Many years ago, we adopted a cute little mutt from the local animal shelter. When we asked his name, they said “He answers to Freeway”. So our first bundle of joy came home with us. Then, not all that much later, we added a bouncing baby boy to the family.
As they grew together, we decided we wanted to try an RV vacation. So one summer we rented a motor home and hit the road. Freeway was so excited he didn’t know what to do. The first few hours he stood with paws on the console looking out the front window. Then he got tired and found that lying up against the bathroom door was just the ticket. Fine for him, but whenever you needed to go in, you had to move the dog! So for three great weeks we drove around, the dog navigating up front or sleeping by the bathroom door. When we got home, and I had to return his new favorite toy, he was furious and barked up a storm as I drove away to return it!
Having concluded this was a great summer trip, we decided to purchase a 26′ travel trailer that fall. As it turned out, it has the same floor plan as the motor home we rented (only with a couch across the front). But from the entryway on back, everything is essentially the same. So, on our first trip out, Freeway returned to his favorite spot by the bathroom door when he wanted one of his naps and otherwise would lie in a lounge chair with us when we were outside. From then on, we had many wonderful adventures. Our dog and son grew up together, spending many weekends in the forest and summer vacations on the road. We’ve hit most of the National Parks in the western US.
Unfortunately, Freeway grew old and at the glorious age of 18+ years, he passed quietly one day. Since then, we’ve had three summer vacations with just us and our son. It’s been great, but we often miss the old dog. And sometimes when it’s dark and I go by the bathroom door, I still instinctively look down for the black pile of fur that was so hard to see when he was sleeping there at night.
And now our son is getting close to heading off to college. This summer’s vacation could be the last of its kind for us. We’re hitting two National Parks and the California coast. Then, starting the next year or so, it may just be us. Dog gone, boy gone, what will we do? The plan is to get a nice 5th wheel and retire. And maybe, just maybe, see if there’s a small furry mutt or two at the shelter that need a home before we hit the road.
Submitted by Phil Burtis of Huntington Beach, CA as a part of the RV Centennial Celebration “Share Your Favorite RV Memory” contest.
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