This blog is about part 1 of my 20,000+ mile car-camping trip with my dogs from DC to Alaska via Labrador. Part 1, in 2011, was to the end of the road in northeastern North America in Labrador and then on to Quebec and Ontario, 7609 miles. Part 2, which took place in 2012, picked up where Part 1 left off in Ontario and was supposed to extend to Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies, but Leben, my male German shepherd, became paralyzed on the trip so we cut it short. We will finish the journey in 2013, when we will return to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.

Non-discretionary daily chores on the road

Non-discretionary daily chores on the road

There were 49 predictable, non-discretionary chores to be done each day, leaving virtually no time for rest, relaxation, leisure, play, fun, or whatever name you wish to give it.  There was also no time just to think or to reflect on the big questions in life, not that I was inclined to do so anyway.

Here are the typical morning's chores, in order, which usually took 3 or more hours of constantly moving, but if I moved quickly and cut some corners they could be done in a little more than an hour.

Reveille (usually around 6)
Walk the dogs
Experience the sunrise
To colors - raise flag(s)
Exercise
Recharge iPad, cell phone, etc.
KP - Prepare the dogs' meal
Clear the tent
Set up kitchen and prepare my meal
Mess call - Breakfast
Clean up after breakfast
Clean the Defender
Service the Defender (oil, air in tires, coolant, etc.)
Pack and load Defender
Take down and load tent
Finish Plan for the  day, I.e., destination, errands, etc.
Finish Journal and Blog
Walk and groom dogs and load into Defender
Laundry
Shower (if available)
Final Inspection of campsite and Defender
To Defender - Shove off 
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Chores during the day while driving

Drive
Snacks during the day
Recharge batteries
Select audio program
Gas stops (1-3 times a day)
Pit stops
Break stop for dogs (every few hours)
Errands
Monitor sun (to estimate sunset),  time, speedometer, odometer
Hunt for campsite
10

Here are a typical evening's chores, which to the "In Tent" item usually took two hours of constantly moving.  But if I moved very quickly and cut some corners they could be done in a little less than one hour.

Check into campsite (ideally no later than 5-6)
Walk dogs around campsite
Unload and set up tent
Unload and set up camp
KP- Prepare dogs' meal
Set up kitchen and prepare my meal
Mess call - Dinner
Clean up after dinner
Experience the sunset
Prepare camp for night
Walk dogs
To colors - lower flag(s)
In Tent
Repair items 
Wash dogs
Plan next day
Journal and blog
Taps, lights out (usually around 9:00)
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