Canyon View Park in Grand Junction, CO

Happy Labor Day! In all honesty, I don’t really know what Labor Day is, but we always have some tasty BBQ, so it is a good holiday in my books.  Dad would normally go for a long weekend overland trip with guy friends, but his back is still healing. He’s doing great, but he has to wait another month before he doe anything jarring. Mom and I, in turn, would normally head to Lynx Lake, but she had surgery on Friday. She’s recovering nicely, but what a year this has been! Eeeesh.

Anyway, we took an unexpected road trip back up to Grand Junction the end of August, so a weekend at home is welcome. I hate to admit it, but I missed Mowgli. He’s a fun dude, except when I’m trying to sleep and get pounced on at 2 am! I thought I would share some of the behind-the-scenes details of road trips with your dog. You know, some of the things you might not consider but should.

The drive from Phoenix to Grand Junction is ten full hours no matter how you go. Road trips like this can be an adventure all their own, especially when your pup joins you. I know mom and dad love having me with them, but I require attention. I need to stretch my legs and do my business. This can be a challenge on the open road.

Through the years, we’ve stopped at some nice gas stations with patches of grass for dogs, and we have also patronized places that were rough around the edges with bear cans, broken class and cigarettes everywhere. We’ve been rained on and about blown to bits. To be a real adventure dog, you have to roll with the punches and deal with what the trip brings.

Add to it the heat at times, and getting walks in during a road trip is tough. We usually try to save a nice, long walk for when we arrive at our destination, but sometimes we are just tuckered out. How is that you can do nothing but sit or lie down in the car all day and arrive exhausted? If you figure that one out, let me know.

Then there is food. Mom always packs my special treats, but I’m s stinker and won’t eat my dry food away from home. Um, would you when you have the option to eat human food instead? I rest my case. Unless the weather is cool, we have to do the magic drive up windows. These are so fun! You just drive up and they give you food! How cool is that? I’m a big fan of the one that gives you ice cream pup cups. Tasty!

As I age, though, my tummy is a bit more sensitive to greasy food. Mom is the same way, but she doesn’t throw up in the car like me. Ugh. No fun, and it makes it more difficult to find food I can eat that won’t make me sick or require us to go in. I also need water so I don’t get dehydrated. That causes another problem all together. Again, all these logistics are part of the journey. Once we are at the hotel, I get to eat my canned, wet food that I love: sweet potatoes and veal. Lip-licking good.

Mom and dad often have to order take out to eat in the hotel room as many places don’t allow dogs…or the temps are just too warm for me to sit outside. This limits their meal choices, and I appreciate it! Mom gets lots of restaurant suggestions and just smiles because she knows that we probably won’t be able to eat there with me in two. The things she does for love!

This time around, we stayed at the Candlewood Suites. It is very clean and dog friendly. In fact, I had to vouch for my folks and promise they wouldn’t burn the bed down or anything drastic like that. Our room was quiet and the beds comfy, although I chose to sleep in the chair or my bed. When we travel, dad has to drag all my things from the truck into the hotel room: my toys, food bowls, bed, bone, treats, night light, my cuddle buddy plush, and CBD oil. I don’t travel light. Most celebrities don’t, so get over it. I want what I want.

Once thing you can count on with road trips is you will always discover new things. This visit to Grand Junction, we found Canyon View Park at 24 Road and I-70 (exit 28). Wow! What a fantastic park! It has tons of grass and a small lake. You can walk on paved paths or take the dirt trail around.

People were fishing, hiking, biking, and kids were playing on the enormous jungle gym. The park also includes baseball fields, basketball courts, a dog park, football fields, handball, horseshoe, softball, tennis, and sand volleyball. All this for free!

The park has plenty of parking and human restrooms, and the one lot has a bakery/ice cream shop open called the Baker’s Boutique. Check online for their hours. Mom said the pastry was dry, and dad said it was very expensive. Takt that for what it is worth. I enjoyed drinking water and watching the clouds roll in.

Colorado is known for its afternoon showers in the summer, and it did not disappoint. Dark clouds consumed the sky, and the temperatures plummeted. Ah. We came back to this park during our stay, and it is one of my all-time favorite parks ever!

I am pleased to report our friend in Grand Junction is doing better. He had a major set back and scared us all, but he is in good spirits and should be able to go home soon. We continue to lift him up in prayer.

You must always be prepared for changing weather on road trips. Mom packs layers, and dad ensures we have proper car equipment for the elements. Me, I just show up with a smile on my face and anticipation of what lies ahead. Your attitude makes all the difference when adventuring. You can look at hiccups as problems or part of the journey.

My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!

Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/

and be sure to follow me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog

Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!