June 9: Kodachrome to Bakersfield, CA
We woke up early and went immediately on a hike through the panorama of Kodachrome State Park. We saw lots of jackrabbits and lizards while we walked. This park is known for their rock spires.
Back at camp, Joan was drinking her tea when I ran after these birds that encroach upon my campsite empire. I ran so fast after them that the plastic latch on my collar broke when the long leash tightened up, and I was free! No collar or being tied up! Joan called me back and I went obediently to lie down in the shade but then she was a bit mystified about what to do with a collarless dog! Then, to my dismay, she put on the seatbelt harness and I was back to being tied up.
Joan packed everything up, and I could see we were on the move again! I got in the car, and we were off. Hondacar was at 119,110 when we started. I stayed awake because it was very pretty country.
We drove by Bryce Canyon National Park and near to Zion National Park (Joan’s been there before) but again, we boycott those parks because we can’t walk around them except on roads. I was lobbying Joan to go near Kanab because the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located there – it is a sanctuary like the place were Joan got me – Animal Ark in Minnesota. They never kill animals like lots of the other shelters do, so we like them a lot! Also, they helped out in New Orleans last year rescuing all sorts of animals. Someone said they have nearly 1800 animals at their sanctuary! But, we did not drive that way but drove up into the forest – we even saw these very interesting lava flows that reminded Joan of Bend, Oregon area, but we were in Utah! We went on a hike at the summit of Hwy. 14 in a Bristlecone forest – it was a short walk but smelled fantastic! We could see all the way to Zion National Park.
We saw snow - it was weird to see snow again. We were up at 10,000 feet, though.
We also had lunch (both of us – I am finally eating a bit) in a campground that has beautiful aspen trees and wildflowers.
Back in the car, and I slept for quite a long time until we got to Las Vegas, NV. I don’t want to miss any of the big towns. I couldn’t forget this one because we were in traffic – bumper to bumper – and we also almost got into an accident since a ladder was in the middle of our lane, and Joan had to swerve around it, just like the big truck did in front of us. That was exciting. There also was this big yellow arrow and all the sudden, Joan yelled “In-N-Out Burger”!
We kept driving and driving and driving and I was sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. Finally, after about 11 hours, we ended up in a place called Bakersfield, California at Joan’s sister’s house – her name is Rosemarie and I was scared of her at first, as usual, but then became friends. However, I am not friends with her dogs: Tabasco, a small yipper dog, and Nestle, a hound of some sort. Let’s just say teeth have been shown and growls heard! I just feel like they are ganging up on me. I did spy a big water hole in the backyard behind a fence. I hope I get to go in it! In the kitchen - actually almost in every room - there are those flying blades on the ceiling. I do not like them but sometimes I can go under the table and then I can't see them. I also discovered a new type of animal - it is kind of like those lizards in Utah but they are bigger and don't really move, at least not when I am near them. Joan said they are called "frogs" and they were all over the backyard at nighttime. I sniffed them but didn't do much else to them.
Today we went through 4 states: Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and finally California. Arizona was the "Grand Canyon State," Nevada just said, Nevada - it must not be known for anything, and somehow we missed the sign into California - but maybe it's the "Golden State" - perhaps for the plants that turn golden in the summer, or the Gold Rush in 1849, or the golden sun - who knows?!
We added two more states from license plate game to our list: Montana and Alabama.