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Sep 18

MTTS Part II

This is the puppy part of the trip, and the reason I cut it short and did not drive the full rally distance to Seattle.  Here’s the gang when I saw them July 5th — and the little girl I picked from the litter. A beautiful 10 week old French Brittany.

 

Willow will be my 7th Brit not counting a litter that found other homes.  She is my first French Brittany — smaller than the American Brits by about 10lbs.

She got plenty of lovin’ from my friends before we left Wamego for home. She traveled home non-stop to Maryland riding next to me in a crate.  It was a long run of about 11 hours with periodic potty stops. She has turned out to be a super traveler. Even now, if I want her to calm down – like a baby, I take her for a car ride.

Home and settled in. She’s liking her step sister!  And a cousin, also French Brit, who spends her weekdays with us.

Training is underway to get some of that energy under control, and develop some manners when meeting other folks and pups.  She will get field training, at least for Hunt Tests to develop her upland bird hunting heritage and skills.  On her first opportunity, she found/pointed a Chucker and Quail remains at our dog club grounds. More opportunities to come soon…….

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Sep 18

MTTS part I

So, July began with a long drive to Kansas to visit family and friends on the way to the Mini Takes The States rally which began in Albuquerque, NM. There was also a brief puppy side trip – more about that in Part II.

Left home at 0630 on June 30th – starting mileage was 58419. A long 1030 miles to Overland Park, KS to briefly visit daughter and family. Then on to Wamego, KS for a friend visit. Had a special invitation for the July 4th fireworks display, and also got a short afternoon sail!

         

From Wamego, I drove to Parker, CO ( mi 59857) for another friend visit which helped break up the drive to NM. Speaking of ‘break up’, I had the first windshield break on that leg of the trip – thank you Safe Lite for coming out to Parker for the replacement! Also, got a rare look at a grazing moose along the way!

Arrived in Albuquerque July 11th – a second windshield replacement inside of a week (darn western gravel roads), and assorted mechanical work done by Sandia Mini — good folks who went over and above to get everything done in time for the rally departure on July 13. It was on to Durango, then a diverted run over the mountains back to Wamego late on July 14th (mi 61696). It was high country, winding roads making for a fun drive with spectacular scenery. Had made some of this trip by motor home just a few years ago. Estimated there were about 800 Minis participating in all or parts of the rally.

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The return to Wamego was in part to pick up a puppy that I had chosen on my way out. The start of a new adventure – see Part II.