Day 24, Ain't it Grand?

Well, they left me...again. This time they were off to the Grand Canyon for two days. They walked a four mile hike on the South Rim of the Canyon, and took plenty of pictures as you can see. She made me look at them all!! No matter, she left me with plenty of food and afterall, that is what is important. Right?

Sunset over the canyon.

She kept telling him....move just one more step....a little to your right...one more step....just one more step!

She said you can walk ten steps and get an entirely different view.

I don't know why they didn't bring these mountain goats home for me to play with!

Day 22, I see more dead people.

They left me for the day and moseyed on down to the Tombstone Territory. Of course, I was happy just relaxing in the sun!

Unfortunately, there were far too many "unmarked" graves here. However, there were a few that will no doubt, remain unique forever.

He was all bummed out because the OK Corral Gunfight was sold out. She was OK with it, because she got to shop!

Day 17, Elvis and Dead People

Well, here I am with my big, backyard fish. I haven't scoped out the lobster yet...maybe tomorrow. If only I could find a tuna this big!!

Since they are in the West now, this is what he makes her cook dinner in/on. It takes her FOREVER to get MY dinner!

And just for Lisa, they found the "Elvis in the Desert Chapel". Actually, it was a movie prop for such oldies as Gunsmoke, Rifleman, Wanted Dead or Alive, but they also filmed Elvis' only Western, Charro, there. All the other buildings burned in 2004, the the chapel was saved! Elvis LIVES.

They were also telling me about the Arizona Science Center they visited. The special exhibition was the Gunther von Hagens' "Bodyworld" exhibit. She told me it was a very odd experience, examining the musculo-skeleten remains. On the one hand, it was an awesome view to the inside workings of the body. On the other, she felt that Dr. von Hagens tiptoed a very fine line between anatomical teaching and artistic rendition. Nonetheless, everyone (and it was VERY crowded) was most respectful of the bodies. For her, it was somewhat a sad experience, knowing that these were very real people. No gum or photographs allowed. (Must not allow gum because someone might stick it on one of the exhibits and it might be mistaken for a tonsil or something.) However, here is a photo of the donar card, if anyone wants more information and is an exhibitionist at heart.

Day Fifteen Sun, Naps and Food; What else matters?

I'm always invited to lunch with them! Personally, I would trade the Diet Coke for some milk, but hey, who can beat fried chicken?

I can't get enough of this sand! And I've learned that if I roll around in it enough, she brushes me before letting me back in the house. Is this the life or what?

Some shade is good too!

Day 12, Sunning and sleeping

Here I am, lounging and resting under the shade of the cactus. Wait, there is no shade in this cactus! That’s OK, I’ll just mosey over to the patio after a bit. A cat could get used to this, very quickly.

She told me all about the dinner they had the other night. It was at a mining camp, called the….Mining Camp. No menu, just pay your money and sit down on long benches and tables. The plates, cups, and drinking vessels were made of metal. The waitress then brings you cole slaw, baked beans, thick slices of ham, broasted potatoes, baked chicken with gravy and dressing, racks of BBQ ribs, special recipe green beans, homemade sour dough rolls, homemade raisin bread and for desert….warmed homemade oatmeal cookies. This is an all you can eat deal, but there is just wayyyy too much food there! We don't know who these people are, and they didn't give us their names because they were too busy chowing down.

Day Eight, Lounging and the Dutchmans Mine

Here I am making friends with the seahorse. I just love the sand here in the back yard. I heard Him and Her talking about finding a 2 ½ mile hiking trail that they wanted to walk. Through the desert, no less. I just don’t understand these humans. Why would anyone want to hike miles through the desert just to look at some cactus? They have to wear long pants because of the snakes and cactus needles. Go figure. So much nicer just lounging in the back yard!

Oh, and they found the Lost Dutchman's Mine. Here it is, it lays in the 4:00 shadow of this marker, known as the Needle. Maybe that's why they are practicing their hiking.

Day Six: Lounging and Sunning

Here I am at my pool. I’m lovin’ the sunshine, but really miss the grass. Instead of grass, they have these rocks all over the place. Hurts the paws! She told me all about their trip to the ghost town and that it was very interesting….blah, blah, blah….I just want my tuna. She showed me all the pictures and the cactus look very cool.

She did tell me that she wouldn’t be going on any early pre-dawn walks anymore. Thank goodness, that means I can sleep in a bit. She said that a local told her that people avoid walking in the pre-dawn hours because of the coyotes, bobcats and get this….wild pigs. I’m beginning to feel all primitive!!

Day Four, Home at last, home at last.....temporary home at last

Well, here I am in my temporary home. Here I am on my Zebra rug, my leopard chair, my Jaguar throw, my leopard rug and my African jungle chair, complete with a giraffe for Isabella! It’s a jungle in this house!

Day Two, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico

More of the same today, only longer. I thought we were never going to get wherever we are going. Finally, we hit Albuquerque, in a snowstorm no less. I don’t know about these humans, trading one snowfall for another, 2,000 miles away, makes no sense to me. But hey, I’m smarter then them, anyway.

She took me out today and let me lay down on the front floor which, of course, was yummy because the heater was going full blast. I finally had a nice nap. She would hand-feed me treats and hold the water bowl for me. Eat your heart out, Duncan Dog.

Thank God the first thing she does when we hit the hotel is put up my litter box. I needed it today. Then she puts out all my food and treats. This is getting routine and I didn’t even try to hide tonight. Just jumped on a chair and crashed. Wait until they get me to Arizona. They won’t see me for three days!

I heard her laughing when they came back from dinner. Apparently, the New Mexico police stopped them while they were walking to the restaurant. He grilled them on their whereabouts and what business they had in the area. The officer was looking for a man in a dark jacket and blue jeans. Guess what the old man was wearing?