Two Cats, Two Dogs, and a Crazy Chick

Not long ago, I was contacted by Lisa from Kritter Kommunity, LLC to do a product review for the Kritter Kondo Deluxe.  Thus began a whirlwind of preparations for a camping trip with two dogs, two cats, and me (plus our token bodyguard).  Over the next few posts, I’ll tell you about our adventures and about our experiences with the Kritter Kondo.  But be warned – camping with this crew is not for the faint of heart!

Most people know me as an outdoorsy kind of girl.  I spend a lot of time outside with my animals enjoying nature and I thought a camping trip would be lots of fun!  I’d been considering planning one anyway, it just never seemed to make it to the top of my To Do list, so this seemed like a great opportunity.  Plus, I thought, camping with two cats (and HazelNut) should provide endless opportunity for me to mock myself on my blog! 

Shortly after the planning commenced, I realized I was out of my league.  After all, going on a camping trip, is not the same as planning a camping trip.  And going on a camping trip with four animals is a whole other ball of wax!  After more than a few hiccups, I sorted things out and the preparations began.  I selected Manatee Springs State Park as our destination. 

Clockwise from top: The headsprings boasts crystal clear cool water; leashed dogs can swim and play in the canoe launch area; a shallow wade in area is available for those who like to venture slowly into the cool water

Like all Florida State Parks it is pet friendly, and its location in Chiefland was a perfect 2.5 hour drive from our house.  I chose this park because of the varied options for pet friendly fun, like swimming in the canoe launch and hiking on the 8+ miles of trails.  Unfortunately (here comes that planning thing again), what I failed to consider was the time it would take to load my car after work, drive the nearly 3 hours in Friday rush hour traffic, and set up camp in the dark!  Good thing I have four very patient and understanding animals who didn’t get dinner until nearly 10 pm!  Oops. 

I gave her my most dazzling dangling goobers and yet she still didn't feed us until after my bedtime!! What gives?!

The campsites were organized around a loop, with the bathrooms in the center.  Each site had running water, electricity, a picnic table, and a fire pit/grill.  Within minutes of our arrival we were greeted by the welcoming committee:  a fearless armadillo and a hungry raccoon.  Good thing the gang was waiting in the car until our setup was complete!  My bodyguard/camping buddy Z and I had camp set up in no time, almost like we were camping professionals.  We bedded down for the night to the sound of crickets chirping and….. HazelNut barking fervishly at some unidentified creature thrashing through the brush outside our tent!  Uh oh….way to start off our camping trip!  Eventually everyone settled down and we slumbered for the remainder of the night.

What? Am I just supposed to LIE there as those creatures are preparing to eat us?!