Maple and the Van Life Summer

Everyone told us a corgi would hate a camper van. Maple took one look at the bed platform, climbed the little steps we built, and fell asleep with her paws in the air.

We spent eleven weeks on the road, from the Oregon coast to the red rocks of Utah. She learned to ride shotgun with her chin on the dashboard and to wait politely at gas stations while we paid.

Her favorite place was a sandy trail in Arches at sunrise. Her short legs made a trail of tiny prints beside ours. She stopped to sniff every juniper bush as if she was writing a review.

We learned some lessons the hard way. Hot pavement is real. Water bowls have to come everywhere. Park rules about dogs are strict, and a lot of trails are off limits, so we planned each day around the places where she was welcome.

We are home now, but Maple still sits by the door each morning in case today is the day we leave again. We think she may be right.