Cinnamon's Last Vacation Day Was Perfect

Here's the motel and the SUNSET!

It was late when we got in to the motel in Hope, B.C. We had planned to make it over the border and stay in the U.S. but the trip got started late. It wasn't MY fault!

I got a great big surprise when we reached our motel in Hope

The nice owner of Swiss Chalets Motel directed our car to park in front of a little cabin. And I saw.... a private YARD with GRASS and a picnic table. The first thing I did was roll in the clean green grass. Then my owner tied my 20 foot leash to the picnic table and I roamed the yard sniffing the trees and even chasing a Blue Jay.

Soon it was dinner time and I got to eat OUTSIDE! It was just like home. I slept inside, of course on a cushy quilt (you'll find out why later) and at 7 a.m. she had to drag me out of bed to get back on the road. I LOVED the little motel cabin in Hope, B.C.

Here I am checking out the Police Dog wood carving.

You should all come to visit Hope. It is surrounded by mountains and has walking paths and interesting carvings made out of trees. In fact, among all the bears, there was a tribute to a Police Dog! And, there was a sign pointing to DOG MOUNTAIN.

This must be where Canadian dogs go for vacation. They really respect their dogs in Hope!

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

BC Ferry Adventure: Upgraded to Business Class

Here we are driving onto the Ferry

It was a great day touring Northern British Columbia. We walked along Cow Bay enjoying the sunshine at Prince Rupert. I was very patient while they went grocery shopping and picked up bagels at Tim Horton's. In fact I was VERY PATIENT during the whole trip when we stopped at grocery stores to get things for friends at Sandspit. You see, they live on an island and groceries arrive only once a week at the little island store.

So back to the issue at paw. I am an experienced BC Ferry passenger. Last time I complained a bit because I had to ride in "steerage" while the people went up top to a cushy cabin with a porthole. I felt like a second class citizen as I rode in the bow of the ship in a locked car. The only good thing was that the car was loaded with food so I knew I'd never starve if we ended up marooned on a remote island somewhere!

So this time I had a plan. I made my move at the Overwaitea grocery store at Prince Rupert. I slinked from the back of the car up front and curled up in the driver's seat in the best coonie ball I could create. I was staking my territory. When they came back with their groceries they had to tell me to get back to my place. I was asleep and didn't want to move.

Here's the Breaker's Pub in Prince Rupert where THEY ate.

So next, they went to the Breaker's Pub for dinner leaving me with a handful of dog food and water. What's new, eh? After THEY had dinner we drove down to the ferry terminal and got in line. I was abruptly awakened for one last walk. I was so glad when I saw my friend who works at the Ferry Terminal. He always pets me.

I was even more glad when the BC Ferries staff member came over the loudspeaker and announced they would be loading. The sun was setting and I was more than ready to go to sleep. We were motioned on board and were assigned a place in the bow. That is near the A/C and I like that! I couldn't wait for the people to LEAVE! They locked the doors and as soon as they headed up to the passenger deck I JUMPED INTO THE FRONT SEAT for a long night's sleep.

See? I upgraded myself to Business Class. Enough of the dog seat. I was curled up on the driver's seat just like a human. I was cool. As the ferry left the dock, the hum of the engines put me to sleep. It was a smooth crossing and I was zonked.

At 5 a.m. the Purser came on the loudspeaker and announced that we were docking. OH NO! The people would be there too soon for me. I sleep until 9 a.m., don't ya know? OH NO! there they were coming to greet me. They unlocked the doors and I gave them a dirty look. It was TOO EARLY. They put up with my sleepiness but when the cars started disembarking I had to move. I was FORCED to return to the back seat. Grrrr.

So after we got off the ferry, we drove a bit to look at the sunrise. I got to see and smell beautiful Haida Gwaii. The cool air woke me up and I enjoyed the dawn. I'm ready for another Haida Gwaii adventure! (Well, after I take a nap).

Cinnamon, the Salty Sea Dog

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Cinnamon's Canadian Vacation - A Great Day!

This is the Visitors Centre at Williams Lake
With the Huge Logs

Today was a great travel day in British Columbia. We left Cache Creek and stopped at the Visitors Centre in Williams Lake.  It is so impressive they call it a Tourism Discovery Centre. It is made out of HUGE logs. But what impressed me was the sign on the door… “All Pets Welcome!”  That meant ME, CINNAMON… I GOT TO GO IN!

OMG... A treat!

I love going through doors and seeing what is inside buildings… especially when I am invited! So I went inside and strode up to the front desk. The pretty young lady said, “Welcome!” And then… AND THEN… she said “Do you want a dog treat?” I got so excited I barely could behave myself. Imagine me… getting a treat in Canada! It was a great little dog biscuit. I sure enjoyed it!

Here’s what they say about this amazing HUGE log building: The Tourism Discovery Centre is, in total, a 14,596 square foot log structure.  The log and timber frame was built by local log home builders.

The centre post with its flared root intact is approximately 10 feet across and rises over 52 feet.  It was sensitively harvested  (whatever that means) from Bella Coola and estimated to be 745 years old.  The building was kinda like being in the woods. I had fun going up the wood stairs, looking out over the beautiful lake and then, innocently walking close to the reception desk hoping for another biscuit. (I didn't get a second treat).

Here I am sniffing around the corn fields

This was a great stop but there was more fun ahead. We saw signs for Soda Creek U-Pick Corn. While I don’t like corn I DO like farms. Where there are farms there are usually dogs and cows and horses.

I got excited as we headed down the dirt and gravel road. What a view of the valley! And soon, we were down in the valley where they grew the corn. I got to get out and romp around the corn fields while they picked. I saw a horse but didn’t go over and check it out. I’ve learned that horses are MUCH BIGGER when you are close to them. No, thanks. Horses can stay in the distance.

We loaded up the corn to give to people on Haida Gwaii and drove back up the dirt road.

I am now in the motel  in Vanderhoof, the one with the trees and picnic tables. I can’t run loose so I think I’ll turn in. There is a fresh towel on my bed and a full bowl of water. Life is good on the road in Canada.

Love, Cinnamon, the ride-along hound.

Road Trip! Cinnamon needs a vacation

Guess where I'm going!

I need a vacation. I need to get my mind off "things." So I was excited when we began packing and my stuff was included. My Food. My Bed. My Leash. My Harness. My Shot Records. Yay! ROAD TRIP!

I'll bet I know where we are going... to the land of Maple Leaves, Bears and Totems.... Back to Canada. I am stoked! I am already forgetting my S*a*s. You see, in the backwoods of Canada, everyone looks like me. They don't expect me to be perfect after tangles with bears, moose, geese and the like. Tough dogs hang out in Canada. And in Canada, females are tough too!

There is a bit of a downside to travel. I had to have a BATH. I pretend I don't like my baths and only jump in the tub when I know I am trapped in the bathroom. But between you and me, I really like the attention and the towel rub after my bath. It feels good and I look pretty. I have been told I an a stinky coonie in the car if I don't have a bath. So I endured one (see how good I am?).

So we'll head out early and make it through Seattle and then to the border. Since I have everything in order, the border crossing should be a piece of cake (or dog biscuit?).

Here I am watching out the window on my last road trip.

I'll look out the window and watch for things. That will keep my mind off my personal appearance. I need that. I NEED A VACATION! I need to sit in a pub, sip a Kokanee and enjoy some fish and chips. (Mind you, I didn't get to do that last trip. Maybe this one will be better). A dog can dream, right?

The first night we'll make it to Cache Creek. That's where I stayed before. They have a grassy area and I can stay on the front porch if I am tied to a post. That's OK because I like to watch what the people are doing, especially if they are cooking.

Here I am at the motel in Cache Creek.
I look tired because, if you remember, I had an encounter with a bear!

The nice Korean family that owns the Sage Hills Motel petted me and were happy I had come to visit. And, they had a nice grassy place for me to romp a bit and eat grass, of course. I hope it is still there. I liked that place. They are "certified pet friendly."

So after a good sleep, it will be off for more of my Canadian Vacation Adventure. I'll be sure and write about it and send pictures, s*ar or not!

Love, Cinnamon, eh?

Cinnamon goes Wine Tasting in the Okanagan Valley of BC

Here I am in the car again.

It's my last day of this great Canadian adventure. I've seen bears and eagles. I've had rides on big and small ferries. I've gone fishing and sightseeing. But now I am on the way home. I'm getting tired of being in the car even though I often doze off during the trip. So, I wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

I sat up when we got there. I saw huge lakes and hills full of vineyards. A great place to romp and play, I thought! So when we got to a beautiful vineyard and tasting room overlooking a huge lake I was ready to get out of the car. Enough winding roads for me! It's time to play, right? WRONG!

Here I am out of the car at Ex Nihilo Winery. Yay!

They got out and LEFT ME with the windows slightly cracked just so I could hear them talking about Ex Nihilo Vineyards. Now, I'm a smart pup. I know that Ex Nihilo means "creation out of nothing." It didn't look like nothing to me! They had a big patio with cushy couches. I decided ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. They went into the tasting room where I fantasized that they had lots of dog treats available. I got so upset I bayed and howled and made a complete fool of myself in the car. I wanted OUT. And, I wanted OUT NOW!

They came running out to see what the fuss was all about. It was just me being FED UP WITH BEING LEFT IN THE CAR. They took a look and got me out of the car, went for a walk in the vineyards so I could calm down and then we went over to the nice patio area.

The really nice lady in the tasting room brought their tasting outside! She also brought a book that told about the art that represented the creation story and inspired the name of the winery. They were nice to me and took my picture. They, however, gave me neither treats nor wine. But it was nice to be part of the tasting experience. After purchasing two bottles of wine AND NOTHING FOR ME it was off down the steep roads to another place.

Here's the nice lady telling me the story about the winery.

Here I am sniffing around the vineyard.

But first we passed some interesting wineries with creative names. There was Clean Slate Winery, Black Widow Winery,  Laughing Stock Winery and more. I kept occupied looking at the names and wondering what was down those country roads.

Soon we pulled in to a place called Therapy Vineyards.  It was therapy FOR ME when they invited ME into the tasting room! They even had a dog water bowl outside. I loved it. The people tasting wine petted me and told me how pretty I was. I think I like wine tasting after all!

After a brief walk in the Therapy vineyards, we were off for a longer drive with lake views. I had taken to laying down in back with my eyes open watching the scenery go by. Sometimes I dozed but I was always alert, just in case we went someplace I wanted to go. (Yeah, right!)

Here I am getting some petting therapy at Therapy.

So we headed out a country road and turned toward a massive hillside estate surrounded by acres of vineyards. This would be a great place for romping and chasing a ball! As we parked at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. I noticed that they had a restaurant with a deck overlooking the valley. I would be happy to wait there, in the shade while they went wine tasting... really! Naaah. I stayed in the car, even though they were dog friendly in there.

They even sold Winery Dogs of BC Calendars in the gift shop. Now that would have been a GREAT GIFT FOR ME! But no, NOTHING for poor Cinnamon. :(

I wish I had this calendar as a souvenir.

I was happy when we left and drove across the border back to the good ol' USA and a really nice motel with lots of grass and a place where I could stay outside and watch the rain clouds gathering. It was a nice evening, they cooked dinner outside and even shared a piece of smoked salmon WITH ME! The next day I would be home to tell my friends at the dog park all about my adventure to Canada.

But for now, I just want to sleep.
Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography