Jasper Lily hit the road for the long weekend

Jasper Lily and I needed (well mostly me) to get the heck out of dodge (aka LA) for the long weekend. I was desperate to go someplace quiet, peaceful, surround myself with nature and breathe in clean air. Los Angeles seems to be emotionally killing me every single day and I was desperate to find some ‘zen’. So we set off for Lake Arrowhead, CA. About 2 1/2 hours east of Los Angeles. In the mountains near Big Bear Lake. This time of year the temp is usually in the high 80s but our weather has been so whacky. We drove into a heavy, blinding fog and watched the temp in the car drop to the high 40s and low 50s. Thinking we would be spending most of the weekend snuggled up in the hotel room, we accepted that was peaceful enough.

They didn’t say no dogs on the bed!

The view from our room!

We arrived and our adorable boutique hotel was right next to a large lake … begging for long walks. We found some hiking trails to explore and bundled up (sweaters for all). It was QUIET! And since it was rather chilly, I wasn’t that worried about ticks or snakes.

Sadly, Lake Arrowhead, while dog friendly to walk around, isn’t dining dog-friendly so there was only one place we could eat and they closed early. So I would leave Jasper in the car (something I would NEVER do in LA or in temps higher than 60) and run into the grocery store for snacks/meals.

Hiking to heart rock

Jasper and I walked anywhere between 8 – 10 miles each day, without evening realizing it. She is a TROOPER! That dog will walk for miles and miles and hours and hours. The fog eventually did burn off our second day there and we took a boat ride (dog friendly) around Lake Arrowhead. Jasper was so exhausted from all the hiking/walking/moving that she basically snoozed the entire hour long tour.

On the boat

On the boat! She’s exhausted here.

Our last day there, we took, what I thought, was going to be a short walk but ended up a three mile hike/walk around the hotel but the views were outstanding. Living in LA, I forget what blue skies look like when not tainted by smog and exhaust.

Jasper did great for her first trip in a hotel room. It was a small room but she made herself comfy on the bed (they didn’t say no dogs on the bed). Since we could hear people walking around, she did get the “growlies” and “barkies” but mostly I think she was too tired to really care. She slept solid – each night – from about 7 to 7! I had to drag her out of bed in the morning and that is definitely unusual for her.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end so we packed up and drove back to LA, kicking and screaming most of the way. It was a lovely weekend to 100% disconnect  from the world, from the Facebook, the Twitter, the internet. I didn’t respond to texts, emails, anything … I think we “found our zen”. I love traveling alone with Jasper (as I did with Shelby). I find the older I get, the less I desire to be around people but prefer the company of my dog. I don’t have to be anything but real and true. Dogs don’t judge. They are just happy to go. I don’t know at what point in my life I became content to enjoy my own company more than the company of others … maybe it is because people continue to disappoint me and I am sick of getting my hopes up and having them dashed. I am sick of trying to be something/someone that I don’t know if I really want. But all I know … for right now … in an effort to stay afloat and not pull every single hair out of my head, I need my alone time – and out of LA time – at least once a month. It is my medicine. My sanity. My therapy.

Nature is and will always be my default. I don’t know where Jasper and I will be in several years … we might leave LA for greener (literally) pastures but I am happy that my travel buddy will meet each adventure with a tail wag, a half-smile and full sparkle in her eyes! So until our next adventures! And as always, thank you to the love of my life, Shelby Lynne, for sending me such a great travel buddy!

Cuddles!

No words

Dog loves nature!

Snoozy girl!