Did you know that every day is “love your pet” day at my house? Me and my brother Edmond are healthy, happy and downright spoiled! Our mom takes very good care of us, and one time a year, we get to tell her thanks. Whoever created the holiday Mother’s Day knew all moms work hard and deserve a day of rest.
This year, mom said she wanted to go camping to celebrate. Last year was kind of a bust with closures and craziness, so we were overdue to get the trailer out and head to the hills. One of mom’s favorite places in Mingus Mountain there in Prescott because it is close yet cool. Getting there is easy: head north on I-17 to the 69 toward Cordes Junction/Prescott and follow all the way to the top of Mingus Mountain. It’s about 1 ½ hours from north Phoenix. We were pleased to see the extremely windy road to the top is mostly paved now. It’s still a bit stressful towing a trailer up that hill but at least it isn’t jarring and bumpy.
Mingus Mountain is just under 8,000 feet, so you are climbing just under a thousand feet to get to the camp ground, which is first come/first serve. We left late morning on a Friday, so we were hopeful to find a site. Arriving on a Saturday is pretty risky, FYI, as it is usually full by then. It costs $10 per night and all the sites are nice and roomy. We selected #3 and got settled in. Unfortunately, it was windy. What is up with that? We’ve had wind for months and months, and quite frankly, I’m sick of it! I don’t mind wind when it comes with rain, but we are extremely dry. Ugh.
We have so much dust in the air that we could barely see Sedona from the view point just up the road from the camp ground. Crazy! Dad says pollution from California and Nevada has been blowing in. Not good. We headed down the hill a bit into the trees looking for some protection, and we found it.
Nestled in the trees, we were out of the wind and able to relax. Mom and dad got their books out, and I enjoyed the sounds and smells of nature. I firmly believe humans need time with nature away from technology. Slowing down, breathing and resting is the canine way. Woof!
As the sun started to set, we headed back to our camp site to have dinner. If you have been following me, you
know the camper and I don’t get along. Is it the bee that bothered me or the wind beating against the walls? I can’t rightly say, but when I make my mind up…well…it’s over. However, I love my mom. This weekend was for her, and I know she really wanted me to sleep in the camper. She tried something new, and I do believe it helped. Don’t laugh or judge me, but she put on some Neil Diamond. His voice is so soothing. I found myself settling in on the bed and dozing off as mom and dad played Scrabble.
As the night went on, I surprised myself by curling up in my doggy bed and falling asleep. I told myself I could whine or get up at any time, but I slept the entire night. How did that happen? I was a good boy, that’s what happened! Mom was so proud of me, and she was happy. That made me happy.
The morning came and so did the wind again, so we didn’t stay long. We packed up and headed home. Before we knew it, we were back home by the pool. Ah. My own yard! Camping is a great adventure, but there truly is no place like home. To all the wonderful moms out there, we appreciate you! We hope your Mother’s Day was special.
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!
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