When our suitcases come out of the closet, our Schnauzer, Kalli, goes into panic mode. She neurotically shakes, scurries and gives us the occasional whimper.
There's no need for conversation.
Her pleading brown eyes clearly relay her thoughts: "Do I get to come along or are you leaving me behind?" As we transfer our travelling possessions from the house to RV, she has the answer. And she's the first one in the driver's seat.
Over the next few days, while we're nestled into the grove of pines at Lake Okanagan Provincial Park, our girl enjoys sniffing out scents, pawing a few paths and cuddling with us by the campfire. But before hitting the open road, there are a few things we need to consider and pack for our fur baby.
Rules and regs - Prior to booking any campsite, we do an etiquette pet check. Is there a size or breed restriction or a limit to how many four-legged companions can tag along per party? Does the campground have a dog park where she can run freely? Nix the ticks - These parasitic arthropods that hide out in the Okanagan's wooded areas would love to pounce on our precious pup. And they'd stay latched into her skin folds, around her ears or inside her legs until they've finished their blood meal. Prevention is the best protection for tick trouble. Before preparing for departure, we pick up some anti-tick remedy and give her a dose.
Pet Essentials - Dog dishes and food, leash and harness, treats and toys, poop bags and immunization papers. And while en route: a good water supply and her favourite lambskin blanket.
Lake Okanagan Campground, located between Peachland and Summerland, is rimmed by a swim-safe beach and canopied by lush deciduous trees. It's divided into two parts. The sites in the south section snuggle together on a lake-shore jetty and those in the north terrace on a treeriddled hillside. We opt for the latter.
Soon after setting up camp, Kalli feels right at home. Although leashing is a must at all times, her extended rope line gives her room to roam around our spacious site. Generous grassy plots and shade trees between us and our neighbours assures privacy and coolness. And from our perched platform, we have an awesome lake view.
My husband and I could easily chill out and relax for the entire stay but our pup would rather plod and play. And there are lots of local trails where we can appease her canine spirit. The two campgrounds are linked by a kilometre-long lakeshore path and as we saunter this strip together, she sniffs the scents of regional wildflowers and scurrying chipmunks.
The nearby city of Summerland also offers a plethora of dog-friendly walks.
She loves strutting along the lakeshore boardwalk near Rotary Beach and listening to nature's symphony on the Rotary Route, where the Adams Bird Sanctuary thrives. But her favourite romp during this trip is the dog park at Sunoka Beach. With puppy-like abandon, she whimpers with glee when coming nose-to-nose with three other active and happy hounds.
On our final day, we stroll through Summerland's Ornamental Gardens, a horticulturist's delight that's located high above Highway 97. Spanning its bordering gorge is Trout Creek Railway Bridge, a trestle of metal that hangs 73 metres above the canyon floor. And on this remaining section of preserved track, the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, a 1912 fully-restored locomotive, shares the scenic sites of today with rail travel from a bygone era.
Although we have to bypass this tourist attraction due to our four-legged tag-along, Kalli seems quite content to replace it with a little campground bliss.
Travel Writers'Tales is an independent newspaper syndicate that offers professionally written travel articles to newspaper editors and publishers. To check out more, visit www.travelwriterstales.com.
