My husband and I recently purchased a 2009 Jayco Grey Hawk with plans on driving to Alaska to see grandson Chris, stationed on Kodiak Island. Our dog Watson will accompany us on this extraordinary adventure. To get the experience of both driving and using our new home-away-from-home, our first attempt was a seventy-five mile trip south of our shore home to the charming area of Cape May County, New Jersey.
Watson in the window.
The campground we chose was lovely and our site was just across the street from their inviting pool. We arrived in the early afternoon, found and parked the trailer with ease on the pull-thru site, then went about setting up the electric, water and sewer. We extended the slides , pulled down the awning and proceeded to make our 20’ x 70’ space as warm and comfy as possible.
Throughout this process Watson was his usual well behaved self. He is a six year old mix of Sheepdog and Otter hound. We adopted him from a rescue farm in eastern Pennsylvania two years ago, and is now our baby, so to speak. He is spoiled. After all, what dog do you know that gets a new trailer and trip across the country because his owners couldn’t bear to leave him behind?
After the set up, David and I proceeded to eat a quick lunch, change into our pool attire, grab our books and maps of Alaska, put Watson into the trailer, and proceed to walk across the street to the pool. As I looked back at the trailer, there was Watson, up on our bed, sadly looking out the back window. “Okay doggie, you’re not going to make me feel guilty at wanting to enjoy a little free time by the pool. Just do what you normally do all afternoon, lie on the floor and sleep!”
Hubby and I had no sooner settled on our lounge chairs with maps and books askew when we heard a voice say “Does that dog have a collar?” I looked up and there was Watson sitting on the other side of the fenced gate waiting patiently for someone to let him in. He somehow managed to open the screen door to the trailer and make his way across the street to be at our side. How do you scold a pet whose tail is wagging with delight as you approach him? You don’t. We led him back to the site, put him on his leash and took him for a walk.
That night as we settled into bed, a panicked thought raced through my mind: “I hope when we get to Alaska he doesn’t open the door for a bear!”
Submitted by Pamela Noto of Ocean Gate, NJ as a part of the RV Centennial Celebration “Share Your Favorite RV Memory” contest.
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