Lake Wapello State Park, Iowa

So the journey continues, now with JoJo. We are heading back a bit north to reconnect with our original itinerary. We arrived at this park amid drizzles. The sky may be gray, but we love off season camping with almost no neighbors.

It was a challenge to get walks in as it rained off and on for three and a half days.

But walking around an almost empty park is a good way to introduce JoJo to camp life and teach her proper manners. We think she was kept extremely confined for a good portion, if not all of her previous life. Everything is new to her and new things can make her bark. She is learning that we don’t like barking. Happily, the second or third time she comes across something it’s already unremarkable to her.

Finally, Friday dawned clear and cool.

The morning walk was delightful,

and we took the time to explore the beautiful old CCC building here.

It has an outdoor courtyard…

and open, but covered spaces for picnic tables.

When it warmed up we went to Ottumwa (love that name) where they had a dog park and several disc golf courses. We quickly wore JoJo out at the dog park. She’s very fast and agile, but has no stamina, probably from living in confinement. She was very polite at the disc golf course.

She may have been confused to take such an erratic walk, but she didn’t complain.

On our evening walk I took this picture of canoes on Lake Wapello. The setting sun makes the trees look like they’re turning, but they are all still green.

This morning I decided to try her on a longer walk. We’ve been going out three times a day and walking a half mile to a mile and a half each time. This would be around three miles and I thought she could handle it.

Bud drove us to the other side of the lake to a place called Smith’s Knoll. There was another CCC structure there,

this one in ruins.

JoJo and I walked down to the…

Lakeside Trail and took that back.

I don’t think she’s ever seen a boat before, she was very interested in them but didn’t bark at them.

She handled everything we came to.

I think she enjoyed it,

and she earned some treats.

A nice park and a good start to our lives together.