This year we are staying out of the heat by heading north. We started talking about taking Thurman and Murman on a road trip soon after Cooper Beans passed. It is a bit of a ritual for us to spend quality time with our pack after there is a passing. When we put our Great Dane Prada down we took Cooper and Divine up north for some hiking fun before committing to next our adoptions…who were Thurman and Murman!
We are on that same path this time that once the summer is over we plan to adopt again. We are hoping to find two dogs that have bonded and don’t want to be separated . . . but first things first Thurman and Murman will be getting all our attention until then.
The boys had never really been on a road trip outside of short trips to nearby parks so we were cautiously excited to try it. Because they are both pound pups they both have their weird idiosyncrasies that we worried may not be good for traveling. Thurman loves to bark at strangers and do this annoying whine we he sees other dogs. And for Murman, he is easily spooked by loud noises and really anything new. So we were jumping into the unknown!
Our first trip north with the snicks is to one of our most favorite places on earth…Telluride, Colorado. We packed up the car and got them a comfy spot in the back with their beds for our 8 hour journey. I wasn’t sure they would settle on being in the back seat but they were so good I was in disbelief. They were content watching out the back window, sleeping, and really just enjoying the ride.
I mentioned in my last Telluride post that the drive there is like driving on Mars. Ok maybe not the plant life but the scenery is from another world and my pictures do it no justice.
We stayed at The Peaks again this time which is very dog friendly. Murman was a bit hesitant of the room, hiding under a table at first but after a couple hours the boys settled right in. They both slept like rocks the first night after such a big day in the car and getting to know downtown Telluride which included their first ride on the gondola.
The gondola in Telluride is a free service from Mountain Village into the town of Telluride. There are cars designated for dogs which you can identify with the paw prints on the side. Murman was pretty nervous as it can be a bit noisy as your start off. He never really got over it but he was OK sitting in Jersey’s lap. The views from the gondola are simply breathtaking.
The first full day we started by jumping back on the gondola to go back to Telluride where a lot of the trail heads start. We didn’t really have a plan but as the gondola was slowing down as we reached town I saw people walking on a path. I wanted to check it out and it was a perfect way to get the dogs acclimated. The River Trail was a nice path that weaved around the San Miguel river and through Telluride. Nothing too challenging and lots of people and dogs. Again, Thurman and Murman were so good and so into their own exploration that all the idiosyncrasies we were worried about evaporated from their minds. It was a beautiful 68 degrees that morning with the sun peeking out now and then. Just what we wanted for the boys to enjoy the days outside that we couldn’t do at home with the crazy heat. They both drank out of a fresh water stream for the first time and even got their feet wet. Hands down a beautiful and successful morning.
As we navigated the downtown and village, stopping for a beer or having lunch these two behaved like pros. They were patient but excited to explore their new surroundings. There were stormy skies and a bit of rain which Murman hates but it was good for him to face his fears and for us to be there to comfort him. We learned so much about these two hanging out with them for five days and watching them learn and enjoy new things.
The second morning the boys were skipping with excitement when we left the room in the morning. Murman really came out of his shell playfully teasing Thurman on our way to the elevator. There was some hesitation around getting in the elevator at first but pretty soon they behaved like it was just part of the day. Every day we were in awe at how good these two adapted to so many new things. We decided to try the Bear Creek Trail that was two miles in and out with a waterfall at the end. Thurman is a great hiking dog, we take him everywhere at home but Murman not so much. He’s always been a little bit overweight even though we have tried everything to manage it. This trail turned out to be somewhat challenging for him as it was a steady incline but we made it about over a mile up and back which was good for that little guy. The views were amazing of course and nice shady spots and cool air was exactly why Telluride was our destination.
We originally had plans for later that day to go to a free concert downtown Telluride but I guess it was canceled or something so we found a place to have a picnic. The spot we laid our blanket down was one that we were skiing on in February with wild daisies blooming and big mountains shining brightly at us. The dogs were enjoying it until the late afternoon thunder and lightening started up. We were on the resort’s property so we headed back to the outside patio and continued to enjoy some bubbly while making sure Murman was ok. It was the best way to end a perfect day.
The last full day we got off the gondola at the San Sophia Station, the stop half way in between Telluride and Mountain Village. It’s a summit at 10,540 feet! There was a park ranger there that told us an easy hike for would be the Ridge Trail. It’s a 3 mile descent back down to Mountain Village. We were hesitant as this would be the longest hike Murman had ever done but it was downhill in the shade so we went with it. He was totally fine. We under estimated him! And those views!! Hiking among the Aspen trees was so spectacular.
When we were in Telluride in February I didn’t realize I had to have reservations for a nice dinner pretty much anywhere. So this time I made sure to make a couple reservations and that included Allred’s that is located at the San Sophia Station. The day before we left the dogs alone in the room for an hour or so testing the waters. We wanted to be sure they would be OK and not get too nervous. We set up Jersey’s phone to video the time we were away. They were totally fine and pretty much just stayed by the door the whole time and never barked. With one exception, Thurman got in the dirty laundry bag and was dragging my dirty socks everywhere. We had a good laugh about that.
The restaurant views were crazy beautiful and I was thrilled that they sat us right by the window. We went early so it was like we had the place to ourselves. Then it started to pour – like a serious down pour. Then came the intense thunder claps. Then the hail. When I said Murman was afraid of storms I was not kidding. He gets super tense and Jersey was beside himself thinking he would have a heart attack which is actually a real thing for dogs when they are really really scared. We had only had our appetizer by the team we realized we should get back to Murman so we asked our server for our dinner to go. She was so professional and understanding. They made it a non-issue in this very nice restaurant. So we got our food and headed back to the gondola to find out that because of the lightening it had been stopped. Jersey was a mess worried about his buddy Murman so I called The Peaks and the hotel manager was so understanding that she headed right up there to check on the boys. Not even five minutes later she called me back reassuring us that all was ok. The boys were fine. Moments later the gondola started back up and we were headed back to the room to two very happy snicks.
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When we got back we took the boys out for a potty run for them to see the closest thing they have seen to snow . . . the hail that had fallen from the storm. They didn’t love it, let’s say that.
I used to take Cooper Beans everywhere with me and it made us so close. In my post dedicated to his life I was unable to find these photos and asked both my brother and our friend Piroja. Well my brother showed up at my work and gave them to me a couple weeks back. Here he is running around on Huntington Beach Dog Park. He had so much fun there. I’m still trying to forgive myself for letting him go.
The morning we left we took the boys on one last walk around the property. I loved seeing how the resort transformed for summer with the golf course, tennis courts and all the green grass. We need to try the golf course. Maybe next summer. The Peaks is perfect for both seasons and we already have reservations to go back skiing in February!
If you have pets that you can travel with, do it. You can learn so much about each other . . . and they really want to experience all things with you. Really. We have a couple more road trips with boys coming up. I hope you’ll follow us in our adventures.
Weekly Inspiration
“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.” – Dean Koontz
