4-23-21, late morning – It was the shrillest, happiest, most enthusiastic greeting ever! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty from Colorado could scarcely get in the door or be heard above the din. The Carolina Dog was in a complete frenzy of joy and excitement! Lupe knew what their arrival meant – good times ahead!
Cousin Dusty arrives for a visit.
Festivities started off with a quick trip to Qdoba’s for take-out, and a visit to Grandma’s, where Lupe and Dusty each enjoyed a Busy Rib Hide.
After lunch, Aunt Andrea and Grandma were going shopping. Uncle Joe did not disappoint. How about a romp in the hills? A suggestion very well received by the pack!
Where to, was the immediate question? The day was breezy and gray. Barely above freezing, it was cold for late April. Furthermore, Cousin Dusty would be 15 in June, and was recovering from surgery to remove a tumor. She was doing well, but something not terribly strenuous was in order. SPHP suggested an easy trek along Rapid Creek.
4-23-21, 1:30 PM, Silver City trailhead – Out of the wind down in scenic Rapid Creek canyon, Deerfield Trail No. 40 was the perfect solution! The trail was easy to follow and wound upstream with minimal elevation gain. Dusty could go as far as she wanted to, or turn back at any time.
Heading W from Silver City on Deerfield Trail No. 40.
Early on there was a nice view of Silver Peak(5,810 ft.).
Silver Peak (L). Photo looks SW.
The trail passed through forest, and along stretches of Rapid Creek. It even went by a Dingo Cave.
Lupe and Cousin Dusty by Rapid Creek.Uncle Joe and Cousin Dusty from the Dingo Cave.
Lupe had been here many times before, but today there was something new to show off to her guests from Colorado. 3 bighorn sheep were up on a steep slope overlooking the trail. One wore two tags, No. 353 and No. 354, plus a radio collar.
Bighorn sheep.
Cousin Dusty was doing great! In fact, she was having such a grand time that she often led the way, even doing some off-trail exploring. As the trek continued, Dusty crossed several more bridges over Rapid Creek. Eventually, the sky darkened further. It began to snow.
Hiking with Uncle Joe.One of several bridges over Rapid Creek.On a remnant of a mysterious man-made wall or support.Dusty leading the way across another bridge.
Could have been November! Snowflakes filled the air, drifting silently lower. After passing Stewart Gulch, Uncle Joe called a halt. Probably far enough for Dusty. A break was taken. SPHP shared chocolate coconut bars with everyone, and Uncle Joe provided Kind bars.
Rapid Creek not far from the point of farthest advance.Dusty relaxing on the snow.
The bighorn sheep were still there on the way back, they’d hardly moved at all. Snowed the whole time, but it was too warm for any of it to stick. The return seemed to go fast. Cousin Dusty was still leading when the trailhead appeared ahead. (3:35 PM, 36ºF)
Heading back.
4-24-21, 10:30 AM, 45ºF, Horse Creek Road – Gray and cold earlier, just like yesterday, but the clouds were breaking up now! Sunny, getting warmer, and not too windy. A bit muddy, but everyone was in a good mood while setting out on USFS Road No. 243.2J.
Heading down Horse Creek valley. Photo looks SSW.Crossing Horse Creek. Photo looks SSW.
No. 243.2J led to a junction with USFS Road No. 669 near a pond that had been frozen over the last time Lupe was here a little over a month ago. Not so today! Cousin Dusty decided to take a dip.
By the pond. Joe and Dusty over on USFS Road No. 669. Photo looks SW.Dusty in the pond.
Although the pond still had to be mighty cold, Dusty showed no sign of being chilled when she emerged. She went right back to leading the way on USFS Road No. 669 as it headed SE up a valley.
Heading SE on USFS Road No. 669.
No. 669 topped out at a broad saddle 0.6 mile past the pond. Peak5520, an objective chosen for its excellent views and because Cousin Dusty would be able to climb it, was just 0.2 mile NE.
At the saddle with Peak 5520 in the background. Photo looks NE.
Could have chosen a tougher peak! Dusty had no problem at all. Soon everyone was congregated at the top of the mountain.
Heading up. Photo looks NNE.Joe and Dusty not too far from the top. Photo looks NE.With Uncle Joe & Cousin Dusty on Peak 5520. Photo looks NW.Cousin Dusty still peakbagging in the Black Hills at 14 years, 10.5 months!
Veterans of many trips over the years, Joe and Dusty were no strangers to the Black Hills. A number of peaks they had climbed before with Lupe were visible from Peak 5520, including Boulder Hill(5,331 ft.), Peak5917, Mount Warner(5,889 ft.), Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) and Custer Peak(6,804 ft.).
Fond memories on display in almost every direction!
Peak6070 (L) and Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks N.Mount Warner (L) and Black Elk Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.Mount Warner (L of Center), Peak5741 (R of Center), with Samelias Peak(5,856 ft.) (Center) between them. Photo looks SE.Lupe and Uncle Joe on Peak 5520. Five Points(6,221 ft.) (L). Photo looks SW.
Naturally, a chocolate coconut bar break, shared in by all, was taken to commemorate another successful Black Hills ascent. Then it was down Peak 5520’s S slope, a slightly different route back to USFS Road No. 669, with a brief stop to check out the still splendid views from some of the rock formations.
Uncle Joe starts the descent. Mount Warner (Center). Photo looks SE.On the rocks with Uncle Joe. Five Points (R). Photo looks SW.
4-24-21, 12:50 PM, Horse Creek Road, back at the G6 – Good times with Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe! Two nice hikes in two days, but this was only a very quick trip for them. Although they’d arrived only 27 hours ago, bright and early tomorrow morning they would be on the road back to Colorado.
Still early afternoon, though, and Dusty was doing great! Would they consider spending a little longer in the hills before heading back to town? SPHP suggested lunch in Hill City, then another short outing.
And so it was. Lupe and Dusty rested up in the G6, while Joe and SPHP enjoyed a fabulous meal at the Alpine Inn. Then it was on to Burnt Fork Road and a hike to the Gold Mountain Mine.
At the Gold Mountain Mine. Lowden Mountain(6,055 ft.) (L). Photo looks SW.Joe reads one of 7 or 8 plaques while Dusty looks on.Cousin Dusty at the Gold Mountain Mine.
In the valley SE of the mine was another pond, considerably larger than the one on the way to Peak 5520. On the way back to the G6, Cousin Dusty couldn’t resist taking another dip.
Cousin Dusty in the bigger, more scenic pondSE of the Gold Mountain Mine. Union Hill(6,120 ft.) (Center). Photo looks E.
Then it was back to town to Grandma’s apartment where Aunt Andrea was playing cards with her, and where two lucky cousins got to enjoy Busy Rib Hides after another fun day together in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.
Busy Rib Hide time at Grandma’s apartment, 4-24-21
Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico!
4-30-21, late afternoon – Grandma’s computer was on the blink. Seemed to SPHP like the Wi-Fi wasn’t working, in part because a little message on the monitor said so. What the message didn’t say, or even hint at, was how to fix it. Windows 10 – so cryptic! Fiddling with the Wi-Fi gizmo plugged into the back of the computer in case there was a bad USB port or loose connection didn’t seem to make any difference.
Yep, Lanis is our ace in the hole, Loopster! Guess I better give him a call.
Luckily, Lanis answered right away. He asked a few questions, then told SPHP what to do. So easy, when you know how! A couple of clicks and Wi-Fi was working again. Grandma’s computer was as good as ever!
Thanks, Lanis, we’re golden! How are you, anyway? Been months since I’ve talked to you.
Oh, life’s been exciting, SPHP! The usual work grind, and my van got stolen a week ago.
What?! Your van got stolen?
Yeah. From work. Yvonne went out to bring it around at the end of the day, and came back asking where I’d parked it, because it wasn’t behind the building. Thought she was joking, but sure enough, it was gone. We reported it stolen right away. The very next day, without realizing it was stolen, police in eastern South Dakota tried to stop the van for a minor traffic violation. A high speed chase ensued all the way to Mitchell where the police blew the tires out with some spike strips to stop it. Whereupon the van promptly burst into flames and burnt to a crisp.
That’s terrible! Sounds like a movie! So now you’re without a vehicle?
Yup! Gotta run, SPHP! Been waiting for a ride home, and it’s here now.
OK! Thanks again for helping with Grandma’s computer, Lanis! Sorry to hear about your van.
Just one of those things, SPHP! Glad to help!
5-7-21 – Lanis sounded terrible on the phone. So down! Only yesterday he’d been all excited. Was he sick?
I’m sorry, SPHP, but I can’t go tomorrow. Have to work.
Work! But tomorrow’s Saturday, and we’re all set!
I know, but the store is open. The owner usually comes in on Saturdays so I can get the day off, but she’s attending a graduation tomorrow. She’s not coming in. We’re way behind on computer repairs, and Yvonne isn’t fully trained yet, so I’ve got to be there. I’m sorry, I was really looking forward to it. Yvonne can go, though.
Oh, I’m so sorry you can’t come, Lanis! Loopster and I were really looking forward to this trip with you. It’s been forever since we’ve gone anywhere together. Of course, we’re glad to have Yvonne come along, but it would have been so much better if you could have come, too!
I know it, SPHP. Feel the same way, but that’s the way it is. Nothing I can do about it.
A crying shame. I’ll call you tomorrow morning sometime between 5:00 & 6:00 AM to let you know when we’re ready to come pick Yvonne up.
5-8-21, 5:45 AM – Hard to believe this was it. Last time ever setting out from home on a new adventure in the faithful G6. An incredibly sad moment.
Alrighty, Looper! Guess, it’s time. Puppy, ho!
I’m in back, SPHP?
Yup. Since we’ll have company.
About to set off in the G6 for the last time.
5-8-21, 6:04 AM – Lanis and Yvonne were ready and waiting. Loopster’s exuberant greeting was so loud, that SPHP had to plead for some degree of restraint. A bit early on Saturday morning to be rousing the entire neighborhood!
Lanis, Yvonne, Lupe, & the G6 while stopping by to pick up Yvonne.
Greetings and a few moments of pleasant conversation were exchanged, then everyone except Lanis, resigned to his fate, piled into the G6.
For 350 miles, the G6 purred reliably along as always. A couple of brief stops in Wyoming at the Mule Creek Junction rest area and a Subway in Wheatland were it.
In the beloved G6 at Wheatland, Wyoming.
5-8-21, 12:30 PM, Pedersen Toyota in Fort Collins, CO – SPHP lowered the windows and provided water. Fortunately, not a particularly warm day.
Wait here in the G6, Looper, while Yvonne and I go find Megan. This might take a while, but we’ll come and check on you now and then.
Go do what you need to do, SPHP, but don’t take too long! I’ll be chillin’ here in the meantime.
Chillin’ in the G6 waiting for the world of high finance to come to a conclusion.
Petersen Toyota was busy! Megan Alayon, internet sales manager, whom SPHP had been dealing with, was tied up with other clients at first, but soon appeared. Super friendly and energetic, she had the RAV4 that SPHP had settled on all spiffed up and first in line out front ready for a test drive.
A few minutes explaining any features SPHP had questions about, and Megan turned over the keys. Yvonne hopped aboard as navigator, while Megan remained at the dealership to tend to other business.
The RAV4 was all so different! 13 days from now it would have been 12 years exactly since SPHP had bought the G6 brand new. An awful lot had changed technology-wise in that amount of time. Brand spanking new, though! What’s not to like? After 5 or 6 miles of tooling aimlessly around Fort Collins, it was back to Petersen Toyota. The RAV4 was a go!
Megan confirmed the previously agreed upon price. There were papers to sign and insurance to set up. Meanwhile, Yvonne checked on Lupe.
5-8-21, 2:44 PM – Done deal! Lupe, Yvonne, and Megan Alayon gathered in front of the American Dingo’s blazing blue, brand new adventure toy to commemorate the occasion.
Happy Pedersen Toyota client, Lupe, with Yvonne (L) and internet sales manager Megan Alayon (R) out in front of the new 2021 RAV4.
Megan extended congratulations on the purchase of a terrific vehicle, and offered to help anytime SPHP ran into a problem or question. SPHP thanked Megan for all her help and tremendous responsiveness. Soon Megan had to head off to assist other clients. The G6 and RAV4 then got moved to the back of the lot where Yvonne helped SPHP transfer all the adventure gear from the G6 to the RAV4.
A certain Carolina Dog transferred, too!
We might be losing the good ole’ G6, but as consolation prizes go, this will do nicely!Loopster ready to roll in the blazing blue RAV4!
And that was it. SPHP’s turn to hand over some keys now! The G6 was being donated to Lanis, and Yvonne had come along to drive it back to South Dakota for him. SPHP gave Yvonne the keys. Fond farewells, and Yvonne started the journey back N in the G6.
The American Dingo wasn’t going N, though. Upon reaching I-25, SPHP turned the gleaming RAV4 S.
Where we off to, SPHP?
Oh, not that much farther today, Looper. Arvada!
Hotel Dusty?
Precisely! The weather is supposed to turn cold and dreary, so we’ll hole up with Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty for a couple of days. Then it’s off in the new RAV4 on 2021’s first Dingo Vacation! How does that sound?
Fantastic!
5-8-21, 5:26 PM, Arvada, CO – Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty all came piling out out as soon Lupe arrived. Uncle Joe, especially, was both astonished, and very enthusiastic about the new RAV4. Lupe hadn’t been to Hotel Dusty in more than 3 years, but she clearly remembered what it was all about. In no time at all, Lupe and SPHP were ensconced in Hotel Dusty’s luxurious Cowboy Room.
Arriving at 5+ star Hotel Dusty.In the luxurious Cowboy Room.
Since the weather was still good this evening, there was a group walk around the 100 acre field. At nearly 15, Cousin Dusty didn’t want to chase tennis balls or fetch gigantic sticks anymore, but she was still up for a swim in Ralston Creek, an idea that Lupe wasn’t as keen on.
Dusty cools off in Ralston Creek, while Looper decides maybe not.
This momentous day ended with a short evening trip to Golden in the RAV4 for frozen yogurt and a sniff at dusk along Clear Creek. By the time Lupe got back to Hotel Dusty, a thunderstorm struck with snow granules that fortunately did not turn into hail!
The next 2 days were gloomily overcast with occasional rain. Too soggy for walks around the now muddy 100 acre field, but there were journeys on the bike path with Cousin Dusty up Ralston Creek to Jungle Bridge or Utah Bridge. On the last evening, Lupe got to visit friends Dave & Beckie Covill in their lodge-like home up in the mountains. May was nearly a third gone, yet it was snowing up there!
Christmas in May upon arriving at the Covill’s!Dave peers out from the garage of the Covill Lodge while Loopster enjoys the wintry weather.
Lupe received a warm welcome from both Dave and Beckie. They even presented her with a package of Dream Sticks. Naturally, the Carolina Dog had to try one right away. It proved to be an instant hit!
Dave & Beckie welcome Lupe into their beautiful home.Shaking paws with Beckie.Dream Sticks – Dingo tested and approved!
Loopster then got to relax on the comfy black couch while Dave, Beckie and SPHP enjoyed a delicious dinner of pizza, salad, and a beer followed up by ice cream for dessert.
Beckie was into birding, so there were birds to watch flitting about the feeders out by the big deck. Dave had plenty of news about upcoming peakbagging expeditions he was going on this summer, including Denali(20,310 ft.) in early June!
Relaxing on the comfy couch before dinner.
It was all very interesting! The time flew. Soon it was getting dark and starting to snow hard. As Lupe and SPHP prepared to depart, Dave and Beckie both had presents for SPHP, too. So super nice of them! What a great evening it had been!
5-11-21, 8:04 AM, Arvada, CO at the Jungle Bridge along Ralston Creek – Still cool, overcast, and drippy this morning. Lupe and Cousin Dusty had made it to the Jungle Bridge, but it was time to turn around. Both Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea were back at work. Basking in the luxury of their hospitality at Hotel Dusty was coming to an end.
With Cousin Dusty at the Jungle Bridge.
An hour later, the Carolina Dog was on her way.
Where to now, SPHP?
As cold as it is, we’re going to keep going S, Loopster! Farther S than you’ve ever been before!
The mighty RAV4 cruised onward, Lupe perched high up on the usual pile of gear, pillows and blankets. Dingo Vacation time! On the road to adventure, now with more room, new capabilities, and new horizons ahead! So much to look forward to!
This RAV4 is gonna be totally awesome!
Yet the G6 and hundreds of fabulous adventures in it were in mind, too. Fantastic times now in the rear view mirror, but never to be forgotten. Hopefully, years of happy days in the G6 were still ahead for Lanis, too.
The G6 (R) at the Arctic Ocean, Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada 8-19-18
