Today we got back from our first camping trip of 2011, and the first trip ever for the pups.
We first took a side trip to Christopher Creek where Zaka and Zuli got to see a creek/running water for the first time. Zaka sniffed it for quite awhile and they both just stood awhile in the middle, trying to figure it all out during the first crossing. Both quickly adjusted and further down the stream we came to a huge water hole that was deeper than either Dave or I cared to find out. It was an instant drop off from the rock we were initially standing on and I threw a stick out but didn't think either would go for it since the bottom was no where in sight. What I didn't think about what that both dogs just discovered what a creek was only 30 minutes prior and had NO prior experience to water being deeper than they could touch. I'm pretty sure both expected this to be similar to what they were just standing in. Zaka immediately leap out to get the stick and before we could turn on the video camera, he was taking his first swim. This swim was not graceful by any means. He had a look of terror in his eye as he clopped his big "horsey paws" down in the water making huge splashes but keeping afloat just fine. His sister went right in after the next stick with no fear even after watching the spectacle her brother made and we quickly discovered she is the next Amanda Beard. She is a born swimmer. She loved every minute of it. Zaka refused to go in after any other sticks by his own will. Dave and I both "helped" him in a few times, but he still wasn't too sure about swimming.
(Zaka has a little less "finesse" compared to his sister)
(Zuli glided through the water like a fish. She loved it!)
We finally headed up The Rim to our usual area. We actually have not been to this exact location for 3 years for reason of fear, or at least fear for me. Let me quickly recap the camping trip of June 2008...
3 years ago Dave and I headed up to a great spot that he had camped at with some friends just above Payson/Strawberry. It was green, secluded, and free. We went really far back and passed a lot of fellow campers at the beginning of the road, close to the highway. But the further we went back the less and and less we saw of people. Everything went great. We set up camp, went of a hike, and finally set a fire for dinner. We had our original--Reese's & Banana S'mores and even played a few rounds of Yahtzee before calling it a night. Exhausted for a long day we both fell right asleep. That is, until just after 3am we were both awakened by a startling howl and many, many howls in return. Alright, it's the woods, you might hear a distant howl or two...no these howls were loud--too loud. We estimate by all of the noise (pine needles breaking, grunts, growls, and more howls) that a pack of coyotes??? wolves?? were passing though our camp just a few hundred feet away. I mean it was LOUD. They were close and there was a lot of them and we were all alone. I was literally shaking. What would stop them from attacking if they wanted? We had NO protection. Dave whispered directly in my ear to just stay quiet and if we had to he would set off the alarm of the car and we would both just run for it. Needless to say we are fine, they did not bother us, and we did not sleep the rest of that night.
So now, 3 years later we have "protection" (not really, they are intimidated by the dachshunds at the dog park, but their barks are impressive, so maybe just an "alert system"?). We love the spot. It is a great escape from the Valley heat and it's so green and reeks of that awesome pine smell, why not give it another go?
Overall the dogs did great camping (and we had NO visitors--bonus)! They stuck around (we practice "come" a lot the first 5 minutes with the good treats) and they did alright in the tent. Because we have kennel trained them since the first night they came home with us, they have never had the opportunity to sleep "freely" or sleep by us, both were just a little too much for them to handle. They did want to keep snuggling up to us because we were in such near proximity and at their level. It was also pretty cold at that altitude (I think it was in the 40's that night). However, a 90 lb. dog can certain cramp your style, much less two of them. They only woke us up every 30-40 minutes so that was...good...I think. There was also a few barks in the middle of the night at various cracks and creeks in the forest, but I was okay with that after our last trip to the spot.
When we were packing up the next day I really think they were sad to go. They did not want to get in the car. I think all of the smells and room to run was just too hard to give up. We reassured them that after the fire restrictions and heat passed we would surely be up again soon. After all, we love all of the smells and room to breath too that camping offers us.
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