Exploring before we get going!

After hiking the Wildwood Park on numerous occasions and passing a sign and steep stairs to the "Indian Cave," Max and I -- and our trusty friend, Maridel -- finally braved the tall steep climb into the creepy, dark cave...

...please note that the exit is a mere 20 feet away and is just one long, dark hallway...

...poo...

We had passed it up many times, because from down below it looked like it went way back...it was sooo steep, that we were afraid we'd get stuck or hurt and no one would find us...so we waited until we had our trusty companion, Maridel, who could call 911 if we met a rattler or a coyote (both spotted in the park before)...but we were slightly red faced (and not from the heat) to have our friend there to debunk the myth of the Indian Cave in Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, CA.

But, hey, Max has run up there a couple of times before without me...he never mentioned the size and lack of scariness...he only chased out lizards and barked at something in the shadows, which added to the mystique...I guess he has picked up some of my PR skills over the past few years.

Well, we had to check it out before we left TO on our trek to Texas...the hike was a week ago Sunday, and we feared it may be our last trip there...today we started our 3-day, post-Columbus Day drive...we hope to make it at least to Phoenix...wish us luck! 

Oh, and try to keep track of the time changes :)

Destination: Paradise (Falls)

For those of you who have been following our blog and our treks into the nearby Wildwood Park may not be aware of our on-going search for Paradise Falls...we see the signs, we hike the path and after dozens of unsuccessful attempts -- and even finding other very nice, beautiful falls -- we have finally came upon the elusive Paradise Falls!


On the way over the falls!

At the top of the falls (not sure if you can see the ducks sunning on the rock to the left--Max saw them!), just as the stream goes over the edge.


We're almost there -- I can see the falls!

Could we be so lucky -- are there stairs down to the bottom of the falls? We've been walking up and down and up and down hiking paths for an hour following the signs. Could it be that the gods (aka "state forestry/park workers") have built us stairs for the final trek as a reward for our patience?


Ta-dah!

Yeah! We made it to the bottom...the cool water hits the pool at the bottom -- someone was disappointed that no ducks flew down the shoot.

It was well worth the hike...until I realized that we were now an hour away from getting OUT of the park...as we began our trek back up, I decided to look at my park map with all of its folds and despite the fact that I am, well, "directionally challenged."

Bottom line: It took us 20 minutes to get out.

Pup-erazzi!

Max would like to apologize for the long delay since last we blogged. It turns out that it only takes a few nasty comments on TMZ and other blogs to alert the Pup-erazzi to an easy paycheck.

It all started with the sighting of Max with (and I quote) "two bitches." These two nice lady friends were hanging with the Max for an innocent playdate -- in the 'burbs no less, NOT in Hollywood, as erroneously reported by the tabloids.


Lacey relaxes in the sun while Grace and Max play a nice game of tug-o-war.

Lacey and Grace have released the following statement and hope that Max's fans will respect their privacy because they did not choose this life. They were dragged into it by the irresponsible media.

"We are proud to call Max our friend, and refuse to abandon him his time of need. We want to clarify that we are both 'fixed' and, therefore, are not female dogs in heat as previously reported. We have the medical records to prove it."

In an attempt to clear his head and pull attention away from his residence, Max decided to hike on over to Wildwood Park, less than a mile from his home. The media -- especially the camera folks -- would have a hard time following Max in the heat and the treacherous paths.


Max clears his head in Wildwood park, looking back at "the edge of civilization" that is a canyon away from him now.

The break would be short-lived. Lacey and Grace would have a mere afternoon of relaxation before the Pup-erazzi returned, trying to get that one shot that could humiliate your friend and theirs -- Max.


Lacey and Grace bark at the Pup-erazzi, urging them to leave.

We had all hoped that the Michael Jackson debacle would keep the leeches away, but they were merely distracted for a few weeks. They are back.

I hope Max can handle the pressure.