 3 Dogs and a Tent = Paradise | Typist: Bethany Since completing my travel plans East last week, my next step was to be sure the dogs and I knew where we would stay once we arrived in Western New York. This would be an easier task if it weren't for two things. One is that my entire (very large) extended family are descending on the area at the same time for a wedding reception one week and a wedding the next week. The second is that I am bringing three dogs. |
Now, I love my family and they love me. Most of them are dog people. I have fond memories of summer picnics as I child where there were more dogs running around in the yard than there were kids. But that has changed. My grandparents, aunts and uncles travel a lot and don't have pets. Most of my cousins are too busy having babies for pets. They're still dog people there just aren't as many dogs around. And even if I did have an aunt or uncle or cousin with a dog or two, could I ask to stay with them and add three more? It is a huge imposition.
| So last week I spoke with my grandmother and told her a bit about my adventure. I asked her if I could pitch a tent behind the house at her and my grandfathers property near Chautauqua Lake. She was fine with it and just wanted to inform the neighbors out there so they wouldn't think I was a squatter. I guess my grandmother knows I am a nomad. My aunt, on the other hand, had trouble understanding that I am actually fine with staying in a tent and, in fact, I want to. |  Chautauqua Lake |
Yesterday, I called my aunt about camping at her place when I first arrive in New York because she lives closer to my cousins evening wedding reception. After all the driving the dogs and I will be doing to get to New York, I thought it would be good for me and especially for the dogs to do less once we arrive. She spent a bit of the conversation trying to figure out where I could sleep. It was so kind of her to try to accommodate us. But I was asking to pitch a tent. She mentioned the little house or the loft in the barn. I told her I would be so happy to have a shower I didn't have to put quarters into and flat, dry land. I reassured her there was nothing for her to worry about because I will have two tents with me and I am camping my way across the country to get there. "I really don't mind staying in my tent!" I think we were settled on me and the dogs camping while at her place leading up to my cousins reception but then I told her I was going to camp at Chautauqua Lake for the rest of my stay. The comedy of my trying not impose all this fur and chaos on my family and them sweetly trying to accommodate us continued.
I appreciated the update my aunt gave me on how the remodel of the house at Chautauqua Lake is going. My mom had already told me the bathroom was done which was really all I needed to know. My aunt told me the floors were almost done and that the bedroom was done. "But I am fine with just pitching my tent." She told me the bedroom is good and that she and my uncle had stayed there in October. It finally came down to me telling her I didn't want my dogs to mess anything up at the house. I don't think they would. But I really do want to stay in my tent. I believe I made it sound like I am not only imposing on my family with three dogs but three crazy dogs. Maybe I will bring their obedience ribbons. No matter what, this sure is going to be a fun adventure. And, best of all, we get to stay in the tent!
I appreciated the update my aunt gave me on how the remodel of the house at Chautauqua Lake is going. My mom had already told me the bathroom was done which was really all I needed to know. My aunt told me the floors were almost done and that the bedroom was done. "But I am fine with just pitching my tent." She told me the bedroom is good and that she and my uncle had stayed there in October. It finally came down to me telling her I didn't want my dogs to mess anything up at the house. I don't think they would. But I really do want to stay in my tent. I believe I made it sound like I am not only imposing on my family with three dogs but three crazy dogs. Maybe I will bring their obedience ribbons. No matter what, this sure is going to be a fun adventure. And, best of all, we get to stay in the tent!
Brychwyn relaxing on the sleeping bag in the tent
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