Weekend Getaway

I wasn't as lucky as many of you who were able to go to the Fun Day in San Rafael. But I went on a little weekend trip to Carlsbad with Nikki & Greg this passed weekend.

Carlsbad is north of San Diego, about 40 minutes from the city by car. But of course, we took a train and a bus after work on Friday. I liked the Coaster train. It wasn't as crowded as trolley and more space for me to stretch & relax. Nikki was dosing off the whole ride, but I had fun talking with a cute baby sitting across from us. Didn't you know that animals and babies have a secret way of communicating with one another?!?! After the train, we took a but to the resort where Greg & Nikki has a time share. It was supposed to be only a block away from the bus stop, but of course, Nikki's poor orientation got us lost! Wait; don't blame me!!! I'm not a GPS system! It's her part to figure out which way to go...

Finally, after seemingly wondering around forever and going into an office building, we got to our hotel... Greg was already there waiting for us. By the time we checked into our room, Nikki's feet were hurting, but it's her fault for wearing high heel! I was exhausted from the long confusing walk in unfamiliar area. And imagine! Nikki had a long tail (ah, suitcase) that I had to clear along the way...

A short nap was refleshing! 20 minutes or so later, I was ready to explore this new place! There was so much interesting smell! Our room was on the 1st floor with a tiny patio leading to a glassy area:) YAY!!! There's so much nature here! Greg said that there were bunnies hopping around! He took a picture of them from our window. I'll post some time soon. I wanted to run around and chase bunnies, but Nikki kept me on leash. So the best I could do was to heel with her and sniff around. But I guess I have to behave because this is not a "pet allowed" resort. I'm allowed because I am a working guide. Pretty lucky, huh!
While Greg rested more, Nikki decided to explore the hotel more! As I said before, Nikki's orientation isn't the greatest! She always get lost in a new surrounding. Thanks to me! She's feeling a bit braver. So we ventured out. We went out and walked along the walkways, stopped at the glass patches, and I sniffed & sniffed... I even saw dogs walking the other side of the fence. We didn't go there though. Then we decided to go back to our room. Guess what! She didn't even remember how to get back to the lobby and the front desk!!! I had to take initiatives and lead her back!!! Isn't she glad to have me!!!

Saturday, Nikki & Greg slept in... I was afraid that they would sleep all day and not feed me! But finally around 8:30am, Nikki got up, and I was back in business! Nothing will start without a bowl of nice warm kibbles, right Pups! After my breakfast, we took a walk again. This time we went outside the fence and walked along the resort, So I greeted some fellow doggies. But oh joy, oh joy!!! I had to do obediance because I got too excited... After we got back to the room, Nikki lounged at the patio with her cup of coffee for a while, so I joined her thinking bunnies would come visit me... Afternoon was kind of boring to me. They had to do this tour of the new resort being built. With a commitment to participate in this tour, Nikki & Greg got a deal for this trip. (Lesson: Nothing is truely a good deal in human world!) So it was some walking and lots of laying under the table or chair for me...

By the time they were done, it was too late to go to the mall like originally planned. But Nikki wanted to do something more. So she decided to go get dinner to the nearest Food Mart! Again she's feeling brave!!! Greg gave her a good direction, so it wasn't too bad. The only problem we had was finding Subway, which was behind a gas station. Yeah we found a gas station and a first food place behind it. So we went in; didn't smell like Subway; turned out that was TacoBell! I guess only blind folks can get away with going in a restaurant and asking for direction to its conpetitor... By the time we got everything and headed back to the hotel, it was totally dark! Unlike our home area, it's not well-lit around here! Nikki, arn't you glad to have me! You're totally, totally blind at night!!!

We checked out around 11:30 on Sunday morning. It was supposed to be an easy trip home. However, humans had forgotten that there were no bus or Coaster train service in North County on Sundays!!! We had to walk long ways to the closest bus stop, dragging that suitcase..... And the sidewalks weren't the best around here!!! I felt like I needed another set of eyes on the back of my head. I was trying to follow Greg. At the same time, watching Nikki and her suitcase, and trying to maneuver all kinds of bumps & cracks on the street. Don't I deserve a vecation of my own with Doggie Spa & gourmet dinner???