail.

The Shorthorn trail gained a bit more elevation, but only gradually with both up and down stretches along the way.  At first it headed NW.  This was a unique part of the hike, because the trail went through a shady forest of large pines.  Later on the trail turned NE, and wound around a series of ravines on much more exposed sunny slopes.

Joe and Dusty on the Shorthorn trail. Photo looks NE.
Dusty on the Shorthorn trail. Photo looks E.
Cousin Dusty again. North Table Mountain is seen on the R, still partially hidden by clouds. Photo looks SE.
North Table Mountain from the Shorthorn trail in White Ranch Park. Photo looks SE.

A 1.1 mile trek on the Shorthorn trail led to a different point on the Longhorn trail.  Shortly after reaching this junction, Joe discovered he had forgotten his walking stick about 0.33 mile back while shedding layers due to the near 60°F temperatures.  Everyone doubled back to retrieve it.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe near a second junction of the Shorthorn & Longhorn trails. Photo looks SE.
Heading back on the Shorthorn trail to retrieve Joe’s walking stick. Photo looks SW.

The walking stick successfully retrieved, it was back to the second junction of the Shorthorn and Longhorn trails.  A short hike up the Longhorn trail led to a tiny creek in a ravine.  At a big rock beside the little stream, it was time for a break.  Lupe and Dusty shared some Taste of the Wild.  Joe and SPHP had apples.  Dusty enjoyed polishing off the apple cores.

At the break rock near the tiny stream along the Longhorn trail.

After the break, it was time to head back down to the trailhead.  Joe and Dusty lead the way, using the Longhorn and Whippletree trails to complete a loop back to the Belcher Hill trail.  By the time Lupe arrived back at the trailhead, the air had warmed up some down here, but it was still only 30°F compared to near 60°F higher up.

Joe and Dusty lead the way down the Longhorn Trail on the way back to the trailhead.

The White Ranch Park adventure was over, but more good things were about to happen!  Joe, Andrea, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP were soon on the way back to Matt and Cassie’s house in Parker.  It was time for more fun with babies!  Owen was the only baby there at first.  Steve and Xochitl had taken Felix with them to visit friends.  Felix hadn’t woken up until 7 AM this morning, a recent personal record of 16 consecutive hours of sleep!

Knowing that SPHP was certain to sneak her some, Lupe was especially pleased at the news that Matt was going to smoke a huge chicken and ribs this afternoon!

Oh, boy! Smoked chicken and ribs! Let’s make this a tradition after every adventure! Whad’ya say SPHP?
Andrea with momentarily camera shy baby Owen.

Lupe had fun with Maya.  Eventually Steve, Xochitl and Felix showed up.  Mark did, too.  SPHP built towers with Owen’s blocks.  Felix had a good time knocking them down.

Lupe kept wanting to wrestle with Maya. Maya did a little bit, but finally retreated to her doggie bed for a respite from the over-active Dingo.
Felix eventually showed up at Matt & Cassie’s. Felix liked knocking down towers of blocks that SPHP built for that very purpose.
Adventures with baby Felix!

The big chicken and ribs took a long time to smoke.  Steve, Dusty, Maya, Lupe and SPHP took a walk at dusk.  Upon return, the smoked chicken and ribs were nearly ready.  The feast was soon served.  The smoked chicken and ribs were delicious!  Everyone had a great time!  A certain sly Dingo feasted on both chicken and ribs.

Felix & Mark.
Steve, Xochitl, Mark & Felix.

All too soon, it was time to head back to the Cowboy room in Arvada with Joe, Andrea and Dusty.  The next morning, Lupe left Dusty’s house after one last spin around the 100 acre field with Joe, Dusty and SPHP.  The trip to Arvada and Parker, Colorado had been a quick one, but a fun time!

By the time the sun set for the last time in 2017, Lupe was back in her Black Hills of South Dakota.  The G6 said it was 5 below zero when Lupe finally got home.  2018 was destined to get off to a frigid start.

In Wyoming on the way home on the last day of 2017. Photo looks W with the Laramie Range (R) seen faintly on the far horizon.
Looking S at I-25 from the rest stop near Orin, WY as 2017 draws to a close.

Related Links:

White Ranch Park trail map

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Kabekona Lake, Minnesota (10-2-16)

It was evening, already dark, when Lupe arrived at the cabin on Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota.  Surprisingly, no one seemed to be around.  However, the door was unlocked.  Presumably everyone would be back soon.  Lupe and SPHP went right on in.

Lupe had been here before, way back in June of 2014 – a very long time ago for the Carolina Dog.  Did she remember the cabin?  Lupe sniffed around curiously.  She went up the stairs to the loft she’d loved where she and SPHP had stayed before.  The Carolina Dog’s eyes grew wide, but she didn’t jump up on the bed.  Did she remember the loft?  It was hard to say.

Lupe discovered there were two cats in the basement, but Laddie, the old cat that had been here in 2014, was nowhere to be seen.  The two new cats were both curious and rather alarmed to see an American Dingo in possession of the main floor of their cabin.  SPHP closed the door to the basement.  Even though Lupe likes cats, it was best to keep the cats down there for now.

SPHP crashed on the couch.  Lupe was 700 miles from home.  It had been a long day’s drive.  Best to get a little shuteye, before the gang returned.  Lupe sniffed around a little more, then curled up with SPHP.

Suddenly Lupe was barking furiously!  She had leapt up to defend the cabin from intruders!  Of course, the intruders happened to be John and Joyce, owners of the cabin, returning home from eating out.  With them were Claire and Laura, who had arrived yesterday for the same sad reason Lupe was here.  Lupe calmed down when she realized SPHP was glad to see these intruders.  She most graciously permitted John and Joyce to enter their own cabin.

Service at the restaurant had been extremely slow.  It was already after 10 PM.  Tomorrow there would be a ceremony after church for Connie.  The next day’s schedule was discussed.  Then it was time to hit the hay.  Everyone retired for the night.

The next morning, Lupe, Sandy and SPHP went down to take a look at Kabekona lake.  The lake looked wonderful!  It was going to be a beautiful day!  Lupe would only have half of the afternoon and this one evening before sunset to enjoy the lake, though.  The rest of the day she would be stuck in the G6.  Tomorrow she would be headed home again.

Lupe checks out Kabekona Lake early on 10-2-16. It was going to be a beautiful day at the lake!
Lupe checks out Kabekona Lake early on 10-2-16. It was going to be a beautiful day at the lake!
Kabekona Lake is SW of much larger Leech Lake in N central Minnesota. Photo looks NE.
Kabekona Lake is SW of much larger Leech Lake in N central Minnesota. Photo looks NE.

It was an amazingly warm day for northern Minnesota in early October.  During church, Lupe was confined to the G6 with the windows rolled down as far as possible without allowing her a possible escape route.  She had plenty of water to help her stay cool.  She would be bored, but fine.

After church, SPHP took Lupe for a short walk to a small lake nearby.  Lupe was soon back in the G6, though, until social hour was done.  SPHP brought Lupe a pastry from the church meant for social time attendees.  Lupe wanted to go back with SPHP into the church, since SPHP had neglected to bring her any coffee, but SPHP wouldn’t hear of it.

A little after noon, social hour ended.  Now it was time to go to the cemetery for a short ceremony for Connie.  The cemetery wasn’t far away.  Fortunately the road went right by a field full of black cows and Canadian geese.  Lupe had an exciting, if brief, respite from boredom barking furiously at the cows.

Post ceremony at the cemetery, a luncheon was held back at the church.  Lupe was still stuck in the G6.  However, she did receive a much appreciated ham and cheese sandwich, plus another pastry, to ease both hunger and the monotony of confinement.

Lupe with flowers for Connie.
Lupe with flowers for Connie.

It was after 2 PM by the time Lupe was back at the cabin.  Finally, she could go exploring outside.  Was she ever ready!  The Carolina Dog  charged through the N woods, nose to the ground, delighted to be free again.

Lupe bounded around the cabin.  She went with SPHP down to the dock for another quick look at Kabekona Lake.  She explored the driveway and woods out to County Road No. 37.

Lupe at the Kabekona Lake cabin.
Cabin life at Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota is awesome! This message has been approved by an American Dingo.
Cabin life at Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota is awesome! This message has been approved by an American Dingo.
Lupe at the cabin's shed for boating equipment and supplies.
Lupe at the cabin’s shed for boating equipment and supplies.
On the dock.
On the dock.
So, SPHP, will you take me boating? Pretty please?
So, SPHP, will you take me boating? Pretty please?
Lupe on the cabin’s driveway out to Country Road No. 37.
Early October is a great time to be in the north woods of Minnesota! Fall colors are on display. Better yet, the mosquitoes are all dead!

After Lupe’s outdoor reconnaissance, it was time to go back to the cabin to pop the big question.  SPHP asked John about the possibility of taking the boat out on the lake?

John didn’t say no, but as SPHP expected, the events of the past summer meant John hadn’t had the boat out on the lake even once yet this year himself.  There was a long list of tasks to accomplish to get the boat and motor ready for launch.  Lupe wouldn’t get to spend much time actually on the lake.  Nevertheless, SPHP was prepared to spring into action, when John made another suggestion.

Why not take the canoes instead of the boat?  John had a canoe, and there was another one that could be borrowed at the cabin where Sandy and Lib were staying.  That made more sense.  It was a calm day with hardly any waves on the lake.  The canoes would be fun, and would require almost no prep time at all!  The plan was set.  John went with Lupe and SPHP to launch the first canoe.

Soon Lupe was in the canoe out on Kabekona Lake!  John and SPHP paddled over to the neighbor’s dock.  SPHP climbed up a short ladder onto the dock intending to go get the second canoe.  SPHP had barely reached the top of the ladder, when suddenly Lupe decided she wasn’t getting left behind.  She launched herself out of the canoe!

Of course, Lupe didn’t realize the canoe would tip as she made her leap for the dock.  Consequently, she didn’t jump quite high enough.  For a fraction of a second, she clung to the edge of the dock trying to dig her claws in and scramble up, but she couldn’t.  Lupe plunged back into Kabekona Lake sinking beneath the surface!

Now Carolina Dogs, at least this Carolina Dog, are not water dogs.  Although Lupe likes wading in puddles and streams, and even laying down in them, SPHP has almost never seen Lupe swim.  Maybe it was because of her first swimming experience.

When Lupe was 3 months old, on her first trip to the park, Lupe had hurled herself for no apparent reason into Rapid Creek.  Of course, the tiny puppy sank far below the surface.  SPHP was on the verge of wading in to save her.  However, Lupe popped back up to the surface and swam against the current for shore, managing to extricate herself all on her own.

That first experience must have been quite a shock, though.  Puppy Lupe had had no idea she would sink and start to drown.  It was March.  There was 6″ of snow on the ground.  The water in the creek couldn’t have been much above freezing.  Ever since then, Lupe has carefully avoided water that’s over her head.

Did Lupe even remember how to swim?  SPHP peered anxiously into Kabekona Lake.  Lupe did swim back up to the surface!  She was doing the Dingo paddle for all she was worth, but she was confused.  She swam around to the wrong side of the canoe where she couldn’t see the near shore.

SPHP called to Lupe and encouraged her to come.  She swam back around the canoe again, and headed for shore.  When she reached it, she released a great spray of water as she shook herself off.  Despite her unexpected baptism in Kabekona Lake, Lupe was fine.  She went with SPHP to launch the second canoe.

Before long, Laura and Sandy joined Lupe’s canoe fleet crew as paddlers.  Laura went with John, and Sandy with Lupe and SPHP.  It was sunny and warm.  Lupe dried off quickly.  She was quite content to stay in the canoe.

John and Laura in Canoe No. 1 of Lupe's fleet.
John and Laura in Canoe No. 1 of Lupe’s fleet.
Sandy and Lupe in Canoe No. 2.
Lupe's canoe fleet headed for Preacher's Point for no particular reason, other than to relax and enjoy the outing.
Lupe’s canoe fleet headed for Preacher’s Point for no particular reason, other than to relax and enjoy the outing.
John and Laura again, having a good time.
John and Laura again, having a good time.
Meanwhile, back at Canoe No. 2, Sandy was having fun, too. Lupe was still getting used to life as a sea dog. She was careful not to leap out of the canoe a second time.

There was no particular goal other than to paddle around lazily enjoying the day.  Preacher’s Point along the SE shore of Kabekona Lake became the canoe trip’s destination by default.

After going a bit beyond Preacher’s Point, Lupe’s canoe fleet turned around and headed back for John’s cabin.  There was no rush, just a leisurely paddle.  Over two hours had gone by on the lake by the time the tiny fleet arrived back at the dock.  John, Laura and Sandy were done for the day.

However, Lib hadn’t gotten a chance to be out on the lake yet.  She joined Lupe and SPHP for a one canoe sunset cruise back to Preacher’s Point.  The water was glassy smooth.

Sea dog Lupe enjoys the ride while Lib paddles.
Sea dog Lupe enjoys the ride while Lib paddles.
Lib near Preacher Point on Kabekona Lake.

On her second return trip from Preacher Point, Lupe was sailing toward the now setting sun.  Her afternoon and evening on Kabekona Lake was almost over.  The canoes had been a great idea.  Even so, the hours had flown by fast.

Sunset from Kabekona Lake.
Evening glow.
The colors fade.

By the time it was all over and the canoes were put away, there wasn’t much light left at all.  Lupe and SPHP took one last look at Kabekona Lake from the dock before heading to the cabin for supper.

Lupe on the dock again at dusk. Sea dog Lupe, like most sailors, was glad to be back on terra firma on shore leave.
Lupe on the dock again at dusk. Sea dog Lupe, like most sailors, was glad to be back on terra firma on shore leave.

Supper was well underway in the cabin by the time Lupe and SPHP appeared.  The evening was spent in pleasant conversation, except for a brief altercation between Blackie, the jet black cat, and Lupe.

Apparently Blackie resented Lupe getting too close to his dinner bowl.  Blackie let her know it in no uncertain terms.  In return, Lupe made it clear that American Dingoes have no intention of being bossed around by mere cats.  Fortunately, a truce based on mutual understanding was reached in two seconds.

The next morning, it was already time to say good-bye.  Laura had left well before dawn to catch a plane.  Sandy and Lib departed right after breakfast.  A little while later, it was Lupe and SPHP’s turn to hit the long road home.

Lib and Sandy say good-bye.
Joyce and Lupe with Claire looking on from the table.
Joyce and Lupe with Claire looking on from the table.
John & Joyce with Lupe.
John & Joyce with Lupe.
John shares a nugget of Norwegian philosophy.
Claire and Joyce bid Lupe farewell.
Claire and Joyce bid Lupe farewell.

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