Friends In Fort Collins and Escapades in Cheyenne

Thanks for joining me, Magic, the Treeing Walker Coon Hound and travel blogger. My humans, Big Dog and Momma Dog continue coordinating and implementing full-time travel adventures in our Class A Motorhome, known as Tana.

The humans seemed excited to try out their first KOA in Fort Collins, Colorado. KOA stands for Kampgrounds of America and it is the world’s largest system of privately held campgrounds across the United States and Canada, with about 500 locations. We were greeted by cheerful and efficient humans in bright yellow shirts who met our every need. After being in a state park in Texas, this KOA seemed luxurious-and even had a small dog park, a lake with a quiet walking trail and pedal boats that resembled pink flamingos, a green dragon and white swans. Dogs were not allowed on the dock where these beauties basked in the sun, but Momma Dog allowed me a brief peek. I also posed with a wise owl “whoo” told me I need to embrace RV life and not be afraid of new surroundings-but I am not sure I can accept this advice.

The humans rented a car and found a nice farmers market in Fort Collins, and brought me home a bottle with the words, “Authentic High Country Hemp.” I now get drops of this oil in my food-in hopes I will be a bit more mellow about leaving the RV when asked to. So, what better place than Colorado to try this out?

On Saturday, I stayed home to guard our home on wheels while the humans attended the Celebration of Life Service for Jean Prather. Jean has been a good friend of Momma Dog’s since about 1994 in Fort Worth-and her death from cancer in November of 2018 has been difficult for everyone who loved her. I was told the service was beautiful and the meal was delicious, and the memories of Jean brought lots of tears and smiles to the humans in attendance. Momma Dog and Big Dog especially enjoyed seeing Jesse, Daniel and Elliana Weiner (Jean’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter) as they so tenderly placed Jean’s ashes next to a beautiful rose bush overlooking the Colorado mountains in their yard. Rest in peace Jean. Thanks for being Momma Dog’s friend and confidant.

The humans also enjoyed seeing their Texas friends, Sarah and Matthew Stringer who also attended the celebration of life service. They had breakfast together at a cool place called Rainbow Restaurant in Fort Collins and took this photo-and no I was not there. I would have loved to sample the Momma Dog’s sweet potato latkes-but they did not even bring me a piece of bacon.

The next day was a five mile hike with an old friend from Nebraska, Ken Maguire. Now Big Dog and Ken used to run together in the early 1980’s when their legs and other body parts allowed acceleration that is no longer possible. Ken encouraged my humans to bring me along on a dog-friendly trail, and I jumped at the chance to see the Colorado countryside near Lyons. There were mountains, water falls, trees and flowers-oh my. I even did a bit of exploration in the water to cool off my tired paws. Ken took us to a cute place for lunch with delicious food, and I loved a few bites of chicken salad and cool Colorado water. Unfortunately our rental car had a blow out on our way home, but Momma Dog retrieved the hub cap from a busy street and Big Dog quickly changed the tire. I had a nice nap, since I was exhausted from hiking and then we were on our way. Later, Ken came to look at Tana and even though Ken was my friend, I hid in the bedroom. The humans and I loved our day with Ken Maguire full of exercise, friendship and conversation-and I even received some extra goodbye pats from Ken.

Our hour trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming was quick and we spent some time resting in the truckers area at a Pilot gas station until check in time arrived. The KOA in Cheyenne was much smaller than what we had in Fort Collins, and we missed the grass and trees and mountains. However, the humans had fun playing mini-golf and horse shoes, and I was fascinated with the numerous prairie dog holes and jack rabbits seen on my walks. The Wyoming sky gave us a big welcome the first night with a rainbow and gorgeous sunset.

On July 4, my humans went into Cheyenne for afternoon tea at Rx Tea Time-which is not a place for dogs. They said it was a Victorian house with delicious tea and a beautiful garden. Then the humans visited the restored Cheyenne Depot and learned about the impact of Union Pacific Railroad on Cheyenne, and saw several trains. Big Dog spotted an exhibit that called Cheyenne “The Magic City of the Plains”-which spoke to me. And they rode Cheyenne’s Railway Trolley with a knowledgable guide all around Cheyenne and experienced boots, horses, a steam engine called “Big Boy,” Wyoming craft beer and viewed the gold dome on the Wyoming State Capitol. Fortunately, the fireworks were far from me, and I slept well that night.

Momma Dog told me that Wyoming is known as the equality state, and is celebrating the 150th year anniversary of women’s right to vote. Wyoming had the first female governor, the first female justice of the peace, the first all-female jury, the first female bailiff and the first female superintendent of public instruction. All men and women should be proud of the work of women-and this state has made a mark on history.

The humans also toured the Wyoming State Museum, and saw the gold capitol dome again. The capitol is closed for extensive renovation and will re-open later in July on Wyoming’s statehood day.

And they also took a long walk to find the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens-and among many lovely plants, a labyrinth, and pink flamingos-there was a beautiful guide dog sculpture and an amazing dog house with a living roof. I sure wish I could sleep in a house like this!

We all loved the beautiful evening skies in Wyoming, and had some rain and lots of storm warnings.

Thanks for reading my travel blog. We have reconnected with friends on this leg of the trip-and are grateful for these friendships. Big Dog and Momma Dog are planning a trip to Estes Park next. We are headed to Spruce Lake RV Park, and I have heard rumors of some family members there.

Kind regards, sniffs and woofs-MAGIC