UNSTUCK IN CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Reflection, Rumination & Rhetoric from the Road

The Cypress Inn is a hotel to which canines bring their pet people. Because, let’s face it, although dogs are our spiritual advisers and closest companions, they cannot check in by themselves.

It was the late singer/actress Doris Day who founded this hotel and, a passionate dog lover she, pioneered the concept of pet-friendly lodging.

Being a chihuahua, even at almost 15 years old Lulu remains feisty enough to try to take on canines nine times her size. Not that she’d stick around if her challenge was accepted—and she’s still pretty darn fast on her legs.

As Lulu’s hearing dissipated and her sight dulled, her always very keen sense of smell elevated to a whole new level. One quick sniff around any hotel and she knows where everything is better than anyone, canine or human, including some of the staff.

But in this particular pooch palace, Lulu is truly in her element with aromas galore, not only from dogs currently present but also the remnants of yesterday’s lodgers.

That goes for the general vicinity. (It takes 45 minutes for her to walk me around the block.)

So being here is an extra special treat for Lulu as we launch up the coast toward the Pacific Northwest.

And as before (crossing the country through February and the first half of March) the itinerary is loose and unhurried with plenty of room for spontaneity.

Because it is about the journey, not the destination.

And it must be that way because home, for now, is the Clubhouse on Wheels (COW)—and whatever hotel we check into.

If a fork in the road appears, well, that’s why I carry my Eringer cow flip coin…