More Utah Love

While in Utah I also took a drive up Emigration Canyon, this time without the dogs so I was able to get out of the car and take some (hopefully) better pictures...

Givin' Utah some love

Utah is a beautiful state. I don't think enough people know this so I thought I share some pictures. Before I moved to Virginia two years ago I shared some pictures I took during a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon, so during this trip I took Angel (my parents dog) and Rusty for a ride up Little Cottonwood Canyon. We didn't get out of the car since no dogs are allowed in that particular canyon but we had a lovely drive- the pictures (most of which I took through the windshield as I was driving- not the recipe for great pictures) do not really do the beauty of the canyon justice- but I will share them anyway....

Shopping with Rusty

I try to take Rusty with me whenever I can. So I take him with me into stores, as long as they do not sell food I figure it's probably ok- and I carry him so it's not like he's running around or can get into anything. Of course, we are occasionally asked to leave- or I'm asked to take my dog to my car and come back and spend money- but normally no one seems to mind and a lot of people stop to talk to him (not to me) and pet him- well, occasionally they do talk to me and when they do they usually tell me stories about their dogs.

Here's a picture of him during one of our shopping trips. How sweet is he?

The Fugitives

He's trying to wish us back home.

The HOA Blues, part two

Well they responded and they said the dog must go- NOW. They are unwilling to give me a week and if he doesn't go NOW, I (well technically the owner- but in reality- me) will be fined. I responded and asked what the fine is, she said if the dog isn't out within 24 hours they will fine us $50 and we will have to have a hearing, after 48 hours we will be fined $100 and a lien will be placed on the property, and after 72 hours they will fine us $299 and a lawyer will get involved. So it could be an expensive week! 

Not surprisingly, I've decided that Rusty and I should leave now. I'm home right now packing for the night- I feel like a fugitive.

The situation feels strange to me- on one hand, I hate the rule and it chafes that they can enforce rules like this on property I own (used to own- that my sister now owns) and the fine schedule seems extremely punitive and ... well extreme. But on the other hand, I broke the rules, I got away with it for a surprisingly long time, and rules are rules whether I agree with them or not. I should have tried to get on the board and change to rules since I obviously have a problem with them but I didn't, I have no one to blame but myself. (Not that this realization makes me any less bitter).  

Big Cottonwood Canyon

I was driving home from work, taking the scenic route, when I arrived to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon and decided to take a left instead of a right and drive up the canyon. It's funny because I had to get gas this morning and was stressing about money and the price of gas and yet I hardly thought twice about driving up the canyon. I haven't been up there in years. I keep forgetting how beautiful Utah is. Here are some pictures. (Disclaimer: the pictures really don't do the canyon justice).

Rusty didn't think much of the drive, here's his reaction...

Who knew my purse was so comfortable?

He didn't like the "NO DOGS ALLOWED" sign either... (he's hiding his nose in a pocket).