Stop 1/25

53 pts!

@ Howdy! Welcome to Texas!

Valeria, a Happy Dragon Hatchling, arrived in Lubbock, excited but a little nervous. Texas was so huge! But Kerry had told her the pets here were really friendly, and it was true! She was greeted with smiles, firm pawshakes and an enthusiastic 'Howdy!' on all sides. Everypet seemed so glad to see her!

Stop 2/25

11 pts!

@ Prairie Dog, Lubbock

Valeria started her trip in Mackenzie Park. She sat by a beautiful lake and became aware of a number of prairie dogs nearby. In the Texan way, several called "Howdy!" and asked where she was from. "I've never seen so many prairie dogs in one place!" marvelled Valeria.

Stop 3/25

11 pts!

@ Sparrow Duo, Texas

"Lubbock!" Valeria sighed happily—her first port of call was the Buddy Holly Center. Pausing only to share some seeds and fruit and to have a conversation with some chatty house sparrows, Valeria made for Crickets Avenue!

Stop 4/25

11 pts!

@ Tortilla Chips, Chili & Salsa

Emerging hungrily from the Buddy Holly Center several hours later, Valeria headed for a street vendor of tortilla chips and salsa. "This is the official state snack of Texas!" the vendor informed Valeria, serving her with a large, fragrant helping. "It's deeply rooted in Texas tradition."

Stop 5/25

54 pts!

@ Mama Possum and Brood

Valeria headed back to Mackenzie Park to wind down after her first full day in Texas! Here she was enchanted to come across a young family of opossums with their proud Mama. Valeria read a bedtime story to the wide-eyed, appreciative baby opossums and said Goodnight!

Stop 6/25

11 pts!

@ Black Vultures at Sunrise

Valeria rose at sunrise, wondering what it would be like to tune into 1950s KDAV for some country music. She went for a quick trek round the block and said Howdy! to some black vultures roosting in a tree, who all made friendly hissing noises at her whilst stretching their huge wings.

Stop 7/25

11 pts!

@ Texan Rooftops

Valeria heard mewing and saw a tiny kitten clinging onto a roof, in danger of sliding off the sloping tiles! "Oh, Joshua, what to do?" Valeria looked round. That tree! She climbed the tree, carefully moved over onto the roof, just in time to catch the kitten as it slid helplessly down the slope!

Stop 8/25

14 pts!

@ Mockingbird, Texas

Valeria could hear a blackbird's call, but she could only see a grey bird with a long tail! The bird stopped singing and chuckled. "I'm a mocking-bird," it explained. "I enjoy copying other birds' songs!" The two pets got to know each other. By the time Valeria left, they were fast friends.

Stop 9/25

12 pts!

@ Black Headed Squirrel, Texas

Texas Hill Country! What an amazing place! Valeria was enjoying a trip in the woods. On encountering a Southern Fox Squirrel, she shared some fruit with it and enjoyed a chat.

Stop 10/25

12 pts!

@ Texan Spanish Barrel Tile Roof

A group of pets was busy re-roofing a building. They told Valeria that Aged Mission Clay Spanish Barrel Tile copied an old style. "Can I help?" offered Valeria. "Yes, but take great care!" warned the forepet. Under supervision, Valeria proudly laid a new tile, then slid back down to the ground. It had been a bit scary, but fun!