{"id":41400,"date":"2022-10-31T08:10:49","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T14:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=41400"},"modified":"2023-03-14T08:15:37","modified_gmt":"2023-03-14T14:15:37","slug":"remembering-cousin-dusty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=41400","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Cousin Dusty"},"content":{"rendered":"

9-16-22 –<\/em> Mournful eyes stared reproachfully at SPHP.\u00a0 Laying listlessly on the hallway carpet, the Carolina Dog wore an expression of complete and utter boredom.\u00a0 Back only yesterday from weeks of adventures, and already a clear-cut case of post Dingo Vacation depression!<\/p>\n

Great to be home again, aye, Loopster?<\/em><\/p>\n

I wish we were still in Alaska, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, me too, Looper.\u00a0 Getting kind of chilly up there by now, though!\u00a0 Every single day can’t be another grand adventure, you know.\u00a0 Most of the time, life just isn’t that scintillating.\u00a0 But you really can’t complain.\u00a0 We had an awesome summer!<\/em><\/p>\n

I can complain if I want to, SPHP, because it’s all over and done with now.\u00a0 You could make things better, though!<\/em><\/p>\n

Better?\u00a0 Like how?<\/em><\/p>\n

We could go on a Black Hills expedition!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, we will, Loop, but not yet.\u00a0 Got a lot of unpacking, cleaning, yard work, bills to pay, and other catching up to do here first.\u00a0 Gonna be a while!<\/em><\/p>\n

Whoooeee!\u00a0 Don’t all those chores sound delightful?\u00a0 Have fun, SPHP!\u00a0 And feel free to start without me.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sheesh!\u00a0 Spoiled Dingo!\u00a0 Actually, we are going to be having fun before too much longer.\u00a0 I’m checking email.\u00a0 Listen to this!\u00a0 Your Aunt Andrea says that she and Uncle Joe will be coming up from Colorado with Cousins Dusty and Laddie on the 21st.\u00a0 That’s only 5 days from now!<\/em><\/p>\n

Really, truly?\u00a0 Finally!\u00a0 Some good news!\u00a0 Uncle Joe, Dusty, and Laddie will bring us some action.\u00a0 They’ll want to go up in the hills!\u00a0 I can hardly wait!<\/em><\/p>\n

Finally?\u00a0 We’ve scarcely been back 24 hours!\u00a0 My sincere apologies for any dreariness you’ve had to put up with during this extended period of the Dingo entertainment committee’s failure to live up to your exacting standards.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I’m sorry, SPHP.\u00a0 We did have a wonderful summer, didn’t we?\u00a0 It’s just hard to readjust to the same old routine of waiting days, sometimes weeks, for the next adventure.\u00a0 Know what I mean?\u00a0 ….\u00a0 Why, SPHP, whatever’s wrong?\u00a0 Are you OK?<\/em><\/p>\n

No.\u00a0 There’s a second email, Loop.\u00a0 I just saw it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Bad news?\u00a0 They aren’t coming?<\/em><\/p>\n

Much worse than that, Loop.\u00a0 They’re still coming, but your Cousin Dusty won’t be with them.\u00a0 Dusty passed away yesterday morning while we were driving home across Montana.<\/em><\/p>\n

The terrible, sad news was a shock, but not an entirely unexpected one.\u00a0 On June 10th, Cousin Dusty had turned sweet 16, admittedly an event that isn’t nearly as sweet for canines as it is for humans.\u00a0 Dusty had been slowing down the last couple of years, starting to suffer from hearing loss, dogaracts, weakness in her hind legs, and decreasing energy.\u00a0 Early in 2020, several months before Dusty turned 15, she’d had a large tumor removed.\u00a0 Happily, the incision had healed completely with no apparent recurrence of the tumor.<\/p>\n

The last time Lupe and SPHP had seen Dusty was back in April.\u00a0 She’d been doing pretty well for her age then.\u00a0 Dusty had clearly enjoyed being in the Black Hills again, and had even led the pack most of the way to Gimlet Pond<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and back.<\/p>\n

Cousin Dusty is dead, SPHP?\u00a0 That’s horrible!\u00a0 Say it isn’t so!<\/em><\/p>\n

Afraid it is, Lupe.\u00a0 We won’t ever see Dusty again.\u00a0 All we have now are the memories of how wonderful and what a great friend she always was.<\/em><\/p>\n

Memories aren’t the same as seeing her, SPHP!\u00a0 What happened?<\/em><\/p>\n

You mean how did she die?\u00a0 I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 The email doesn’t say.\u00a0 I’ll have to call your Uncle Joe or Aunt Andrea to find out.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP eventually reached Andrea on the phone.\u00a0 The heart-wrenching story of Dusty’s demise was short and simple.\u00a0 Dusty had been fine only 2 days ago on September 14th, but then something had transpired that night.\u00a0 The next morning when Joe and Andrea got up, Dusty was still alive, but in critical condition.\u00a0 They rushed her to the vet, but there was nothing to be done.\u00a0 Dusty had suffered a severely crippling stroke or seizure of some sort.\u00a0 It was the end.<\/p>\n

Knowing what happened doesn’t really help, does it, SPHP?\u00a0 It’s still awful to lose Cousin Dusty!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, it’s dreadful, Loop.\u00a0 But don’t you think there’s at least some comfort in knowing that Dusty didn’t have to suffer long?\u00a0 The suddenness is a shock, but a mercy, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

I guess so, SPHP, but I wish Cousin Dusty was still alive and coming to see us like always.<\/em><\/p>\n

Me too, Looper!\u00a0 Dusty was the best ever, wasn’t she?<\/em><\/p>\n

No denying that, SPHP!\u00a0 We always had such good times together.\u00a0 I know Dusty has appeared on my blog fairly often since she made so many trips up to the Black Hills, but would you be willing to gather up some of the best photos and tell about Dusty again?\u00a0 That way we’ll always have something beautiful to remember her by.<\/em><\/p>\n

Great idea, Lupe!\u00a0 I’ll do it.<\/em><\/p>\n

COUSIN DUSTY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

An Australian Shepherd\/Border Collie mix, Dusty was born on or about June 10, 2006 on an elk ranch in Colorado.\u00a0 Literally so dirty when Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea first saw her that they requested she be cleaned up before taking her home, they named their newly acquired adorable puppy Dusty.\u00a0 She was 3 months old.<\/p>\n

The rest of her life, Dusty lived in Arvada, Colorado.\u00a0 Although Arvada is part of the Denver metropolitan area, Joe and Andrea’s house backs onto 100 acres of undeveloped land along Ralston Creek.\u00a0 Dusty enjoyed daily walks around the 100 acres, or on the bike path that follows the creek.<\/p>\n

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Arriving at Hotel Dusty<\/strong>, Arvada, Colorado 11-5-15<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dusty & Lupe in the part of the 100 acre field<\/strong> right behind Dusty’s house, 11-5-15.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dusty, Andrea & Lupe in the 100 acre field<\/strong>, Arvada, Colorado on 12-28-17.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cousin Dusty, 100 acre field<\/strong> 12-28-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dusty swimming in Ralston Creek<\/strong>, while Lupe decides maybe not, 5-8-21.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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With Dusty at the Jungle Bridge<\/strong> over Ralston Creek<\/strong>, Arvada, Colorado 5-11-21.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dusty’s favorite activities included fetching ridiculously large sticks, catching Frisbees mid-air, and especially chasing tennis balls.\u00a0 Exhibiting tremendous speed and agility, and eager for the fun to continue beyond most anyone else’s endurance, she tirelessly plunked tennis balls and Frisbees at one’s feet as many times as you were willing to launch them for her.\u00a0 During walks around the 100 acres, Dusty almost always sought out a stick, the bigger, the better, then repeatedly trotted ahead to drop it where the stick could be tossed again as soon as you came to it.<\/p>\n

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Dusty awaits the tossing of an unusually small stick.\u00a0 Lupe never cared about the stick.\u00a0 Instead, she insisted on trying to herd Dusty as soon as it launched.\u00a0 Always focused on the stick, Dusty never objected to this rude treatment.\u00a0 100 acre field<\/strong> 12-28-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unlike Lupe, Cousin Dusty did not like traveling.\u00a0 Perhaps she always felt a little car sick?\u00a0 She rarely displayed the slightest interest in looking out the window, preferring to curl up on the floor behind the front seats for however long it took to get to a destination.\u00a0 Most of Dusty’s travels were local, of course.\u00a0 Uncle Joe often took her to various parks, or up into the Rockies.\u00a0 Spacious White Ranch Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was a frequently visited favorite due to its numerous trails, scenic vistas, and proximity to home.<\/p>\n

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Dusty, Joe & Lupe on the Rawhide trail, White Ranch Park<\/strong>, 11-8-15.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe and Dusty at a trail junction in upper White Ranch Park<\/strong>, 11-8-15.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Entering lower White Ranch Park<\/strong> 12-30-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Joe and Dusty heading up the Belcher Hill trail, White Ranch Park<\/strong> 12-30-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Exploring White Ranch Park<\/strong> 12-30-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dusty on the Shorthorn trail, White Ranch Park<\/strong> 12-30-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Taking a break on a boulder, White Ranch Park<\/strong> 12-30-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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North Table Mountain<\/strong> from White Ranch Park<\/strong> on a day of crazy temperature swings.\u00a0 12-30-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dusty’s longer trips were frequently to Grandma and Grandpa’s house on the edge of Spring Creek canyon in the Black Hills.\u00a0 Dusty had been coming to the Black Hills over long weekends 2 or 3 times a year before Lupe was even born.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s arrival was an immediate boon for Dusty.\u00a0 Before Lupe came along, Dusty was generally confined in the basement when staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.\u00a0 Lupe never met Grandpa.\u00a0 He was gone when Lupe first started coming to see Grandma on a regular basis in early 2011.\u00a0 Only 2 months old, little Lupe charmed Grandma with her floppy-tipped ears, freckled paws, curly tail, and friendly disposition.<\/p>\n

And that spelled the instant demise of Dusty’s basement confinements!\u00a0 Since Lupe was always granted the run of the house, the next time Dusty appeared, she was, too, which made her Black Hills visits a lot more fun!<\/p>\n

From the very start, Dusty and Lupe always got along together.\u00a0 Their only arguments, which were rare, were over food.\u00a0 Food was sometimes a problem for Dusty and SPHP, too, but not due to any mutual dispute.\u00a0 Used to spoiling Lupe, SPHP often shared human food with Dusty.<\/p>\n

Not a problem, as far as Dusty was concerned!\u00a0 She was all for it, and came to expect great things from SPHP.\u00a0 Pleading, hopeful eyes under the dinner table generally achieved the desired delicious results.\u00a0 However, this smuggling of tasty tidbits sometimes got SPHP in trouble.\u00a0 Human food for dogs was a no-no in Joe and Andrea’s household.\u00a0 Though guilty, SPHP was never really remorseful, other than over simply being caught.\u00a0 SPHP was Dusty’s trusted partner in crime.<\/p>\n

Cousin Dusty sometimes committed food crimes of her own.\u00a0 Like Lupe, Dusty loved chocolate.\u00a0 Andrea and Joe eventually learned to stash wrapped boxes of chocolates intended as Christmas presents in places Dusty couldn’t get to.\u00a0 More than once they had returned home to find that Dusty had sniffed out chocolates under the tree.\u00a0 The result was not pretty.\u00a0 You wouldn’t feel all that great, either, if you consumed 5% of your body weight in chocolates, wrappers and all, in one sitting.<\/p>\n

Yes, it’s SPHP’s considered opinion that chocolate in sufficient quantities is poisonous to humans and canines alike!\u00a0 Ahh, but what a way to go!<\/p>\n

As the years went by, Lupe occasionally visited Dusty at her home in Arvada, but far more often, it was Dusty who came to the Black Hills.\u00a0 Either way, there were always long walks, and mountain adventures.\u00a0 Dusty and Uncle Joe enthusiastically joined Lupe and SPHP on numerous Black Hills expeditions.\u00a0 At Grandma’s house, there were balls and flying discs to chase, countless journeys to the cul-de-sac and back, and every once in a while, a trek down into Spring Creek canyon.<\/p>\n

In Arvada, Lupe always got to stay in Hotel Dusty’s luxurious Cowboy room, participate in jaunts around the 100 acre field, and up Ralston Creek.\u00a0 A White Ranch Park visit was almost a requirement.\u00a0 Sometimes there were other destinations, too.\u00a0 One hike up North Table Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,570 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was particularly memorable when ordinarily mild-mannered Dusty swam in a muddy pond up on the plateau, and emerged looking ready to go completely feral and join the coyotes.<\/p>\n

On rare occasions, when Cousin Mark was around to play the piano, Dusty and Lupe would howl a most charming duet.<\/p>\n

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Uncle Joe & Dusty welcome Lupe to 5+ star Hotel Dusty<\/strong>, Arvada, Colorado 5-8-21.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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An earlier visit to the luxurious Cowboy Room at Hotel Dusty<\/strong>. 12-29-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Back in the lap of luxury on 5-9-21.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

COUSIN DUSTY in the Black Hills<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the adventures Lupe and SPHP shared with Dusty (& Uncle Joe) occurred during Dusty’s frequent visits to the Black Hills.\u00a0 Highlights from many of the Black Hills, SD Expeditions they participated in follow in chronological order:<\/p>\n

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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 55<\/span> (4-20-13)<\/strong> –\u00a0 Dusty on Flume Trail No. 50<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 93<\/span><\/strong> (9-1-14)<\/strong> – Together on Mount Warner<\/span><\/a> (5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 94<\/span> (9-2-14)<\/strong> – Joe & Dusty on Harney Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 94<\/span> (9-2-14)<\/strong> – Joe & Dusty on Harney Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 111<\/span> (12-24-14)<\/strong> – Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, the Ponderosa Hike.\u00a0 Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 129<\/span><\/a> (5-22-15)<\/strong> – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dusty with Lupe on a ridge SW of\u00a0Bear Butte<\/a><\/span> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 130<\/span><\/a> (5-23-15)<\/strong> – Together at Horsethief Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/span><\/a> (9-7-15)<\/strong> – Swimming in Sylvan Lake<\/strong>.\u00a0 Dusty was a great swimmer!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/span><\/a> (9-7-15)<\/strong> – On the way to Harney Peak again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/span><\/a><\/span> (9-7-15) <\/strong>– On the Harney Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> lookout viewing platform.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(9-7-15)<\/strong> – Harney Peak<\/strong>.\u00a0 Dusty’s 2nd ascent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(9-7-15)<\/strong> \u2013 Dusty relaxing on Harney Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/a><\/span> (9-7-15)<\/strong> – Joe and Dusty on the way to the Cathedral Spires<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>(L) and Little Devils Tower<\/span><\/a> (6,960 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>(R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 137<\/a><\/span> (9-7-15)<\/strong> – 2nd swim of the day in Sylvan Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 169<\/span><\/a> (4-22-16)<\/strong> – The gang on Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Silver Mountain<\/span> <\/a>(5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the background.\u00a0 Boulder Hill was such a hit that everyone returned again the next day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No.<\/span> 169<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-22-16)<\/strong> – Joe & Dusty start the descent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 169<\/a><\/span> (4-23-16)<\/strong> – Taking a break along Flume Trail No. 50<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 169<\/a><\/span> (4-23-16)<\/strong> – Climbing Boulder Hill<\/strong> a 2nd time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 169<\/a><\/span> (4-23-16)<\/strong> – Joe & Dusty return to the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 169<\/a><\/span> (4-23-16)<\/strong> – Silver Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Harney Peak<\/strong> (R) from Boulder Hill<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Uncle Joe is a ham radio operator (call sign AA0Q).\u00a0 Starting in July, 2016, Joe transmitted from several different Black Hills peaks in connection with the Summits on the Air<\/span><\/a><\/strong> program.\u00a0 Response was always terrific, overwhelming, in fact.<\/p>\n

Dusty and Lupe always enjoyed hanging out on whatever mountain while Joe did his transmitting.\u00a0 Sadly, the Summits on the Air website eventually changed.\u00a0 For some reason, Joe lost the ability to log in, putting an end to this sensation.<\/p>\n

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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(a)<\/span><\/a> (7-2-16)<\/strong> – Dusty & Lupe on the Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> fire lookout tower balcony.\u00a0 First Summits on the Air<\/strong><\/span> peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(a)<\/span><\/a> (7-2-16) <\/strong>– Relaxing on Custer Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(a)<\/a><\/span> (7-2-16)<\/strong> – Dusty, Joe & Lupe below the Custer Peak<\/strong> lookout tower. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(a)<\/a><\/span> (7-2-16) – <\/strong>Together by the flag on Custer Peak.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(b)<\/span><\/a> (7-4-16)<\/strong> – Back on Boulder Hill<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> for a 3rd time in 2016 to set up for Summits on the Air<\/span><\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(b)<\/a><\/span> (7-4-16)<\/strong> – AA0Q transmitting for Summits on the Air<\/strong><\/span> from Boulder Hill<\/strong>, with Dusty looking on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 174(b)<\/a><\/span> (7-4-16)<\/strong> – AA0Q and Dusty on Boulder Hill<\/strong> after another grand Summits on the Air<\/strong><\/span> success!\u00a0 Silver Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Harney Peak<\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 201<\/span><\/a> (4-22-17)<\/strong> – Dusty & AA0Q during another highly successful Summits on the Air<\/strong><\/span> event, this time from Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,404 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 201<\/span><\/a><\/strong> – Summits on the Air<\/strong><\/span> is serious business!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 201<\/a><\/span> (4-22-17)<\/strong> – Dusty, Joe & Lupe checking out Silver Mountain’s W ridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 201<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-22-17) <\/strong>– Dusty’s 4th ascent of Boulder Hill, exactly a year after her 1st!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 201<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-22-17)<\/strong> – On Boulder Hill<\/strong> and loving it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/span><\/a> (5-25-18)\u00a0<\/strong>– Fetching a stick from Deerfield Reservoir.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/a><\/span> (5-25-18) – <\/strong>Emerging triumphant!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5-25-18) – <\/strong>Climbing Hat Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,779 ft)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5-25-18) <\/strong>– On the Hat Mountain<\/strong> summit plateau.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5-25-18)\u00a0<\/strong>– View from the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/a><\/span> (5-25-18) <\/strong>– Dusty on Hat Mountain<\/strong>.\u00a0 Nearly 12 now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5-25-18) <\/strong>– Happy bunch on Hat Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 231<\/a><\/span> (5-25-18) <\/strong>– Back at Deerfield Reservoir<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/span><\/a> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – On Flag Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,937 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> for what turned out to be AA0Q’s final Summits on the Air<\/strong><\/span> transmission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/a><\/span> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – Relaxing on Flag Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – Exploring the Dragon Caves<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/a><\/span> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – Dusty checking for dragons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/a><\/span> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – Exploring Ditch Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/a><\/span> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – Swimming in Deerfield Reservoir<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 232<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5-26-18)<\/strong> – Dusty and her prize.\u00a0 Deerfield Reservoir.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 243<\/span><\/a> (12-22-18)<\/strong> – Dusty, Joe, Mark & Lupe on the way to Peak 5917<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 243<\/a><\/span> (12-22-18)<\/strong> – Mark & Dusty lead the ascent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 243<\/a><\/span> (12-22-18)<\/strong> – Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong> summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 243<\/a><\/span> (12-22-18)<\/strong> – Dusty with Joe and Lupe with Mark at Pistol Point<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 243<\/a><\/span> (12-22-18)<\/strong> – Dusty started shivering in the wind at Pistol Point<\/strong>.\u00a0 Time to head back!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 243<\/a><\/span> (12-22-18)<\/strong> – Dusty having a good time now that she’s low enough to be out of the worst of the wind.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (L).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cousin Dusty arrives at Hotel Lupe<\/strong> on 4-23-21.\u00a0 Her first Black Hills trip since the onset of Covid 19.\u00a0 Grandma sold her house on Spring Creek Canyon 5-1-20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/span><\/a> (4-23-21)<\/strong> – Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/strong><\/span><\/a> near Silver City.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-23-21) – <\/strong>With Cousin Dusty by Rapid Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-23-21)<\/strong> -Dusty resting on the snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21)\u00a0<\/strong>– Setting out for Peak 5520<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-24-21) – <\/strong>Getting close to the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21) <\/strong>– Peak<\/span> 5520<\/span><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21) – <\/strong>Cousin Dusty still peakbagging in the Black Hills at 14 years, 10.5 months!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21) <\/strong>– Always together!\u00a0 Peak 5520<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21)<\/strong> – Visiting the Gold Mountain Mine<\/strong> near Lowden Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0(6,055 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21)<\/strong> – Dusty at the Gold Mountain Mine<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 277<\/a><\/span> (4-24-21) <\/strong>– Taking a dip in the pond near the mine.\u00a0 Union Hill<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (6,120 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> (Center) in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Busy Rib Hide time at Grandma’s apartment later in the day. 4-24-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 281<\/span><\/a> (10-29-21)<\/strong> – Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a> near the start of Uncle Joe’s favorite “Ponderosa Hike”.\u00a0 New Cousin Laddie now part of the pack, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 281<\/a><\/span> (10-29-21)<\/strong> – Cousin Dusty looking good at nearly 15.5 on Peak<\/span> 4027<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 281<\/a><\/span> (10-29-21)<\/strong> – Joe & Dusty confer on Peak 4027<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 281<\/a><\/span> (10-29-21)<\/strong> – Taking a break on a ridge overlooking Fort Meade before heading back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 281<\/a><\/span> (10-29-21)<\/strong> – A beautiful fall day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 281<\/a><\/span> (10-29-21)<\/strong> – Cooling off in Alkali Creek<\/strong> at day’s end.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 282<\/span><\/a> (10-30-21)<\/strong> – In the fog on Peak<\/span> 5261<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Dusty’s last Black Hills summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/span><\/a> (4-16-22)<\/strong> – Back at Sylvan Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-16-22) <\/strong>– Heading up the steps near the dam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-16-22) – <\/strong>Joe trying to help Dusty up slick ice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/a><\/span> (4-16-22) <\/strong>– At the S end of Sylvan Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/a><\/span> (4-16-22) <\/strong>– Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-16-22) <\/strong>– Hunting for buffalo Custer State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/a><\/span> (4-16-22) <\/strong>– Found some!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 301<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-16-22)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 302<\/span><\/a> (4-18-22) – <\/strong>Cousin Dusty at 15 years, 10 months leading the way to Gimlet Pond on her last Black Hills Expedition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 302<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-18-22) <\/strong>– Enjoying Gimlet Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 302<\/a><\/span> (4-18-22) <\/strong>– Wading in Gimlet Pond<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 302<\/a><\/span> (4-18-22) <\/strong>– Dusty, Laddie, and Joe relaxing on the hill overlooking Gimlet Pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 302<\/span><\/a><\/span> (4-18-22) <\/strong>– Exploring a bit farther up Gimlet Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Hills, SD Expedition<\/span> No. 302<\/a><\/span> (4-18-22)\u00a0<\/strong>– Trail’s end for Cousin Dusty’s Black Hills adventures.\u00a0 Heading back for the last time, still leading the way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tennis balls, enormous sticks, flying discs, smuggled tidbits, contraband chocolates, long walks, countless mountain adventures, swims in lakes and streams!\u00a0 Through it all, Dusty’s disposition was always cheerful and loving.\u00a0 Ever eager to join in the next big event, she was a faithful, gentle, true friend and companion.<\/p>\n

What so recently was, is no more, a happy life completed.\u00a0 Still hard to believe, and even harder to accept.\u00a0 Cousin Dusty will be forever missed by Lupe, SPHP, and her family – Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, Cousins Matt, Ryan, and Mark.<\/p>\n

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Joyful times with Cousin Dusty<\/strong> at White Ranch Park<\/strong>, Colorado 11-8-15<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Remembering Cousin Laddie<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, <\/em>Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

9-16-22 – Mournful eyes stared reproachfully at SPHP.\u00a0 Laying listlessly on the hallway carpet, the Carolina Dog wore an expression of complete and utter boredom.\u00a0 Back only yesterday from weeks of adventures, and already a clear-cut case of post Dingo Vacation depression! Great to be home again, aye, Loopster? I wish we were still in … Continue reading Remembering Cousin Dusty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[9,1586,146,1587],"class_list":["post-41400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-cousin","tag-dusty","tag-remembering"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_9204.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41400"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41400\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45604,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41400\/revisions\/45604"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}