Book Two: The Next Six Dog Vacations: Dog Vacations, #2

By Carolyn Meyer

BOOK 2 OF THE DOG VACATIONS SERIES IS HERE!

 

A DIFFERENT SORT OF DOG BOOK! GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD! 

 

Print version or eBook

 

Discover how Kel and Carolyn's ploy to get "real stupid real fast" worked to keep them out of trouble. Find out where Devil's Bridge is.  What was happening when the following quote appeared in the book, "And we still didn't know if there might be a gun tucked into his back waistband."?

 

Who were the "Menacing Men?" What was the "return of the Sand Monster"? Why was "wine in a cage?" Who were "such odd creatures, enormously fat, they were spread out lounging with their pointed noses and long whiskers sticking out on the sides of their snouts sniffing the sea air."?

 

Why did Carolyn feel like she'd been in Siberia for a week? How could 5 calamities happen in 1 day? And how did Carolyn nearly kill Kel? "The girls witnessed the whole thing with terrified looks just like the tourists standing there…" What did they witness?

 

"What compelled Kel to go "over to ask the proprietor of the restaurant if they had a tornado shelter or a plan of where to go in case of a tornado."? How did B.B. "show her disdain for such an awful place."? When did Carolyn have an auditory hallucination? What made Kel exclaim, "This is dangerous!"?  Where was Carolyn when she was asked, "Do you actually own a driver's license?" What state were they in when they tried to outrun a tornado?

 

All of these questions are answered in Book 2: The Next Six Dog Vacations as you read about their "Scrapes, Scares, and Survival." (which is the title of one of the chapters)

 

Book Two continues the saga of Bea and B.B., adopted shelter dogs, taking six more unforgettable journeys with their human companions, Kel and Carolyn.  This time they road trip to Big Sur in California, through many neighboring states, and a national park, as well as shorter trips to places not too far beyond their borders and state parks close to their home in Oklahoma.  

 

This eBook version has even more full color photos than the first book in the series.  There are many more photos of the dogs, more photos of Kel and Carolyn with the dogs, and lots of scenery photos as well.  Captions quoted from the pages of the book enhance the photos.  Seeing those will help the reader visualize Bea, B.B., Kel, and Carolyn much better and see some of the places described to enhance the reading about them. These photos and quotes are close to the quote in the chapter.

Kel and Carolyn called Bea and B.B. "the girls" and named all their trips with them "Dog Vacations" because they made sure to include fun outings for their beloved dogs along the way.

 

This book includes the following in great detail with descriptions which make readers feel as if they're on these six journeys with them: what the dogs did, what their "parents" did, what they did together, where they went, what happened to them, how they felt, whom they met, and what they learned.  

As in Book One, when reading about their adventures you'll experience along with these human and dog travelers more joy, fun, humor, excitement, and their love for each other on these vacations which surprise and endear to the very last mile!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carolyn West Meyer
• Release date: Aug 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393630265

Carolyn Meyer

Besides being a retired elementary music specialist, Carolyn West Meyer composed music, wrote, and performed professionally. She and husband, Kel co-wrote educational albums, cassettes, books, and operettas that were published by two national educational companies and distributed nationwide in the 1980s and 1990s.  They wrote, produced, directed, and starred in a radio show for children titled KIDS Radio Show which aired on the local FM station for fifteen years. It won the Oklahoma Excellence in Broadcasting Award for Children's Programming seven years in a row. Later, they produced a television show for fifteen years that featured the local Animal Welfare and Humane Society dogs and cats to help them get forever homes quicker. The show was titled Happy Endings: Pets Go Public. This book is the last one in this series along with Book 1:The First Four Dog Vacations and Book 2:The Next Six Dog Vacations. The next series, Have Dog, Will Travel, details the trips of B.B. The first book in this new series, Black Bea Goes West is due to be published in 2023. When Carolyn isn’t writing, she loves to ride her road bicycle with Kel, travel, listen and sing along with music, play the piano, and read. At present, they have two cats, but there will be a dog in their future.

Book preview

Dedicated to Kel who holds my heart.

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Bea watches every bite Kel takes during supper.  He always shared with her and B.B.

Introduction

Book Two: The Next Six Dog Vacations continues following Bea and B.B. on their road trips with human companions Kel and Carolyn where Book One: The First Four Dog Vacations ended in the spring of 2005.  This time these lucky adopted shelter dogs travel back to some of the places they visited previously.  But most of these six trips take them to new places near and far covering the time from the summer of 2005 to July 2006.

The trips begin in this second volume of the series with Trip 5 and proceed through Trip 10.  Once again, my journal entries serve as the outline for the stories, and they are as factual as possible.  After reading the first book the reader will recognize some of the references to the behaviors of the girls.  Again, our dogs Bea and B.B are referred to much of the time this way.  And more of the dogs’ personality traits and peculiarities are developed throughout the book.  One doesn’t have to read the first book to enjoy this second one.  But it enhances the experience. 

The happenings on these journeys are different than what happened in the first book but still filled with fun, adventure, humor, surprises, and abundant love.  The girls visit the west coast and one national park with lots of new stops along the way there and back.  They take trips to the Ozarks in Missouri, a large lake in Arkansas, Big Sur, two of Oklahoma’s state parks, numerous other towns and cities in many states, and then return to the same Arkansas lake for a longer stay in a different season. 

We hope you’ll enjoy your ride with the four of us as we hit the road to see what’s around the next bend in this second helping of dog vacations.

TRIP 5  Little Cayucos and Big Sur

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Chapter 1  Grace’s Secret Garden

Ever since our vacation to Sedona we'd been planning another trip to Cayucos, one of our favorite discoveries.  Since neither one of us had been to Big Sur in northern California before, we wanted to go there also.  June had flown by with several weddings for us to video.  The weather had not been too terribly hot and humid, but we knew that July would be scorching so we felt lucky to be getting out of Oklahoma and into a cooler climate in a few days.  This was going to be a longer trip than we'd taken with our dogs, Bea and B.B., in the past.  The thrill of traveling with them again filled my heart and soul as I began to pack.

The day before the trip we worked hard to get all our numerous errands done.  Then that night we edited a wedding filmed earlier in May.  Kel worked late into the night after I went to bed.  More weddings would be waiting for editing when we got back from this trip but carefree now, we were ready to hit the road again. 

Not wanting to spend the first night in Tucumcari since we’d stayed there three times already, we picked Santa Rosa.  About the size of Tucumcari, it is just a little farther west on I-40.  Having never stayed there before it would be fun to explore a new town. 

Kel made his last check around the house to look for anything we might've forgotten or that was amiss like the thermostats turned up higher to cool the house less, all doors locked, or lights turned off.  He did this regularly before each and every trip.  The girls and I waited rather impatiently in the car.  However, I resisted honking the horn this time because I knew that would make him angry, and I certainly didn't want to start a trip with him being mad at me. 

Let the barking begin! I laughed as B.B. spotted some cows in a field along the interstate not far from our home.  She immediately began telling them off letting them know how much she hated them for standing out in that field and eating grass.  We all were in a merry mood as we motored along the now very familiar route we'd taken thrice with the girls. 

Nearly flying down the highway, we arrived at the Motel 6 in Santa Rosa in the late afternoon because we’d gained an hour.  Once the usual unloading and settling in was done, I put on my bathing suit and went for a swim in their inviting pool which refreshed me.  Since I don't really swim when I'm in a pool, I stood around with some other people who were cooling off, so I struck up a conversation with a man who told me he had grown up in Stillwater after he inquired where we were from.  What a small world it is!  Kel didn't want to swim but was sitting out under an umbrella at a table to be my lifeguard.  He joined into the conversation too.  I'm not a great swimmer and the motel didn't have a lifeguard.  The man told us that he now lives in California and is on his way back with his mother and autistic daughter who was splashing and playing in the pool.  He’d never heard of Cayucos, which didn't surprise us since most people who have lived in the state all their lives haven't even heard of the little beach town.  It has to be one of California's best kept secrets.  We had a nice visit with him before I grew tired of the pool.  I never spend a lot of time in the water — just long enough to cool off and splash around a bit like a child.  Kel always gets tickled at how short my swimming time is.  That's why he never minds sitting there to make sure I don't drown. 

Later after eating at a Mexican restaurant in the town proper, we took off on our bicycles over to a lake area featuring their main attraction in this very small but nice town: The Blue Hole. 

It is an oasis in the desert the color of a dark blue sapphire which had once been known as the Blue Lake since it is one of seven sister lakes linked under the ground by an expansive water system.  What a magical place it is since water is scarce in this desert region.  It was started by a geological event named the Santa Rosa sink.  I imagined the Native American tribes, drovers herding their cattle, tourists and travelers driving west on Route 66 all stopping here for a refreshing breather.  It is no wonder they enjoy it since the lagoon is unrivaled for its clear, unpolluted water.  After seeing it, I decided I should've gotten in here to cool off instead of the pool.  Many people had flocked here on this warm evening and some swimmers were floating on their backs in the constant 62 degrees water.  Daredevil teenagers and even younger kids were jumping in then climbing out and up only to jump in again from the high cliff walls.  Since the Blue Hole is deep, divers are able to go far down into it.  Being environmentalists, we were impressed with the Santa Rosa citizens who protected their blue treasure by making sure that the runoff from the land around it kept its water pure.  It had been worth the bicycle ride over to see it. 

But as I looked at my watch I said, We better ride back to the girls now.  I'd like to watch some TV before bed.

Kel agreed so we turned our bicycles back toward the motel while the sun was beginning to sink slowly in the clear New Mexican sky.  We decided that we liked Santa Rosa just as much as Tucumcari.  Yet Tucumcari had one thing Santa Rosa didn't: Del's Mexican Restaurant.

Well-rested and ready to hit the road, I was up early the next morning and had already walked the girls as the sun came up.  When we got back into the room Bea and B.B. both turned up their noses at their dry food even with the wet cat food appetizer on top.  They might've figured out that if they refused to eat at first there could be bacon brought back after our breakfast and put on top of their food to entice them.  They were very smart dogs, and their food was still sitting there untouched after we went to the Denny’s close by for our breakfast once we bathed and dressed.  They were right to hold out because being vegetarians we usually brought back bacon which came with our meals just as they thought we would.  They probably smelled it outside the door if their dancing around us was any clue as we came back into the room.  I barely had time to place it in their bowls before they made short work of it along with the cat food appetizer and every morsel of their regular kibble.  I was relieved when they cleaned their plates since that meant they both felt just fine. 

We set off for Sedona or more properly Oak Creek Village at a good starting time and the weather was cooperating to make our drive pleasant. 

Grace's Secret Garden is a bed and breakfast place I found online when I visited the Pets Welcome website that lists pet-friendly places to stay all over the U.S. and Canada.  The photos posted of it were so bright and cheerful that I looked forward to staying there even more than usual.  The drive was unremarkable with B.B. barking at the cows and horsiecows grazing out in their fields.  Bea didn't bark nearly as much but was more settled and able to doze a little at times when B.B. wasn't trampling over her to get to the other window — the better to bark at the cows.  But rarely were they both able to settle down and sleep.  We stopped for our usual picnic at a rest area along the way. 

By early evening we rolled into Grace's dooryard.  The place was as lovely as it looked online with its country setting near the tiny village of Oak Creek.  Immediately upon our arrival Grace strode out of the house and welcomed us warmly with her big, charming smile.  The way she greeted the girls so cheerily by name after I introduced them confirmed that she was a true dog lover.  Upon being introduced to Grace Bea and B.B. stood staring into her eyes with their tails wagging as she stroked their smooth heads and spoke softly to them.  It was obvious how much they appreciated the kind attention she was lavishing on them, and they liked her right away as well as evidenced by B.B. licking her hand.

She invited all four of us into her home to take care of the payment details where the girls quickly spotted her beautiful water garden in the front entry hall.  When Kel and I turned to look back at them and away from what we were doing, they were both drinking from it.  We began to admonish them but hardly got the first words out of our mouths before Grace giggled and said, It’s okay; they must be thirsty from their trip.  Relieved that she wasn’t upset by their behavior we finished the transaction. 

Then she gave us a tour of the grounds including a decorative antique buggy out in front where she posed with Bea, B.B., and me for a photo Kel took.  The scenery behind us had the same incredible red rock formations we’d seen near Sedona when we’d stayed there in the past.  It didn't matter which way you looked, there was a breathtaking landscape in every direction.  After being wowed by the gorgeous views and her flowers in the expansive yard, she showed us to our quarters.  We were impressed with how beautiful and neat as a bowtie our place was.  Out in front of the sliding entry door was a patio with a table and chairs — he perfect place for me to sit and drink coffee while writing in my journal of a morning.  Upon seeing it I made plans to sit out there the next day.  This suite she called the Canyon Suite was set off away from her main house, and upon entering we scanned the large room with a king-sized bed resting on clean tile floors and soft throw rugs, two nightstands, and two flowery easy chairs facing a TV.  All carefully and tastefully decorated, Grace had considered each and every detail from the artwork on the walls to the bedspread, lamps, and towels.  There was a large, separated bathroom as lovely and tidy as the big bedroom.  A pair of saloon style swinging doors separated the two rooms. 

Not much effort was needed to move in as the car was parked right out front.  The girls seemed to know that there would be no bacon at this time of day since they quickly devoured their food after our good walk.  Or maybe they were just really hungry.

We, too, were hungry, so we drove into Sedona to eat supper at Thai Spice where we’d eaten before.  Remembering their plentiful vegetarian dishes, we were coaxed to come back for the hot, spicy, delicious food again.  Stopping into a store on our way back to the Canyon Suite, we bought some wine.

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Then she gave us a tour of the grounds including a decorative antique buggy out in front where she posed with Bea, B.B., and me for a photo Kel took (B.B. can barely be seen in the shadows.)

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This suite she named the Canyon Suite was set off away from her main house, and upon entering we scanned the large room with a king-sized bed resting on clean tile floors and soft throw rugs, two nightstands, and two flowery easy chairs facing a TV.

Once we got back to our sleeping girls, Kel popped the cork to have a taste.  Only rousing themselves for a moment to greet us with yawns and stretches, they lay down and went right back to sleep.  It was no time at all before Bea was snoring loudly as she was tired and in a deep sleep.

Kel and I were exhausted from the drive and turned in after watching a brief snippet of TV while finishing our glasses of wine.  It always amazes me how you can get so spent from just driving.  Naturally, the wine added to our drowsiness.  After anticipating the fun to come, we all slept soundly.  Kel and I were pleased to be back in the Sedona area.

Morning dawned with bright sunlight starting to heat up the desert.  The red rocks in the distance glowed as if they were on fire.  An exploratory walk around the property provided the girls a chance to mark everything and sniff around where other dogs and wildlife had been.  The clean, clear morning air and the sparkling sunshine made our walk more enjoyable.  Once we got back to our room and they were fed, I made coffee for myself and sat out at the patio table to write in my journal just as I'd planned.  The girls drifted out of the room to settle themselves around my feet. 

When we had checked in, Grace requested us to come over to the big house early so we could have a full vegetarian breakfast which she would prepare.  Then we'd be well fed and carbed up for our bicycle ride on Dry Creek Road to Devil's Bridge, a ride Kel found online and jotted directions down to get us there.  The girls and I woke him much earlier than usual so he could savor his coffee in bed and then head over to Grace's kitchen with me for our breakfast. 

The huge, tasty breakfast in her tidy kitchen reminded us of the large ones we ate in Ireland.  But those Irish feeds were full of strange foods for us to be eating at breakfast like tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans.  Grace had been informed that we are lacto-ovo vegetarians meaning that we eat eggs and dairy products.  So, she cooked an omelette made with onions, peppers and cheese accompanied by a variety of rolls and breads to choose from with butter and jams or jellies to go on them.  We had orange juice and more coffee.  It was all scrumptious, and we cleaned our plates as we exchanged information about ourselves. 

Through visiting we learned more about Grace while devouring her culinary creation.  She and her husband are both Polish and had immigrated to the U.S. many years ago.  She encouraged us to go to Poland someday since there are beautiful castles over there to visit and tour.  Only a little bit older than us by maybe two or three years, she still spoke with her delightful Polish accent although her English was better than some natural born Americans.

Being a very gracious hostess, when we spoke about where we were going to ride, she listened and agreed that it would be a lovely, scenic area to see.  She mentioned that she'd ridden a bicycle a long time ago in Poland but hadn't gotten on one lately.  She wasn't worried at all about us leaving our girls in her nice suite, and we assured her that they were perfect little ladies who wouldn't tear anything up or make any messes. 

After our enlightening visit and luscious, filling breakfast we walked back over to get on our bicycling clothing and take off.  By this time in our cycling learning curve, we wore good Spandex shorts and bicycle shirts which kept us cooler by wicking the sweat away during the ride.  The breeze generated made the sweat evaporate quicker, and the kind of cloth helped in the process.  The shorts were more comfortable with their big, padded bottoms to help keep our undercarriages from being too sore.  We used cream also as an added necessity for comfort.

Since that fall of 2004 when we’d begun riding, we had discovered a lot about covering long distances.  Always stocking some energy gels or bars to take along and making sure we had enough water or some kind of sports drinks with electrolytes especially for desert riding were helpful precautions taken.  The most important items to wear were our helmets and gloves to protect us when we fell.  It wasn’t if you fell, but when.  So far in these early riding days, neither one of us had fallen...yet.

Once we got our clothing on, filled our water bottles, and packed our things in the new triangular bicycle packs that fit on our bikes compactly, it was time to check the tires to see if they needed any more air.  Our hybrids didn't need as much air as regular road bicycles which take 100 pounds per tire.  But we sure didn't want to go out without filling them up.  This routine was practiced every time we rode now.  Getting to be better riders with each jaunt, our miles were increasing. 

We'll be back, girls.  You stay and take care of this house, I said.  Bea and B.B. were now very familiar with these lines because they were what I always told them at home or on a trip before Kel and I walked out the door.  They seemed to understand exactly what this meant and as I glanced back over my shoulder fondly, both of them were starting to lie down on the soft throw rugs for a nap.

We drove our bicycles into a parking area in the desert.  Then we pedaled a long way on Dry Creek Road enjoying the monumental scenery rising all around us as it was a perfectly sunny day with not much wind.  The shimmering desert spread out below the rock formations as far as we could see.  Once we got close to Devil's Bridge, we locked up the bikes together and hiked over to it.  This involved a bit of climbing over some very rough and rocky terrain but eventually we made it there.

I can see why they named it Devil's Bridge — it's formed just like a bridge between two giant rock formations so high up above the desert floor.  It's kind of scary looking, too, I observed.

Yeah, I'm going to walk out on it, and you can take a picture of me when I get out to the bridge part that connects the two rock formations, said Kel. 

You be careful!  That doesn't look all that safe to me since that bridge part is so skinny and narrow compared to the rest of it, I warned him.

It's okay.  I'll be careful.  It looks sturdy enough to me, he retorted as he made his way out on the shelf.  My fear of heights kept me from doing anything of that sort. 

When he got to what looked to be near the thinnest most narrow part of the span, he stopped for me to get his picture.  Standing there with the floor of the immense desert stretched out behind him and the boulders looming up in the far distance, even with his chest stuck out and his head held high, he looked quite small.  Kel, who is six feet tall, provided scale which made Devil's Bridge look even larger.  I was relieved when he finally made his way back over onto safe ground and off of that span.

"Aren't you going to go