THE DESERT - CACTUS, ROADRUNNERS AND MORE

Wow, the desert is certainly VERY different from the North Pole and the kind of weather I’m used to. Good thing we are visiting this area in the winter. My coat would be much too hot for this desert heat.

I really liked to look at the saguaro cactus. They are especially cool and Santa said some of them are a couple of hundred years old. I like the roadrunners too, in fact, I wouldn’t mind chasing them. You know, I’m a pretty fast runner myself. But Mom wouldn’t let me. Gee, how is a snow dog going to have any fun?

We stayed in a place that had lots of campers that are called “snowbirds”. Mom said that many people who live in the Northern states spend the winter down south. Well I sure don’t understand that. Who wouldn’t want to spend time playing in the snow? Anyway, this place also had some little small houses all surrounding a golf course.

I guess it looked Ok, but there was hardly any grass and then the management did not want me to walk on it! Why would you plant grass and then tell me I can’t walk on it? I don’t understand that, boy humans sure have odd rules.

We got to visit one of Mom and Dad’s very close friends, Fred and Chery. I certainly liked them too they are so nice and I know they thought I was beautiful. Fred is a professional photographer and I told him that I would be glad to do a photo shoot anytime he wants. Chery is a professional singer and has a beautiful voice. We could only stay for one night but I hope we see them again soon.

We are heading south on the I10 now going toward New Mexico. I wonder what is there?

WE ARE ON OUR WAY ACROSS COUNTY

Carrow Chekitwice, who is the Supreme Toy Maker in the North Pole, was the one that suggested to Santa and Mrs. Claus that they get this motorcoach. Both he and Santa felt that it was important to see more children throughout the year and not just at December. Santa has to use many helpers or ambassadors to represent him now because there are so many children and he can’t possibly see everyone. I know his real passion is to meet and talk with children so this idea really appealed to him.

We had been staying in several campsites in Southern California, I guess that Mom and Dad were getting used to the coach. This is something I was NOT getting used to. I kind of suspected something was up, as there was a lot of activity, certainly more than usual. Mom and Dad were stocking up on everything. Then, I overheard Santa and Mom discussing traveling to New York City!!!!

Well one fine rainy morning we headed out, traveling down the 5 freeway heading toward the 8 to cross over the mountains and into Arizona. Let me mention again that I hate to travel in this contraption! It makes too much noise and something always seems to be rattling. In fact, every time we went around a curve the drawers would start to slam open and shut. Poor Mom had to get up all the time to close them and just wait for the next curve to repeat the process all over again.

Now, my dad, Santa, is a great driver in the sleigh. I know because he has let me ride with him on several occasions. But I have to tell you I was a little scared going over those mountains in that huge bus! This coach is certainly a reindeer of a different color!

Shake, rattle and roll – we were on our way!

Tasha sounds the airhorn!

When I rode with Dad in his sleigh I could always see outside and more importantly everyone could see me and admire me. I can’t tell you the number of times people would pull up beside us and tell my parents what a beautiful dog they had. I always gave them my best profile.

Anyway, in the motorcoach no one could really see me. I would sit on the sofa, but the windows were tinted and hard to see through. So when Santa and Mom were gone I sat in the driver’s seat. Wow what a view! Now this is what I’m talking about. I could see everything and more importantly people could see me as well.

One time while my parents were checking into an RV park, I accidentally put my paw on the air horn. Jeez, did that make a loud noise! I liked it so much; I decided to do it a few more times. Everyone was running out of the office looking at me. I thought it was very cool, but Mom and Dad weren’t as pleased. They told me not to do it anymore. Sometimes they don’t share my idea of what is fun.

Would you like to share a funny story with me?

San Clemente State Park

Hi there, well ready for another story?

For about a month we just traveled around to different campgrounds in Southern California. My favorite was the San Clemente State Park on the ocean. Santa and Mom said the views were really wonderful but I don’t pay much attention to that, although, I do enjoy nosing around new areas – all those great smells!

Santa wrote a book for kids and each night both he and mom would do a book reading; most of the time at least a dozen kids would come over for story time. Did I mention how much I love kids? I think I love kids much better than other dogs. They always fuss over me and pet me.

I know my Dad likes to think that they came over to just visit him, but secretly I think they came to see his snow dog instead. Anyway, that was my favorite part of each stop.

Do you have a favorite stop you would like to share with me?

Dog Travels with Tasha Santa's Snow Dog

Travels with Tasha Santa's Snow Dog

Let me introduce myself, my name is Tasha and I am eight. Some people refer to me as The Princess, I guess it’s because people are always stopping my Mom & Dad and telling them how beautiful I am. Did I mention I am a caramel and white Siberian Husky?

I can’t help it…it is the truth, I am beautiful. Often times I even upstage Dad. Maybe you have heard of him, Santa Claus? He always thinks it is all about him. Now REALLY!

Anyway, this is my story of travels with Santa and Mrs. Claus. We sure have covered a lot of country together and our travels are anything but dull. Now I know that historically Siberians are known for being nomads. Personally, I cannot understand how anyone would like to leave a perfectly good spot for another. But my parents seem to be everywhere but the North Pole.

For instance, Dad decided to trade in his perfectly good sleigh for a 40’ Diesel Pusher Motorcoach! The first time Mom drove this beast she did not secure the cupboards and things were flying everywhere. And the noise and vibration! Why I was so scared I tried to climb into her lap and I never do that! Then if that was not enough, when we finally came to a stop the walls of this thing moved out. Jeez! I really yelled at them and tried to tell them this was a deathtrap, but did they listen? Of course not - because I’m just their dog.

At first, I thought it wasn’t so bad. Inside there was a sofa that Mom pulled out for me so that I could sleep on it. But the really cool thing was to crawl under it and curl up in the corner. The first time I did this my parents couldn’t find me. They kept calling and looking for me. Santa asked mom “How could she just disappear?” Finally, they looked under the sofa and found me. I know, I know I should have told them where I was, but that would have ruined my fun.

Anyway, we stayed in this cool park for a couple of days and I thought that maybe this motorcoach living was not so bad after all. Then they started packing up again. Well, I decided to help out by going to the bedroom and sleeping on the bed. All of a sudden Mom pushed this button and those walls started to close in! This was worse then opening up. I thought we were going to be crushed to death. Then Mom started the engine and we were off again. She had secured the cupboards better, but boy is this thing noisy! I stayed glued to Dad’s legs and next to the door for a quick exit. I hate this thing!

I have many more stories about RV’ing but before I go on, do you have any stories about camping or traveling with your parents that you would like to share? I sure would like to hear from you.