If Only Radar Could Speak English

Day 1

I loaded up Mama Cass with a full complement of bikepacking bags for an overnight with Jana and the “I Wonder” (as in...I wonder what he’s trying to tell us now) Dog, Radar. Radar is a 5 month old border collie, who is about the cutest pup on the planet. 

See? Pretty cute, huh?

Now, Radar has been out and about in his trailer for much of his post-weaned life. In fact, he’s pretty much close to being a pro...most of the time. Things he’s got down pat: “Basket” to get in the trailer. “Offload” to get out of the trailer, and run along beside (he has a bungee leash attached to the trailer). “Wait” to stay in the trailer, even when stopped. He’s really good at those commands. 

Radar has been to work and a few other places with Jana, and been on a gravel ride. But, the goal is for him to become a bikepacking dog. So, we planned an overnight to Rainbow Falls along the Willapa Hills Trail. 

Waiting for Jana and Radar to pick me up. 

Jana getting the bike and trailer ready to go. 

MC ready. 

Radar secured in his trailer. 

Because there’s not really good places to park at the Trailhead (overnight), Jana secured a parking spot at a friend’s house in Centralia. The trailhead is in Chehalis. Fortunately, we were very close to the Airport Road Trail that goes between Centralia (at Mellon St) to Chehalis and the other end of Airport Rd. Beyond the end of the path, we had a bike lane for the busiest part of the road. We made it to the Trailhead, and Radar did great (it was very noisy with all the traffic, and I-5 nearby).

Annnddddd...we’re off!

The Airport Road Trail 

Once we were on the Willapa Hills Trail, we were really enjoying the weather, and no traffic. 

At the trailhead in Chehalis. 

Here we go!

Crossing on one of several bridges over the Chehalis River. 

5 miles in, and a rest/potty/play break for Radar at the trailhead in Adna. 

Back on the trail. 

Another bridge. 

Such a beautiful day!

After awhile, Jana decided to let Radar run alongside for awhile (not too long because, well...he is just a puppy). This is his favorite thing to do! 

Run Radar run! By the way, this is the only time I can be in front. If he is in the trailer, and I am ahead, he howls and barks (if he could speak English, I’m sure he would be saying something like, “You can’t be in front of me! I am the leader of this pack...even though I’m riding in this basket, and my mom is really the leader!”)

Running alongside, on the spur trail to the park. 

We were about a mile from the park when Radar decided he needed to tell us something. He began barking and whining, and even though Jana was telling him “NO!”, he wasn’t getting the message. She let him out to run once we were close to the park. Since he really loves to run, he was no longer trying to get his message across. 

We got to the campsite, and no sooner was Radar let off his leash, when he took two dumps in a row! “Ahhh...” we said, “He was trying to tell us he had to poop!” Of course, we then forgave him for all his barking. After all, it was our fault we don’t speak dog!

Jana and I set up our tents, and cooked a delicious dinner of fried polenta, sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, chicken, and walnuts (and I had Gorgonzola cheese on mine-Jana is dairy free). After cleaning up, and taking care of necessary bedtime chores, we retired to our tents. 

Day 2

We knew it was going to be a cold night, and indeed it was. Definitely into the 30s. Poor Radar was cold. Jana covered him with her clothes, and then he was okay. Since we didn’t really have a time schedule, we didn’t rush to pack up. 

Starting to get things stowed away. 

Radar came with me to get water. He knew exactly where to go to get back to our campsite. He played in the woods, but never went far. As soon as Jana called him, he’d come racing back. 

“I’ll just chew on this bone for a hot minute.”

About 10:30 or so, we were ready to go. We decided to first go to Pe El to add some mileage to the day. From Rainbow Falls, it is 7 miles to Pe El. Well, the day didn’t seem to be starting too great for the pup. He was whining and barking right from the start. We tried to figure out what he was upset about (too open? I’m riding too close? I’m not close enough?...). Finally, we stopped and Jana sat down with him to calm him down. He wasn’t thrilled about getting back in the trailer, but he did. Once we started rolling, he started barking again. I started to notice, if we just ignored the barking, he would eventually stop. Then he’d pick up again, but if we didn’t say anything, he’d settle down. 

Jana let him out to run just before we got to Pe El. We took a long break in the warm sunshine at the Pe El trailhead. Radar lounged in the grass. 

A good break. 

Yes, I’m cute!

As much as we could have soaked up that warm sun all day, we still had 27ish miles to go back to the car in Centralia. 

Things were going pretty smoothly. Radar was only whining once in awhile. At one point, we stopped so Jana could take off some layers. She leaned the bike against a post. Radar was in the trailer. Then, the bike and trailer fell over. Radar just jumped out of the trailer as it was falling over, and didn’t seem to be too traumatized by it. 

No crash here...just a tipped over bike and trailer!

Jana let Radar off his leash, and he promptly went over and peed. Ahhh...maybe that why he was whining (will we never learn?).

We stopped for another break at the Ceres Hill crossing and trailhead. Who should happen to roll up? Rebekah and Florian! They were out for a ride on the trail too!

The remainder of the ride back to the trailhead went very smoothly. Radar didn’t hardly whine or bark. He got out to run a couple of times, then rode quietly. He was getting tired, I’m sure. 

Just rolling along...

Mt St. Helens. 

Jana and I decided we would go for some Mexican food at La Tarasca. I’ve eaten there just once before, and Jana had eaten there when they were in a different location. After a little riding around, we found it. The food hit the spot, and Radar was so tired, he just crashed under Jana’s seat (we ate outside). He was so tired, that for a brief moment, once we were going again, he laid down in his trailer. It didn’t last, but maybe he’ll learn that he can relax. 

We made it back to the car, and congratulated ourselves on a highly successful first overnight for Radar. Now we need to plan the next one!