Cici and I love to go camping and below are some tips for camping with the dogs. And we would like to introduce you to our new friends, the Webers, Christian and Kirstin, and their dog Fred, who also has white and black spots all over. He was rescued a few years ago on a trip to Mexico. He does some fun tricks like shake hands and he is awfully sweet (says Cici, woof woof woof).
Here he is having fun camping out with his family’s Shift Pod tent.
40.1 million Americans, or 14 percent of the US population over age six, camped in 2013.
Spring and Summer are a hop, skip and jump away. It is not too late to start planning your summer vacation. The lure of scenic wonders and natural splendors appeal to people of all ages. And camping is a great way to get away from it all, commune with nature, spend quality time with family, friends and the dog and let go of stress at a reasonable cost.
Whether it is to the nearest lake, beach or creek, mountain area or a typical tourist destination such as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Arrowhead, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Sur or Big Bear, everyone needs to get out of dodge for some rest and relaxation for a few weeks.
If you have your own RV, camper, minivan, tent trailer or tent and sleeping bag, you may want to reserve camping spots in national or state parks far in advance because the most popular places with limited sites are going to get booked up quickly.
Travel Light
Pack only essential items that you will need such as a first aid kit, batteries, flashlight, food, and water. If you are traveling with kids and/or pets, you will have more items such as dog food, leashes, toys, treats, towels and blankets. Other items for dogs include collapsible bowls, poop bags, brush, extra leashes and collars, and a life vest for water activities such as canoeing, swimming, boating in lakes, ocean or rivers.
What is Bugging you
When you go camping with your dog, be sure to give them some flea and tick prevention and take some spray with you.
Who nose
Make sure ID tags are in place, along with proof of vaccinations in case you need to show these.
Beware
Dogs are usually allowed in parks but you definitely do not want to allow them to be in areas where they can get stung by bees, get foxtails stuck in their ears, mouth, eyes, hot sand can be rough on four paws and so can hot rocks and please keep them away from toxic plants, flowers and weeds, and garbage.
Do not let your dogs roam and disturb the wildlife such as rabbits, squirrels, bears, coyotes and mountain lions. Contact the park ranger or park host for assistance if an unexpected and uninvited visitor should show up at your campsite.
Glamping or Camping?
If you prefer to backpack and hike trails, you can carry a tent and sleeping bag with you. You can also reserve a yurt, cabin, tipi or motel to sleep in at some parks (usually they do not allow pets but some do, check with the campground). Many campgrounds are crowded and busier on holiday weekends so organize your time to avoid the rush.
Speaking of Tents
Speaking of tents, many regular tents are not sealed well and some have ceilings made of screen with a rain fly. This will not keep any dirt out or any heat in. Regular tents also have many parts and pieces to assemble each time and parts to lose in between camping trips.
Pop-Up Pods
SHIFT PODS are an extraordinary insulated tent that is portable, easy to use, insulated, comfortable, easy to transport, and sets up in minutes (without all those loose poles).
SHIFTPODS set up as one complete unit. The stakes and lines are the only parts you have to connect once the SHIFTPOD is set up. The SHIFTPODS are 12 feet across and 6.5 feet tall and can be set up by one person in less than 2 minutes. SHIFT PODS are made out of sturdy and weather-proof materials. They are made with a three-layer, insulated, UV-reflective nylon that reflects the sun’s rays to keep things cool inside during the heat of the day and warm all night.
The Shiftpod was designed specifically for the harsh environment of the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada and can remain set up for a few weeks at a time. This comes in handy (and highly recommended) when you are going camping in unpredictable desert weather and other climates. The tent is heat-reflective so the blinding sun doesn’t wake you up. It is so simple to set up that even the least handy aka clumsy individual can put it together.
Space is not only the final frontier but the Shiftpod has plenty of room inside to stretch out and get comfortable. When fully assembled it covers a 12-foot by 12-foot area, and stands 6.5-feet in height, allowing most people to comfortably stand up without having to lower their heads. This gives the tent enough room to accommodate a queen-sized mattress, as well as plenty of gear and other equipment too.
There are six portal windows that allow exterior light to filer into the structure without compromising interior temperatures. Waterproof zippers help to keep both moisture and sand at bay. The floor can even be zipped out for quick and easy cleaning, and the tent even comes with high quality stakes and two combination locks to secure the door.
These silver futuristic looking tents weigh about 60 pounds and cost $1195 MSRP. If people pre-order and wait 30-90 days for delivery they get $300 off. Used SHIFTPODS sell for $600. Can be shipped UPS and taken on an airplane.
For more info, go to:
Cici and I are going to be setting up our new ShiftPod soon at our new Mobile Home Park, where we are living in a very tiny camper. We have a fenced in yard, kiddie pool, two big chairs (a recliner and a rocking chair) and our ShiftPod outside. When we do get it set up, just a matter of space right now, we will share photos. Also, we need a bed to go inside of it, so that we can sleep outside.
Meanwhile, here’s a photo of Cici in her new yard having a sun bath. She loves that people and doggies come by to visit her. And the bars are the ramp that was built for us to go into and out of the camper.
https://homesweetinyhome.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/tents-campers-and-dogs-oh-my/
Upcoming Las Vegas Event
ShiftPods will be featured at this event coming up near Las Vegas. You could win one. You could sleep in one. You could see what the ShiftPod is all about up close and personal.
A new kind of music and lifestyle festival. From 12pm on Friday April 29 through sunset on Sunday May 1, 2016, we will gather at the Moapa River Indian Reservation near Las Vegas, Nevada, for a weekend filled with incredible music, visionary speakers, inspirational art and human connection.
Stumble It!
Have dog blog will travel 
