Boudin's first Camping Trip.

OK, I should have posted about this along time ago, but never got around to it. We had an additional participant in our annual trip to the OBX this year. Having never previously travelled further than a few blocks in the car, we subjected the poor pooch to a four hour car journey down to the beach. On the whole he did very well, although he spent most of the time sitting on the back seat with his head cowed looking a little queasy. He very much enjoyed the traditional lunch rest stop at Sonic, where he made a few friends. For the most part the drive was relievingly uneventful.

Boudin is a natural beach doggy. Once we taught him not to drink the salt water, he had a grand old time. He likes the same things we like. Hanging out enjoying the view, watching the pelicans cruise past, taking the occasional paddle, walking down the beach picking up interesting shells (or in his case Mermaid's purses). He helped us dig a fire pit and stayed up late just talking, star-gazing and listening to the waves.

Boudin is also a good camper. OK, he farts in the tent a lot, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of sleep he let us get. At the campsite he was happy to be on the long chain we got him. Being away from home didn't seem to bother him at all.

Having a dog can be scary, but it's so rewarding to do new things with them. I was worried that he would freak out. I was worried that we would feel too tied down with a dog, not being able to go to restaurants for example. In the end it worked out well. We got a great take out lunch from Austin's Fish Market.