Road-tripping with dogs Golden glow Open minds travel better
Ensure their registration and vaccinations are current, carry ample food, water, treats, medications and harness, with identification. Use a back-seat protector attaching harness to seatbelt attachment, via a short lead, and place shades over rear side windows. Carry warm or thermal jackets, thermal mats and a trampoline.
Use the same bowl for water and food.
Stop – to exercise and offer water – every two hours, always walk on a lead, consider adding ice cubes to warm water and never leave in vehicle unattended. Avoid free camps (to avoid the poisonous wild dog baits) and overnight in a caravan park. Tether out on a five-metre line in a nearby shady area of Parks, ensure a daily walk and carry bags to clean up after your dog.
While dogs limit National Park access, their benefits far outweigh any inconveniences and, besides, you would never leave your best mate behind, would you?
John Stretton
After reading about the Canola Trail in an issue of Escape we decided to travel to the Riverina to check out the crops. After so many years of drought we were amazed at the extensive paddocks of canola, wheat and barley throughout. We travelled through Junee, Temora, Coolamon and Cowra and were delighted at the colour around every turn.
Ken and Jan Sedgmen
On reflection, I think my first overseas trip was somewhat hogtied by my prissy expectations. I probably thought I was on song, ready for adventures, eager for diversions, and anxious to absorb other cultures, but my fretful and busybody mind kept bothering me. Why do they park on footpaths and ignore stop signs, why do they wear those strange clothes, what am I actually eating, how alcoholic is this pretty cider, why is the mattress on the floor, and why are people crouching over a large hole in the ground?
Watching, absorbing, and appreciating the cultures, traditions, habitats and habits of different people is the overriding reason to travel, and I soon learnt to leave my closed mind swinging back home on the Hills Hoist. Individuality, and even a vague eccentricity, may not make the world go round, but they certainly make it a far more fascinating place. Rosemary O’Brien