Adventure Awaits

You might be wondering … did I volunteer on that last trial day? Did I head back home after the K9 Nose Work trial? I’m pretty sure I mentioned a road trip. Hmm … I doubt a round trip to Anchorage and back qualifies as a road trip.

OK, to fill in the deets; the response to the first question is yes, I sort of did. I volunteered as a Timer for the morning NW1 searches. It’s so much fun to watch these new teams navigate their way through the early stages of the fun sport of K9 Nose Work.

At noon, though, I told the volunteer coordinator exactly what my knee was telling me – it was time to stop.

I spent the early afternoon icing and elevating my knee, visiting with friends at the trial site and resting. But did I head home?

Heck, no, I had no intention of going home just yet. My achy knee was going to ache whether I was sitting at home or in a pretty campground. In my world, this is a no-brainer.

So, after four fun but exhausting days of K9 Nose Work in Anchorage, it was time for Ronni and me to head south, continuing our actual road trip. Jerry had driven to Anchorage to pick up Baxter the day before, since Baxter sadly no longer enjoys long trips in the RV (he seems to consider them to be one very long earthquake).

I stored everything securely in the RV, let Ronni make use of the grass one last time as we said our goodbyes and we headed out … sort of.

Admittedly, I almost never make it very far after a multi-day dog sports trial. I’m well known (and occasionally teased) for leaving a trial site and pulling into the nearest campground, eager for an evening of quiet relaxing and a good night’s sleep.

I know my limitations, and I’m usually mentally as well as physically worn out after a trial. The shorter the drive, the better.

I had been considering Bird Creek campground on Turnagain Arm, only 25 miles or so from Anchorage. It’s one of my favorite stopovers – and it has bunnies. 🐇

However, once again my knee spoke up, nixing the idea. My fuzzy-tired brain chimed in with its own concerns. Heck, even my shoulder said no. I was out-voted.

I drove approximately six miles from the trial site to the nearby Cabela’s store, where they not only welcome RVs overnight in a special parking area just for that purpose – they even have a large, mown-lawn, nicely shaded grassy area for dogs (on leash, of course).

I pulled in early enough to snag a coveted spot alongside the grass. It’s just free overnight parking, but honestly, I’ve seen “campgrounds” that weren’t nearly as well-maintained. Or as safe! Cabela’s has security lights, cameras and a night security patrol.

There were only two other RVs in the large parking area when we arrived, but that didn’t last long. By the time Ronni and I had eaten dinner, taken a late potty walk and closed up for the night, there were easily ten rigs of various shapes and sizes.

I found myself wondering which direction they were heading. Were they, like me, just beginning an adventure? Were they in the middle of an extended vacation and headed north or south, eager to see more of our beautiful state? Denali? Homer? Valdez? Or was this perhaps a final night before returning their RV to a rental location in Anchorage and boarding an airplane to head home.

For me, the road ahead called. In the morning, refreshed and eager, I would answer the call.