Road Trippin' with Ozzie - 7

'Put Ozzie on Mount Rushmore!'

   We made some progress yesterday on the ‘Ozzie on Mount Rushmore!’ campaign. Not as much as I would have liked because of those silly dog restrictions in U.S. National Parks.

   I was allowed up only to the lowest Mount Rushmore viewing level for a photo op. They wouldn’t let me onto the long mall right below the mountain on which the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln are carved into the rock. That mall is packed with hundreds of people, most of whom, after giving me a glance, would have supported my campaign.

   Really what is the government worried about with these restrictions? Do they think I would scramble up the mountain and pee on Washington’s chin? Geez. No educated and sophisticated dog would ever do that. I mean I’ve got American Kennel Club papers, eh.

   At any rate I’m looking for more support. If you think you’d like to see my chiselled great looks carved into Rushmore, just make a comment on this blog.

   As mentioned the other day, it seems unfair to have four presidents and no dogs carved into the mountain. I mean look at our contributions to society. And, most people agree I have the most adorable face they’ve ever seen.

   I should mention that Rushmore is in South Dakota’s Black Hills, a name which leaves a wrong impression. These mountains were named Black Hills because they are heavily forested with dark, green pines and from a distance appear black. They are rugged and very beautiful.

   We wanted to stay longer but had to make up some time so headed out for the real barren part of South Dakota – the Badlands. We have a good routine going; Marcus is chief engineer looking after electrical/sewer hookups etc. while John is the chief of campfires. Mom does the planning and driving and cooking. The Old Guy just sort of hangs out looking confused and telling stories.

   We camped in the Badlands. Beautiful white/grey jagged land forms that look like small unvegetated mountains.

   Join the chant: ‘Ozzie on Mount Rushmore!’

(Mom has more on our trip at: http://goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com/)

Note open space to left where Ozzie's mug could be carved

The Badlands of South Dakota

Road Trippin with Ozzie - 6

   We left Cody, Wyoming thinking the best of the mountain scenery was behind us. Boy, were we ever wrong.
   We had expected to head east into the rolling high plains and prairie that stretch hundreds of miles to the Dakotas. However, Mom found a scenic route through Bighorn National Forest. Spectacular!
   We corkscrewed our way up to 9600 feet above sea level, getting stunning views of the Bighorn Basin Country below us. Up top we passed through broad green, and sometimes snowy, alpine meadows which graced us with little streams that gurgled a welcome to wade in and lap your fill.
   The Old Guy said this is an ace route compared with the more southerly Wyoming highways where it is more flat and bland. I knew that, but sometimes you just have to let him talk.
   The descent of the east side of the mountains was nerve-wracking but we were rewarded with panoramic views.
   Later we detoured to Devil's Tower National Monument. That's the towering chunk of rock you saw in the movie Close Encounters of a Third Kind. The sky closed in with dark clouds and I heard eerie sounds, the kind that only dogs hear. I figured they were coming to take the Old Guy because some of the things he says make me believe that he communicates with space people.
   I'll be glad when we finally reach Mount Rushmore so I can start sweet talking those stone carvers into getting my gorgeous mug carved into that mountain. The people we met today all agreed I would be a terrific  addition to Rushmore.

Ozzie

Devil's Tower, spooky, eh?

Sniffing Around Bighorn

Leaving Yellowstone

Road Tripping with Ozzie - 5

   It was enough to make me howl. I got to see Yellowstone’s Old Faithful geyser blow despite all the restrictions placed on us dogs.

Long, Hard Day

   Dogs are not allowed on the viewing walkways in the national park so I found a comfy spot along the edge of the trees and got to see the entire show over the heads of the hundreds of spectators lined up on the walkway.

  Old Faithful blows every 40 to 70 minutes these days. The intervals are not exact so you have to sit around with your camera focused and ready to shoot.

   Sitting back in the trees I didn’t get my usual attention from the crowd. However, later the Old Guy and I sat outside the Old Faithful store and snack bar and they lined up to pet and photograph me. The Old Guy seemed annoyed at having to answer all the same questions over and over again. What breed is he? How old is he? How much does he weigh? Is he friendly?

  There was even a Japanese translator then for a while to help all the Japanese tourists who crowded in to get my picture. I heard the Old Guy grumbling later that if he had a dollar for every question asked he could pay for this trip.

   We also visited other highlights of the geyser basin. But I wasn’t allowed to get close to the hot springs, hot mud pots, sulphur flats and other interesting sights.

   But it was a major wildlife day. We saw bison and elk. The first bison was scratching his back against a pine tree, which is one of my favourite things to do. Feels really good and that bison had a smile a yard wide.

   Then we saw two elk taking an afternoon time out in an old burn off the highway. Both were bulls with their racks in velvet.

   Now the BIG ONE. We saw a grizzly bear!! Yes, a real live grizzly bear in the wild. The Old Guy started to run out of the RV to get a picture, then realized he could get his ass bit so anchored himself in his seat and rolled up the window tight.

   The grizzly had emerged into a clearing, saw the RV and took off. Those babies can really run.

   Just after that we started down the mountains into Cody, Wyoming. What a descent. The road followed the Shoshone River and the mountain views were spectacular. It was almost like being in an airplane.

   Before the descent we crossed the Continental Divide and at altitude 8,300 feet we found some snow that I could play in. That stuff is in my blood!      

   Tomorrow we are going to head toward South Dakota and Mount Rushmore. I going to ask mom if we can talk to some of the stone carvers about getting to work on my image on the mountain. I mean four presidents and no dogs just doesn’t seem right. Most of the people who met me today would agree.

More on the trip at Mom’s blog: http://goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com/

Ozzie

Bull Elk Resting

Grizzly on the Run

Old Faithful Blows

Playing in the Snow