September 8, 2009 – Bothell, WA

Travel days are always marked by big flurries of activity in the morning, getting ready to get underway, followed by long hours of boredom, otherwise known as nap time. We usually get a rest stop during the day’s trip, giving me an opportunity to sniff out some new flora and maybe chase some fauna. On arrival at our destination RV Park, there’s another flurry of motion to set up the rig for our stay there. Geri then takes me for an orientation walk around the park, while Don fixes dinner. It was all going according to routine this time, except Don was still fussing with the satellite antenna when Geri and I got back from our walk, with no dinner fixings in sight. I sensed that we were awaiting a visitor, and I soon found out I was right; who should show up at the door of the coach but Gary, my original patron, mentor and nemesis. I was immensely happy to see him, but on my best behavior, because I know what happens if you misbehave in Gary’s presence. Not a good thing; you might be guilty of a minor offense, but he’ll make you feel like you’re the worst stupid dog in the universe. Maybe that’s why I turned out to be such a good dog! I jumped up on the couch next to him, and he petted me and let me know that he was really glad to see me. Maybe I should explain to those who are not fully familiar with the family that Gary is Geri’s youngest pup, from her second (and last) litter of one. I introduced you to her oldest on the last trip, when I unfortunately referred to him and his wife, Jane, as “jerks” because of their lack of communication skills when we were rendezvousing in Tennessee. So, now you’re all up to date.

Gary, Geri and Don soon left me to watch TV while they went out to dinner. They returned a couple of hours later groaning about the unreasonable quantity of food that Gary forced them to eat, things like mussels, salmon, and brook trout. I would not have complained.

Let me tell you about the RV Park; I remember it from a couple of years ago when we stayed here, and it’s very nice. All of the sites are located around a lake, which is home to a whole lot of ducks and geese, who I love to terrorize. Not that I’d ever hurt one, I just like to tease them, sort of show them who the Big Dog is. There’s a big grassy area set aside for dogs to roam in, and some woodsy trails for walking. Really, a pleasant place with a nice lake; maybe that’s why they call it Lake Pleasant! We’ll be reporting from here for about a week, while we consort with Gary, Craig, Jane, Carol and Mikey. Should be fun!