J is always talking about how great this trip has been. Yeah, the scenery is beautiful but the long days in the van while she drives get me down after a while. I get cramps sitting in one position so I sleep on my bed in the back and then, when I can’t stand it, I move into the passenger seat and sleep with my head on the hand rest. If we stay someplace nice for the night, like Moab or Green River, I get long walks and a chance to unwind. When cheap skate J pulls over at a truck stop or Wal-Mart, I never really unwind from a long day of sleeping. She tries to make it up to me by giving me special treats, like hardboiled eggs. She thinks I love them, but, truthfully, steak would make life so much better. 

I shouldn’t complain. Not too many of my canine brothers and sisters have been to the Longleaf Pine forests of Florida, the Gulf Coast beaches, the spring desert, the Rocky Mountains, and now, Yellowstone, where I get to chase grizzlies. Oh, all the new smells this past year. Do you know if Grizzly poop smells the same as Black Bear poop? Wonder if it has lots of berries in it? I like those. 

Today, we crossed into Idaho for the first time since last August. We passed a bunch of potato fields in the southern part, where we are now. Jane would not stop at the Potato Museum, not even for a minute. I was hoping to find a French Fry that someone dropped, but NO, we had to keep going.

Jane felt my pain and assigned me the job of CEO in charge of shopping at the Idaho Falls Camping World. They allow well-behaved canines like me inside and, as usual, the staff loved me. Some know enough about my ancestry to ask J if I am a “Mini Aussie or a Red Heeler” And, the girls love me. Scratch, scratch, ooooh, ooggle, sweet um nice doggie and so on. Eventually, one of the ladies hands me a treat and I am in ecstasy.

Today at Camping World, I suggested to J that she buy some wash/wax for the outside of the camper, which after a year is dull and dirty. Also, we need some more effective holding tank deodorizer. I like the odor, but every wolf and grizzly will love it too and will be by looking for a snack. I told J she didn’t need such a prissy thing, but she went ahead and bought cleaning wipes for stainless steel surfaces, like the oven and microwave. They never ever come clean with Simple Green, Sal-Suds, or other cleaners. We also got a pre-sized rug to wrap around the outside step. J slipped once on the step, and I find the metal surface irritating on my paws.

Our most interesting purchase was the Bio-Logs. They come in a pack of 12 logs for $3.50, and 4 logs make a nice fire. We bought 2 packs/ 24 logs/ 6 fires for $7.50. The coolest part: these logs are made from wood waste products and are carbon neutral. We simply cannot be in Yellowstone all summer without a campfire. I tried to convince her to buy the fire ring thingy that burns wood pellets, but the cost for both the thingy and the pellets would have been around $150 vs $7.50.

That was Phase One of our Camping World foray. Next, we jumped back in the van and pulled the camper around to the propane station and made sure both tanks were completely full! Since we are in a primitive campground for the summer, we need propane to run the frig, stove/oven, and water heater. I can do without cold drinks, hot coffee, and a bath, but she can’t. Maybe she is not so tough and self-reliant after all?

Phase Three at Camping World: we jumped back into the van and drove around to the fresh water spigot and the dump station. Since we are Good Sam members, all this is free. The holding tanks are empty and the fresh water tank is full, just what we need as we head into the “Stone”.

We have more to do in Idaho Falls (which by the way, has views to the western slope of the Teton Range) before we leave tomorrow morning. The Camping World babes told us where we can find a DIY car wash with bays tall enough for an RV. J will use her new cleaner/waxer solution and her long-handled scrubber. I sure hope she does not hose me down while on her cleaning spree – think I will stay in the van for this job.

Finally, J will go by herself into Wal-Mart and gather up our supplies. I know the list includes dog food and treats, as well as water. I don’t think she will buy any booze because she left NM with 4 large bottles of Tequila from Mexico and 2 bottles of Kahlua. Some was earmarked for friends who suffered through cold and snowy weather while we turned west and made off with all the liquor.  

Tomorrow, we head straight for West Yellowstone. I am as excited as a Shitzu with pink toenails. The National Forest Service (NFS) has a uniform ready for me since I am CEO of the Grizzly Canine Patrol. I do not know how they got that by Tr—.  Anyway, I will be doing most of the work this summer while J chit chats with visitors and pretends she is the ultimate Grizzly Earth Mother.

You know me at this time by my name, Tango. Great news! I have a nickname now–Taquito– thanks to Js friend Ron. I get really tired of her calling me boo-boo and stinker head. Taquito has some zing and crunch to it. I like Ron. He seems clever enough and he seems susceptible to my wrapping him around my paw.

That is it for now. I will keep you posted on my progress keeping the Grizzlies away from Girl Scouts and crawling toddlers.

TTFN,
Tango, aka Taquito aka T

Not really a Taquito