Food Guy Guest Spot 3- Old friends & a run

Saturday started off with breakfast with some old friends from back in the Gorge. I think it's been at least 3 years since I've seen Chris and Leslie. They were headed over to Bozeman from Missoula to ski at Big Sky today, so they stopped by and picked me up for some breakfast. It was great to see them, catch up, and get the inside scoop on living in Montana.

After Chris and Les took off, I went on a real estate tour with some local agents and checked out the housing scene. Things look pretty good here. When that was finished, I strolled around downtown for a couple of hours to get a better feel for the place. Gotta say, I love it here. Next, took off for a run at Peete's Hill. It's a sweet park where lots of kids were sledding and fellow weirdos were out running- most with their dogs. On my way I passed this dog, who told me to tell Yellow Dog, "This is how we roll in Montana!"
The run was pretty sweet. The views of the mountains were not so clear because it's been snowing since last night, but it was still a sight to see.
I ran for just about an hour. I didn't really pack enough clothes to go for a long run here. I really needed an outer shell and something to cover my face when the wind is going strong. Not that I'm fast enough to make it windy. I stopped here and there to take some photos, check the view, and pet a dog here and there. Yellow Dog would love it out here!

I need to catch up on some work email, then I 'm going to head back downtown to check out the Christmas stroll. Did I mention that I like it here?

Food Guy Travel Guest Spot 2

It's been a fantastic trip to Bozeman so far. The weather here isn't quite what I expected. The temperatures are much, much colder than I thought I'd see this early in the winter. The good residents of Bozeman have assured me that it's been a little colder than normal. The good news is that -4 doesn't really feel as bad as it sounds. You know how people are always talking about dry heat? Well, I experienced that this summer, and it's true. It's kind of shocking that it also applies to the cold. Dry cold isn't nearly as bad as the type of cold we have in the Southeast. I went for a run this morning even though the temperature was 7. I know what you're thinking: What kind of idiot goes running when it's 7?! Well, those of you who know me know the answer to that question. It wasn't bad at all though. It was cold, but not bone-chilling cold. I took some pictures on my run. I had to stop by the bench with the statue of Walt Whitman that sits outside of the English department here at Montana State. Couldn't resist the urge to play literary tourist (yes, I'm nerd).

The views here are surreal. The mountains in the background look like something out of Hang 'em High or The Outlaw Josey Wales.

I kept waiting for someone on a horse with a cigar stub hanging out of his mouth to show up and tell me that there are better ways to get around than running. But, it didn't happen. I even passed a few fellow addicts who were out getting their morning fix.

It's amazing how many people were out at 7:30 in the morning running through the snow in 7 degree weather. It appears, I think, that Bozeman is my kind of place. I haven't even gotten to paddle any of the creeks or find any of the good trails to run or ride, and I'm already convinced that you could spend a lifetime here without doing all the things you could do without driving more than 2 hours. What a concept!

I finished up the formal part of the job interview process for the trip today. I'm pretty happy with how things went. It was a mad scramble to put together my teaching demonstration and research presentation, but I think that both of them went well. The faculty in the English department here are a really interesting group. Everyone is very nice, incredibly smart, and easy to talk to. Most have outdoor interests and are generally happy, fun people. I had dinner tonight with a prof who's been teaching here since 1966. Yes, 1966. This guy had a student several years ago who was the grandson of a former student of his. I was amazed at how well read he was. We talked about books the entire time and I was in awe of his ability to discuss any book. Amazing really.

I'm excited to see some of my friends from back in the Gorge tomorrow. Chris and Leslie moved out to Missoula a couple of years ago, and they are coming over to Bozeman to ski tomorrow. I am doing a real-estate tour and then hanging out with a couple of profs in the evening, so no skiing for me. But, it'll be great to catch up with Chris and Leslie in the am, then go for a run in the afternoon. I think it's going to be snowing. I'll try to take some pics to put up here. It feels strange to be on a trip without Yellow Dog, and I miss home and my friends. Hopefully, I'll be able convince people to move out here if I get this job. I know YD will love it out here. I sure do. The town is really cool, and this job- well, I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect job.

Food Guy Travel Guest Spot 1

The Yellow One asked me to write a couple of guest spots while I'm on my trip to Bozeman this week. He's happily chillin' in the ATL while I'm off trying to find a job so I can buy him lots of dog bones and dog food.

Right now I'm sitting the airport in Salt Lake because Delta once again failed to get me to a connecting city on time.

On my last trip, I got to spend a night in Houston while I was trying to get to Salt Lake. It's only fitting that I spend some extra time here in SLC this time. It's no worries, though. SLC has free wifi and I have lots of work to do anyway. I'll catch my new flight to Bozeman at 8:30 and be there in time to grab some sleep before my interview with the good folks at Montana State begins in the morning. Hopefully, I'll have some good news to report and get to go on a little adventure before I catch my flight home Sunday morning. I'll let y'all know what's happening here in the wild west.

Home Again

I'm pretty happy to be back home and sleeping in my dog-bed again. I had a great time hanging out at the Lake with Food Guy's parents, but I was a pretty happy Yellow Dog when he picked me up yesterday. He looked pretty tired from being at the Conference in Philly, but he told me it was a great trip. He got to catch up with lots of folks and talked to people about jobs. He said that the interview with the people from Montana State went well, and hopefully we'll find out soon if he's going to be heading up to Bozeman for an on-campus interview. He also met with some professors from New Paltz, and he said that place sounds pretty sweet. As if that's not enough, he got to have dinner with people from his old stompin' grounds in Western NC and that went pretty well too. He found out today that he's on the short list for the job there. All pretty amazing options! Sounds like a good week to me. Things are looking good from him being able to buy me lots of dog bones next year.

The only exciting new I have from my trip is the little swim I went for. I was playing on the dock- jumping back and forth from the dock to the boat, and I missed the dock. It was SO scary. Y'all know I don't like to swim at all. I'm a dog not a fish! Anyway, I couldn't get out of the water. They had to pick me up and pull me out. I don't think I'll be doing that again. I'm all recovered now though, and I did get a bath out of the deal. I really like baths in case you didn't know that.

Well, that's about it from here. Food Guy is about to get back to work, so I'd better run. Stay tuned for more adventures. Food Guy and I are heading up to the mountains on Wednesday to hang out for a few days. Should be sweet!

YD takes a Lake vacation

Greetings from the Lake, y'all. Food Guy had to go to a conference this week, so I'm staying with my Grandparents. Should be pretty sweet. A couple of Food Guy's friends from school (Eric and Klaus) showed up at our house yesterday morning so we loaded up the mobile dog house and got rolling north. I slept for a couple of hours and then woke up to the strangest smell. We were at the Waffle House! I knew I was probably going to see my Grandparents sometime soon, which means one thing: sweet, sweet dog bones. Well, it also means laying on the couch and watching some TV too. I'm pretty sure that the Food Guy's dad has a never-ending supply of dog bones. Gotta love that. Kind of makes up for the fact that I couldn't go to Philly with Food Guy and his friends. Can you believe the downtown Marriott in Philly doesn't allow dogs?! Silly! Personally, I think everyone should boycott that place.

Anyway, I'll be chillin at the Lake all week while Food Guy is up on Philly working. Oh, and in case you weren't sure- Thanksgiving is coming up. What a great time to pick up an extra large bone for a Yellow Dog to play with if he happens to show up at your house.

It's been a while, but I'm a busy Yellow dog

I know it's been a while since I had a chance to get my paws on the keyboard, but I've been a pretty busy Yellow Dog this last month. The Food Guy and I have had lots of big adventures lately. I'll do my best to fill y'all in while the Food Guy takes a break from all the work he's been doing between our adventures. As you can see from the pics, we've been up to our old tricks of traveling every chance we get. Food Guy has been pretty busy during the week working on his dissertation and getting job applications out. The biggest news we have on that front is that Food Guy has an interview with Montana State coming up at the end of the month. He's pretty excited because this is pretty much his dream job. It's in the English department in what looks like a pretty amazing place to live-Bozeman Montana. I think a Yellow Dog could have a pretty good time in a place like that. I hear it snows a lot, and y'all know I really dig the snow- hee hee pun intended. I know, I know, bad joke. But , hey it was too easy. We also found out today that one of papers the Food Guy wrote got accepted for publication. Now, that won't buy me any dog bones, but it does go a long way to getting him a job, which means money to buy dog bones and go on trips. I like that.

In other news, we went to the ATL a few weeks ago, so Food Guy and Reeve could do the annual suffer-fest that is the Mystery Mountain Marathon. Check out the elevation profile on this bad boy:

I'm glad I got to stay at Reeve and Rinne's to hang out with Java and the rest of the doggie crew that day. That's not a run for a Yellow Dog. The boys turned in a good time and we're quite pleased with themselves when they got home.

Our next adventure was the most amazing day of trail running and hiking in the Cohuttas. The views there are amazing. I had so much fun running up and down the trail. It was awesome. I think that's my new favorite place. Check out these views:

There was even Rhyme on the trees up at the top of the mountain off the tearbritches trail. It was quite possibly one of the most beautiful places Food Guy and I have ever been.

Reeve and the Food Guy had planned on running a 50K, but that got canked because Reeve and Rinne's baby showed up a little early on the early side. That was a pretty wild story. I'll spare you the details, but Rinne woke Food Guy up at 3:30 am to drive them to the hospital a couple of Saturday nights ago. Crazy little baby Pearse wanted to get out in the world. So, I looked at them like they were crazy for getting up at the hour and went back to sleep. A few days later little Pearse showed up and Food Guy's an Uncle. Rinne was cool enough to tell Reeve and Food Guy to go to the race the next weekend for a bit even though she and Pearse had just come home from the hospital the night before the race. Everyone was so happy that she was healthy and home that Reeve and Food Guy happily cut their run short to get Reeve back home.

We also made a trip up to Tallulah and Panther Creek this week. This place is always a good spot to go for a walk in the woods. There are lots of open spaces where I can sprint around like a crazy dog. Check me out doing my best crazy wolf impression.

Well, I'm kind of tired now. Thinking about all of our adventures has worn me out a little bit. Plus, Food Guy just came back over the computer and he wants to do some more work. Somebody should tell that guy to go to sleep. I tried to tell him, but he keeps saying something about having to get his dissertation written, so we can go back out West for some more adventures this summer. Y'all keep your fingers crossed for us on the job front.

YD goes to Chattaboogie

The Food Guy and I had an especially good weekend this weekend. Two of Food Guy's best friends got married in Chattanooga on Saturday, so we loaded up the mobile doghouse and hit the road on friday morning. Man, what a weekend we had!

We rolled into town Friday afternoon to help set things up for the rehearsal and then the Food Guy took me to the house where we were all staying. It was really hot outside, and Food Guy made me stay outside. Now, y'all know I like to do my lounging in comfortable places, so I was a little confused when I had to stay outside. But Food Guy said no dogs were supposed to be in the house. Lucky for me everyone else staying in the house said I just HAD to come inside. So, Food Guy agreed to let me go inside, and boy, it was great! There were like 10 people staying in the house and some of my new friends had little kids. You know I like playing with kids. Mostly because they are always so happy to see me, but also 'cause they tend to drop people food on the ground. And, Food Guy NEVER lets me eat any people food. It was awesome! Plus, there was someone to pet me ALL the time, which is good. I mean, what else are people for?

The weekend got even better saturday morning. We went over to Sunset to go for a trail run. It was raining like you wouldn't believe, but that just made it more fun. After the run, Food Guy and the Sams ran around putting up balloons so people could find their way to the wedding (I took a nap). Then, the real fun began. Well, at least that's what I heard. I slept at the house while all the people went to the wedding. From the photos, it looks like they had a really good time. Check out Sam with the Bridesmaids:

Things couldn't have worked out better for the wedding. The rain went away and the sunset was amazing.

Food Guy says the wedding was perfect and everyone had lots of fun. After the reception, Sam S. took Sam and Rebecca away in this super-sweet bike taxi:

Then, Food Guy and everyone went back to the house to continue the party. Matt and Greg played music while people took turns giving me lots and lots of attention. The Food Guy says I'm one spoiled dog, but really I just think that's how it should be. Don't ya think?

We finished up the weekend with a fun climbing adventure at Leda. I love going on climbing trips. I get to go for walk in the woods and hang out with all the people. The whole gang was there. Rebecca's parents even came, and her pops is no slouch on the sharp end of a climbing rope. Her mom even scales the rock like spiderwoman. Cool stuff! I mostly just hung out and watched Sam, Sam, Rebecca, and Steph climb way up wall like it was nothing. I don't know how they do it. I like to just stay on the ground and watch. Food Guy struggled up one of the climbs and seemed pretty pleased that he made it.

All in all, it was one of the best weekends we've had in a while, which is saying something because Food Guy and I lead a pretty charmed life. Good friends, good adventures are all a Yellow Dog and his Food Guy can ask for. Everything else is just gravy (or the stuff that goes on top of my food to keep me from shedding too much). Food Guy's friend Steven says that our life is one big scam because we're always going off on adventures. Food Guy and I have to agree. But, hey, why not? Life's too short not to go everywhere you can.

Well, y'all have a good week. Food Guy's gonna be working non-stop this week writing that silly dissertation of his. So, you know there's no chance I'll get my paws on the keyboard for a while. But, stay tuned- you can always bet that they'll be a new adventure coming up for us soon.