(110) Prepin' for the Summer Road Trip

Today was a mixture of tasting local cuisine and prepin for our Summer Road Trip with the dogs. We like to take a long summer vacation, rationalizing that we work hard all year and play hard during the summer months. We look forward to traveling with the dogs. One of the commitments we made to each other when we got married was that we would travel whenever we could. We have been lucky so far. We have been to China, to Mexico, to Canada and most parts of the United States. We really want to travel to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. Unfortunately with a big spending year last year (a wedding, and great vacations) and mandatory furloughs this year, we find ourselves a little strapped (okay, a lot strapped).

Therefore, and hence, we are taking a small trip to see our son and daughter-in-law in South Carolina. We’ve been there before and so have the dogs. In fact, that is where Beeks took his first swim in the Atlantic Ocean. The dogs are great car travelers. Once we get going, they ride well and comfortably. They get so excited when we are preparing to leave (what’s new?)and then they love all of the new smells at the various stops along the way. In North Charleston (our destination) there is the best dog park with a pond where the dogs love to run. We will spend each morning there before we go to the kid’s apartment. They don’t get up as early as us and they stay up many hours later. Hard to admit that we’re the old folks now. Anyway this post is about all of the preparations that we go through to get ready to leave. We leave the cat home where he has full reign of the house while we are gone but only ventures from our bed to the basement where he eats food.

This morning we got up early (early for a Sunday) and went to our local food tasting venue. Once a year the parks and recreation department has a food festival with local vendors highlighting their food. This weekend was the annual festival. As is usual for this “Taste”, it rained all weekend. Not just a little sprinkle mind you, Nooooo. Thunderstorms to beat the band! This morning, it thundered and threatened but it didn’t rain, so we ventured out and enjoyed some Thai food that was spicy. Mmmmmm. It seemed like a smaller festival than in previous years but there was a good enough attendance so hopefully the vendors and the charities were happy. Then we headed for the Prairieland feeds store. This is where we usually get our dog food, pet toys and chews. We didn’t have the dogs with us as it was about 80 degrees with 97% humidity and chose not to take them along. Dogs weren’t allowed in the park and it would have been so hot in the car and although I love Beeks with me it would have been cruel to take him along. At the feed store we were looking for harnesses for the dogs for swimming in the Ocean. We wanted them to have a good time swimming and also be safe. We had to decide what size harnesses to get for Max and for Beeker. The picture at the top of the page is the dogs sporting their new gear! We want to have a way to grab the dogs in the water (if we need to) and also to keep them free to swim. I think the Gentle Leader is good but restrictive in the water. I wanted a hook ring on top of the harness not on the underside, like most harnesses. I’m happy with our purchase, now I need to see how they work in the water. Soon enough.

Tomorrow I will review what other items we take with us on our road trips with the dogs. Their bags, for the car, for the hotel, for occupying their minds and bodies.