Day 17 - Finally home

 Wow, what a trip. This last day was hard. We were so close to home but it seemed to take forever. The scenery was beautiful of course especially when we stopped overlooking Prosser but we all just wanted to get home.

It felt great when we finally did and I could unpack some and see Blake again. It was a wonderful trip overall and I am so lucky to have gotten to make the journey and to play with my best boys at CPE Nationals and all along the journey.

Day 15 -16 - Heading North and West

 It was sadly time to leave the beautiful Moab, Utah but excited to head home.

The best stop was in Murray, Utah at a lovely park with so many pretty irises in bloom throughout.

The landscape was pretty on the driving days and Twin Falls, Idaho and Pendleton, Oregon were great stops on the trip. Especially Pendleton as it was great walking and exploring weather and the town is so unique.

Day 13 - Driving Colorado and Utah

 We arrived in Denver and didn't feel like exploring much in the evening but I had done some research so before driving to Moab, Utah since it was a shorter drive day went to explore the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and it was exactly what we all needed. A nice walk for Trapper who needs the movement and prairie dogs to stare at for the first time for Sparky. Oh and bunnies we all love bunnies and birds. 

The drive through Colorado and into Utah was beautiful with mountains, and flats and we had a great time. I was happy to get to Moab, Utah though and to our adorable vintage Apache Motel. It is such a beautiful spot and the dogs and I settled in for a day of vacation.

Day 11-12 - Driving IL-Colorado

The packing part was a little tricky getting everything back into the car topper and figuring out what made sense inside the car. It was hard to leave the home away from home of the Airbnb as well but the time had come. The first day was a long stormy drive from Springfield, IL across Missouri and to Kansas. I had driven part of this route on the way to IL, so I knew that stops and services were limited so I was prepared with lunch from the grocery store and a couple of must stop ideas. We had a couple of stops at the beginning that allowed for the dogs to run and roll which really carried through the rest of the day. Then there was the stop in Quiltown - Hamilton, Missouri. It was so cute and it was fun browsing the quilt shop.

Ended the day crossing the river into Kansas and enjoying BBQ in Kansas. 

The second day was driving across Kansas and to Denver Colorado. This was the longest driving day for the way home. It was so very windy. Apparently we were between some tornadoes and we were also close to some thunderstorms as well. The best part of the drive was stopping at this amazing souvenir shop with Wizard of Oz statues outside of it. Shopping was fun for sure, and it was a break from driving in the wind. Oh and the visitor center in Colby, Kansas was adorable.

 

Day 14 - Moab, Utah

We had a great day in Moab, Utah today. We started with a walk with the dogs at Mill Creek and since we were the only ones there they got to run around a bit. 

Then we went to Arches National Park. I was there as a kid but I didn't remember all of it and it was so much more meaningful this time I think. The dogs couldn't leave the parking lot but I kept them cool while I did the shortish trips to see things. 

Came back and had a nap then went to Moab Brewery for beer and so much good food. Then came back and took the dogs for a walk from Lion's Park to give them some activity. Stopped and visited some shops and picked up stickers, soap and a hat for my dad.

Tomorrow we continue the drive home and we'll spend the night in Twin Falls, ID.

Day 4 and 5 - So much driving

It all continues the same so much driving, rest stops, dogs running out rolling and repeat.  I will fill this in more later.

Wall Drug was a must stop and I got to meet up with Corey as well for some exploring and getting coffee on our longest driving day.

This statue is a must stop to view as she overlooks the Misouri River reminding us of where we come from as a nation. It is always so moving.

Corm Palace it was certainly a unique stop. My parents told stories of visiting it and on this trip I actually did.

Somewhere in Misouri about 4 hours from Springfield.

We did make it to Springfield, Illinois and got our stall set up and into the great Airbnb and a grocery store run.

Day 3 - To Rapid City, SD

 Started in Montana and ended in South Dakota but most of the day was spent driving through Wyoming. I forgot how hilly it is but the weather was lovely and we stopped quite a bit along the way. My favorites were the big rest stop in Sheridan, WY and relaxing and having lunch in the welcome center parking lot in Buffalo, WY.

We made it to South Dakota and finally to Rapid City. Staying in my same hotel from last time and it is really comfortable and this year I have a first floor Hooray!

We made plans and Corey with her dogs Moose and Lucy are also going to CPE Nationals and we have been staying in the same cities but not actually doing anything or driving together just checking in. Well, since this was a short driving day we met up at a Memorial park in Rapid City, SD and walked the dogs together. Then we went for Mexican food to chat and just have some people time. It was a really nice evening.  

Tomorrow is our longest drive of the trip and will end the day in Omaha, Nebraska my first time visiting that state.

Day 2 - To Billlings

 It was a pretty direct drive across Montana on Day 2. 

We started the day finding an awesome trail off of one of the "parking areas". The dogs took off and I didn't see where they were going at first but when I caught up I saw the trail down the steep hill to the river. I decided why not and went down (very slowly) after them and it was so worth it. We followed trails around a big rock and got all the way to the river. The dogs went swimming and were running around and playing on the sand. It was really quite joyful.

We stopped at several rest stops and parking areas and the dogs spent a lot of time running and rolling in fields. 

Ended the day hanging out with my Uncle Duane and Aunt Jackie. The dogs love their house and yard and truly take it over. It was nice to get to eat a real dinner (cooked by Jackie) and catch up.

Day 1 of the drive was great

Today was a great day. 

We took off earlier then I expected it was hard to leave Blake but that's to be expected. 

First stop was a walk at Lake Sammamish Park. We needed to get some movement in early because it felt like a lot this morning. 

We then set off feeling good and enjoying the sunny weather. Stopped at my favorite empty field in Ellensburg. It's nice because I can let them run and there is a water filled ditch around it and this time they even found enough grass for the first roll of the trip 

We stopped at the pretty overlook rest stop for a walk then loves and rolling in the grass of course.

In Idaho we stopped at a really big rest stop so they got to do even more rolling. Their absolute favorite so far I think because the cut grass stuck to then nicely.

Sparky teakettled to pee earlier then my plan but wet pulled off in Mullen and walked a little. Even I was a kid we used to come here for the best greasy burgers.

Ending the day at the Silver Dollar also a childhood throw back for food for me before the last 20 minute bit to the Little River Motel in St Regis. At a kid driving to MT to see family it was always the one we stayed in. So a lot of nostalgia today and I have been thinking about my mom a lot.

Packed and Ready to Set Off Tomorrow

Ok all packed and Trapper, Sparky and I had it tomorrow morning. Blake is going to stay with my Dad. Everything in the topper is for Nationals and I don't need it along the way. We have 5 days of driving to get there so we can take all the breaks that we need.

Nationals is going to be busy but I am really excited. Sparky is playing 2 days of Speedway (8 runs each day) then Trapper and I get to test ourselves with the agility courses. It isn't being live streamed this year but I will try and take my own videos.

Reflections on CPE Nationals

I am still processing everything from CPE Nationals but today I put up Trapper 's ribbons and am reflecting on everything we learned. This was the first time we have been on the National level in Agility and we did better then I had expected but not as well as we are capable of. In the end we smiled getting on the line every time and we Qd in 5 of the 9 runs. I am reminded that I am capable of the tricky handling challenges and Trapper is an amazing partner that loves the game and tried his very best every time he steps to the line (after the kiss on the top of his head of course). The loss of the Snooker medal and correct score due to a scribe error still stings but it was just 1 moment and I have to let it go and not let it spoil the whole experience. 

I am including my favorite run which was Fullhouse as it was the first time we were on the line together. 

Trapper did amazing as well as the tricky Jumpers course that shows what Trapper does so well as well as me almost running into a jump oops. 

Trapper's Saturday Standard run, the one with the back to back sets of weaves and then the choose your own end of the course. I am really happy with this one as well.

Wildcard run was also a Q because it was a nice flowing course which Wildcards aren't. usually.

Finally the Snooker run that was incorrectly scribed, my sheet says 2,3,2 for the opening instead of the 2,6,3 that we actually got but since the judge didn't remember me I couldn't get it fixed.

Thank you to Janet Mudge for being my neighbor and supporter through the highs and lows of both of our first times as well as Kathy Swan for bringing all of her experience and calm. As well as Jade Cervano for joining me for the last crazy day and then driving all the way home.

In the end we will probably go back to Nationals but hopefully when it is closer and cooler because Trapper doesn't do heat.

States visited

For those interested here are the states the dogs and I visited and Jade visited all but 3 of them as well.

Finally home!

Today had it's ups and downs. I think we all wanted to be home already. I didn't sleep well at all last night.

Thankfully the trip home was uneventful and had just enough outside time to make all of us happy. 

Made it to Washington

We had a great time with Duane and Jackie but we had the whole state to cross today. 

We made a lot of stops and I forced Jade to have a Wheat Montana sandwich for lunch. We had to have a huckleberry milkshake to make it that far though. 

We also stopped at the 50,000 Silver Dollar for souvenirs. A hat for Jade and wine for me. 

Excited to finish the drive tomorrow. Tonight we are in a cool city hotel in Spokane. 

Had to walk to Riverfront Park to find grass though. It is as pretty of a park as I remember too. 

North Dakota and Montana

Another day of driving. We got the road a little bit earlier today. We also managed to find a truck parking spot so the dogs could burn off steam.

We also found one with a pretty view which I wasn't expecting of North Dakota.

We made one tourist stop to see the Painted Canyons in the a badlands. Well just from the scenic overlook.

Finally made it back into Montana and are ending the day with a stay with my Aunt and Uncle.