The ultimate road trip troopers...

Kudos needs to go out to the dogs who took everything along the road (and seaway) in stride, and aside from a few yard-escapes over Christmas, were the most content and pleasant travelers we could have asked for… 

Departing from California, I don’t think they were quite sure what to think when they first climbed up into the back of the fully loaded truck. They’ve been road tripping since they were pups, so long-distance travel wasn’t new to them, but riding in the bed of a truck rather than inside the comfy confines of our old Subaru, was a bit novel, and not necessarily in an ‘exciting new adventure’ sort of way. It probably didn’t take more than a few miles for them to realize that this was the new norm, yet since we were way up front with the entirety of our belongings sitting between us and them, they had no way of voicing their concerns if they had any. 

loading up in California

Along the road they endured the massive snowstorm three hours north of home, and put up with the endless rain as we continued north to Vancouver Island for Christmas. There were a couple instances of Niko playing Houdini from my brother’s back yard over the holidays, but I figure Niko was just stretching his legs and satiating his curiosity before the long ferry ride out of Bellingham. 

Out at sea, they seemed content in the back of the truck during the four-day ride, even when during the first three days, the only exercise they got was three, fifteen minute pee breaks a day. I’m pretty sure Griffin was not impressed with having to ‘do her business’ on the concrete car deck, given the splash back and all, but she dealt with it like a champ. After all, you can really only hold your pee for so long.

Enjoying some fresh air before loading the ferry

Their first taste of snow during the first off-ship pee break in Ketchikan

Settling in to each new hotel room like it's home

During the final stretch, not only were they content to snuggle down in the subzero weather, but they even brought out their comedic sides and had us roaring in laughter during one of our pit stops. I had walked around back to let them out for a leg stretch, and was greeted by two heads peeking out from under our duvet, which must have fallen on top of them during the journey. Given the cold weather, they were more than content to claim rites to that duvet for the rest of the ride through the Yukon and back up into Alaska, and since it was well below zero, I wasn’t about to deprive them of the comfort.

Utilizing the duvet to their advantage!

Two little heads peeking out at a chilly pit stop

All in all, the dogs handled the magnificent journey over passes, across seas and through mountains like champs, but I think we were all quite ready to exit the vehicle by the time we pulled up to our new place.

And so here we are, in Anchorage Alaska, living ten steps from the trail system and a few minutes from off-leash walks in the snow. Niko is loving the freedom and plethora of neighbourhood dogs along the trail, and, when feeling like it, Griffin has actually played nice with many of the dogs she’s encountered. That being said, she did try to rip the face of a young golden retriever earlier today. Add that to the fact that Niko chased a beaver yesterday morning and wouldn’t come when called, and I’d say that the dogs have pretty much recovered from the long journey and are back to their usual selves. I’m just glad they were both on leash when we encountered the moose...

Enjoying the scenic glacier views of their new home!