Finally: Our Ollie Gets Hitched with Stan

[Spike]

Here are some photos of our trip back to Arizona after Stan (our Tundra) finally got hitched with Ollie. As RV newbies, we had much to learn along our way back home. We picked up our Ollie (Hull #222) over a month ago and have finally been able to post these pics. Looking forward to many more adventures.

[topgun2]

Looks like it was a great trip home!  That sure is one hefty puppy you've got there.  The picture along the Arkansas is certainly my favorite.

 

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

Great pics! Glad you are enjoying it!  Mike

[SeaDawg]

Great photos. Congrats on a wonderful first trip.

I love this photo, particularly..

Safe travels,

Sherry

 

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[John E Davies]

Great pics! I agree that the night shot with the sunset is gorgeous. Are those from a cell phone or something fancier like a DSLR?

 

I used to carry a Nikon D40 on all our trips, but my iPhone SE takes such darned nice pics that lately I don't bother, but it would be better for landscapes, definitely.

 

Tell us about your bear .... uhm, dog, please. He's a big guy. Does he sleep in the trailer or the truck?

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[Spike]

John--

 

The photos were all taken with my iPhone 6.

 

Hank is a Great Pyrenees mix--mixed with Blue Tick Coonhound and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. The way I know his pedigree is through genetic testing. Here is a bit of Hank's story.

 

We had lost a beloved Border Collie-Australian Shepherd to cancer, and after a while, my wife, Liz, would periodically show me photos from the pound of different dogs needing adoption. I'd glance at them and just say, something like "I'm not ready to adopt another one now." That was, until she showed me the face of 8-week-old Hank, who was advertised by the local pound as a Border Collie mix who needed a foster home because he was too young to stay in the pound. Seeing his face, I immediately said, "Yes!"

 

However, upon picking him up, we realized that Hank (we named him this later) was going to be a giant. We told one another that we couldn't raise such a large dog (we were pretty sure we would soon be RVing) and that we would just give him foster care until he was adopted. You can guess what happened: As soon as someone called to see if he was still available, we answered that "No," we were keeping him. We have not regretted that decision. The genetic test was well worth the $70. We can understand a lot of his behaviors by learning about those displayed by the different breeds that contributed to our Hank. He is loyal, lovable, laughable, and all ours. He is well trained but sometimes can just not seem to overcome some of his inbred impulses. While he has never bitten another person or dog, he has great guarding instincts (from the Pyrenees line), and humans and canines respect his girth, height, and deep bark.

 

He sleeps on the floor in Ollie. (We thought at first that we would bed him in the convertible dinette section, but soon realized that that idea was not very practical.) It is a bit of a challenge living in the Ollie with him, but he does not mind our feet as they maneuver around him. So far, we have avoided injuring ourselves or Hank. We always have two conversation starters when we meet folks on the road: our unusual small trailer and unusual big dog.

[KarenLukens]

That is a beautiful dog :) He fits well in your Olli :)

[rideandfly]

Congratulations on your new Ollie!

 

Enjoyed the seeing all of the fine camping photos and Hank!  Hopefully will meet y'all camping in the future!

[snowlakemike]

Looks like a great trip home.  I am impressed with your iphone photos.  I cannot seem to get the hang of it.  The pictures are beautiful, keep them coming as  you travel. Looks like you live in a great spot for boondocking...so you may be tempted to camp at home and save the trouble of travel.

[Cash]

Nice photos!

[dharmardr]

Love your beautiful photographs. Had the opportunity to travel down the Arkansas River, in Colorado, this past trip out west. We came away thinking, it is one of the beautiful valleys we have ever seen. Planning a return trip, to spend more time, in 2018 after the Oliver Rally. Thanks so much for the pictures.

[Angus]

Extremely jealous! Can't wait to join the Oliver-Owner community.

 

Congratulations!

 

Peter and Patty

[MikeandGerri]

Great trip home!!!   Love your photos!!  Hank is a beautiful fella!!  Enjoy your Ollie!!