Where We’ve Been Staying by Cory and Lark

Lark: I thought it would be a good idea to tell you about our favorite campgrounds so far.

Cory: No, I thought it would be a good idea.

Lark: Whatever. We thought you might want to hear about some of the dog friendly campgrounds we found. I’ll go first.

Cory: No, I’ll go first.

Lark: You already told them about a campground. It’s my turn. My favorite campground so far was EZ Daze RV Park in Southaven, Mississippi right across the state line from Memphis. It had a HUGE dog park. Whoever built that park was creative because they took the area that was meant for water retention and turned it into an awesome place for us to run and play. The space was about half a football field, that is how big it was.

Cory: How do you know how big a football field is?

Lark: Don’t interrupt. Dad told me. Around the retention area, there was enough space for a track to run fast and hard. Down in the bottom of the pond area, there were drainage ditches just the right width for a jumping course. It was so much fun. Mom stood on one side and Dad on the other and called us back and forth. We’d run down into the bottom of the pond, jump the ditches and then, up to the top again. We needed that time to run and EZ DazE RV gave it to us. I recommend it to all my canine friends who are on the road.

Cory: And what about when it rains? And the pond fills up?

Lark: Well, the track around the top would still be there. Just don’t go in the rainy season.

Cory: You didn’t tell them about the small dog area.

Lark: Well, I am not a small dog, am I? But, yes, there was a separate run for small dogs. Happy, now?

Cory: I will be when you let me talk. In addition to Foss State Park with the walking trails and great beach, we got to spend one night at another of my favorite parks, Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City, Alabama. We were just passing through or I could have stayed there for weeks. If you go, tell your humans to get a site right on the lake even if they must pay more for a premium spot. The lake is so beautiful, and I love swimming there.

Lark: What about the camping? Is it always about swimming for you?

Cory: Now, who is interrupting? Wind Creek State Park is a nice big campground with lots of trees and walking trails. It is right on Lake Martin.  You can rent a boat and go for a ride. We did that the last time we were there, and I loved the wind blowing in my ears! There are a lot of other dogs there, but for the most part, people are very courteous and keep their dogs on a leash.

Lark: And pick up their poop! We haven’t talked about the KOAs yet. I’ll tell them about the Kampgrounds of America places we stayed. KOAs usually have a dog park. You need to check, but there is at least a small run and some places to walk on a leash. Always on a leash, I hate to say. We stayed at the Tifton, Georgia KOA and the Hot Springs, Arkansas KOA. They both had one dog park for large and small dogs, but everyone was willing to share, and most people didn’t even ask to put their dogs in with me. Which is a good thing.

Cory: Well of course they don’t. You bark and act so bad. But if they knew the truth that your bark is worse than your bite, you might have to share.

Lark: No thanks. Anyway, while Tifton and Hot Springs were nice and the humans welcoming, we hit the jackpot with the KOA in Albuquerque. Mom reserved a Pet Suite for us. We had our own dog run and didn’t have to share with anyone. And it meant that we didn’t have to be tied up to the trailer while Mom and Dad were busy with other things. We could go to our suite under a shade tarp and watch what was going on around us.

Cory: You mean bark at what was going on around us! I sure got tired of Mom and Dad yelling at you to shut up!

Lark: Well, I am a guard dog, you know. Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, we had a covered picnic table, a patio set and an awesome campfire ring. We got to sit outside at night by the campfire and eat animal crackers and popcorn and watch the moon and the stars.

Cory: And listen to the Interstate traffic. That was the only bad thing. We weren’t in the woods, but right beside the highway.

Lark: Well, it wasn’t in the woods. We were in the city and had a suite for Pete’s Sake. Luxury living, you know.

Cory: There were two other campgrounds we visited on our way west, but we were only there one night so didn’t get to know them well. They deserve a mention here though. Oasis RV Park in Amarillo, Texas had a nice dog park and a grassy area to walk.   And Lake Eufala State Park in Oklahoma had some trails and lots of grassy areas to play.

Lark: On a leash. Always on a leash. Well, that’s it for now. We will do another recap of our campgrounds in a week or so. In the meantime, come back tomorrow. We have a lot of things to tell you about Albuquerque, New Mexico which is definitely a dog friendly town!

Cory: Hey, I was going to tell them that!

Lark: Tomorrow, Cory. Tomorrow.