If the Shoe Fits.....

One of my favorite thing about having my own pet boutique is going to the shows and buying all the cute things that our dogs have lived so long without. How they managed, I'll never know.

That's right Croc Dog Beds. Only 84 days until Christmas. I have a few nieces who could really use these. Murphy, Lola, Lucy and Chloe come to mind. A must have for Sissy as well. I'm ready for orders.

Watch Out Martha.

After the light bulb debacle, I have decided that I will try never to spend money on something I am perfectly capable of doing myself, excluding pedicures of course. So after 4 years of paying someone to make my Doggie Ice Cream, I have taken over the job. That's right, last week sewing tablecloths, this week, doggie ice cream. Martha Stewarts' got nothing on me. Making the ice cream was no trouble and deciding on flavors was really fun. We now carry the following flavors; Cheeseburger, Bacon-Cheddar, Pumpkin Pie. Peanut Butter Banana, Peanut Butter Carob, Chunky Chicken and Tuna Melt. I know, Tuna Ice Cream sounds petty gross, but the pups love it. I wonder if I should send Riley some Peanut Butter Banana :)

Let There Be Light

After spending $90.00 to have an electrician come to my shop to tell me I needed new light bulbs I've decided to educate myself about electricity. Now in my defense, my shop is in a very old structure and I have had to replace 3 other ballast in the past, so I figured that was what the problem was. Last week I spent 3 days feeling like I was on a disco dance floor, so after leaving the shop on the 4th day craving Donna Summer music and looking for "Mr. Goodbar", I called an electrician. They at least had the manners not to hold their sides laughing when they gave me the news. Now, I never mind experimenting with a hammer and nail, give me a power tool and I could rule the world, I can spackle, paint and can pick any bathroom door lock, but I've always been leery about electricity. So after going to Home Depot for new light bulbs, I picked up a book on electricity. I have yet to open it.

Thank You Mood.

Anyone who knows me, knows that "Project Runway" is one of my favorite indulgences. I watch it every Wednesday, and have been known to watch the marathons on the weekend. So after pulling a weekend of all 5 seasons, I decide,I'm going to start sewing again.

I'll start off slow, then get into the tailored stuff. My first project, tablecloths for the shop's front porch. Just think of the money I'm going to save by not buying the ready made square clothes from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Off to JoAnne's Fabrics.... I get 2 fall fabrics, and 2 Christmas themed, 3 yards of each, some thread and a new pack of sewing machine needles. Well, I get to the register and the total comes to $111.57. Holy Moly. ...and I still have to cut and sew the stupid things. What was I thinking? To add insult to injury I go into Bed, Bath &Beyond and find 2 square cloths for $9.95 each. I guess I needed Tim Gunn to tell me how much I was allowed to spend. The really sad part is once I put all the sale items on the tables all you can see are the corners. Oh well, looks like the tailored suits will be put on hold.

Sheepdog-O-Rama

When I opened Woofs & Whiskers 4 years ago Harper, my Old English Sheepdog, was very nearly one of a kind in this area. Since people have gotten to know Harper and a little more about the breed, Old English Sheepdogs have become slightly more popular. It began with Kate acquiring Duchess (my nickname from my Grandfather on my Dad's side). Then Sue and Steve got Jack, their daughter Jen adopted Jack's mom, Michelle, and one of my neighbors Donna, chose Winslow from the same liter. Did you follow all that?
With all the sheepdogs in the area, some of us thought it would be brilliant to get them all together, and since it wasn't going to be at my house, I was all for it. Sue and Steve took on the mission. They had all the required necessities for a more than 2, large dog party (i.e.- big fenced in backyard). The final total was 6 sheepdogs and 1 sheltie. All the sheepdogs came from the same breeder, so were related. 4 of them were brothers and their mom, Michelle was there. Then of course Miss Harper, the one who started it all. It really was a great day, and fun was had by all. Thanks again Steve and Sue. When's the next one?

Lessons Learned

Whenever I go on a new adventure I always like to learn something new about myself. The lessons learned on my Montana trip are as follows...
1. I can truly do anything I put my mind to.
2. Anything over 50 miles a day on a bike, becomes more like work than fun.
3. I'm really not 19 anymore.
4. I will never grow tired of new experiences.
5. Whenever I go on a trip, I think about all the homes I've had, and how little has changed about what comforts me.
Now, I'm pretty sure that the lessons would be different for someone like Lance Armstrong, but who cares. This is my blog.

Gardens Galore

After our delicious dinner, Carol and Jim drove us to Carol's dad's house. Carol's father passed away, but in his lifetime, among many other things, he was an avid gardener. He donated his home to the town of Kalispell, and it is now used as a major attraction to other garden aficionado's, and various specialty tours. The evening we went it was a little overcast, so these photos do not do justice to the breathtaking beauty that was before us. This was such a small portion of these incredible gardens, it's really one of those you have to see it to believe it.
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Why Montana?

I'm sure after reading this vacation blog you have asked yourself, "Why Montana"? Well there is a story behind our choice. Besides the breathtaking (literally) vistas, Karen had an old friend who lived in Kalispell. He and his family raise Yaks and Buffalo, so when we got back to Kalispell we had the pleasure of spending our last day at their ranch. I'm not sure if you can tell by the first photo, but that sweet baby yak has three of my fingers half way down his throat. The yaks were all bottle feed, so they could be sold as pets. This little darling had obviously not been fulling weened yet. It really felt kinda good, it was just that I had yak yuk up to my elbow.

The 2nd shot was of a baby buffalo, they are alot more skittish than the yaks, just as well I was still hosing down.

I ask you, what would a trip to the ranch have been without a ride on a yak. This lovely beast's name was Yampo. I would love to tell you that I was in full control of Yampo, but if you look close enough you can see Jim holding him by a ring in his nose. Ouch.

After sitting on Yampo long enough to get our photo taken we headed across the ranch to see other herds of yaks, and then on to see the buffalo. As I said earlier the buffalo are alot more skittish, so all photos were taken from the truck.

Jim and his wife Carol will probably never know how much their hospitality meet to these road weary travelers. I'm sure I speak for Karen as well when I say,"...a really lot". After spending the day touring the ranch, I took a nap and Karen hit the hot tub. Later that evening we sat down to an amazing dinner of, you guessed it, yak steak. I didn't ask if it had a name.

Final Ride.

Well, it's our last day on the road. Thank you Baby Jesus. Kalispell is about 63 miles from Eureka. Once we get to Kalispell we actually have enough energy to do a little sight seeing. We head to "The Conrad Mansion". In 1868 Charles Conrad left Virginia at age 18, he traveled to Montana Territory. 13 years later he moved his family, built a grand home, and help found the new town of Kalispell. Bet he wasn't riding a bike. The reason I know I would have liked Mr. Conrad is that this was part of his home. Okay, I would have liked him more if it were a dog door, but it could be a small dog door.

EUREKA!!!!!!!

Today was my birthday. We got a late start because our bikes were locked in the Youth Hostel's garage. The front desk doesn't open until 9:00am.
In about 42 miles we will be entering the United States at the Montana border in Eureka. The days ride was very pleasant. We got off the main highway onto a much less trafficked, 2 lane. It was flat, but had a vicious sleepy strip, that I nicknamed," The Devils Teeth". Boy, did the Princess's pea hate feeling that mess. The flatness lulled us into a false sense of security. This photo was the last Canadian hill of our adventure. We made it. Karen took this shot after we climbed it.

Now on to Eureka.

These shots were taken right before we crossed the border. Visions of loveliness indeed. When we crossed the border we had to go inside to get our Passports stamped. EUREKA! We meet 3- 50 something girls on motorcycles and decided that's how we'd do it next time. The 8 miles left to our hotel were on the hottest asphalt of the trip. I drank 1 bottle of water and wore the other one. Karen said her wheels were being sucked in from the heat rising on the asphalt or something like that. I just wanted to get there. Once we did, I went to check in with my credit card, DECLINE. It worked yesterday, but it's my birthday, Karen to the rescue. Birthday dinner was a bag of scoop Frito's and salsa. YUMMY. Feel asleep watching the Olympics.

What's Your Sign?

All through our trip there were signs like this, letting us know that at any given moment one of God's creatures could come charging out of the woods to show himself. We did see many animals along the way. Coyote, deer, mountain goats even the bear in Waterrton.

As we got closer to the end of the trip my favorite sign became this one. YIPPEE!! Downhill is my friend.

The Biggest in the World

Now, I don't care where I am or what I'm doing, whenever I see a sign that brags "The biggest in the World" , I am going to stop. I don't care if it's the biggest frying pan, in RoseHill, NC or the biggest clam in Pismo Beach, CA, I'm stopping. I don't even like clams, but I'm stopping. I mean, come on, it's the Biggest in the World. Well low and behold, the biggest truck in the world is in Sparwood, BC and I'm riding my bike right past it. We also decide to stop and have lunch here, what a find!

And so, as we hit the parking lot Karen asks around for prospective rides into Fernie. All the qualified vehicles were going in the opposite direction. When we went into the restaurant there happen to be a bike outfit, "Bicycling Adventures" that could have very easily thrown our bikes on their van and taken us to Fernie.

Go figure, the people whose bikes they carry, pay to have them do so. The leader asked why we didn't just ride. Don't you just hate biking elitist. He obviously didn't know I left Clooney at home.

Anyway, after a great grilled cheese panini and cold drink, who should walk through the restaurant door, but Maine to Vancouver. He stopped to talk for a bit and I found out his name was George. We headed out as he finished his lunch, only to run into him again at the Fernie Information Center. He opted to stay at the same Youth Hostel we were staying, instead of camping. We enjoyed dinner together, sharing biking stories and making a new friend.

Monkey on Your Back

After our delicious home cooked pancakes with fresh fruit and orange juice, we said goodbye to the owners of the Burmis Bed & Bales. We walked our bikes up the gravel driveway and were off. Today Fernie is our destination, around 64 miles. I think that after the last 3 days Karen and I were but a little afraid of what we were going to face today. Sometime you can talk yourself out of something before you even know what it is. Today we cross into British Columbia. Another Canadian Province to add to my travel log. Karen and I are both tired from yesterday, and decide when we stop for lunch we will see if we can find someone to take us the last 27 miles.

What's In A Name?

On yesterday's ride, we met a fellow biker. Karen and I were taking a break from the sun, under an underpass. As we were downing a gallon of water and our 2nd dose of Advil du jour, we saw what we thought was a Vespa or a Scooter of some sort approaching us. We figured we'd wait until they passed and then continue on. As he got closer we saw that it was actually another biker with gear on both front wheels and back, probably about 70 pounds. Uuugghh. What I found most interesting is when he stopped to talk it was about where he and we had been. No names were ever exchanged. He started in Maine and was headed to Vancouver. From there he was going to see a daughter in Seattle, then onto New Mexico. I know, sorta makes my whining insignificant. I began to realize everyone that we had met along the way was only a destination. No one, including myself had exchanged a name.

What A Welcome

Well we're on the road again, and my butt feels like hamburger meat. The downside of renting a bicycle is you get the seat they give you. If I had any sense at all I would have taken the seat I'm used to, the one that I have named, the one that sat at home in the garage anxiously awaiting my return. I missed Clooney about 2 hours into day one's ride. Now I'm feeling everything. My butt has become like the Princess and the pea. OUCH!!

Burmis, Alberta is our final destination today, about 56 miles. The day started out great, we got an early start and actually stayed on the bike through Pincher. Can you believe it, we got there and they were throwing us a parade. There were signs that mention a 100th birthday for the town of Pincher Creek, but as far as I was concerned it was for us staying on our bikes. After the parade they were having a rodeo. We thought we might stay, but it didn't start until 2:00 and we still had 28 miles to get to Burmis. The fact that it was in 96 degree heat with no shade played a pretty big part in our decision. We had lunch at a Chinese,Italian, Mexican diner (something for everyone), then continued on our trek. The roads were pretty accommodating, but the sun was a little brutal on the last 15 miles. By the time we got to our B&B we were toast, but we rode the whole way. Looks like I'm going to need a new Indian name. How about "Wounded Saddle"?

Rest Day

I don't know if I've mentioned that this entire trip was planned by my biking crony. That's right, Karen Karos planned the trip in it's entirety. I mention this because somehow she had the foresight to give us a day off after the 2 most grueling days of biking I have ever endured. I can't think of a better place to have spent the day then Waterton. This is a quaint little town that has somehow missed the crush of tourism. Outside our YOUTH Hostel was a field used for the local deer population's breakfast buffet. They were everywhere. I sat on a bench in the field writing postcards. It was a very calming space, just me and Bambi. Karen was recovering in bed. After walking through the town, the rolls were reversed. I took a cozy nap while Karen strolled. We went to Tuscano's and had a delicious pasta meal to build up our carbs for the upcoming day. Gotta love pasta. The evening was a little noisy and sleep was sporadic. The only disadvantage of staying at a YOUTH Hostel, but I was young once too.

What Goes Around.....

Please forgive the lack of photos on this entry, I was too weak to retrieve my camera.

We continue to fight the head winds, and with about 20 miles to go until we hit Waterton National Park, in Alberta, Canada-we make a major decision. From now on, any truck that goes by, we're sticking our thumbs out. Safety be damned. Car, 20 minutes, another smaller car, car...Where are all the RV's that were crowding us off the road going to Logan Pass? Ah! finally a truck, thumbs out, Whooosh on by. *@!# /* I think I can, I think I can...
We hit the Canadian Border about 20 minutes later. The same truck that whoooshed by us was now being strip searched. How's that for Karma? We asked the border patrol if there was any way we could call someone to pick us up, he assured us that the rest of the way to Waterton was downhill. We should really give it a shot. We did.
We made it to Waterton, and now have 8 miles to get to our Youth Hostel. Yes, we're allowed to stay there. We have one hill to conquer before getting there,and I am telling you I am mush. We both make it up the hill, mainly because the kid at the gate said he rides it to work everyday. Did I mention how cute this young thing was?
So here we are on the straight away, and 2 cars slow down to let us know that a bear just crossed the street. He is on our side of the road, and thank the Living Lord we were on a downhill. He was tucked nicely in with the berry trees and I do believe I would have missed him all together, if the cars hadn't given a heads up.
We make it to the International Youth Hostel and I am utterly exhausted. We head to a convenience store, stock up on junk food that will consist of dinner that night. We don't venture out for the rest of the evening. I now know how the Wicked Witch felt when she was hit with the bucket 0f water. 5 more days to go.

Indian Names

As we continue to pedal through Gustav Jr. we enter the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Blackfeet were among the most fierce and feared of all American Indians. The mountain in the background is called Chief Mountain. Young braves still climb to the top to engage in their vision quest. Maybe I'll plan that for next year, NOT.

While on Chief Mountain Highway we encounter wandering cows everywhere. We are also riding along a wooded area known for both the berry bushes and the bears that eat those berries. At this point, with the headwinds being what they were, I was almost praying for a bear attack to put me out of my misery.

While on the reservation we decided to adopt an Indian name. I became "Walks With Bike".

Karen rides with clip-in shoes, they attach to the pedals with a simple twist. When concentrating on something else it is very easy to go over with the bike , your feet still attached to the pedals. Karen did this a number of times and has the battle scars to prove it. Thus becoming "Falling Turtle".

Windy City

After sleeping like the dead, we head to a breakfast of omelets and talk to the waitress about the ride we're about to start. She let us know that the hills were the least of our worries today, it was the headwind that would be our big concern. Well, I've just climbed Logan Pass, what's a little headwind? Once you pass the Continental Divide the landscape changes dramatically, as does the wind. As you can see by the photo the mountains are behind us and this road has a nice roll. What you can't see is the wind trying to whip the camera out of my hand. Now, I've ridden in headwind before, but nothing that compared to this. Uuugh, It's going to be another long day. Who's idea was this?