Trip to the West – July 11th

Day 7 – The freeze is still on. Hopefully as we go towards the desert in Utah, someone will thaw out. It’s quiet in the car, which is normally good, but it’s still tense. My blood pressure can’t take it. I seriously hope they make up.

At least the scenery is awesome. Lots of open sky for me to fly in. Buttes and mesas and scrub brush on both sides of the road. I haven’t seen any of my buzzard or vulture cousins, but it’s definitely the area for their kind.

Ah … Utah. Basically the same as Arizona. Where are we stopping at again? Glendale, UT? Where is that? Oh, right here. Man this KOA is in the middle of nowhere. Why are we staying here again? Oh, yes. Because it’s half way between Zion N.P and Bryce Canyon N.P. That makes sense (I guess). And would you know it? We actually got to camp at a decent time. Which means we’re able to relax. And apparently thaw out, because now Kathy and John are talking again. It only took a plastic knife to John’s forearm to cut through the tension. Humans and their emotions …

Well, the tent is now less frigid and cozier (and louder, what with John’s snoring). This was a travel day, so nothing really happened. Which is good. I can’t take any more excitement for one trip. And hopefully Kathy and John play nice (my claws are crossed). Tomorrow we go to Zion N.P. Hopefully it will fun. YEAH!!!!

Trip to the West – July 10th

Day 6 – Well, the Grand Canyon freeze is here is full force! Kathy and John are acting like high schoolers and are talking through Ellen, who is beside herself being the buffer. Man, this will be a fun day!

Actually, it was. We basically walked around the rim of the Canyon. Kathy was on her own, so I was wandering with Ellen and John. I did get close to the edge one time (I was only holding on by a wing).

And I’m not a fuddy-duddy, but I did have a stick up my arse for part of the time. You would think that Ellen and John would know better? But no.

I was even an international celebrity as I posed for a Japanese couple. Please take me with you! I squawked at them. These Americans are squabbling and putting sticks up my as*. Apparently they didn’t understand me because they kept walking. Must be the language barrier.

Most of the day was spent walking along the rim. We did stop for a ranger-led lecture on the rim, and while there, one of the condors came flying by. I waved hello to him but he just kept on flying. Snob!

After a full day of visiting the shops, stores, restaurants and building along the rim, we decided we had enough and went back to the tent. Eventually I fell asleep, despite the cold. And the silence. Maybe tomorrow they’ll act like adults?

New post

Benny - YOU POSTED!!
John - Yes, I did. I thought I should finish the trip out West that we took this summer.
Benny - Who told you to do that?
John - No one. I did it on my own.
Benny - LIAR!!
John - Prove it.
Benny - Chris told me that he was going to torment you forever and a day if you didn't post something.
John - He did not. It was just for forever. No days were mentioned.
Benny - Oh, but they were ... to me (evil chicken cackle).
John - You're one disturbed chicken.
Benny - And your point is?
John - Nothing. I'm just stating a fact.

Trip out West – July 9th

Day 5 – Today was going to be a fun day. According to John, we’re going to go to the Grand Canyon. I’ve heard there are lots of condors there, so I am totally looking forward to it. Of course, I would fly myself, but why do that when you have a human chauffeur that’ll drive you wherever you want to go. Onward, westward, Jeeves!

Our first stop: Four Corners National Monument. Apparently there is only one place in the US where 4 states intersect, and where going there. How exciting! Thankfully they woke me up before we got there; I wouldn’t want to miss this exciting sight! OK, it wasn’t that bad. At least I got my picture taken in 4 states – at the SAME TIME!! My left wing was on Arizona, my right wing was on Utah, my claws were on New Mexico and my beak was on Colorado. Or something like that …

After the exciting Four Corners stop, we took a left turn towards Albuquerque, N.M. We didn’t quite get there, and instead headed towards the Painted Desert N.M. It was very cool, but very dry. My little body was parched. I went looking for a watering hole and instead ran into a dinosaur! I tried running away, but he captured me in his jaws!

I struggled to break free, and eventually I was able to fly away from his clutches.

I hope I don’t run into any more of them … they were vicioius!

We kept heading west, but eventually headed north toward the Grand Canyon. As we set up camp, I could smell the condors from a distance. Eventually I’ll see you my far-flung, feathered friends! But first we have to eat, take some sunset pictures and then sleep. Which we did, with a little bit of drama thrown in for good measure. (Why John and Kathy couldn’t just get along was beside me. I don’t even remember what they were fighting about; it was that stupid. Humans … they just don’t get it).

Well, it’s off to bed. The tent was a tense jumble of emotions so thick you could cut with a knife, but thankfully I was above it all (literally – my cot was at the top of the tent). Hopefully tomorrow is better!

Benny and Julie in Australia

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog! Here's the latest I e-mail I got from my sister:

Hi Brother, Just thought I'd let you know me and Benny are doing just fine in Oz land. After much flying around and getting delayed in UAE, we arrived in Cairns a few days ago. We are now in Adelaid about to go on a three day/two night trip to Kangaroo Island. I sent a few pictures to show you he is fine. You will have to invite me to participate in his blog again as I thought I'd already signed up, but when i checked, it had expired. Anyways, the weather is gorgeous and I'm trying to get rid of a sinus cold. I have a Australian paper with Obama on the front and everyone asks me what I think about it. Well take care and don't forget to add me to the Blog again. Talk to you later, Love Julie (Benny said hi and you'd better not have touched his stuff) whatever that means.

And here are the (3) pictures she sent me:

Below is on Camp Arifjon in Kuwait

My sister has access to the blog, so hopefully she'll post something soon! If she sends any pictures my way, I'll post them. And I'll continue with the trip posts, too.

Benny arrives in Afghanistan!

John shipped Benny off to his sister in Afghanistan on Saturday, Sept. 13th. Here are some pictures of the sending off party:






And my sister just confirmed that she received him yesteday. Here's her e-mail to John:





Hi Brother, I want you to know that Benny arrived today, in a record 8 days!! I took his picture right out of the box since he was a little weak after no food for 8 days. Almost, as some of my cookies had been eatin but I forgive him. He helped me put on that hideous puke yellow thing. The welcoming party showed up after that so I took a picture of their first meeting. You had a kiss from Texas, a frog from NY, a cat named max who was shy, a rat named it who wasn't sure about benny and vice versa and some others. One or two more were missing and I'm told he'll meet them later. Well, I've got to go. This is a huge picture so i'll send more later. Love, Julie

Here's a picture she took:

I will keep you updated with any other pictures she sends me of Benny from Afghanistan. In the mean time, Benny threatened to sick the "Animal Mob" on me if I didn't continue updating the vacation he took this summer. I'll get on that this weekend, since he's making friends in a war zone!

On The Lamb

A couple of Benny’s friends from the barnyard stopped by today. They were sad he was not around and that he was heading off to Afghanistan.  They were very well behaved for barnyard folk.  Their names were Polly Pork and Lucky Ducky.  They said they were on the lamb for disposing of Leo Lamb.  I tell you I got a chill down my spine when they told that to me.  I am a little freaked out that I let Benny stay with us and from what I gather Benny was a key participant in the disposal of Leo.  Good luck John!  I hope you have not set him off by not feeding him and making him sleep in a box. Polly said that Leo would steal Benny’s food and shove him into small places for fun. I would keep one eye open while you sleep.