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June 4, 2012

America’s Largest Off-Leash Park?

Fate, karma, luck, call it what you will, but we had driven over ten thousand miles without a single bit of car trouble.  That all changed on our drive out to Montana.  I guess it can’t officially be a road trip unless you break down at least once.

Fate, karma, luck, call it what you will, but we had driven over ten thousand miles without a single bit of car trouble.  That all changed on our drive out to Montana.  I guess it can’t officially be a road trip unless you break down at least once.

dog friendly road trip

The drive started off great, the entire countryside looked like a background from a computer with Windows 95 

We came around a turn about eighty miles east of Montana and drove right into a huge piece of scrap metal that took out the driver side front tire and did some damage to the undercarriage.  Like any good horror movie scene, the sun was setting, the car was perched precariously on the shoulder of a bridge and I had no cell phone service.  I did my best impression of a one-man NASCAR pit crew and changed the tire as fast as humanly possibly.  The car got us safely to MIssoula, but unfortunately it would go no further, so Eko and I had to say goodbye to our trusty steed, Clifford.

road trip with dog

Clifford (left), we thank you for your service. Clifford Jr. (right), time to bring us on home.

road trip with your dog

Clifford was kind enough to forgive Eko for some youthful indiscretions 

With Clifford Jr. loaded up, we made our way out to Emigrant, Montana where one of my friends has a ranch.  Since we got here I haven’t had to put Eko’s leash on once.  In Emigrant, your neighbors are miles away and there’s nothing but beautiful wide open spaces.

dog friendly montana

Eko, unfortunately our backyard in Chicago is not going to look like this

dog friendly montana

Eko liked relaxing in the long grass, but as always, his favorite activity was…

dog friendly montana

Romping!

As far as Eko is concerned, we never need to leave the ranch – the world is his dog park right now.  But I know that just a short drive south is Yellowstone National Park and there is no way I’m going to miss that.  If anyone has ever visited the park, shoot me an email at [email protected] and let me know where we should go.

Also, just want to say thanks again to everyone who has followed and supported us on this journey – you guys are the best!

Comments for America’s Largest Off-Leash Park?

  1. Dottie says:

    I enjoy your adventures with Eko tremendously! I look forward everyday to hear about your “goings and “comings”! Thanks so much and I so envy you two!

  2. Tur says:

    Eko needs to put his paws down and make you stay in Montana! What a dog heaven that ranch is!! Glad that you guys didn’t get hurt with that kind of tire blow-out. Great photos too!! Yes, keep us posted no matter what.

  3. sharon says:

    Can we look forward to a trip across Canada next Spring? Are you ready to write dog friendly business plans?

  4. Victoria Coleman says:

    wonderful to read about your adventures – you and Eko are great!!!

  5. Barbara Sjolund says:

    Well, Will & Eko…welcome to the world of traveling the backroads highways & byways of this great country. Since I grew up in this kind of environment, no problem for me. But for Rooi, (my then young Ridgeback), it was sometimes a source of concern. Case in point; traveling a remote stretch of road bordering southern Idaho & nothern Nevada…temps in high 90’s not a soul in sight, drove over sharp rock, instant flat tire. Just as I was finding some car shade for Rooi and locating my (buried) spare tire in my van…a pickup appeared. At first I figured it was a figment of my imagination (you know, a mirage). It got closer and closer…stopped, and out stepped a young man from one of the ranches. First words were, “don’t worry Ma’am, I change flat tires all the time”. Rooi and I breathed a giant sigh of relief and 20 minutes later we were happily on our way to our next destination.

  6. Paws To Talk says:

    We want to run around this dog park! Great photos as always!
    Bella and DiDi

  7. tora says:

    Will you continue working w/Petcentric/Purina from Chicago? Hope you keep up this blog. Madison is only a couple hours from your new home.

  8. Love these pictures! I too have a friend in Emigrant, and we stayed at his house with our Ridgeback! What a great time Dublin had! He unearthed an Elk carcass, piece by piece!

    How is Eko now?

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