It started on Monday with a really long ride in the truck. I had to stay in the backseat during the entire trip, but at least they didn’t buckle me in with my doggie seat belt. We stopped for breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa Hamp. I got quite antsy the rest of the trip and let it be known by huffing, which Mom and Dad didn’t like. But, there just wasn’t anywhere to get comfortable in the back.
We got to the park after dinner time. We were all pretty tired but we went on a short walk. I didn’t get many smells that night. We had a quick dinner- leftover tacos for them and smelly fish dog food for me. I didn’t eat much. We all went to bed pretty early.
On Saturday, we woke up early and went on a really long walk. It was over 6 miles of hiking through the woods along the hiking trail into the peninsula of the park. It was mostly quiet. We were among the first on the trails and pretty much had them to ourselves. I was off-leash most of the time, leading the way along the trail. Mom and Dad hike sooooo slowly. They tell me to wait for them if I get too far ahead so I have to turn around and wait for them every so often. It’s OK because it gives me time to check out the smells. There are a lot of chipmunks and ground squirrels in the park. I am not supposed to chase them but Dad says I can chase them out of our campsite if they are near my food.
We got back to camp, I didn’t eat but Mom and Dad did. Then, I spent time keeping watch outside while Mom read and Dad napped. We went for another walk to the Visitor’s Center. It was hot and I really didn’t like walking on the sharp rocks. Dogs are allowed on the beach there and I love the beach. Mom and Dad wanted to see if I knew how to swim. Of course I know how, I just choose not to. They went into the water and tried to get me out there too. I was nervous about it. The water kept moving and coming at me in waves. I went in a little but didn’t like to get too deep. But Mom and Dad insisted so I went out to them. The water got deeper and the ground went out from under my feet! I had to swim to get to them. I never swam before. It’s OK but I prefer to keep my feet touching the ground. They kept calling me and Dad lifted me up and took me where it was over my head. I had to swim back to shore. Mom and Dad were having fun and, to be honest, so was I. Dad started throwing a stick into the water and I really wanted to get the stick but I was still hesitant to go into the water over my head. I kept using my back feet to jump and try to touch the sand. Mom took photos. After a while, I got tired and told them I was done. We walked back to camp.
Then, we went for a ride into town. Mom and Dad ate at a bar-b-que place after discovering the brew pub wasn’t open until 4:00, it was 3:30, and seeing one of Mom’s co-workers (Erin, Lee, and Cannon) randomly on the street. Mom broke one of our rules and slipped me some yummy beef-twice. Dad caught her the second time and didn’t say anything. I think we are on to something here.
We went back to the camp and rested the remainder of the evening. I got to sleep on the bed again. I’m learning that I have to sleep at the end during the night but I can move up and snuggle with Mom when Dad gets up in the morning. We all slept a little better last night.
Today was fun. Mom and I sat outside again this morning while Dad worked. Mom read and I protected the campsite. Mom doesn’t like me chasing the squirrels and chipmunks out of our site. Mom and I went for a run. I got hot but it was an easy hour and 15 minutes run (45 minutes human time). Then, we all hiked back to the Visitor’s Center. Mom and Dad got the next campsite parking pass. We saw Frank again. Mom and Dad are excited to see him but it’s just Frank and, even though he is a friendly fox, he isn’t as cute as me. He does have an attractive white spot on the tip of his tail but he doesn’t have my cute ears. We moved the Casita to another campsite and then went into town for lunch.
I got a nice treat for dinner last night, probably because I had not eaten my food since I’ve been here, so I wasn’t that hungry for breakfast. If I don’t eat my boring dry food, I think they’ll give me the good stuff I want. I was pretty hungry while they were eating lunch at a nice pizza place called Blue Moose. Mom gave me a piece of chicken and then so did Dad. I am definitely onto something.
After lunch, we went to an Iris store. I know it’s my store because it smells like dogs and they put clothes on me. They bought me another jacket. I have a lot of jackets but I like the new one. It’s bright red and kinda poofy. I thought it was a warm poofy jacket at first. We drove around the lake and went to a beach on the north side. They put the warm poofy jacket on me. Weird but whatever. I was excited to be on the beach again and off leash. Then, they called me into the water again. I didn’t want to get my new jacket wet but they insisted. Dad even picked me up by the handle on the back of the jacket and put me in the water. The jacket helps me float-cool. I still am nervous about the moving water and I was a little tired. Mom and Dad laughed at Dad carrying me with the jacket handle into the water. He kept putting me in the water at deep areas. I started moving my legs like I was swimming while Dad was carrying me in the air. I had to be prepared afterall. That really made them laugh. I like playing in the water with Mom and Dad and chasing the stick into the water but it does still take some convincing to get me to swim.
Boy, am I beat now. We are sitting in the new campsite – I like the other one better because it was quieter. I played with a moth and now I think I’ll take a nap in the dirt beside the towel they laid out for me. The sun is better here.