Monday, to ensure Willow ate, I fed her breakfast in bed...my bed. It worked. It was time for a change for us, so I booked 2 nights at the Mojave River Forks campground just outside of Hesperia and about 40 minutes from Danny and Stella.  I thought getting her to a place that was just us and nature might bring her some peace. It has worked well! She is eating normally and is overall content. Whew!

Here is our view.

The weather is beautiful. Breezy enough to keep Minnie cool inside. We walked twice yesterday and on the second walk, I saw 2 dogs trotting around the area. Later, as we are sitting outside, those dogs paid us a visit. Willow was scared, and frankly so was I. One is a large Pit Bull, very friendly, and the other a German Shepherd, a bit stand offish. They had no collars and appeared to be looking for someone to love, feed and water them. Willow and I would go inside when they came around and then go back out after they went away. They kept coming back. Grrr. 

We walked again yesterday morning, and sure enough they came to join us and were trying to sniff Willow's parts, if ya know what I mean. She was so scared. I picked her up and walked away, and they didn't follow when I said, "No!" I called the park office...closed. I called animal control and they said they would be out this afternoon or tomorrow. Good lord. But we luckily got away without them seeing us and took a nice long walk. And then they came back. Willow seemed to want to meet the pit bull, so I let them meet. Started out friendly enough, but he had more in mind if ya know what I mean, so I got her away and inside Minnie. 

This park is large and has group and equestrian camps as well. Here's a photo of the valley on the other side of the park. 

As we were driving out to the park, there was a clear river flowing gently, and I was super excited to hike along it. No such luck. This park is on the dry side of the dam. 

Woke up this morning and again, damn dogs and no animal control. I was able to take Willow on a long enough walk to take care of all her business thank goodness. Then I put her inside and proceeded to begin the task of sewer dumping. Fun times. The elbow I bought fit better than the first, but I still had to McGyver the damn thing to stay fully attached. WD40 and a handy wrench did the trick. Without the elbow that fits to the sewer hose and then to the dump hole, there can be quite a mess. Yuck. Luckily all went well and the elbow came off nicely so I could store it appropriately, and put the hose in it's tidy home inside the back bumper. 

The camp was home for six Hispanic men. They didn't speak much English. One lived alone in a huge 5th wheel....he fed the dogs; thus, they hung around. The other 5 lived in a smaller 5th wheel. They would all go to work in the morning and come home late afternoon. Very respectful and quiet guys. The neighbor next to me was a single guy, also who went to work during the day. He seemed to want to spend time with me after I asked him if he knew who owned the dogs. He stood and talked from a distance for awhile, and I said that I may leave a day early because of the dogs. He said "I sure hope you don't leave. Maybe I'll see you tonight." Uh, no. If the camp would not have been so sparsely populated...with only men...I wouldn't have been worried. I let myself get campy looking as the day went on, and luckily he did not try to socialize. LOL. Looking like you need a shower is a good defense. My daughter, Allex, had told me to wear a wedding ring thinking it might keep unwanted advances at bay. I'm definitely buying a cheap band and wearing it when I feel a bit unsafe. 

Back at Danny and Stella's for awhile. I am driving them, in their car, to LAX tomorrow morning where they fly to Hawaii for a week, after which, I will pick them up. Now that will be a new experience for me. I don't fear driving, but LA is a whole nother ball game. Wish me luck!

Peace, Watson