Adventures on the road-Across the Great Basin to Santa Fe
27 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in adventures with dogs, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear
Hot! It’s really hot. The AC in the truck broke awhile back and I didn’t see the need to fix it for a couple of weeks in August. Santa Fe temperatures don’t usually get past the 80′s in summer. Then you can drive to the mountains to cool off. Not today however.
Fire in the Sangres
Highway 50- The Lonliest Road
The Great Basin Desert stretches across Nevada in some of the loneliest landscape of sand and alkali flats that goes on for miles. We stopped at every shady park we found for lunch and a break from the heat.
Finally we arrived in Green River Utah where the dogs jumped into the Green River to cool off. Then giant mosquitoes descended upon us. We ran into Ray’s Tavern for the best burger of our road trip. Rio and Lily each tasted it. They gave it two paws up. We retreated to the campground where every youth group and boyscout pack from Salt Lake had arrived by the hundreds. Chances of taking a shower went from good to nil.
Green River State Park
Onward we went through the Utah desert into the New Mexico desert. Taking a wrong turn we wound up in Farmington. Finally on the road again we hit Bernallio at rush hour. As we crested the hill we saw the forest fire in the Sangre de Cristos. Then today another one erupted in the Jemez mountains. Great backdrop for the illegal fireworks that will be shot off all over town in another week.
Jemez Fire
But the dogs didn’t care. They were dreaming of the cool shores of Lake Tahoe.
Like this:
Adventures on the road….Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe
23 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
We took the dogs swimming to Lake Tahoe and stayed a few days at Fallen Leaf Campground. Arriving in the afternoon, we ventured to Fallen Leaf Lake, a short hike of less than a mile. When we saw it over the last ridge, it took our breath away.
Even Rio and Lily gasped in the splendor of this pristine lake surrounded by snow covered peaks. The water was cool and refreshing . The dogs played retrieve the stick until they were good and tired.
The next day we tried out the dog beach in South Lake Tahoe. As expected, it was a great place with a lot of friendly dogs all playing in the water and on the beach.
This was one of our highlights of our trip. It is the only dog friendly section of the Lake Tahoe area noted so far but it is the best.
Adventures on the road…. part 2
23 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
When I decided to go across the West on highway 50 with Airstream Argosy in tow, I didn’t realize how real this idea could become. Leaving Ely Nevada on day 3 we were pulled over by the police for exceeding a 25 mph speed limit. That behind us, we encountered a heck of a pass near Austin Nevada. On the way down this heinous series of switchbacks, we accidentally went by the only gas station in town. 
I remember hearing that gas was scarce on Highway 50, but having over half a tank and only 111 miles ahead to Fallon, we drove on. About 30 miles outside Fallon, I looked down in horror to see that the gas gauge was on empty. The road under construction sign just ahead was more of an oasis in the Nevada desert than an inconvenience. I immediately told the flagman we were out of gas, he got on his radio and arranged for us to get 5 gallons from his highway department truck. 
Yes, there are angels in the desert. Onward we went into the California Sierras. Through a crazy I 80 rush hour Reno Nevada, then Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride over Donner Pass. By the time we got to Grass Valley, all of us were a bit crazed, even the dogs. A good night’s sleep in the pastoral fields of our daughter’s house in Penn Valley and the horrors of the day were only a faint memory.
Adventures on the road…
23 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in adventures with dogs, dog culture, Dog Fun
We left Santa Fe on Sunday morning June 12th and pulled into a hot and dusty Moab that evening. We jumped in the shower at the KOA and went to sleep early. The dogs were welcomed by the campground host. Day one of pulling the 1976 Airstream Argosy up steep grades through the mountains and then screaming down the other side. I am grateful for trailer brakes! Day 2 KOA Ely Nevada, we forgot about the time change and landed early enough to walk the dogs and take in the pet area and grass patch . 
Now as I write this the temperature is dropping fast. The snow covered peaks of the Great Basin are in the distance. The dogs are settling in for a cool summer night.
Get your dog ready for a great time in the woods!
10 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in adventures with dogs, dog booties, dog coats, dog culture, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog life jackets, dog packs, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, Dogs Rafting, mushers wax, Singing Dog, the singing dog
Ben Swan | For The New Mexican
Posted: Thursday, June 09, 2011
Rio’s an aptly named yellow Labrador retriever. He loves the water — maybe just a little too much.
“He’s the worst of the lot,” said outdoor enthusiast and former river guide Jon Asher. “He wouldn’t stay in the raft.”
But that doesn’t stop Rio from being a spokesdog for Asher’s ecommerce retail store, Wild Mountain Online, which specializes in outdoor gear for dogs and people. And it doesn’t stop Rio from joining Asher on hikes or overnight camping trips during any season, along with the family’s other yellow Labrador retriever mix, Lilly.
Asher said he loves the companionship of his canines as he explores New Mexico’s outdoor spaces. But just like humans, dogs can’t just dash into the woods and expect to have a good time. They have to be prepared: “It’s nice to bring them along safely, especially if they aren’t used to the rigors of the outdoors,” Asher said. “You have to keep them comfortable.”
When planning a hike or camping trip, consider giving the dog a job, Asher said, which includes carrying his or her food and water — not all natural water is safe for dogs to drink, and in many places there are no water sources.
In Rio’s inexpensive but durable backpack, Asher packs water and food in separate bags, along with a portable water bowl. The waterproof bags help protect the food from damage, especially if the dog, like Rio, loves to roll in the mud.
Some dogs might need a few days to get used to wearing a pack, Asher said, although many dogs, like Rio, take to wearing the gear right away. The backpack sometimes acts a calming device for nervous canines.
Through the years, Asher has found many products that help make an outdoor trip easier for canine and human companions. Aside from water and food, essentials include basic first-aid supplies, collar, leash and identification tags. A collar identification tag that contains a cell-phone number or other information is essential in case a dog gets lost.
Asher has tested all of the products he offers online, and most are from small or local companies. Many of the same products he uses on himself — like natural inspect repellent and first-aid items — can be used on the dogs.
Asher also includes plastic bags for waste disposal in his supplies, along with dog booties and bandages in case a dog injures a paw. Dog waste along many of the area’s popular trails is a pet peeve of Asher’s. His website carries biodegradable bags called Scoopies.
“There are a few people in Santa Fe who pick up after their dogs,” he said. “People don’t realize how much animal fecal matter goes into our watershed. If you’re going to take your dog out hiking, pick up after them.”
In the wilderness, Asher believes animal companions should have the same protocol as humans: Leave no trace.
Rocks, stickers and cacti make hiking on area trails hazardous for many dogs. One product that fuels Asher’s website is Musher’s Secret, a natural wax product that helps protect canine pads. He discovered the Canadian-made product while cross-country skiing with his border collie, Bo, many years ago near the Santa Fe Ski Basin.
The product, which also helps protect paws from hot asphalt and sand, also is available at several local pet stores. The product forms a semipermeable membrane that helps maintain the health of canine pads.
A similar locally made product, Heal My Paws, provides a natural protective moisturizer and conditioner for the pads. The conditioning balm helps keep the pads soft and supple and isn’t harmful if licked and ingested.
Other products hikers might consider include a quick-draw leash, microfiber gloves and towels, toys and lightweight jackets for cold mountain evenings.
Asher calls Just a Cinch Leash from Ruffwear one of the best leashes he’s every owned. The slip-adjustment collar fits virtually every size dog and the friction tab prevents collar slip-offs and escapes.
Reflective strands are woven into it for good visibility. Asher said his Labradors, which by nature can be prey-driven, quit pulling on a walk. And that leaves neighbor cats safe.
Another handy leash, also made by Ruffwear, is called the Quick Draw. The Velcro collar becomes a leash when needed. That’s helpful on hiking trails if you encounter leashed dogs or wildlife, Asher said.
While many trails require keeping dogs on leashes, some don’t. Common hiking etiquette, however, is to leash a dog if the hiker encounters another leashed dog. It’s also important to keep a dog leashed around areas where there might be snakes, bears or mountain lions.
A few dog toys can help to keep the attention on the human companion and not on wildlife.
Solid obedience lessons can also help protect a dog. Asher’s found success with simple but effective commands such as “leave it.”
“Dogs don’t understand,” he said. “They see movement and they’ll go after it. But if you voice-train them, it can be very important. We haven’t had any full-on confrontations with bears or mountain lions, but it does happen. You’ve got to be able to control or grab your dog. You don’t need an aggressive dog attacking a bear or any wildlife on the trail.”
Microfiber gloves — made with six fingers for use on either hand — are great for quick cleaning. In the winter, the gloves absorb water, mud, snow and ice and on camping trips are a great for muddy paws or wet fur.
Asher, who works as a web designer for Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works, focused on his online store after closing Wild Mountain Outfitters in 2007. The store carried some pet supplies, as does Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works now, but Asher said he decided to revise the online store to specialize mainly in dog gear. It’s what he enjoys the most.
“I’m only in it for the love of the dogs,” he said. “We have a couple of seasons where we make enough to keep it online and that’s about it. It’s not making anybody rich, but the dogs get to wear cool stuff.”
For more information about outdoor dog products, visit the website at wildmountainonline.com or read Asher’s blog at singingdogblog.com.
HEADING OUT
Love to hike and camp with your dog? Share your favorite tips and places to go with fellow Scoop readers. Email Ben Swan at santafescoop@gmail.com for a future article.
- 6/8/1
Please pick up your dog doody!
03 Jun 2011 1 Comment
in Dog Fun, Dogs, Singing Dog, Uncategorized
I know I have said it before. This was one of those dry winters in the West where dog poop not picked up is everywhere to be seen in various stages of decomposition. As I look at the disintegrating mounds daily in all parts of town, I wonder how someone can walk away leaving the proverbial steaming heap. My wife and the dogs even went out this year on Earth Day and picked up several large bags only to see the same amount along the trail just a few days later.
Here are some scary statistics about this problem:
According to recent research, non-human waste represents a significant source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds. Genetic studies by Alderiso et al. (1996) and Trial et al. (1993) both concluded that 95 percent of the fecal coliform found in urban stormwater was of non-human origin. Bacterial source tracking studies in a watershed in the Seattle, Washington area also found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates that could be matched with host animals were matched with dogs. This bacteria can pose health risks to humans and other animals, and result in the spread of disease. It has been estimated that for watersheds of up to twenty-square miles draining to small coastal bays, two to three days of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shellfishing (US EPA, 1993).
Further:
Pet waste can also be a factor in eutrophication of lakes. The release of nutrients from the decay of pet waste promotes weed and algae growth, limiting light penetration and the growth of aquatic vegetation. This in turn can reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish and other aquatic organisms.
Source: Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet: Animal Waste Collection
Read the full article here if you dare!
and the famous Scoop the Poop Choir
Then after picking it up in your biodegradable bag what do you do with it?
Creative solutions are in the works. Most notable the Park Spark Project in Cambridge Massachusetts where conceptual artist Matthew Mazzotta is using dog feces to power lampposts!
Wired Magazine put it wisely: “Currently when organic material (including dog waste, food and plant matter) goes into landfill, it releases methane into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is approximately 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. When it’s burned in the presence of oxygen, it separates into carbon dioxide and water vapor, so businesses can actually earn carbon credits from burning off excess methane. As a result, the digesters are a good way to collect and use the volatile gas as a fuel.
So here in the West where water has become a critical commodity, to further influence the water quality by allowing dog feces to penetrate all of our water sources is just plain criminal! Oh by the way it is actually is punishable by a hefty fine. Happy dog walking!
Mushers Secret Wax Not Just For Winter
18 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog booties, dog coats, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, mushers wax
Want to keep your dog’s paws healthy this summer and afford some protection to the hot asphalt and sand that can get to temperatures over 100 degrees?
One of the things I find fascinating about Musher’s Secret is that it has the ability to form a semi permeable membrane that can protect the paw from salt, ice, road chemicals, hot sand, rocks and a myriad of other trail hazards. Used regularly Musher’s Secret can be a tremendous asset to your pet’s paw health.
After all think about what it would be like to run barefoot on hot city sidewalks. We humans can barely make it 100 yards across the sand to the water on a hot day. Now realize why your dog is miserable walking on hot pavement during the summertime. Try just a little bit applied to the pads and between the toes. Your dog will THANK YOU for it!
