After a really busy work week, we took a small day trip this weekend up to Ojai and Ventura county. Kona was more than ready for adventure.
Ojai is a nice place with lots of artists. That makes for some awesome shopping. The main street is a row of unique shops with one of a kind items. As with most art oriented cities, many places were dog friendly, providing water bowls and treats. We had a nice lunch on the patio of a dog friendly restaurant and then browsed some local shops.
Kona kept an eye out for squirrels in Libbey Park off the main strip.
Ojai is located at the base of Los Padres National Forest and our plan was to do some hiking in the park before going to the beach in Ventura. When we got to the trail head there were warnings for Poodle Dog Bush on the trail which is similar to poison oak so we decided to come back in the winter to save ourselves a lot of itching.
Our first stop was a small beach just at the north end of Ventura. We didn’t know if Kona had ever been to the ocean (despite living in California for most of his life!) and thought it was a good place to test the waters so to speak. Kona wasn’t eager to get wet and we let him decide to just walk on the beach.
Our next stop was another Ventura beach (dogs are allowed here, unlike Los Angels beaches, sadly!) where Kona revealed his bird flushing skills on the pier.
Then on the beach, Kona ran after a tern hovering in the air and rushed into the ocean.
Suddenly, the water wasn’t an issue for him!
He gave chase as the bird hovered along the shore.
After following the tern down the shore he had a good strong recall once he lost his “bird brain” and high tailed it back to us.
So we’re not sure if Kona actually likes the water or that he’s just the ultimate bird-dog but either way, he had a great time.
When we got home, Kona crashed out after a bath and I’m sure he dreamt of chasing that bird because his paws were running in his sleep.
Love your blog and love this post in particular.
OMDDDDDDDDDD!!
What a wonderful trip you had dear friends!!!!!
Kona look soooooooooooo happy with you!!!!
ANd he made us soooooooooooo happy when we saw him running free…going to the beach…and visit wonderful places with you!!!!
Can’t wait to give him tons of cuddles!!!!!
We love all the pics…but our preferred is the one where Kona is running with the brds and finally he got a bath!!!!!
Waaawaaawaaaaa!!!
Super Kona!!!!!
Can’t wait to spend some times with you guys!!!!
And visit wonderful places like that with you and your special boy!!!!
WE LOVE YOU A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tons of love and kisses!!
That is so sweet how he came to life with the birds, and looks so happy in the ocean! This brings back nice memories. I went to college at UCSB – and have great love for that part of CA :) P.S. last napping photo is a beauty too!
Wow Kona! Looks like you had a good time chasing those birdies. I like to chase them until they turn on me and then I run for my mom and dad to protect me. Odd, they just laugh at me. Glad you liked the ocean. I love the ocean but it makes my little sister very sick so I don’t go so much anymore. We are now into lakes – geez, I really do miss smelling like the ocean. Dang, sister!
Paws up!
Hey there
What beautiful pictures of Kona on the beach! It looks like you had a truly awesome time out. Wish we were there.
Lots of licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
Hey M, S, & Kona,
An adventure up the coast to Ventura. Dad’s sister lives in Port Huenemme and the E-2 airplanes he works for are based at NAS Pt. Mugu which is now part of the Ventura Naval Base Comples. Dad used to fly in their occassionally. His ship put on a big airshow in the Cahannel Islands area for President Reagan way back when….
Trivia: The Bionic Woman character used to live in Ojai on the TV show way back when… The TV show JAG filmed airplane sequences at Pt. Mugu and it really interfered with a lot of the F-14 flight test schedule. Pt. Mugu also served as the flight line of Guatanamo Bay, (yeah the same Gitmo) Cuba in the movie A Few Good Men. Tom Cruise actually arrived at Pt. Mugu, not Gitmo. Wasn’t the set for M.A.S.H. up in the Los Padres National Forrwest or around that area.? Dad has been to the farmer’s market and beach art auctions in Santa Barbara. Kona sure has bird dog instincts; he’d love it here with all the Canada Geese stopping by at our lake. Boy can they honk up a racket.. Kona sure tuckered himself out what with all the exercise, and fresh salt air. We sometimes chase things in our sleep too, it makes mom and dad LOL. Simona is far off; she very excited about their trip to LA and SD. We wish that we were going to LA and SD. WE love youse guys. Be safe and stay happy.
– TBH&K
Aw, what a wonderful day for everyone! Kona looks like he had a great time- many more to follow he (we) hope :)
Nothin’ like a day spent with the peeps at the water, topped off by a nice nap on the couch. But I must know what you order at lunch….grilled chicken, fresh fish or a little fillet?
Hi Ben, Kona enjoyed some smoked salmon frittata for lunch and turkey with sweet potatoes for dinner.
Yeaaaaaa Kona!! I love chasing birdies too! Then I get a bit scared, and turn and run for my peeps! Looked like a wonderful day.
Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose
What a furry good and wonderfuls day you had, Mr. Kona. We are so furry happy that you found the PURRfect peoples to help you find you’s furever home. We know they will do a furry good an’ special job?
Seeing those places brings back so many memories — We visited the very same, many,many times on road trips up & down the coast. Dog-friendly beaches were always mandatory stops for the Cowgirl. Something about that salt-air breeze that gets everyone so frisky. Kona is looking very secure these days. Kudos.
Wow Kona! Your peeps sure took you on a great roadtrip! Love those myself and love beaches too! But you are far more active in chasing birds than I am! Wow, you even went and challenged that wave! Cool! And you look so cute sleeping on that blankie! The collar looks pawesome on you and I look forward to hearing about the hike when you go back!
Hugs xo
Sammie
Boy Kona, It looks like you had a GRRRREAT time! If I had been there with you, we would have gotten that bird for sure! Hey Kona, have your humans made you those turkey meatballs yet? I dream of those things. Have a great day Kona.
Your friend,
Nicholas
We ust want to say Congratulations on the Bravo Zulu award that the Bumpass Hounds have given you for your outstanding work in Rescue,
Keep doing what you are doing, their are so many Goldens that need help.
Hamish & Rescue Sophie
What a fun day for you and Kona. He looks like he is having such a great time.
Tucker and Daisy
What images fur us to keep in mind as we head to bed…
Of khourse, the last one is THE best!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra