Lets do a Camping THREAD!!!

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j72
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Lets do a Camping THREAD!!!

Post by j72 »

I wanna see some Chow Camping!

I'm with those of you that don't camp, I don't know if i learned it from my dogs or they learned it from me... but when I mention sleeping outside to the Snufalupagus (aka: muttly shepherd) she looks at me like I am a disgusting peasant!
I do go outside and enjoy Alaska's beauty a lot though... every morning from my front door to my car... sometimes I even do it twice. Once to warm up the car and back, and then out again! So I certainly get my FILL!
So yes, pics please! So we can see what it looks like! :-)

My mom has a black bear that hangs out in the woods behind her house a lot, I bet you see a lot more of those in Kenai though Melanie!
Jeff, we have a guest room downstairs, with a private shower. You can come and watch The Great Outdoors with us... or Meatballs... or something equally "outdoorsey" like that with us to get that camping feel.
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

"Jeff, we have a guest room downstairs, with a private shower. You can come and watch The Great Outdoors with us... or Meatballs... or something equally "outdoorsey" like that with us to get that camping feel.

Don't tempt me, I've often though what life would be like living in Alaska it has everything I'm looking for. Every time I see Melenies Pictures I think what a great way to live.

Somewhere in Alaska they are giving away free land but its in an area that is like -25 degress all the time and I can't grow a bread so I would freeze to death.
“...There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because conscience tells one that it is right.” MLK

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Post by j72 »

Oh yikes! And you get into places like that and if you can GET running water, you run the risk of your pipes freezing... and then you are without shower...
Melanie has GREAT pics! My favorites are of the gang with the horse...
Maybe Pekoe could teach Simon to snow board! Oh please please PLEASE don't tell me that was PHOTO SHOPPED! ;-)
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

The closest thing that picture is to Pekoe really snowboarding is that it was done at Heaveny Valley in Lake Tahoe. They took some pictures of her outside then used Photoshop. But there where hundreds of People watching that were holding Snowboards and ski's and it was snowing.
“...There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because conscience tells one that it is right.” MLK

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IliamnasQuest
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Post by IliamnasQuest »

Well, I have to admit that I've joined the "wimpy" gang. I'm with Jeff on this (he's probably having a heart attack at that .. *L*). I want a comfortable bed and a HOT shower!

I bought an old motorhome a couple of years ago thinking I would camp at the dog shows. Yeah, right. I have yet to sleep a night in it! I drive it to the show so the dogs and I have a place to relax (Khana LOVES that she can run from window to window to watch everything .. *LOL* .. I gave up on having a table and it's become the spot where Khana and Trick sleep). I set up several exercise pens hooked together so the dogs can either be inside or outside. And then in the evenings I drive my little motorhome to a MOTEL, take a hot shower and crash in front of the cable TV!

Long gone are those days I used to camp at horse shows and rodeos and fairs. I've slept on the ground often enough .. sometimes even without a tent or anything! I can remember once when a friend and I drove 50 miles so we could hit the bars for some pool shootin', and then we slept in the back of the open pick-up .. *LOL*

Not only do I now want a real bed, it has to be big enough for Khana too. After all, she needs a good night's sleep too!

Honestly, the lodge here is really neat and the wildlife is everywhere. I wish I still lived out there (have spent the last eight months living in town .. yuck!). I'll be out there quite a bit once summer hits. And while it's too late this year to put anything together, I know that I could set something up at the lodge for a group of dog people to get together for next year. It's the logistics of getting everyone to Alaska with their dogs that's tough!

Here's Khana posing on one of the many rocks down at the lodge - the rocks surround a little putting green.

<img src="http://www.peninsulayardsale.com/dogs/2 ... arock2.jpg">

A caribou grazing on the lawn in front of the main lodge (dining hall cabin in the background, guests standing there watching the caribou):

<img src="http://www.alaskangoldmines.net/dogs/2003caribou3.jpg">

Moose calves (and momma moose butt) - you can see the roof of one of the guest cabins in the background. This was actually taken in my yard:

<img src="http://www.alaskangoldmines.net/dogs/20 ... calves.jpg">

See, everyone needs to come up and visit to see these things for themselves! And if you drive up through Canada (something I highly recommend, have done it about a dozen times) you will most likely see tons of wildlife (including bears) through northern BC, Yukon Territory and along through Tok (Alaska) and down to the Anchorage area.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

When I use to live on Maui people went back and forth to Alaska for seasonal work but that was all hotel and restaurant work. One guy I knew moved to Alaska and joined a fishing crew, he was never heard from again. My only hesitation about Alaska is like Maui, every thing revolves around tourism, People coming and going all the time and if tourism and real estate slow down your begging McDonalds for a Job. On Maui you thought nothing of seeing a degreed engineer or Lawyer working the drive through window at McDonalds because you knew what he was going through.
“...There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because conscience tells one that it is right.” MLK

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Post by zingara_princepessa »

I said it before and I'll say it again:

Camping...ICK!!!!
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Post by chowgrl »

We took Maggie on our trip to Skagway/Haines Whitehorse when she was about 9 months. We drove all the way and camped along the way. It was all good until we got to Burns Lake and people in the campsite were saying we were crazy to be tenting because they called Southerners who tented North of Dawson "Glad Sandwich Bags" EECK!

We stopped at Liard HotSprings and Maggie was acting really weird. She wouldn't move more than a few feet from the truck, she peed but then just stood there like statue with her head up. So we decided to put her back in the truck and make the mile hike over raised boarded sidewalks over ponds and marsh to the Hot Springs. We got in the water and after being in the car for 5-6 hours, we should have been relaxing in the hot pool, but I was too jittery. We stayed a few minutes and then I wanted to go back to the truck. Before we had hiked the one mile back to the truck, we heard gun shots.

There had been a bear attack at the hotsprings and a mother and her son as well as another man who jumped in to helped all died.

Needless to say that ended out tenting. We were pretty shook up and only stayed in cabin motels etc.

I am sure that Maggie new things weren't right, and my spydey senses were going off like crazy, although I have to admit, mine probably had more to do with leaving Maggie in the truck over mile away.

She was so cute on that trip. :cry:

I have a bunch of pictures of her on that trip (predig) that I have to find. I have one of her infront of the Mile 0 Alaska Hwy sign that I have to find in my many packed boxes. She still had that dark puppy mask at that time and almost looked like a little monkey. It as funny stage that they go through at that age, almost like an awkward adolescence with that funny little mask!
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Post by j72 »

OMG! Chowgrl! That is SO SCARY!!! There have been a few times where I've kicked myself wondering why I didn't just trust my dogs...
I have to admit that as far as camping goes, I am truly more afraid of the mosquitos than than the bears... I suppose because the bears are a "chance" where as the mosquitos are a guarantee...
You know Melanie, I think a year is plenty of time for us to hook this up! How much fun would that be?! Kenai over run with chows and they're friends?
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Post by bama »

Melanie,

Love, love, love the backyard! How blessed you are to live in such a paradise. Thanks for sharing the pics!
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**Photo by Sweet Pea.
She has a photogenic memory...really!
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Post by Auddymay »

Here are Sam's photos. His Chowlings are PoPo, Frosty, and Lucy.

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Post by redangie24 »

OMGodness SAM they are soooo beautiful. And look at that little baby!! oh what a sweetie. So can I have them? Okay so I can't keep them can I chowsit? Oh, I just wanna hug them.

And they stay near when out? Or are they like Ivana will stay with you until you turn your back then she wonders off and I have to call her back? Well they are just beautiful.
Have a Chowfastic Day!!
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Post by Layla »

Ohhhh, chows camping. I wanna go! Beautiful chows though Sam. Very squishy [:D]
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Thank you Elodie!
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Post by Red Dragon »

Red, you asked if they stay near, no not really, LOL!!! Don't forget LuLu, she is the one on the left in the pen with Po. Po was already wet from getting in the creek. These pictures were from this time last year and it was so cold it killed the battery on the camera and I only got a few shots from a four day trip. We were trout fishing in that stream and it was so cold, that everytime I caught a fish and washed my hands they would go numb, I would have to warm them over a lantern so I could fish again. The dogs ran in the creek every chance they got, and Po and Lu knocked down the pen and made a mad run over the mountain top, they were gone for about 15 minutes and came tearing through camp and went the other way for about 15 minutes, then cam blazing back through, took me about an hour to get them back in the pen, so much for Carla's theory that big heavy Chows can't move, LOL!!! Frosty tried her best to keep up, but she didn't stand a chance with those two. They would get in the middle of the creek and run up and down too, they knew I wasn't going in after them, LOL!!!
Sam

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Post by bama »

Sam,

Your chowkids are beautiful! I bet they love camping!
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**Photo by Sweet Pea.
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Post by dchernandez »

Hey I have friends in Juneau...I should go visit and have mini Alaska chow-fest :D
Claudia & Riley
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Post by cheriekynb »

I LOVE Alaska.. My, one and only, experience was last year. I took a 10 day cruise with my Mom, Grandma and Daughter. YUP, 4 generations, "North to Alaska".. LOL.. It was a LOT of fun! I'd never been on a cruise before and the ship we sailed on was one of the older ships without one of those 'stabilizing' devices! HAHAHA.. At one point half the passengers and crew members were sick in bed, including my Mom. My daughter and I had fun! We made a game out of the swoops and sways and ups and downs.. LOL, it was a blast! We also went to a sledding camp and a couple of boat trips AND a LOT of shopping! On our way back we got to walk around Victoria, Canada.
I would LOVE to go back to Alaska AND Canada. NOT on a cruise though.
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Post by JAYGOW1 »

Beautiful kids you have !! I love the pic in the water !
I really miss my purple kisses!!! RIP Bear, my bestest friend EVER !!
7-20-2006

Khon,you were taken WAY too early !
Til we meet again, my friend
3-24-2007
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Post by 3blackchows »

Sam those furkids are absolutely adorable.
They look like they are having fun too. I bet they loved th cool weather.

Melanie: What awesome photos. I also love the one of Khana on the rock.. kinda like I'm queen of the mountain.

Camping... no can do. Tried it w/ my first 2 chows long ago. They barked at every noose they heard & people around us complained & we got warned. People kept trying to come up & pet them & the dogs would growl a bit & yes... they'd report us & soon word spread around camp that we were harboring 2 bears :shock: :shock: Did it once & that was enuf.
Momma Chow Celeste to Gorman, Onyx & Irish
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Post by Red Dragon »

Thanks everyone, yes they had a ball. Threeblackchows - you should do like I did, we were out in the middle of nowhere and the camp sites were spaced far apart, it was at least 100 yards each way to the next one. They did have a toilet, two of them in the area, they were pretty cool, self contained units, had a big thing looked like a shifter, when your done just grab that baby and pull her back and there goes all your problems! :lol:
Sam

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Post by threedogjeep »

We took Leela camping after only having her with us for about 4 months. She was WONDErFUl. She preferred to stay tied out by the tree at night so she could watch "stuff." didn't much like stayingin the camper with us. And didn't bark at all. We are looking forward to taking her on our annual family camp out on Father's day!
Twelve Paws UP!!
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Post by Red Dragon »

Bump. :lol:
Sam

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Post by vicster605 »

AWWWWW Poor Lil Lu Lu :lol: :lol: She is one BEAUTY even if she does try and pull your arm out of socket :lol: :lol:
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Thanks Sweetpea!
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Post by sweetpea »

I'd love to go camping with mine but I'm so afraid it'd be a nightmare. We'd end up being asked to pack up camp and leave with Gracie screaming everytime she seen a critter. Might even end up with the rangers coming thinking we are abusing a dog because people would hear the sounds of her war cries all through the camp ground. So I dont know, maybe I'll just stick with my bed and dream I was camping with my two very well behaved babies. :lol:
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Post by Bearsmom »

I know. Y'all were just waiting for me to join this thread!!!

Camping: Me totally loves...as does Bear2!!! You just can't believe how he adapted. It was so totally awesome.

Before I left Vermont, I bought a Coleman (comparatively cheap but reliable) 8-man tent WITH A KITTY DOOR and an "outlet port", all zippable i.e. closeable. My best friend bought me an Eddie Baur air mattress (full size),and I had a little camping table, two battery operated lanterns and I was totally skookum (important for mom to be COMFORTABLE). I camped out for 2 weeks at my friends (I don't have the pics on this computer) and then the 8 days on the road. I got so I could set up and take down camp in 10-15 minutes. AND I WAS COMFORTABLE.

Bear was "HOME" in the tent. He got out twice when I was at my friends through the cat door (all 68 pounds of him) and so he knew it was there, but there was no tearing the tent down. He was soooo cool when he was inside the tent. He had a hard time lifting his feet over the entry part, but that is still intact.

I admit that as I got further and further north, particularly around Liard Hot Springs, I kept going. I stayed at Chief Stikine campground, a hole in the wall place that was just beautiful and small on the Stikine river. They said they never saw bears there because the sides of the mountains right there were too steep and the river was too fast and deep. I definitely thought about my Bear and bears.

Yesterday morning, here, I was woken up by Bear racing around downstairs, and all of a sudden the cats were up stairs, and one raced to the window to look out. So I decided I'd get up and look too. There was a big black bear in my tiny, tiny yard overlooking the bluff. It stood there undecided, whether to go on about its way, or come back (it was half turned back toward the cabin) and see what all the fuss was about inside. I watched it for about 3 minutes before it decided to go on about its way. Bear NEVER BARKED. If you had seen him and the 4000 pound buffalo heading for my car barking his head off, you would wonder. I think he knew not to provoke, but he smelled him!!! If you saw the latch on the door which I found he had pushed open, you might think I was crazy...which perhaps I am. But...such is the spice of life...these moments where things can go either way... so I didnt' go out to the OUTHOUSE for my morning constitutional at my usual time, but waited several hours. I left Bear in until I was sure he/she was gone. All I could think when I found the latch open was if the bear had put his paws on the door as he went by it, I would have a nasty, nasty scene in the tiny entryway.

But...all is good.

Now...Melanie...ever get to Homer? Are you coming to the chowfest in September? The spit has awesome RV camping...???

*smiles*

Intrepid I am...Bear is now a seasoned car traveler and camper extraordinaire!!!

Bearsmom

Here's a link to my pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/allisonetoo ... Alaska2007
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