Dog Sled Do's & Don'ts.....at the GREAT Sipapu Carboard Derby Race!

OKee Dokee Doggie...the BIG DAY has come! The 9th Annual Cardboard Derby Race at Sipapu Ski Resort...and this dog is in the RACE! 

 How daffy is that?!? 

DOGGONE DAFFY--- that's how! 

Now what has Jill gotten this pooch involved in? 

Seems there's been some requests to the good folks at Sipapu Ski Resort requesting Dog-Teams....so being the very wise...AND pet friendly resort that Sipapu is...they called on none other than New Mexico's premier Dog Travel Guru----Travelin' Jack!  So I am a guinnea-dog for this event! 

And of dog-course, bein' the good sport that I am...I barked out loud......

"YUP..this PuP is UP for the Fun!  Now where's MY dog-sled!"

Here she is....pretty doggone snazzy if ya ask me! 

It's a "DOG SLED" of ME!!!!

Check out my dog-personalized Vessel...the Jack Tracker Mobile! 

The day dawned dog-gorgeous!  And the crowds began to gather.  We transported our dog-sled to the race site...Ready to Roll! 

But while we're awaitin' our turn...gotta visit with some of my friends who seemed to just APPEAR on the spot!  Glad ta see ya LuAnne (my dog-personal Photographer) and her beau Craig! 

& Then...who arrives on skis..right off the fab slopes at Sipapu..but my ol' buddy Vincent!  Howdy Vincent!  Lookin' Good on those Skis! 

But...it's time to get dog-serious.  The CARDBOARD DERBY RACE has begun!  1st one down the slope....slidin' nice! With over 65 sleds...er "vessels"--the official name---entered, there were sleds of all shapes/sizes/colors. Talk about a show!  Dog-Dandy Grand!

 
Take a look at this Kool-Dude 'vessel'.  The Dangerous Dozer.  Not ONLY did it look grand....they took several prizes!  Way to go Dozer!  You are sure enough DANDY!

 And here comes the "CRANE" vessel....Watch out guys!  That wall is gettin' kinda CLOSE!!!!!

                                   CRASH!  BANG! BOOM!  There's one crash for the books! 
Hope that doesn't happen to the 'Jack Tracker'!  IF ya know what I mean!  Gotta protect my doggone good looks ya know!

 OK....Time!  Up at the top....GULP!  And then they set us up inside the Jack Tracker...ready to roll...er slide!

                            Cheers from the crowd as we start rolling.   DOUBLE GULP! 

 WHEEEEEEE!.............down we go...the Jack & Jill Team!  Hanging on for dear life! TRIPLE Gulp!!!

 Fast...Faster...FASTEST!  We were twistin' and turnin' and rollin' faster than a dog can GULP!

       "What was I thinkin?"  Says BOTH Jack & Jill!  But YAH...I think I see the end of the run ahead!

 WAHOO!  Shake it off!  We made it down ALIVE...and in ONE PIECE!  And the Jack Tracker made it down okay too! 

 Double WAHOO!  We're done!  We DID IT!  And I-Travelin' Jack, am proud to be the 1st Ever Dog to run this course!
 
Winners?  No prizes...but HEY.....just gettin' down alive was a WIN in my dog-diary!

                                               Now..time to enjoy the fun times at this pet friendly resort!

 It's St. Paddy's Day after all!  I wore my Green sweater to dog-celebrate....
...and who did I run into on the slope..but a GUY dressed in a SKIRT......blowin' into this thingy-ma-bob that made some strange sounds!  After he finished he visited with me....told me his name is Charlie...and that he was playin' the bagpipes to celebrate the Day! 
OK...Now I get it!  Thanks Charlie!  Glad to make your acquaintance...and glad to hear you...and even see you in that skirt!  You're the DAWG! 

The Race is Over....the Time is High Noon....and my Tummy is calling.  Next  stop for this racin' dog!  A tasty Burger from the slope-side cafe!  Yum....no make that Double Yum! 

And take a look at this setting would'ja! Friends to share a meal with....Riverside Seating....Snow in the background....Sun Shining!  Yep...Life is Good! 

 

                                              Yup-pup....this was one good run Jill! 
But after a little collaboratin' the Jack and Jill team have the following recommendation:
Sipapu is GREAT!
The Cardboard Derby Race is PAW-SOME!
...but here's my dog-pinion......Leave it to the people! 
Pups....be smart...and sit this one out! Don't race.... And if you listen to me...you can enjoy all the happenings at this VERY pet-friendly ski resort...and you can watch the PEOPLE be a little (no a LOT) crazy on the slopes! 

Next year.....maybe I'll be a Judge! Yep..that's the plan!  See you next year Sipapu Ski Resort! 

And THANKS for a doggone great 9th Annual Cardboard Derby Race!

Signing off for now......doggie hugs & slurpy kisses!

Here's to a TOP HAT St. Paddy's Day from Jack O'Lane

 ToP o' the Day to Ya, my Irish Pals!  It's almost that time again...to celebrate the little Green Guys (no NOT aliens....you know....leprachauns!).
                                        
 Yup...this pup is stylin' in my favorite green duds and I'm gonna party up the town!  How bout you?

 I've got my eye on the bottle...thinkin' maybe somethin' is happening at my favorite pub! NAAWWW! Instead...first I think I'll head over to KASA FOX TV for a special TV salute on my FAV TV show "New Mexico Style" where I'm gonna talk about what I'm REALLY gonna do this green holiday weekend! Tune in and check it out:
                                                          
http://www.kasa.com/dpp/nm_style/pets/pet-friendly-ski-resorts-with-travelin-jack


Yup, I'm headin' for a special howl-i-day weekend on the slopes.  I'm signed up for the Cardboard Derby Race....and I'm bettin' on a good time for all!

Yup...it's gonna be one fun weekend on the slopes at Sipapu Ski Resort.  We've paw-crafted our very own snow vessel called what else but "JACK'S TRACKER" Mobile.  Can't wait to see how it flies!

Tune in here next week.

  We'll have photos and good stuff from all the fun at 9th Annual Cardboard Derby Race!

Maybe I'll be a WINNER!

Maybe I'll grab a cold one!

Maybe I'll add an O' to my name! 

Maybe I'll run across a little green Leprachaun!

Maybe I'll wear some o' the Green!

Maybe I'll find my NEXT new Pet Friendly Top Dog Destination!

But for SURE...I'm headin' for one fun weekend!   Here's to YA!

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!

RUIDOSO- A 'cool' Town For Pups and their People too!

Just back recently from a Wintertime getaway to the mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico....one of this Dawg's favorite New Mexico spots!  Why you ask.....well, there's probably a dog-zillion reasons but here are some of MY favorites!

First stop.....the fire hydrant.  Ya know...when a dog's been ridin' shotgun for a couple a hours....duty calls!  So let me tell you....what a find this dog-reporter came up with when what to my wonderin' eyes did appear a handy-dog-dandy hydrant right out my hotel back door!  Yup-Pup....that's right.  This is ONE super-duper pet friendly hotel for sure!

And where is that  you're askin?  Well it would be none other than the Lodge at Sierra Blanca  .  It's not named "Ruidoso's Finest Hotel" for nothing....and I'm addin' my two-cents barks to it!  It 'hits the mark' (if ya get my drift!) for a Pet Friendly hotel...and tops on my list of favorites!

   I'll tell you why in a few...but right now...ON with the Adventures! IT'S SNOW TIME! 

 Now...here's another exciting dog-scovery that Travelin'  Jack has made....and sharin' with you now!  How many ski resorts do you think are Dog-Friendly?  Not many, eh?  Well, right here in Ruidoso New Mexico...I'm here to dog-spel that myth.  Ski Apache is PET FRIENDLY!  On the slopes even!   

First Stop....Ticket Booth at Ski Apache Ski Resort.  Not only did I get a few good pats and hugs from the friendly staff...but they sold me a ticket to ride the Gondola on the Ski lift!  WoWee Dog-zowee!  Too cool!  Since I am a bit of a dog-celeb, I wanted to make sure that this wasn't some special treat just for Travelin' Jack.  And I'm happy to report....they are JUST that dog-friendly to ALL dogs who want to ride the Gondola!  Yippee!!!!!!!  Let's go....Pretty COOL ride if ya ask me!  Look at that view wouldja?  Dog-dazzling!  

 And Safe too!  Why...it's totally enclosed with a handy little bench to sit on and check out the passing action on the slopes!  YEP...this is FUN...no dog-doubt about it!

 

And here I am at the TOP of the lift!  Thanks guys!  You're the best to us dog-guests!  'Preciate it!

 
WoW.....take a look at this view!  PRETTY doggone PRETTY!  Now I see why skiers wanna come here!  This is one FAB ski resort.  And who wudda thunk southern New Mexico has great skiing!  But we DO for sure!  And it's Ski Apache's 50th Anniversary...so there's 50 and more reasons to visit Ski Apache----Right NOW dog-nab-it! 

 I'm just dog-dazzled by this view.  LUV it here!  It's soooooooo cool!

 Back down at the base.....see how I've got this skiin' lingo in?  I'm just the Ski-Dog Dude!  And that's especially true when I discovered this cool-dude  Ski Chair!  I'm thinkin' they made it JUST for me!  Lookin' too cool if I do say so my dog-self!
But boy-o-boy am I pooped out from all those dog-ventures on the slopes!  Back to the hotel....for a dog-nap!  Sure do love this dandy little suite I'm callin' home in Ruidoso.  The Lodge at Sierra Blanca has it all!  Our own little sitting room....well maybe "lying room" for this pooch...with a cozy gas fireplace.  What better way to rest up for the next round of Ruidoso dog-ventures, eh?

 OK...back on the trail now that I've had my little snooze!  We headed straight to the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway Visitors Center  so we could get info on all the fun things to do off the slopes.  Ya know that bad-boy Billy the Kid roamed these parts in his day!  Pretty fun history to discover too!  And I took a little walk-about around the Visitor Center while there.  Got the low-down (get it...I'm a low-down dog with my short legs!  That's one of my bulldog jokes...don't ya just love it? I do-HA!!!!)  But back to the story.  There's all sorts of fun things to discover at this visitor center.  I just learned about all the different animal tracks I can look for in these here parts......and speaking of that......

 I got taken on a personal Geo-Caching Treasure Hunt with my Ruidoso buddy...Mr. Steve.  If you wanna have some fun.....check out geo-caching!  You have to follow coordinates...then look for the hidden treasure box......

 and VOILA...we found it by-doggie!  I even left one of my NM Kids passports inside for the next treasure hunter!  And THIS year...Ruidoso has a special geo-caching festival in June. It's the 3rd Annual Billy the Kid Geofest...and it's been named a Centennial event!  Too doggone cool, eh?  I may have to come back for that this summer!   They have all the details and maps at the Visitor Center too!

OK...now that I've found the treasure box on the geo-caching hunt...I'm hunting for some more rare and old things in Ruidoso.  Ya know..I'm workin' on this "GET THE PICTURE" contest with the New Mexico Tourism Department...and I'm thinkin' there might JUST be some photo ops here in town!  Yup...think I just got another match here at the old mill!

There's lots o good shoppin', eatin, and other dog-scoveries to be had in Ruidoso too!  Just too doggone many to list here.  Think you oughta hop in your own car...and take a little trip down Ruidoso way!

But for now..we're headed back to the hotel.....this is how Travelin' Jack reviewed the hotel on TripAdvisor...and here are the reasons WHY the Lodge at Sierra Blanca gets a PAWS-UP review from Travelin' Jack.... 

1) Large comfortable rooms with outside patio area.  Nice furnishings. 2) Choice of rooms in entire lodge (no designated pet-friendly rooms). 3) We chose a ground floor room with an exit door down the hallway...easy outside access for the active pup.4) LOTS of grassy walking areas surrounding the property. The Lodge is set in a beautiful area that is comprised of green grassy areas, nice shade trees in the immediate area...a wonderful area for the visiting pooch to roam in comfort and safety.

5) One of the nicest attributes to the Lodge is its location next to a golf course and a public park
.
The best part is the very well kempt Doggie Park located directly behind the Lodge. The dog park is EASY walking distance from the property, it has separate large & small dog areas...lots of trees, grass and even the occasional frisbees in area for the visiting pup to play with. The location of this park is a WONDERFUL amenity for pet travelers staying at the Lodge.

Yup..it's been another dog-dandy day in Ruidoso! Time for this workin' pup to get some down time.....so while I'm snoozin...I'm recommendin' to you...get your paws in gear and head on up to Ruidoso!  You'll be glad you did..and make sure to take the pup-kid with ya too! That's my Dog-vice for the day!

Doggie Hugs & Slurpy Kisses! 

Leapin' Lizards its LEAP DAY!

To this pup that means an extra day of FUN!  Hmmm...let's see....how can I possibly spend this FREE day?

                            Maybe LEAPING off wild bulls at Bishops Lodge in Santa Fe...that would be fun!

 Or LEAPING through tons of snow at the Elkhorn in Chama!  BEEN THERE....DONE THAT!

                                        Or LEAPING into dancing classes...well practicing anyway!

 Maybe LEAPING up for an encounter with a famous Racer...the one and only Al Unser!

 But then it might be LEAPING up for a tasty bite at a lakeside picnic at a New Mexico State Park......aw-oh....think I've been caught!

 and LEAPING into cool mountain waters for a swim.....NOT this dawg..thank you very much!

 Maybe instead its watching Native American Dancers LEAPING through their dances at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial.

                                       Or OTHER dogs LEAPING after flying frisbees......

For this travelin' dog...the ideal way to spend a day is LEAPING into the car for another dog-venture!

 Like maybe LEAPING on board for a smooth Sail on Lake Heron with my friends Roswell & Eric!

                             Or even LEAPING for LOVE with my sweet little furry bully-buddy!

 Adventure awaits in Los Alamos when I LEAP on board the fire engine...LET'S GO!

 Or...maybe it's LEAPING into New Mexico's fab favorite...the Green Chile Cheeseburger!

 Then there's LEAPING into high mountain treks in scenic spots like Ghost Ranch!

 Or possibly LEAPING into costume contests?  HEY you stole my idea...you skeleton guy you!

 And then there's fun LEAPING through the sandy dunes at White Sands National Monument! 

 And LEAPING on board for a tour on the ABQ Trolley Company....good times fer sure!

                                   or LEAPING up to check out a great hiking area in Las Cruces!

Or then LEAPING on board for my first ever Conference gig at BlogPaws national pet conference! 

but no matter how you decide to spend your day this 2012 LEAP YEAR DAY.....make sure and take time for a Leapin' Grand Adventure somewhere today in the Land of Enchantment-New Mexico!

That Your LEAP YEAR TIP from the pup in the know when it comes to ADVENTURES!