Category Archives: Penny

Hiking Brown Mountain

We are hanging out, enjoying great Arizona weather, at Gilbert Ray Campgound, a county park just west of Tuscon. We have a neat site which is relatively secluded with Cactus Wrens, Verdin, and Gambell’s Quail to entertain us. So do the coyotes who periodically get some barks out of Penny as they tune up on both ends of the day.

This morning, I decided to climb Brown Mountain, which while not grand in stature, treats you to a view of diverse, spectacular Sonoran desert flora. The hike is only a mile and a half to the summit and rises a modest 400 feet but the views make you forget that you are just outside a major city.

So Penny and I started out early. I let her off leash since no one was around and we cruised down the well-worn path. The trail, as one would expect, was rocky and a number of steps were built into the path. Here’s an example.

We traversed back and forth up the mountain and at times, Penny seemed to wonder why I was taking my time.

We were rewarded with some nice views at the summit even though it was a little hazy. Here is the view eastward toward Golden Gate Mountain and Tuscon.

Like any climb, the trip back was easier and a Curve-billed Thrasher sang to us as we returned to the truck.

Nice outing for man and dog.

Lizard Dog

Connie, our fine vet, has a unique to deal with a high-strung Viszla when she needs to give Penny a shot or draw blood. She places one of her office cats in a glass-walled room adjacent to the exam room. Penny goes into a point, just fixates onthe cat, and doesn’t even flinch when the needle goes in. The cat is safe, and knows it, and seems to enjoy the routine. It’s an amazing thing to see.

Here at Patagonia Lake, Penny has discovered a new thing to fixate on: Arizona Tree Lizards. The small guys are everywhere and some, like this one, blend into the background, until they move.

Others, like this darker one, are easy to spot.

Penny discovered these critters a couple of days ago and can spend hours staring at them. Folks passing by are amazed at the total concentration as she stares and points – she doesn’t know they are there. Welcome to my world, folks!

Periodically, she rushes the tree but the lizards are too quick for her.

These lizards have been such good dog sitters that I’d like to catch a couple and bring them with us – to keep Penny occupied at future campgrounds. Perhaps I’ll Google "Rent-A-Lizard."

A Pause For Penny Repairs

I’ve been pecking away at Airstream fixes the last week, just finishing the repair of the rock screen that we nearly lost in Houston (after ordering a couple of small parts from Out-of-Doors Mart, a wonderful Airstream outfit in North Carolina which handles $10 orders as fast as major purchases). I’ve got a new plug for the electrical system and need to wait for a dry day to install it.

Meanwhile, a lump on our dog’s left hind leg is getting pretty ugly, as she “works” it. We noticed it last Fall during an annual exam and did bloodwork at the time – and when the results were OK, decided to wait and see. But, things have gotten worse and while she doesn’t favor it while running, it needs attention.


And we are 2,000 miles from our vet. So, I did a search and started calling. The first clinic was not accepting new patients but the next was, and I took her into Rockport to the Bay Breeze Animal Clinic where Dr. Kim Harrell and staff checked her out. I was pleased with their professionalism and care – and Penny is on antibiotics in preparation for surgery next Tuesday.

Of course, we were planning to leave next Wednesday but I jumped on line before the appointment and snagged the last camping spot available. So we won’t have to move and will stay another week to see how things go. Not the worst place to be stranded in February. We are getting some more needed rain but forecasts for next week look in the 70’s.

I look forward to dealing with this. I don’t look forward to living in a 25′ tin can with a Vizsla who can’t run for two weeks. Of course, some might say that she’s a little too much like me. Moi?

Village Creek State Park, TX (Days 6-7)

We launched from Louisiana mid-morning and soon joined the west-bound travelers on I-12 north of New Orleans. A major east-west thruway, Interstate 10 drops down to New Orleans and splits off 12 north of the lake. It’s a fast-moving collection of trailer trucks, pickup trucks, quite a few RV’s, and many autos. The speed limit most of the time is 70, and that’s the pace in the right lane. The left lane is moving from 70-85.

There’s a twelve-mile long bridge/causeway that we recalled from last year. Nothing but marsh and water as far as one can see, and pity the vehicle that has a breakdown. We cruised along at 70 when we could (there was quite a lot of construction) and approaching Texas, we saw ominous black cloud up ahead. After a quick stop for maps, we were back on the road in light rain but lots of wind. The spray from the trucks was tough for probably fifteen minutes and then we we out of it. We turned north at Beaumont and navigated up to Village Creek State Park outside Lumberton.

Village Creek is a small park with only about twenty sites with electricity and water. However, only two were occupied. We checked in, showed our Texas Pass*, and picked a site. The park has a wonderful network of hiking and biking trails so Penny and I were off before dark on a long jaunt. With no one around on the trails, I let her run freely.

The weather is cold for Texas. The temperature dropped after the cold front and was about 34 this morning. The electric heater kept us snug. It took a 5 mile walk with Penny this morning and it was chilly at first, warming as the sun broke out.
Today we got Mary’s bike going and she took her first ride since last time in Texas. With no traffic and smooth roads, it’s a perfect place to get comfortable again. Meanwhile, the dog and I took a long bike ride this afternoon down along the river. It’s challenging bike riding with the soft sand on parts of the trails and the dips and climbs through sloughs. I missed my mountain bike tires although the hybrid did pretty well. We went all the way to the end where there is a beach and Penny took a little wade and chased some shorebirds. She’s a tired pup tonight.In the morning, we hook up and head to one of our favorite spots, Goose Island State Park. The trip will go right through Houston but since it is Saturday, I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult. The weather looks to be cool for the next week but nothing like our friends and family in the Northeast are putting up with.

It’s been a week on the road and it will be nice to settle down at one place for a while. We plan to be at Goose Island for over a week and visit one of our favorite coffee shops, The Daily Grind, in Rockport.

Check out my birding blog here

* If you plan much camping at state parks in Texas, you need to buy a $60 annual pass. Otherwise, it is $5.00 per head each day you stay at a park. The pass also gives you some half-price coupons for the first day so it doesn’t take long to pay off. We bought one last year and it is good until the end of February.

Village Creek State Park, TX (Days 6-7)

We launched from Louisiana mid-morning and soon joined the west-bound travelers on I-12 north of New Orleans. A major east-west thruway, Interstate 10 drops down to New Orleans and splits off 12 north of the lake. It’s a fast-moving collection of trailer trucks, pickup trucks, quite a few RV’s, and many autos. The speed limit most of the time is 70, and that’s the pace in the right lane. The left lane is moving from 70-85.

There’s a twelve-mile long bridge/causeway that we recalled from last year. Nothing but marsh and water as far as one can see, and pity the vehicle that has a breakdown. We cruised along at 70 when we could (there was quite a lot of construction) and approaching Texas, we saw ominous black cloud up ahead. After a quick stop for maps, we were back on the road in light rain but lots of wind. The spray from the trucks was tough for probably fifteen minutes and then we we out of it. We turned north at Beaumont and navigated up to Village Creek State Park outside Lumberton.

Village Creek is a small park with only about twenty sites with electricity and water. However, only two were occupied. We checked in, showed our Texas Pass*, and picked a site. The park has a wonderful network of hiking and biking trails so Penny and I were off before dark on a long jaunt. With no one around on the trails, I let her run freely.

The weather is cold for Texas. The temperature dropped after the cold front and was about 34 this morning. The electric heater kept us snug. It took a 5 mile walk with Penny this morning and it was chilly at first, warming as the sun broke out.
Today we got Mary’s bike going and she took her first ride since last time in Texas. With no traffic and smooth roads, it’s a perfect place to get comfortable again. Meanwhile, the dog and I took a long bike ride this afternoon down along the river. It’s challenging bike riding with the soft sand on parts of the trails and the dips and climbs through sloughs. I missed my mountain bike tires although the hybrid did pretty well. We went all the way to the end where there is a beach and Penny took a little wade and chased some shorebirds. She’s a tired pup tonight.In the morning, we hook up and head to one of our favorite spots, Goose Island State Park. The trip will go right through Houston but since it is Saturday, I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult. The weather looks to be cool for the next week but nothing like our friends and family in the Northeast are putting up with.

It’s been a week on the road and it will be nice to settle down at one place for a while. We plan to be at Goose Island for over a week and visit one of our favorite coffee shops, The Daily Grind, in Rockport.

Check out my birding blog here

* If you plan much camping at state parks in Texas, you need to buy a $60 annual pass. Otherwise, it is $5.00 per head each day you stay at a park. The pass also gives you some half-price coupons for the first day so it doesn’t take long to pay off. We bought one last year and it is good until the end of February.

Biking With The Vizsla


One of the challenges of traveling and camping is too eat healthy and get enough exercise. Fortunately, with the Airstream we can manage our food choices and not be stuck with the fast food options that seem to be everywhere.

On the exercise front, it often boils down to walking the dog — which isn’t aerobic (unless she slips her collar) but is one good alternative. We take two or three ten minute or often longer walks per day just to keep sanity — for her and for me.

I’ve written before about biking with Penny. I did it long before we started traveling and have used a Springer system which works well for me. I was riding a high-end mountain bike until last year but the geometry was to0 radical for a 70-year-old back — so I sold it on Craig’s list last Spring. My friends at Onion River Sports — one of the northeast’s best bike shops — sold me a hybrid which is comfortable and perfect for riding with the dog. I got it set up yesterday for the Springer.We went out again today on a long ride to look at birds and explore the nature trails at Fontainebleau State Park in Louisiana. We probably went about 8 miles on a combination of grass, gravel, and mucky trails. We passed a “Don’t Feed The Alligators” sign and whisked by something posted about Cottonmouths. The combination of surfaces was perfect for Penny’s pads and challenging enough for my early-season riding form.

Of course, coming back to the park, we passed several dogs with whom Penny seemed to have issues. I gave up on the “break-away” tabs when she snapped them while lunging for dogs so now, I just tie a leash tight and she can back and tug all she wants. Picture this — a Vizsla going sideways down the road talking trash while her owner peddles the bike straight ahead. I’m sure campers don’t forget her — although it’s over fast.

She starts out runs at top speed and I hardly have to pedal for the first half mile. Later, it’s sort of even-steven and then, at the end of long rides, she’s pooped and we walk it in. The trick is to give her rest breaks and carry enough water — although she’ll opt for puddles when available.

Our other exercise option later will be kayaking. Somehow, I don’t see a role for Vizsla — although I’m sure she does. A tired Vizsla is a good Vizsla.

Biking With The Vizsla


One of the challenges of traveling and camping is too eat healthy and get enough exercise. Fortunately, with the Airstream we can manage our food choices and not be stuck with the fast food options that seem to be everywhere.

On the exercise front, it often boils down to walking the dog — which isn’t aerobic (unless she slips her collar) but is one good alternative. We take two or three ten minute or often longer walks per day just to keep sanity — for her and for me.

I’ve written before about biking with Penny. I did it long before we started traveling and have used a Springer system which works well for me. I was riding a high-end mountain bike until last year but the geometry was to0 radical for a 70-year-old back — so I sold it on Craig’s list last Spring. My friends at Onion River Sports — one of the northeast’s best bike shops — sold me a hybrid which is comfortable and perfect for riding with the dog. I got it set up yesterday for the Springer.We went out again today on a long ride to look at birds and explore the nature trails at Fontainebleau State Park in Louisiana. We probably went about 8 miles on a combination of grass, gravel, and mucky trails. We passed a “Don’t Feed The Alligators” sign and whisked by something posted about Cottonmouths. The combination of surfaces was perfect for Penny’s pads and challenging enough for my early-season riding form.

Of course, coming back to the park, we passed several dogs with whom Penny seemed to have issues. I gave up on the “break-away” tabs when she snapped them while lunging for dogs so now, I just tie a leash tight and she can back and tug all she wants. Picture this — a Vizsla going sideways down the road talking trash while her owner peddles the bike straight ahead. I’m sure campers don’t forget her — although it’s over fast.

She starts out runs at top speed and I hardly have to pedal for the first half mile. Later, it’s sort of even-steven and then, at the end of long rides, she’s pooped and we walk it in. The trick is to give her rest breaks and carry enough water — although she’ll opt for puddles when available.

Our other exercise option later will be kayaking. Somehow, I don’t see a role for Vizsla — although I’m sure she does. A tired Vizsla is a good Vizsla.

“Catch any Scoters Yet?”

Camera ready, I walked through the sand dunes at Salisbury Beach State Reservation to the Ipswich River, hoping not to spook any waterfowl.  My dog, Penny, was just ahead, nosing through the beach grass.  At once, I spotted a flock of water birds up in a cove — they looked like scoters through the binoculars.  I took a couple of quick shots and veered away, not wanting the dog to hassle them.  Little did I know that they were tethered decoys!

 
No wonder those birds didn’t spook, they are decoys

I walked down the beach and the Vizsla got involved with a Common Eider, and as I was getting her out of the water and starting back to the truck, this tall guy with binoculars strode up and asked, “Have you caught any scoters yet?”  Huh?  I guess my blank look gave him the answer so he continued, “Oh, I guess you’re not part of the team.”

Now my curiosity was piqued and I peppered him with questions.  I’d seen a number of boat with guys wearing camo and I thought they were hunters — but didn’t see any shotguns.  They were nosing into the group of scoters, and I had really wondered what was going on.

Black scoters, White-winged scoters, Surf Scoters, and a Common Eider rest on the Merrimac River

My visitor had just arrived from British Columbia — he was a wildlife biologist brought in to help.  He explained that it was a project by the Gorham, Maine BioDiversity Research Institute and the team was trying to capture a dozen female white-winged scoters.  They had mist nets set up and were also trying to snag scoters from the boats.  His job was to determine the age of the scoter.  They had a vet on the team to implant a satellite transmitter in the bird’s cavity.

We talked a bit about the importance of tracking individual birds to see better how migration patterns work – I noted a recent report I’d seen on perigrine falcons and how interesting it was.

It was cold and windy and he had work to do so I let him go but watched for a while — from the warmth of the truck.  Those scientists were earning their money — it was nasty weather – fit for ducks.

“Have you got a transmitter on board?”

It was a wonderful chance encounter with an interesting research operation.  And while it is tough for me to sort out the three kinds of scoters we see in this area, I’ll probably never see another one in the air without thinking, “have you got a transmitter on board?”

Birding With A Bird Dog

Penny, our Vizsla, is my canine companion who hangs with me – or not, depending on what other possibilities might attract her attention, on outings both in the truck and in the woods.  We’ve had adventures with moose, coy dogs, porcupines — you name it.  She’s not the greatest help in my birding efforts since while she’s supposedly a pointer, she usually is a “chaser.”

“What kind of duck is that, Dad?”

Today was another episode. I was checking out waterfowl at Salisbury Beach State Reservation in Massachusetts, walking the beach with Penny along the Ipswich River when she discovered this duck in close, and immediately began to point it, then wade in to catch it.  The duck just kind of cruised along, just out of reach, for about five or ten minutes.  The water had to be icy but Penny was determined.  I finally got her by the collar, got the leash on, and back we went to warm up in the truck.  The duck, a female Common Eider, (thanks Tom Wetmore) was last seen, in the company of a couple of scoters, just where we found it.