To boldly go were no man (or Great Dane?) has gone before…

…these are the stories of…oh, whatever.

 We finally made it out of the driveway with a destination of something other than a repair shop!  We headed out Wednesday (after a truly busy day) around 4:30 (Yes – into Seattle Rush Hour traffic) eastbound on I-90.  We didn’t have any particular destination in mind on our first night as we weren’t sure exactly how far we might want to go on our first night with the “kids.”  Since this was our “maiden voyage” so to speak, we expected that it would be a learning experience – we, however, had NO IDEA how much we would learn in the first few hours. 

We learned that Morgan’s biological clock tells her that it’s time to “go” regardless of we are outdoors or even at a stop - talented canine that she is – she can hump and dump in a vehicle traveling 50 mph down a winding mountain pass.    

We learned that we did NOT bring the correct sized plastic bags to appropriately dispose of her previously noted discharge.

We learned that it really is possible (not savory but indeed POSSIBLE) to put 4 pounds of sh*t into a 2 pound bag.

We learned that baby wipes are MAHvelous at cleaning not only babies, but adults, vehicle consoles, and GPS devices that are unfortunate enough to be in the path of errant fecal matter. 

We learned that by the time you get to a place where you can park for the night, regardless of it looking like the Bates Motel in Psycho – it maybe be manned by 5 young gentlemen who claim to own the first 24 hour fruit stand.  Fortunately - they also know how to hook up the RV services that are “around back” - at the little truck stop next door which is located about 35 miles from Spokane.  (Their cherries are wonderful and they swear their asparagus will bring tears to your eyes though we didn’t get any on this trip.) 

We learned that the kindness of strangers is heartwarming and combine with a few hours of fitful (but very needed) sleep it is enough to keep you from turning around and heading back home.

We learned that even though you’re dirty, tired, stinky, disorganized and discouraged that waking up the next day (with everyone still asleep) seeing the sunrise on a beautiful clear blue morning, AND being able to wash up, clean and rearrange the small space that houses 5 creatures – might keep you smiling…well, that’s until Morgan has another unscheduled delivery of fecal matter...

Today, Thursday, July 7^th, has been a much better day.

We figured out a really good way to get three anxious Great Danes out a narrow door, down three metal stairs and keep them from running off into the Rest Stop after a smart-aleck squirrel. 

The above feat can also now be accomplished without falling out on top of the said dogs, or getting your arm jerked from its socket, or allowing the trampling of the love of your life who (by-the-way) is trying to grab the dogs and simultaneously keep you from falling down said stairs - a$$ over appetite! 

So, now that I’ve got all the computer gadgets and devices hooked up and sync’d, and I've got the first "from the field" blog posted -  I’m going to turn out the lights, and hopefully get a less fitful night sleep. 

Oh yeah, we also learned that if you stop early enough to find a place with showers and laundry services that it makes the anticipation of tomorrow morning absolutely shiny! 

Here’s to shiny tomorrows…and Morgan’s cooperation with the timing of her hind-end delivery system.