Paw Prints the Magazine

New Adventure Travel Series Begins, EXPEDITION PAW PRINTS

by Dale E. Smith

The air is crisp, there is a slight fog that hugs the grass when the sun rises and that unmistakable earthy smell is in the air. It must be autumn. Seems like the perfect weather to start preparing myself and Keegan, my 7 ½ year old Border Collie/Shetland Sheepdog mix for Expedition Paw Prints.

Expedition Paw Prints will be an ongoing adventure series featuring me and one or two of our dogs traveling around the United States pitching our tent where ever we can. I say this will be an adventure because I have only taken Keegan, camping once and Clyde, a 5 year old St. Bernard mix, has only camped in my fenced backyard. (I pitched a tent on father’s day 2009 so my 9 year old nephew Daniel could experience his first night staying in a tent). Daniel and Keegan did very well and slept most of the night. Clyde on the other hand wasn’t sure why he was sleeping in a tent in the backyard. He kept me up most of the night wanting us to go in the house. He knew if I was staying outside he was too. He never wants to miss out on any fun.

Expedition Paw Prints will be an attempt to show you what the best camping equipment is, mistakes not to make, the best campgrounds, the worst campgrounds. We will take you fly fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, car camping and backpacking. You will be able to see first hand the trials and tribulations of having dogs as your only assistant in pitching a tent and camping out.

Car camping is the agenda on this trip so we will take plenty of equipment. No need to skimp, the Paw Prints rig has plenty of room, not to mention, I am closer to 50 than I am to 30 so sleeping on the ground isn’t as fun as it used to be – I’ll be using a cot. The way I look at it, car camping should be fun, relaxing and have all the comforts of home, including your dogs.

My preparation will start with the basics. Let’s look at the kitchen first. My “kitchen” consists of a two camp boxes. Camp boxes or chuck boxes, as

Camp Box

they’re sometimes called, come in a variety of sizes and materials. Some retailers carry them pre-made, some people use plastic tubs. I was bored one weekend and made mine out of the scrap wood I had lying around the garage. I have one that is for all the cookware with shelves, drawers and is like your cabinets at home. The primary drawback to making your own is their weight. It is made of wood and since I’m a man’s man, MORE is MORE, but to be honest, it is almost too big for one person to carry. The other large

Camp Pantry

piece of furniture in my camp kitchen is a pantry. This I also built on a boring Saturday with nothing to do. It turned out much the same as the camp box, BIGGER is BETTER. (In my head I am hearing the grunts of Tim Allen in the TV show ‘Home Improvement.’) Even though I can barely carry them, it is nice to know that they are big enough to outfit the kitchen for an entire campground on a holiday weekend and I must say I do get a lot of complements on them. Other campers are always impressed.

To outfit your camp box and pantry you could go out and purchase all sorts of kitchen utensils, pots and pans or just find some of your own old kitchen stuff. Remember, you’re camping, it doesn’t need to match. Garage sales are a great place to outfit a camp kitchen. I have a mixture of old and new. I did go buy a coffee pot for an open flame. I also purchased a toaster specifically for open flame camp cooking. Make sure and take a small plastic tub you will need something to wash the dishes in.

A camp stove is essential. Camp stove’s come in a variety of sizes and fuel systems. Car camping gives you enough room to use two or three burner stoves. These stoves are made by a variety of manufactures and come in either liquid fuel or propane. I personally use white gas. It is more expensive than unleaded but it is not as explosive. The other reason is because I inherited the same stove my family used in 1968 when we started camping, and yes it still works! I have also heard that liquid fuel stoves work better at altitude than propane. The downside is that if you are in bear country, the smell of the liquid fuel will attract bears. So don’t spill any!

You will want to make sure and take tables and stands to set your camp box, pantry, stove and coolers on. Coolers can go on the ground. If you would like a camping checklist for your camp kitchen, or a camping trip you can find them all over the web or scroll down to the end of this article for a detailed list that I have. You will also need lighting. I carry 2 white gas liquid fuel lanterns and 2 battery operated lanterns. The liquid fuel lanterns are for the outside and kitchen, the others are for the tent. One warning on the liquid fuel lanterns, they burn VERY bright and VERY hot.

Your dog is going to need a few kitchen items of their own. Because it happens to be fall at the moment (which is “off season”), many state parks, national parks and national forest campgrounds turn off the fresh water supply until spring. (Off season varies from campground to campground but as general rule water starts getting shut off sometime in October at most campgrounds). So, knowing in advance whether the park has drinking water or not will determine how much water you will need to carry. Always remember, ALL animals drink more water in cold weather than in warm weather. If water is off when I go I will carry 20 to 25 gallons. It may sound like over kill but water is something that neither you, nor your dog can do with out.

Keegan has his own camp gear. If we are going where there is water for him to swim in, I make sure and pack a life jacket. He also has his own duffle bag for his food, toys, towels, leashes, collars (one that glows in the dark is nice), bowls and poop bags. I have an older dog bed that I water proofed just for camping. I have done the same for Clyde. If you want your pets to have their own sleeping bags there are several companies out there that make them, or I usually take one of my older bags that isn’t in use and put that down for them. There are even tents made just for rover! My dogs sleep in our bedroom at home so they sleep in the same tent as I do when camping. I will get to what type of tent in a second but first we need to cover first aid.

First aid kits can be purchased or put together at home. There are many helpful websites that will tell you what you need in a first aid kit depending on the length of the stay and the number of people in the group. You also will need to include first aid items for your pet. The family pet is an unnatural predator in the wild and can get themselves in a bit of trouble from time to time. You just want to make sure that you are prepared for any mishap your dog may get into.

Before you embark on any adventure or trip with your pet, make sure you know where the closest veterinary office is to your campground (and if you don’t have a GPS, bring directions). Make sure your pets are up to date on all shots and have that information with you. It can come in handy.

We now come to our structures. There are many choices when it comes to deciding what type of tent you should have. Expedition Paw Prints will use many different tents and review them all. The choice of a tent will depend on you and what you will need. In our case for our first adventure we will be looking at a cabin style tent. They are large, heavier and take up more room. Some have shock corded poles and are made of nylon. Others can have aluminum poles; some are even made of canvas. No matter which type we choose it will be an interesting adventure, remember, my helpers have 4 legs and no hands. They also have the patience and attention span of a toddler. The cabin style tent is more difficult for one person to set up due to size, but they do have straight walls that give you more interior space. The straight wall style is also outstanding for use with cots.

The brand tent we will be reviewing first is the TREK Greenbriar. It was sent to us by our friends at www.parcticalsports.com.

Here are the details of the Trek Greenbriar;

Keegan in front of his new TREK Greenbriar tent

The Trek Greenbriar tent has 3 rooms, each separated for sleeping privacy. Center room may be also used for dining or storage. 5 large screened windows with zip up storm flaps. Roof is made of strong oxford polyester, walls are high count UV resistant polyester. Floor is rip stop woven polyethylene. Double roof steel truss style frame with 3 ridge poles.

• Main Features Includes: Tent, Poles, Stakes, Carry Bag, Instructions.
• Size: 20′ Long x 10′ Wide, Center height is 90″. Wall height is 60″.
• Strong metal frame
• 200 Sq. Ft. of total area
• Weight: 38 Lbs.
• Manufacture: Trek Tents
• Model: Greenbriar, 249
• Fire Retardant material.

I set the tent up in the backyard first, (you should do this with all tents you purchase), I wanted to make sure all components were there. This also gives you the chance to seam seal the tent. Seam sealing a tent is very important. Basically you are putting a sealant in all sewn seams. This way you ensure yourself there will be no water leaking inside the tent as you sleep.

I looked over the instructions and started unpacking the tent. I had the tent set up in about 45 minutes. This included the constant ball throwing I had to do with my Border Collie, Keegan. I also had plenty of help from Clyde, my St. Bernard mix, he wanted to help out anyway he could. Overall, the tent was fairly easy to set up for one person. Without the help I had from the dogs I am sure one person could set the tent up in less than 30 minutes. Now came the hard part of sealing all the seams. This is one big tent. 200 square feet is a lot of area. I sealed every nook and cranny inside and out, it took me a couple of hours to get the job finished; now I just had to wait for it to dry. I closed the tent off to the dogs and left the windows open for ventilation. I wanted the tent to dry over night before I started to take it down and put it away.

Keegan, Clyde and Seamus waiting to help

The tear down was going to be easy, I thought. I waited for the sun to dry off the morning dew that collected on the tent. I started to take down the poles and noticed some moisture on the outside of the tent. Closer inspection found that the moisture was from the dogs. We have a dog door in the house and the dogs thought it would be a good idea to mark their territory on the corner of the tent. I walked around the tent for a better look and noticed they decided to mark all four corners of the tent. So much for a quick tear down, I immediately took the water hose to the tent to rinse it off. Now the wait was on for it to dry again. Once dry I started the tear down process which from the first pole to putting the tent in the bag took about an hour. I take extra time tearing down a tent because I sweep out the interior and as I fold the tent back up I wipe down the bottom of the floor so there is NO moisture when I bag the tent up and put it away. If you do this your purchase will last you a very, very long time.

Overall www.practicalsports.com sent me a winner. The TREK Greenbriar is built for recreational family camping in three seasons and it lives up to that. It is not a bad buy for the money. The tent’s MSRP is $279.95, Practicalsports.com is selling it for $199.95. There are some things I think TREK could do differently to make it a better tent but then the price would be much more. Most of the things I would change are just my personal preference. I personally don’t need the three rooms. I would like it better if it were one large space. The only technical changes I would improve would be making a bathtub style floor. This is where the floor material comes up the wall several inches off the ground. That way the wall and floor seam are above any waterline. I also like when rain fly’s either cover the entire foot print of a tent or they overhang 3/4 of the tent wall. This keeps rain from running down the walls of the tent. It works on the same concept as the guttering on a house. Like I said then the tent would have a higher price tag.

The other structures I use are for the camp kitchen area and dining area. I always use a screen tent to eat in. It helps to keep the bugs off the food. It is nice to have a dining fly, a tarp or an event canopy of some kind. I use this for my cooking area. This gives you plenty of room to spread out.  If your cooking canopy has walls you can attach it is a bonus. It’s no fun cooking when it is raining on your head and the wind is blowing at 20 miles per hour. It also helps in keeping the dogs dry. Keegan will hang out next to me while I cook; it’s nice to be able to keep him from getting soaked. You know how wet dogs smell in the house; imagine wet dogs in the confines of a tent.

Now that we have the basics all I have to do is pick the location and load the rig. Come back often, I am researching places right now. I’ll have the area picked soon and I will let you know where both online and on the air.

You can catch us talking about Expedition Paw Prints on our new radio show, Paw Prints Live, it airs every Monday at 3:00 pm CST on Hot Talk 1510 KCTE in Kansas City. If you would like to listen in we  stream the show live on www.1510.com. If you miss us live you can listen to the podcast here on our website, just click on the Live on the air tab,  or you can pick up a copy of Paw Prints The Magazine at any number of locations throughout the Kansas City Metro and read about it. You can also find us right here on the web. We’ll keep you updated.

Check Lists:

First Aid Kit for me and the dogs

Digital thermometer
Sterile lubrication
2″ and 3” Conforming gauze roll
Hydrogen peroxide
First Aid tape
Antibiotic ointment
10ml Syringe
6′ Leash
Exam quality vinyl gloves
Cohesive bandage wrap
Insect sting relief pads
Eye wash
Cotton tipped applicators
Pet first aid guide

Before giving any no prescribed medication to a pet, consult with your Vet
Extra-strength non-aspirin tablets
Aspirin tablets
Ibuprofen tablets
Imodium
Benadryl – for you and the dog

Burn relief gel pack
soap towelettes
Alcohol cleansing pads
Antiseptic cleansing wipes (sting free)
Sunblock
Lip ointment
100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel
First aid burn cream
6″x3/4″ Finger splint
1/2″x5 yd First aid tape roll
Moleskin
Butterfly wound closures, small, medium, large
4″x5″ Instant cold compress
Sterile eye pad
5″x9″ Trauma pad
2″x2″, 3″x3″ and 4″x4″ Gauze dressing pads
Bandage assortment
Medium safety pins
Tweezer, metal
Scissor
Nail clippers, large and small
AMA First Aid Guide

Camp Kitchen Check list

Coolers
Camp stove
Stove Fuel
Lantern
Lantern carry case
Lantern Fuel
Extra Mantles and Batteries
Fuel Funnels
Lantern stand
Tables for stove, coolers, and camp box

Camp Box/Chuck Box contents:

Pots and pans with lids
Pot gripper – I use a pair of welder’s gloves
Plates and bowls
Utensils (forks, knives, spoons)
Slotted spoon
Spatula
Tongs
Skewers
Can opener
Corkscrew
Knife
Insulated cups are nice but insulated is not a necessity.
Coffeepot
Water bottles – I carry several Nalgene bottles 32oz and one 48oz
Water Jugs – I have 3 x 5 Gal and 2 x 6 Gal
Water jugs 1 gallon size or smaller.
Waterproof matches. I also carry 2 boxes 500ea wood matches. Keep the boxes sealed in a resealable plastic bag
Long nose butane lighter. I also carry a good old fashion Zippo (virtually indestructible and will last forever). If you carry a refillable lighter remember to take extra fuel.
Spices
Washtub and I also carry a plastic dish rack
Pot scrubbers, rags and several bandanas. Bandanas have several uses around the camp.
Resealable plastic bags
Garbage bags
Paper towels
Foil
Plastic wrap
Dish Towels
Table cloth and table cloth clips
Biodegradable dish soap
Personal Toiletries
Insect repellent
First aid kit
Food
Note: If you are camping in bear country, NEVER leave food, toiletries, camp boxes, coolers, pots and pans that you have cooked on or even the clothing you wore to cook in out and or near your camp site or tent. Always store these items either in approved camp ground supplied bear boxes or store items inside your vehicle. Make sure you cover up all coolers inside your car. Bears have learned what coolers look like and what is inside them.

If you are not in bear country it is a wise idea to secure food and coolers. Critters like raccoons, skunks and squirrels can do some serious damage to coolers and camp boxes in their quest for food.

Camping Checklist:

Tent, Poles, Stakes. I always take an extra tent, poles, and stakes, just in case. You never know what may happen. Better to carry them if you have the room than have to pack up early and go home. The extra tent and poles are not a necessity, but I would recommend taking extra stakes along.
Ground cloth for the tent. Ground cloths may be a marine grade canvas or a vinyl or plastic. The idea is to put a barrier between the floor of the tent and the ground. It will protect the floor of your tent and help it last longer. It also reduces moisture and keeps the tent warmer in the winter. DO NOT ALLOW THE GROUND CLOTH TO BE LARGER THAN THE TENT FOOTPRINT. If the ground cloth is visible outside the footprint, plan on having water in your tent if it rains. You have been warned! The ideal size is that the ground cloth is 1” smaller in length and width than the tent foot print, but the same size will do just fine.
Tent and tent pole Repair Kit
Seam sealer
Grommet kit
Whisk broom and dust pan
Hammer, I use a claw hammer
I also carry a small sledge hammer.
Tent stake puller – I have one puller and also use a claw hammer
Plenty of rope – you can never have enough
Folding saw or Bow Saw
Hatchet
Ax
Shovel
Trowel
Multi-Tool/Knife
Emergency Flair/Flairs
Mirror
Whistle
Compass (and know how to use it)
Work gloves
Stove repair kit
Lantern repair kit
In the fall, winter and spring I also pack a heater. There are several quality tent heaters out that have auto shut off systems and are safe for use inside the tent. I use an older liquid fuel heater. It is NOT made for inside the tent. I use it for the dinning or cooking area.
Sleeping Bag
Cot, air mattress, or camp pad which ever you prefer. I have one of each
Pillow – I always bring one from home
Screen house for the eating or sitting around the table.
Dinning canopy or fly with poles ropes and stakes. Or an event canopy.
Extra vinyl tarps
I also use a canvas painter’s drop cloth for the floor of my tent. It is inexpensive and work’s well as a carpet. Helps keep a little warmth in the tent and is much nicer to walk around on in bare feet than the vinyl tent floor.
If you are staying at a campground that has no toilets you will need some type of toilet. There are many that you can purchase that have chemicals, they flush etc. There are also some made from a 5 gallon bucket. There are also cabanas that you can purchase so you have a little privacy.  If you would rather really rough it, you can use a hand held spade shovel and dig a “cat hole”. Just dig a shallow hole, do your thing, cover up what you left behind and make sure and pack out your used toilet paper. That’s right, take the used T.P. with you. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN THE WOODS FOR THE NEXT CAMPER TO FIND.
Tip: when taking wash cloths and bath towels or beach towels camping. Make sure you take some older worn out ones or go purchase really cheap ones. The less thickness the towel has, the quicker they will dry. Bandanas make excellent wash clothes and towels.

Pet Checklist:

Coat – if weather is cold
Life jacket – if we are paddling, boating or in an area where the dog might swim
Food: take enough food for the length of the trip plus a few extra days. ALWAYS STORE DOG FOOD INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE. That will keep Bears and other critters out of your camp site.
Dog bowls
Dog toys
Veterinary contact information for where you are camping and records from home.
Is your pet up to date on vaccines, flea and tick? Make sure of it.
Dog bed or bed roll
Dog sleeping bag or blanket
Dog tent – if you use one
Leashes: I usually take a combination of lengths and I always take a few extra. I usually combine a 6 foot and a 3 or 4 foot leash. You also might take a tie out of some kind. It helps to know where your dog is when you are setting up camp. I use a 15” tent stake for a tie out. I also do not take leather leashes with me. If it rains or there is water, leather takes a long time to dry and if it gets to wet, it won’t look like that nice leash you originally purchased. Nylon leashes work best, they dry fast. Cotton also takes a long time to dry. If it is in cold weather, the cotton leash will freeze when it gets damp.

Dog Ramp: we use a dog ramp for our rig, the leap in and out is pretty high for the dogs. This allows them to walk right in and out.

POOP BAGS: DO NOT LEAVE THESE AT HOME. I love pets but I hate stepping in dog poop. Especially from a dog that isn’t mine. If you are too lazy to clean up after your pet, don’t go camping. Even if you are in a wilderness area and you think no one is around, clean it up. If you run out of poop bags, dig a “cat hole” and bury the dogs waste.

Dog towels – You will want something to wipe them off, dry them off or just to clean their paws before they get in the tent.

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