Travel | Water Dog Site

Whistler (After cruise from Sucia Island To Laconner Marina)

Monday July 9th to Friday 20th 2018

Trip Distance 30 nm

Sucia Island To Laconner Marina (Top left to bottom right)

We got out of Sucia Island Fossil Bay Around 9 am for the trip to Laconner Marina where we are docking Water Dog for 10 day’s while we drive over to Whistler to visit our friends at Whistler Ski resort where we had two rental houses. Real nice clear day yet again for the cruise over.

Mount Baker visible on the way from Sucia Island To Laconner Marina

Directly across from the dock where we are keeping Water Dog log booms are being loaded up from land via front end loader to water waiting for a tug to come along and pull them over for processing at some local processing plant.

Our good boating friends Vince and Pam on Tugzilla loaned us their truck to head up to Whistler. It was sprinkling that morning but still a beautiful drive up the coast of Howe sound.

We met my best friend’s (39 years and counting) family and had two houses near downtown Whistler. Jenny’s mom has been hosting family legacy trips for the past 6 years and I have been invited to most which has been very special.

We met in 1980, she was my resident assistant at UF Honors dorm.

Our first day in Whistler we visited Nairn Falls for a walk along the river to the falls. The rivers are amazingly powerful! We say many but could not let the dogs in off leash as they easily could be swept away in the fast and strong current.

Another cool walk and place to visit is the Whistler Train Wreck. In the 50’s a train derailed. A few train cars where pulled off the track a ways up in the woods and have been painted with some real nice graffiti. Locals also made some bicycle jumps since Whistler is a mountain biker’s mecca.

The hike starts in a parking lot in Function Junction and you walk along the river rapids and the rail road tracks for a couple kilometers.

Patty and Alex Train Wreck Hike, Cheakamus river falls.

Train Wreck Hike, the glacier fed river is such a beautiful teal color.

Whomever painted the graffiti on the 5-6 box cars did a great job.

Our next visit was too Brandywine falls where you take a short 200m walk to the over look past the falls.

We took a hike on the way back from the falls to the bungee jump bridge area where you can bungee jump for $140. Alex and Leah wanted to do it but not me!

We saw some people at the bottom of the falls and I (patty) had read about a path down to the bottom of the falls. At the 2nd furthest overlook Alex noticed a path going off past the fence which we suspected was the way down I had read about. On our last day Alex, myself, Leah and her friend Sheila came back sans dogs for an off trail excursion to the bottom. Had a nice snack on some wild blueberrys on the way back on trail.

Shiela, Leah and Patty On Brandywine Trail

The Whistler visit was very fun. Family dinners, hikes, waterfalls, exploring town and some excursions. We did bear watching, climbed to the top of a ski jump and did a tree walk in the high cedars. Ben biked twice. Crashed on day one but still had fun. This was the first year Alex joined us for the entire trip and the dogs were along so a great time was had by all.

Teenager wake up crew. Not really doing a good job but Ben’s head is up

Happy Anniversary Alex and Patty, 21 years! Sandra (right front) married us 21 years ago July 12, 1997.

Alex and Ben made pizza (from a box)…notice the eating theme

Bear watching on the ski slopes. They plant clover to stabilize the slopes and when it blooms the bears graze it as would cattle. The berries will be out in August. Interestingly the concentration of bears is higher on the mountain due to better availability of food.

We were lucky to see 12 bears in the early evening drive on the mountain slopes.

Hikes and waterfalls!

Alex, Leah, Sheila and Patty made it to the top!

A little atypical hike…up the ski jump at the Olympic Park. Quite the walk up the stairs then an easy stroll down the mountain on the access road.

We all rode the gondola up to the top of Whistlter mountain. Took the peak to peak Gondola and explored a bit on Blacomb then back to Whistler. Sandra and Ed hung out at the Round House grill (amazing view) and some of us took an open chair lift to the very top and then walked down through the melting snow.

Red snow is actually a cryo loving algae.

Dog fun too!

Terra approved Whistler…classic roll in the grass!

On the ride back to LaConner we stopped on the road for a short visit to Shannon Falls.

Big Bend National Park

Thursday February 15^th

Off to Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend is a beautiful place with great hiking but dogs are only allowed where cars can drive so no hiking with them unless you are on a paved or dirt road.

Stopped at panther Junction to get camping permit for the primitive road camp sites but all was full and we would need to stay over night outside the park! Presidents day weekend ugh…

Primitive camping in Big Bend is first come first serve where you get a two week window for 12$ where the ranger at Panther Junction will tell you what sites are available on what day’s and you can pick the night and locations you want.

We did pay and get assigned Gravel pit 3 for one night then 2 nights at Paint gap 2 (dispersed campgrounds, dry camping).

Since nothing available the night we arrived so they send people like us to Stillwell ranch or Terlingua which is just outside of NW park entrance. We ended up at Terlingua Resort in parking lot type place for the night.

The people running it where real nice and there are some nice walks out back of the park and dogs did get to run a bit.

To burn some time for the afternoon we drove over from the camp ground to the Terlingua Ghost Town which contained a store, bar/theater, an art gallery and coffe shop and some old adobe ruins.

Very interesting place to stop with a certain desert counter culture vibe to it.

In front of the art gallery is a molten metal slag heap of gears etc melted together from an oil well fire.

Art Gallery Oil Well Blow Out Fire Slag Art

Friday February 16^th we did driving tour. Left Terlingue and went back into park. Immediate SW took Old Maverick dirt road after entering park down to St Elena Canyon (made by Rio Grande, 1500 foot cliffs).

The road was well graded and any car could travel it.

On the way we stopped at a marker for Luna’s Jacal where Gilberto Luna lived, pretty amazing he lived to 108. Very primitive and makes you think of the huge disparity of all the things we think we need verses what you actually require.

At Santa Elena Canyon Trail Took 1.6 mile hike into canyon (no dogs).

The trail starts on the US side of the Rio Grand, with Mexico on the far side, and winds up the canyon wall to the right.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail View Back To Trail Head

We then drove on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and saw Mule Ear and had lunch at an overlook.

Lunch At Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Overlook

Then went back out to the main drag Hwy 118 past Panther Junction to SE edge of park near Rio Grande Village and took walk to Boquillas Canyon which was another short hike.

You will find Mexican wire art and walking sticks left by Mexican’s for sale in little piles on the trail where you can purchase by leaving money in can next to items. Park Service does not want you to buy of course.

Boquillas Canyon Trail Mexican Guy’s Across Rio Grande

Then drove to our Gravel Pit 3 camp down river road then gravel pit road. Ended up being pretty nice as we could walk down to river. DOOnt let the Gravel Pit name put you off, would say this was a lot nicer than what we saw at Pain Gap. Dogs had a swim, saw a Mexican horse but no illegal immigrants ?. Had Calm night (No fire) but I heard someone in middle of night drive up which scared me a bit…just someone camping I guess.

Saturday Feburary 17^th: Drove to Chisos Basin from Gravel Pit and had a long range view from road of mountains the basin is in.

Chisos Basin In Background from Road On Drive Up From Gravel Pit

When you get to the high point of Chisoc Basin Road you get a view down in to the basin where the camp ground is. The entry to camp ground is on the right once you descend in to the basin.

Chisos Basin Camp Ground from Above On entry Road

We were lucky and the camp hosts gave us a site that some had reserved and had not shown up and found a campsite as we got there around 12pm. This is a very pretty camp ground with pretty good privacy for how crowded it is. Also a great place to take guest hikes from since multiple trail heads are within walking distance.

Then hiked to the Window trail that start right in camp ground.

Illegal hike in afternoon with dogs from campground to lodge and Alex had a drink.

Lots of small rental units around the lodge for rent with many nationalities from around the world taking advantage of them.

Then went to check out our Paint Gap camp which had a nice view of the outside of the basin but was a dust pit with no cell service. Decided to drive on to Lajitas and stayed in Lajitas Golf Resort campground. It was ok…just had soup and went to bed.

Seminole Canyon State park

Tuesday February 13^th

Headed south towards Big Bend with plans to stay at Seminole Canyon State park for two nights. Arrived around 2-3 pm. Opted for electric site with pretty good cell service at the sites at the end of camp ground past first set of sites.

Some neighbors in Cougar 5^th wheel from Netherlands and Canada. They spend six months traveling and six months in Netherlands.

We chilled that afternoon and planned (and did) stay two nights.

Wednesday February 14^th we took nice rim hike (about 7.5 miles) with dogs. It went to rim and overlook on Pecos river canyon joining Seminole Canyon then out to border/ Rio Grande where the Pecos river dumps into the Rio Grande.

The trail starts at the lower camp ground at point A on map on the Rio Grande Trail, click on map below to enlarge. We then took a left at point C on Canyon Rim Trail. Keeping left at point B takes you to the Panther Cave Overlook where you can see the Glyph’s across the river if you have binoc’s or a zoom. We then completed the loop around the bend on the Mexico border back to point D on the Rio Grande Trail.

Canyons are deep with steep walls. Not a border crossing area hear. At end of trail there are petroglyphs across the way, only can get there by boat but we could just see large panther tail. The Glyphs are across the river and using the camera zoom was able to get a decent idea what they look like.

Petroglyphs Over Look Sign, Glyphs Across Canyon

Petroglyphs Over Look Glyphs Across River

Picture of left side of Glyphs, if you click on picture and zoom in you can see fan shapes on bottom of 4th and 5th figures to the left of panther on over look sign.

Got back and chilled then cooked dinner and left next day. Rio grand slow here as down stream is large Amistad national reservoir.

Natchez Mississippi to Garner State Park Texas

Sunday Feb 11^thTo Feb 12 th

We left Natchez early Sunday morning to go to Garner State Park for some hiking on some trails we had read about taking small back roads as usual.

Route: HWY 21 SW, then 12, then 32west, then 3424 South, then 306w, then 281north, then 473W, then 27 through Comfort, TX. Then 39 scenic route SW to 83 south then 1050 to the state park.

On the way over to Garner Patty found the highly rated Picket House Restaurant which is in an old house and serves boarding house style fixed menu. The walls are covered with antique circus posters and would recommend a stop there.

Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, biscuits/corn bread was very good and very unique.

Once done with lunch we ran in to a very cool small town Comfort Texas: stopped for coffee at Highs Coffe shop, had a bunch of old buildings made of limestone. Went in antique mall and found an ice cream scoop to give to Richard.

On Highway 39 we were along the Guadalupe river, very cool but not much river access as mostly youth camps and residences. Saw one public boat ranch

On HWY 39 and 83 we saw a bunch of big ranches with very tall fences. I guessed and then later confirmed these were game hunting ranches with exotic ungulates as well as dear and pigs.

This is the hill country of Texas and is dry but beautiful.

Arrived at Garner: had site 143 in river crossing camp which had nice river view.

This place is great on the off season while we are here but during the summer seems very popular with the crowds. Has putt putt course and boat rental and tube rental and shuttles so likely in hot Texas summer its very crowded.

Walked Blynn river trail that evening very clear fairly rapid flowing river, The river is the Rio Frio which means cold river.

Dogs got wet fun!

Dogs at Garner State Park Blyn River Behind Camp Site

Had Taco Soup from Alice for dinner ?

It seems during season the Texas two step is popular at the “Dancing The Nights Away” at the “Garners Historic Pavilion”.

Monday February 12^th

Woke up early and took near 5 mile hike on park trails Blyn River to Bridges trail to Foshee trail up to Old Baldy then down. Great hike with awesome views. Dogs swam at beginning as we started on the Blynn River trail.

Got back from hike and had chile. Hope to have fire tonight…we did eventually, burned half our wood.

New Orleans To Natchez

Friday February 9^th,

Left around 10am. Stopped at Macon’s house as he wanted to see the rig. Drove a bit on I-10 through Baton Rouge then scenic HWY 61 to Natchez. Stayed at Natchez tourist visitor center parking lot with electric for free for two nights!

Really nice town and we discovered that Natchez Mardi Gras was the next night so decided to stay another night to see it.Basically the parking lot with 15A outlets at each space.

A lot of road noise and a parking slots not level. Got fairly level by putting right front wheel up on curb by pulling up then backing tire back up in ramp built in curb, worked pretty well.

A suggested river side hike is a loop up on the upper side walk along top of the Natchez river walk and return by the nature path down below by the river. You can go through the middle of the tourist center and through the Centers pavilion down the side of the road and then take a left in to Rosalie fort.

Rosalie mansion is next to the Fort where you get a great view in front of mansion of the river.

Then proceed to the right along fence on river then you will find a break in fence in too river front park at the top trail with railing you follow past the Casino below until you reach the far end where stairs descend to the nature trail below.

You then can follow nature trail on lower path all the way back to town of Natchez Under The Hill where Jerry Lee Lewis played and follow road back up to the Visitor center.

We actually cut through by walking down the rail road tracks and then scrambled up the hill to the back of the center where a gate was located with a chair sitting there for some ones viewing pleasure.

The next morning we took a long walk around town doing mansion walking tour and did go inside Rosalie Mansion for a tour.

For lunch we dined on BBQ at The Pig Out Inn along with the local police force. Highly recommended and a very popular place with the locals.

Then walked the dogs and watched them line up floats and bands for Natchez Mardi Gras parade! We took dogs back and then went back downtown to watch parade. Was fun to see, not as many of floats as New Orleans but nice to share in celebration.

New Orleans

February 5^th, Monday through Friday February 9^th

New Orleans

Left Fair Hope AL fairly early ie 9:30am ish. Plan to get to Anne and Herschel’s house and they had afternoon appointment so wanted to get there by noon. Just took I-10 to be fastest. Arrived around 12 at their house on Camp Street in the Garden district. Herchel has his 2011 King of Rex Crue flag flying out front.

Had a visit from Graden District Security guy where Parking restrictions and even more so because its Mardigras so we had to trim bushes in the back alley and the pulled up against their back alley access fence.

Good thing they had this. If we go again with ANYTHING bigger should stay at Macon’s or local state park. We planned to stay one or two days but ended up staying 3 nights.

Monday we walked around neighborhood/garden district with dogs. Had Po Boy’s for lunch (oyster for alex, beef for me…good!). Then red beans and rice for dinner very Louisianian! Had king cake for desert and also many pettifores during the stay.

The oak trees are amazing on the streets here.

Tuesday Cathryn picked us up at the house and we picked up lunch then went to Macon’s house. Cool place on the Batture referred to by Jefferson Parish as “camps” — atop pilings over the water and at its edge. (Macon has one of 13 remaining houses on outside curve of MI on wrong side of levee). Then back to the house around 3pm.

After that we went to the Fly/Avengers park on the outside edge (riverfront) of Audubon park. Played with dogs and walked around the park. Got back around 4pm and hung with Anne and Herschel.

That night we went to Mardi Gras parade on St Charles street/uptown (just 4 blocks from their house). It was rainy and cold so no pictures but we did see the Druids parade and got some booty from the throws. We wanted to see the Nyx a female Krew but they got held up and we had waited and been in cold rain for awhile so we aborted.

Wednesday we went to the WWII Museum which was cool. Anne had bought some Salmon and alex cooked this for dinner. Highly recommend a visit to the museum.

Northward in Florida

Left Jenny’s Friday January 19th. Heading to Deland to spend some time with another great friend Danny. Stopped in Orlando and had lunch with nephew James and we had Pho at Pho 88. Twas good. Onward to Deland to see Dan Smith a friend of many many years. Another great campsite in a great friend’s front yard 🙂

We hung out a bit and toured his house, had some cocktails then went to downtown Deland and had a very nice Italian dinner. Danny took us to a local brewery (alas we were the oldest there in this college town) and had a brew.

Saturday we ventured out after a nice home cooked breakfast. Went to check out Blue Springs state park where tons of manatees are but 1/2 hour line of cars to get in so we aborted. We ended up taking hike in Black Bear Wilderness which in part was along St John’s river. 7.7 mile walk. Very nice since it was cool and not buggy. Saw one Alligator, many birds and one Armadillo. We started at like 3:30pm and sunset at 5:30pm so we had to walk fast! It was a very nice walk

After the walk we checked out the near by marina and found a pool bar comedy club: Otter’s on the river which was the Boat Tree Marina (actually we were in Sanford). Then Saturday night cooked Chili and tried cornbread (tried Gary’s method… it tasted ok but not great).

January 21 st: We left Danny’s on the way to meet Mom in Ocala for her eye appointment at the Retina Center. We got up very early and went to Blue Springs State Park to beat the crowd and see Manatees. Mission accomplished it was very cool and 389 counted that morning. Saw a tiny baby and lots of others. One smaller one, likely a youngster was playing in the spring. He’d swim across and get pushed up and then would do it again.

Had a nice couple days with Mom and Calvin in Ocala. Did not do much as Mom was fighting a cold. Said good-bye to Mom and Cal Tuesday and went to Juniper Springs State Park. Spent the night and it was nice.

Big sites, private because not many people there.We got there early afternoon so took a walk on the Florida Trail and a connecting forest road with the dogs. Then went to the spring and had a swim all by our selves.

Walked the nature trail along Juniper Run and then had an easy supper and to bed early. Heading to Gainesville tomorrow.

January 24th and 25th we spent in Gainesville. Got there near noon and met Jane at Blue Highway for lunch. Actually first met at Tioga parking lot and walked the neighborhood with the dogs then had lunch. After lunch she took us on a campus tour: WOW things have changed! We stopped at her hubby’s Todd’s office and lab for a quick visit. She had to go do kid things and we hung out at Forest Park while we waited to meet Bob and Anne for dinner. Anne brought home a lovely Vietnamese dinner for us and we had dinner at the house. Met a friend of Bob’s after dinner as we sat around his pool under very cool heat lamps (it was cold). Camped out in Bob’s yard. Had lunch with Dennis the next day, walked near Hogtown creek (Loblolly trail) and then Dinner with Jane.

So the plan was to head west after this Gainesville visit but Alex found a house in Largo so we headed back down to Largo to look at a house. It filled our ideal requirements: on the water, deep water dock, near dog beach and neighborhood park. The house had good bones but needed lots of work and was way over priced so not the house for us.

However, on the up side, we got to spend more time with Tampa bay area friends. Spent Friday night with Gary and Marcia then Saturday we were planning on going to their Dekle beach house. Saturday we went to visit Jenny for a few hours and took a great hike in Hillsborough River State park with all four dogs (Solstice, Sierra, Terra and Holly) and Dan, Jenny, Leah, Alex and myself. It was nice hike. Sadly said good-bye to bestie Jenny and family for real 4pm ish and drove to Dekle beach house to meet Marcia and Dallas dog.

Continued adventures FL West Coast

Headed back up to friends in Largo and spent a couple more days. Some football for the guys, beach walk for the dogs (it was sunny but very cold and windy). We traveled back to our campsite in Tampa (in front of friends house) and spent a few more days. We went down to the Tampa River walk for a quick stop on the way up from Largo then went back a couple days later. They have done a nice job fixing it up and it was a beautiful day.

We also visited Lettuce Lake park and walked the board walk with the dogs.

So more good times with our buds!

Football watching night! Boys had snack attack!

And one of our fave campsites 🙂

Lots of puppy play with Sierra

Casey Key Nokomis

Jan 10-12 th

After Fort Desoto Park we carried on to a rental we got on VRBO for three nights at the southern end of Casey Key in Nokomis. We had the top floor at the back. Jerry a long time friend from college lives near by. The rental is across the road from the beach that goes up/down the key and backed up to a small canal adjacent to the intracoastal with small boat dock. Great location if you have a small boat or kayaks.

Rental Second Floor (Red Towel On Railing)

Officially no dog’s are allowed on the beach but if you are past the public beach where the rentals and private houses start dog’s you should have no problems. Beach access was between the rentals across from us so no problem.

We took dog’s for quick swim in intracoastal at the park to the south of us before going over to the beach for a walk. The water here in the intracoastal and canals is very clear since close to Venice Inlet.

Wed nights they have the drum circle at Nokomis Beach and we walked over from rental house to take a look before sunset. All the hippy type folks bring their drums and some how coordinate the drumming. Very cool and had a good time watching the dancing as the sun set.

After sunset we all walked over to Pop’s Sunset Grill for dinner. Twas nice. I have never seen a heron beg but there was a Louisiana Night Heron that was absolutely begging. I am not one to feed birds but was intrigued. He took Mahi right out of hand! Owners were feeding french fries, he declined dropped sweet potato fry. Funny.

On Thursday we rented a boat and cruised up to the North end of Casey Key and let the dog’s swim at Blackburn Park. We then picked up Jerry and Malena at the rental dock on our way back south and went down to Stump pass where we beached the boat and swam the boats.

Patty, Jerry and Malena On Boat to Stump Pass

We then stopped at Stump Pass Marina for lunch at the Lighthouse Grill before heading back to rental.

Dec 12-15th

On Friday we stopped by Jerry’s house as we had not been to the new house. He is renovating the place himself! Lots of good work done and its starting to take shape. After this visit we stopped by Casey Key Fish House with Jerry for lunch on our way back to Largo. Jerry’s house is going to be real nice when done.

Alex developed a head cold. Marcia and Gary kindly invited back for a couple days with Alex in quarantine. We hung out, guys watched football, went to nearby nature park, another beach walk and some libations over puzzle assembling. Fun times with good friends is the best!

Sampling Siesta Key Rum, a gift from Jerry. Twas good!

Largo To Nokomis Stop At Fort Desoto

January 9 th

Got out of Gary and Marsha’s at around 10 am and started drive down the barrier island route. Went through Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Beach, Treasure Island, Madiera Beach, St Pete Beach down to Fort Desoto County park. The park is well known for having a dog park where you can take dog’s on beach.

When we went in we saw signs for Fort so stopped for quick look at the fort.

After a short stroll through fort went to the dog park.

Start of dog park are the dog park enclosures which you can go in gate at front and then exit over near beach if you want to run the dog’s a bit before going to the beach. The dog beach sign had ZERO No’s, i.e. zero no this/that etc, which is our highest rating. You can go through fenced in dog park front gate and exit at back gate at beach but we decided to come back from beach through fenced area to use the dog wash station to rinse dog’s off.

We walked past sign’s to beach and let the dog’s run. Nice dog beach but pretty short, only about 1/4 mile long. You have to wonder why so short when there are many miles in each direction with NO dog’s.

We then exited through the fenced in dog park and rinsed off the dog’s in the dog wash station located in the fenced in area and let the dog’s air dry a bit behind camper.