2017 Dear Diary
Dear Diary,
December 18-….
Padre Island and…THE BEACH!
I love the beach! I even walked in the water my first day here…and guess what? Yup, a wave got me- darn it all- they always sneak up on me! I got hit right up to my chest! But the water here is pretty warm 🙂 My fur is REALLY long, so I dragged a ton of sand back to the camper- and then he took me to the shower rinsing place and hosed me down- YUCK! And then this happened: what a mess!
I hear I am getting groomed this week- I can’t wait! OMG! Don’t tell them, but it was one of the best grooming places ever! Fancy Paws it’s called- yup that’s me! Now my hair is short, and the weather is cooler- go figure!
Look what I got for Christmas!! This chewy has 3000 calories! whatever a calorie is…so I only get it a few minutes a day, which is okay because this thing takes a lot of work! 
It’s pretty laid back here- mostly quiet, except for those generator things…geesh! I’ve met a lot of dogs- Noah lives on one side- a little Chihuahua- he barks a bit. Phoebe is a Pomerainian and sooooo fat…oops I mean “plus size” 😉 Spoiled rotten too! Little dogs are such a waste of time…just saying 🙂 Then there is a lab across the way- he’s running loose a lot and is person chases him a lot- ya gotta wonder. And a lab puppy came in yesterday- Dakota- his people didn’t know there were burrs in the grass- the poor thing couldn’t even walk- my person filled them in on the dangers here.
Hey, what to you think of our Christmas Tree? 
Pretty nifty, huh? But where’s the snow? Oh wait, it’s up NORTH- where you all are, lucky dogs that you are…not! Okay, she’s telling me to play nice and not be so smug…Merry Christmas!
not too confused,
Rhylee
Dear Diary,
December 15, 2017
Not much going on…drive a while and then camp a few days, hike a bit, nap a lot 🙂 This is the life! Oh, and Cheezits! Did I tell you about Cheezits? Oh, yeah, I did, didn’t I? Old age is setting in on my brain, I guess. Anyway, I see that Cheezit box coming out of the cupboard and I am right there, looking my cutuest and most forlorn….works every time! Yuuummy!
Another bath….UGH! will that ever end? I need a cut, but groomers are always so busy with “foo foo” dogs and can’t fit in a black-haired styling dog like me! This lady talked non-stop while she bathed me, she did a good job, until…that dang blow dryer…I came out looking about 20 lbs heavier, and I only weigh 35 to begin with! I hope my people can get me a cut when we get to the beach, I can only imagine the amount of sand my long locks will collect walking the beach every day 🙂
seriously confused,
Rhylee
Dear Diary,
November 28, 2017
What’s a Cavern? Why do I ask? Because I couldn’t go see them! It is SO not fair; just because I am a dog! So, I got to take long naps all-by-myself!
And then- they took me out with them- YAY, but they took me to a car wash…which had a dog wash, too. YUCK! I was really dirty and dusty, and I like being clean, but I don’t like getting clean much…it was not a good afternoon for me.
We’re in TEXAS now! I guess it’s some place cool, I dunno…but I did get to take a nature hike today at Guadalupe National Park. Not much to do in Big Bend, though- 
walk around the campground, nap while my people go do stuff…and then…we got snow…really? I thought we went down south to AVOID snow…and LOOK!
My people made get out to take a picture UGH!
Dear Diary,
November 24, 2017
This day deserves it’s own entry to my diary. Sledding and Ice Cream, what more can a dog want? Check out these pictures:
A place called White Sands – it was hot- especially for a black puppy like me- and it was NOT snow! We went sledding down a sand dune. She did it first and I didn’t really want to- it looked kind of scary, but she laughed and then he was going down, and I didn’t want to be left out or look like a sissy, so off we went! It was pretty fun for sure, but wicked hard to walk back up- I needed help…
Then we let a family use our sled and the kids really like me…of course. He tried to get me to go down again, but nah ahh, nothing doing. We headed back to the truck and once I saw that it was down another dune, I was happy to sled down with her one last time! It was NOT snow, it was not cold…I am so confused…
And then, as if that was not enough for one day, we went for ice cream and I got my very own ice cream and cone! It was SOOOO good- can’t you tell?
What a day! Time for a long nap!
confused, but smiling,
Rhylee
November, 2017
Dear Diary,
On the road again…we don’t seem to stay long anyplace—I sure did like the long naps I got at that Grand Canyon place…
Guess what? I discovered a food called “Cheezits”! They come in a red box, and she likes them a lot, and when I look at her all cute and droopy eyed she gives me CHEEZITS! I am SO lucky!
Today, I drank from the Little Colorado River! It was okay, and felt good on my feet. Walking here is really hard; there are tons of little burr thingies everywhere- I had them in my foot pads and up my legs after just a few minutes- and it hurt! So, I couldn’t go on the hike today….so I took a nap!
We went to a big RV park- lots of dogs, which I like but am not supposed to bark at…and then lots of shopping…geesh…whatever do they keep buying? Oh wait, at the bread place, he bought me really awesome biscuits- big, hard, crunchy and soooo yummy. Okay, keep shopping We hiked up a volcano, whatever that is, the rocks were big and black- kinda like me. 
But I crave the peace and quiet of off road camping.
Oh yeah, I got my off road quiet- San Lorenzo Canyon- and I got to hike OFF LEASH up this long dry river bed and a smaller side canyon- he had to toss me up and over some high spots which were dry falls this time of year.
More BURRS at another lava campground!
OUCH! tiny little burrs that stick in my foot pads. They used gloves and pliers to get them out! I’m only walking on pavement around here, that’s for sure!
Limpingly confused,
Rhylee
Dear Diary,
November
Grand Canyon
Big Whoop! I can’t even get down to the river for a drink…geesh! I am allowed to walk the rim trail and it is pretty cool-sometimes I can slip under the railing for a closer look… This was actually at the Little Colorado Gorge.
I have to spend a lot of time alone in the camper—lovely long naps, peace and quiet, but I do miss my people. When they come back I act all sulky and they give me lots of treats;-) Boy, have I got them in the palm of my hand…I mean paw, does my paw even have a palm?
They hiked today…without me…I coulda done that hike, too! But they took me up to the rim later in the afternoon. 
I met some nice people- why does everyone say I am “sooo cute”, but never feed me? We saw 4 mule deer close to the trail- well my people saw them- I didn’t notice them until they ran away- bad eyes, don’t ya know? And the next night we saw two Elk, but they ignored me, so I ignored them!
yours in confusion,
Rhylee
October…
Dear Diary,
This national park let me in…to part of it…but my people and I got in a great walk and they saw Pueblo ruins, whatever they are. 
See this photo- they told me that was going to be my new dog house if I didn’t behave…say what? How the heck do I get there?
Then they left me home all alone one day. The up side was that I didn’t have to ride anywhere, but the down side was that I was all alone in the camper all day
– which also was an upside- peace and quiet, no nagging, can you see me in with all the shoes? I sure did get hungry (I ate my lunch as soon as they left 😉 I sure was happy to see them when they got home! And they obviously missed me, as they proceeded to spoil me- I got another lunch, salmon treats and Cheezits! And oh, did I mention, I really like this new camper- I have tons more room!
They made me hike today- didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go- I coulda stayed back at the camper, right?
I actually liked the hike, but it was really long and lots of big rocks! But I did get some really good fish treats- yummy! It was a long and dusty trail.
And today I went to the spa- a lovely bath! I musta been carrying around a pound or two of Colorado dirt and dust! My fur was almost gray! But now I am clean and my fur is all “fluffy and puffy”-that’s what she says anyway! Of course, I had to act like I didn’t like the whole bath thing- just to keep him wondering 😉
Four Corners- what ever that is- my people made me walk around the outside and took my picture in the desert four times…why?
I guess it’s kind of cool, I just don’t know why… what do you think?
and of course, this all confuses me,
Rhylee
Dear Diary,
Sand? Really? I get hollered at all the time when I track in dirt and dust on my feet, so what do they do…they take me to Sand Dunes….monstrous sand dunes. I’m gonna catch it, I just know it! But, they were kind of cool! First we had to cross a stream- Medano Creek (it tasted okay, not great) and then for all I could see in all directions- including up- was SAND! 
We walked and walked- and I was out of breath- (elevation, not my age 🙂 and then we rested and they let me dig in the sand- it was cold underneath. On the way down, she walked over the edge and started sliding down, however she had my leash, so guess what?- over I went, I sunk knee deep and barely could move, yet I was going down the dune- it was kind of scary, but fun too.
And now we’re at another creek- this one is fast and COLD and yummy! Don’t know where we’re going, but it’s a-ok by me!
happily confused,
Rhylee
October…
Dear Diary,
We moved into a new camper- I was sad, as you can see, to leave the old home, but I gotta say, this new place is really nice, except for one thing- my people are TOO far away. I mean, really, she can be at one end and he at the other- it’s like 20 feet apart! How am I ever going to keep them both in sight? And then he goes to the truck, or she sits outside…geesh! But, the truck doesn’t rock and roll so much now…much better on my tummy, just don’t tell her, okay? I gotta keep those snacks coming!
We went to this cool rocky place and they let me in! And I was the only canine there for over 2 hours before other mutts showed up. I made TONS of new friends, too- I am soooo good at that! One hike was full of steps, and steps and steps, but I did them ALL! well, not quite at one point near the top, the steps were two timbers high- really? They were as tall as me…well almost…so I accepted some help from him. I showed up some other hikers, too!
And look at this pic- that is Pikes Peak in the background- whatever that is- and we are looking through something called the Siamese Twins. Don’t I look great?
And then we drove UP that mountain…big whoop…it was twisty and turny and hurt my ears (of course, that meant she gave me lots of treats 🙂 But look at me at the top!
October 5, 2017
Dear Diary,
WATER! and not salty water either! I am becoming a (conniseour) of the Waters of America! And I am finding the waters of the High Desert West are spectacular- especially when compared to the Pacific Ocean.
Rockport Resevoir in Utah was good water, rather warm though. But then, the Colorado River- I had heard that this was a famous river, something about a big canyon, but I gotta tell ya, the water was really muddy, not bad tasting but a bit thick! And then I found Cimarron Creek- yummy! crisp and clear! I heard the river running before we even got close, but getting down to it was a bit tricky- Steep sides, fast running, but oh my, I just knew it was gonna be good! Finally, my people found a place to get me down to the edge- this water- what can I say? It was crystal clear, fast running, a great bouquet, obviously this had been a good year. I did have to be careful not to walk out far- I like to test the waters with all four feet when I can.
(Can you believe that on this 3 mile hike, my people actually offered me bottled water out of a plastic bowl??? After tasting the lovely Cimarron, why would I even bother? I turned my nose up at it!)
Next up- a little creek that runs into the Arkansas- it’s running fast, but I braved it and drank with all four feet in it! Sooooo good!
All of this is reminiscent of the great tasting Salmon River in Idaho, when for days and days I drank from that ever so sweet river.
Quenched, but confused,
Rhylee 
Mid-September
Dear DiaryAnd now it is the desert! but not hot. Cool canyons, but the bushes have sharp burrs that get stuck in my fur- OUCH!
And then, my people, who swore they would not get us into snow- drove up a canyon that was covered in SNOW- lots of snow! and cold, too! UGH!! It’s like being in Maine, but I did like the snow, I love to eat it!
And back to the desert- something called salt flats. They mad me hike WAY up this hill, but we went into a cave! Cool! Walking is hard here, because the ground is all loose gravelly rocks and all the plants are spiny!
We’re heading to see Derek! I thought he got kicked outta the tribe, but apparently he has more important things to do most of the time. But, he did cook me a biscuit on the campfire. However, I had to go to something called “doggie daycare”, which I was told would be fun- Lies, all Lies! About 30 dogs ran around and barked the whole time. I had NO privacy. Finally, I found a corner where I could keep a watch for sneak attacks and out the window for my people to come save me! This was all for Derek, my buddy. I couldn’t go to the Guard Base where he was leaving from…so I did MY part for him and our soldiers by going to doggie day care…
On the move again- something about getting a new rig with more room.WHAT? more room? How will I ever keep my eye on both of my people now?
will the confusion never end?
Rhylee 
Dear Diary,
So, get this- I am not allowed on the trails in this Redwood Forest- apparently “they” think I might “stress” the trees…really? These trees are SO BIG, they don’t even know I exist! But I get it- lots of dogs in the woods would impact the wildlife and leave deposits (my people clean up after me!). And all this means that I have had a restful couple of days- napping in the truck while they go look at big trees- I mean really, once you’ve seen one big tree…
Another bad deal for me is that they lock up ALL the food every night, and don’t leave any scraps under the picnic table- something called “Crumb Clean”- to keep the bears away- I would like to see a bear, myself, but it’s not gonna happen here!
hungry and confused,
Rhylee
Mid-September
Dear Diary,
The days are blending together- I dunno where I am, and I don’t really care- so long as my people are close by and I get food and water. Life is sweet! We walk beaches, I bark at dogs (and get spoken to 😦 I meet kids that like me, I drink the ocean water- yuck! I sleep in the sand, or pine needles or my bed…what more could a guy want?
I kinda like the waves, but don’t tell them, okay? I walk along just on the edge and then walk in a bit, pretending to not notice the waves coming! I like the feel of the ocean on my feet and legs, but sometimes I misjudge and it hits my tummy – I don’t really like that part though. It’s cold, too cold really- I wish it was warm enough to lay in- shoulda taken advantage of those hot springs I guess.
But, the things I must endure- check these pics out-
left in the truck again…
…then made to trudge another beach- this one had big ol’ tree stumps in the sand, and then they spent SO much time watching a sea lion on the shore. I mean, really, I’m so much more interesting than a silly old sea lion! And the water is always salty here- and I am always thirsty- it’s just not fair.
OMG- another beach, will it never end? And look at this pic…what the heck? And of course, I got hit with a wave; when will I learn- 1.) you can’t drink outta the ocean and 2.) as soon as you turn your back a bigger wave will come in and get ya! geesh!
as always, your confused,
Rhylee
August something 🙂
Dear Diary,
Idaho- the potato place, not that I get to eat them!
I met a new dog- Milo. I tried to make friends, and barked a greeting and he barked and barked back, but then I guess I scared him- he ran back to his person- his person runs this campground! I was afraid I might have got us kicked out. I have my own beach on the Salmon River- I love the taste of the river water! But I don’t like to get anymore than my toes wet.
And of course that means that my people had to take me to something called a hot spring- geesh- too hot here, too cold there, no place to sit without rocks under my butt. And nobody paid attention to me. Until they decided to give me a bath in the water- I complained and shivered my very best, but, truth be told, I kind of liked it 😉
A new person has joined our tribe, her son- Derek- hope he doesn’t stay long, just saying. But, I did get a day at the spa- a lovely trim, bath and fluff- not sure what the heck they were doing, but I know I had a better time. And then…we went rafting- not water and boats again? They threw me in a boat that leaked- the water came right up through the bottom- super easy for getting a drink though. Some lady steered the boat while my people just sat and looked around, until all of a sudden that man Derek was in the river! Say what? Did he fall in? It wasn’t like it was rough. I guess he jumped in, but I dunno why- the water is wicked cold! Anyway it was kind of fun just floating down the river, drinking out of the bottom and minding my own business!
I’m sad…Derek’s gone- just when he was starting to pay attention to me and feed me good stuff, not sure why he left. Maybe he was kicked out, I heard something about a deployment- that doesn’t sound good. Oh well, later dude!
And now we are off again to explore… seems like this hot water out of the rocks is a big thing around here- it is too hot and tastes nasty, but I do like the river water- some good!
A new Walmart every day- I don’t get it, something about something called an eclipse- thinking I am not gonna like it. But my people are with me every day and that makes life sweet.
Confused but happy,
Rhylee
July 31, 2017
Dear Diary,
And now it is all about altitude, or do they mean attitude? I duno… Bighorn someplace. The thunder storms are some scary! They shake the camper, light the whole place up even with all the shades closed. And they last for hours! SO, what’s a dog like me to do, I ask? I dig. I dig up my blanket and try to block it all out, but I can’t. My people, nicely, keep telling me to stop and they try to comfort me, but I’m not having it. We could all DIE, I tell you!
And then, we moved to the desert and the wind blew so hard the camper rocked and rolled all night!
We were at Bighorn Canyon- see?
Now we are in a nice quiet campground and we aren’t running around in the truck! We went down to the river- she waded and I followed…what an idiot I am sometimes! They got me all wet, said something about smelling like a dog…well? I am a DOG! geesh!
On another note, I’ve decided to not bark at every dog- little runty ones I ignore completely :-)Other dogs? well I think about it, woof a bit, and then see the reaction of my people 😉 Sometimes I can’t help myself and bark a lot! Man, my people sure don’t like that! So, I try to not bark so much- I get more pets and treats that way- seems to be working to my advantage.
So, at this place called Divide, I was totally ignored, as you see- I mean really, can’t you share, dude? Can’t you FEEL my eyes driving right into your back?
And then… it was like walking the plank. Ed, who I thought was a friend, made this step for when the camper is off the truck. I guess just for me, but now I am expected to climb all those steps on my own- when will these indignities stop? Thanks, Ed 🙂
so confused, I haven’t the energy to even put my paw print up here,
Rhylee
Dear Diary,
I met the most interesting dogs ever the other day- eye to eye too. And I gave them my friendly greeting- woof, woof, woofwoof. But they did not reply. In fact neither of them even looked at me, although we were just about eye to eye. My people said one was called Bison and the other two Burro- odd names, don’t you think?
I’m living in a really nice campground, lots of little people that come over and pet me and talk to me! And lots of other dogs, too. I bark my greeting to them, but no one- dogs or owners, seem to like that- all introverts, I guess!
Bees I have heard my people repeat way too often. Anyway, it’s been kind of boring, but one day I met someone with MY name- but she spelled it Riley- and she is my size 
and doesn’t talk, just make sounds like me! She fed me kibble and held my leash and squealed with delight to her parents. Here we are:
And then we hiked…why? I ask…
Confuse and SO tired,
Rhylee
July 19, 2017
Dear Diary,
What to say? Ride in truck, get out to pee, burn my feet, get back in truck, go to campground and wait for my people to get the AC going so I can get in and take a nap. I look out the window sometimes and am mesmerized by the corn, then soybeans, then corn, then soybeans…you get the picture, right?
I’ve had a slip up…they have figured out that I kinda do like riding in the truck- it’s cool, I get treats, and I almost fell asleep in my seat today! However, it was SO hot today that I got my very own ice cream- vanilla soft serve- it was soooo good, and cold, but they wouldn’t let me have all of it! My tongue did get kind of numb…just saying.
Hey, look at these prints –
Not MINE! (as you can see by comparing them) Someone visited our stoop the other night!
Confused, but cool, Rhylee
July 13, 2017
Dear Diary,
As always, my people are trying to get me in trouble…can you read that sign? Because I can’t, but I am pretty sure I am not supposed to be on this wall…just saying…
Despite that episode, life was pretty good, but then…I got sick, they say my “gastro system” wasn’t working right…whatever that means. Coulda been those cherries I ate, or the creek I drank out of, or…who knows? So, they took me to a dog hospital and I met lots of really nice vet type people. And I got medicine. I’m doing better, and am getting lots of extra attention, but no mor cherries.
I waded in Lake Erie- it’s like the ocean only the waves are smaller and the water is good to drink, not salty. And that same day, they took me to a dog wash for a bath. I acted like I didn’t like it, but I did, and I smell really good now – something called Cactus Aloe…mmmmmmm….
Every day we pack up, drive, stop, unpack and do it all again the next day. I keep wondering when we are going to get there…wherever there is…
still confused,
Rhylee
July 7, 2017
New York, New York
Dear Diary
Oh, the life I lead. I have my people on the end of a string…oh wait, it’s me that’s on the end of a leash, but not always! I got to hike most of Mt. Olga off leash, until I got carried away with the downhill part, literally carried away it was so steep. And so, he had to put me back on the leash…geesh, can’t a guy get a little slack once in a while?
It has been rather dull though- remember how I said they think I get motion sick in the truck? Well, I got her to give me a treat every time we head out- something about settling my stomach:-) I gotta tell you, it does settle my stomach, who doesn’t like a full belly? Wonder if I could get them to just put in an automatic dispenser in for me?
Chain gang, today- breaking rocks, not sure why. Something about rhinestones on my collar…I dunno… I am some grateful I do not have opposing thumbs today. They are working hard and I am supervising- just the way it should be!
Confused, but happy,
Rhylee
July 2, 2017
What’s a Doppleganger, anyway?
We are OFF! Hurray! It is about time! Do you have any idea how long it took my people to get their acts together to get this rig on the road? Months…and months…geesh. But finally we have left! I don’t really like the riding in the truck part, however, the sad face I show gets me lots of attention and food! I am SO smart!
Anyway, kind of quiet for the most part, but, I did meet my doppleganger, whatever that is. We were visiting a campground to dump (humans have such weird habits 🙂 and there was a dog that looked just like ME! We coulda been twins, or maybe we were brothers from another mother? It was kind of weird, I mean, really, another ME? I did notice though that I have much more personality than that other dog…just saying…
Rest, sweet, sweet rest…
Confused, but happy,
Rhylee 
April 25, 2017
Dear Diary,
We went in the camper- YAY! but then we came back to houses boo hoo!
They teased me for months and months, in and out of the camper, back and forth to the shop. But that camper was not on the truck, so I knew it wasn’t going anywhere. Sometimes they made me ride in the truck, but the camper was not on the back, so I knew better than to think we were going anywhere fun!
BUT, let me tell you about my new vantage point in the truck- I am up high with a view of all that surrounds me, kind of like a throne, because I am royalty, ya know. AND, my seat is like a tray on runners- it slides out, so my people can pick me up easily and get me out! Did I mention that I have a bad leg? Well, actually I have two bad back legs- or so my people seem to think 😉
I hear that they will post a pic of my space one of these days- don’t hold your breath, this place (all of them) is a zoo- and not ’cause I am an animal either!
Even though I am still confused, I am so very happy that we are almost ready to live in the camper. I love it in there- my people just within reach, lots of attention and so many new things to see and do.
Happily confused,
Rhylee
Our Home Is Here...Today... 