Cruising Down Cali Highway 1

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved the bed at the Ritz Carlton. It reminded me of Salinger's big cloud bed. It was so comfy cozy that I didn't ever want to leave but Sunday morning rolled around and Mom told me we were hitting the road. So soon? We just got here!

Five more minutes, please? I told Mom I was still tired from all the food I ate on Saturday but it didn't work. We were checking out of Half Moon Bay and heading south to see the California coast.

The California coast is simply beautiful. California Highway 1 hugs the coast and as we headed south we drove through Santa Cruz and and Monterey. I have to admit that I slept through most of the pretty scenery, but once I woke up I was so excited to hear that we were going to Carmel. None of us had ever been there and we were meeting up with one of Mom's turtle peeps, Jim. Mom is always talking about Jim and I couldn't wait to meet him. He was taking us to the Forge Restaurant because it's dog friendly. I told Dad to step on it because I was starving!

OMD! A menu just for me. How cool is that? I couldn't believe my ears when Mom read me the menu. I told her I wanted one of everything but she told me that it wasn't a buffet and that I could only have one thing. Hmmm. What to choose? I finally decided on the "Good Dog" because that's what I am!

I had to get my picture taken with Jim and the restaurant menu because this was the first time I had ever eaten in a restaurant and I have Jim to thank for it. Jim was so cool and now I know why Mom likes turtling with him.

I was very impatient while I waited for my food. What was the cook doing? Didn't he hear me crying on the patio? Hurry up dude! Starving pug at table #1!

Finally my food arrived and not a moment too soon. I wish there were pictures of me eating but you know no one can snap pictures that fast. The "Good Dog" was delicious and I give it two paws up!

After lunch Jim took us to the beach. There were so many people and dogs everywhere! Dad carried me in the pooch carrier while he walked on the beach. Jim reminded me that this was the last beach I would see on my Cali trip. I loved the beach and can't wait to visit it again. Soon we were on the road again and where do you think we were headed? To the Smushie Ranch!

I was so excited when we pulled up to the Smushie Ranch and were greeted by Gunther and Betty. What an awesome welcoming committee! This was our final stop in Cali and I just knew we were going to have a great time hanging out with these guys.

Shannon showed us around the ranch while all the Smushies follow us. Here they are in Shannon's office doing what they do best. They have beds all over the place. What a life!

Shannon always has at least one Smushie on her lap at all times. Stella usually does her own thing but Shannon picked her up for this picture. How cute are they?

Newman is such a momma's boy. He's still a baby and needs lots of attention which is okay with everyone because he's such a lover. I know that some of your parents wanted me to put Newman in my suitcase and ship him to them but there way no way Shannon was going to part with him.

How many of you have ever seen Bruce, aka Smushie dad, before? He usually hangs out behind the scenes but Gunther was acting so silly on Bruce's lap that Mom couldn't help but take a picture. Silly Gunther!

Gunther and I had lots to talk about. I asked him if it was hard living with two sisters and Newman and he told me that he wouldn't have it any other way. That dude is so cool that I wanted to take him home. Dad loved Gunther and couldn't get enough of him.

I slept so good on the ranch. The bed in the guest room was so comfy that I didn't want to get up. It's so quiet there that you find you have no sense of time. All the Smushies get up early and Betty takes her medicine bright and early at 6 am. For all her toughness, Betty is really a softy at heart.

Shannon said that this was a typical morning on the ranch. Smushies on top, on the side, and all over her! Shannon is such a great mom and she welcomed me with open arms like I was one of her own.

I chilled out on the couch before we headed out on Monday morning. I wanted to stay because the alpacas were due to arrive by noon but the road was calling my name.

We left Smushie Ranch at 10:00 am and were sent off in style. Thanks again to Shannon, Bruce and the gang for opening up their ranch to us. We will definitely be back!

We spent 2,957 hours in the car after leaving the ranch of which I slept 2,956 of them. Our Monday night stop was Flagstaff, AZ and even though there weren't any pugs to welcome me to town, I had a good time just hanging out in the hotel with Mom and Dad.

Tuesday's destination was Santa Fe, NM which is where we still are. I love it here because I get to go everywhere even if I do have to ride in my buggy. This town is very dog friendly and the weather is very pug friendly. I really like it here but we are heading out early tomorrow morning as we continue to make our way back home. We left home 1 1/2 weeks ago but our trip is far from over. We still have so much to see and do. And to eat!