(Does it count as traveling if you’re only five miles from home? I’m pretending it does.)

Faced with a new house full of boxes and home improvement projects last Saturday, I decided the best way to tackle the tasks at hand was to ignore them. And so, I took Choppy to the local dog park for the first time.

Based on dog-related amenities, I think we chose the new house well.

Jefferson County Dog Park is 109 acres of free-running dog happiness. You can get the exact details on the park at the link, but there are four fenced-in areas, with two each for large and small dogs. The park is about three miles off of I-94, about halfway between Madison and Milwaukee. There aren’t any water features at the park, but there is plenty of room to roam and there are many places to make new doggy friends.

Helpful signs pointing the way to the dog park (watch out for snowmobiles...in about three weeks. WIsconsin!).
Helpful signs pointing the way to the dog park (watch out for ATVs now, and snowmobiles…in about three weeks. Wisconsin!).
And if you miss the big signs, the little one for Canine Drive indicates you are getting close.
And if you miss the big signs, the little one for Canine Drive indicates you are getting close.
Choppy and I headed to one of the large dog areas. Things that are interesting at the dog park: other dogs and the smells they have left behind. Things that are not interesting at the dog park: Sarah. Hence why Choppy is already thirty feet behind me on our walk.
Things that are interesting at the dog park: other dogs and the smells they have left behind. Things that are not interesting at the dog park: Sarah. Hence why Choppy is already thirty feet behind me on our walk.
See previous caption. Also, they have places for dog poop all over the park. It was most excellent. No one likes toting bags of excrement any further than is absolutely necessary.
See previous caption. Also, they have places for dog poop all over the park. It was most excellent. No one likes toting bags of excrement any further than is absolutely necessary.
Don't look for Choppy in this picture, because she isn't there. It's just a bench and scenery.
Don’t look for Choppy in this picture, because she isn’t there. It’s just a bench and scenery.
This is Choppy not looking at me.
This is Choppy not looking at me.
And this is an annoyed dog who has finally looked at me after about 100 attempts at getting her to do so. A trip to the dog park does not do much for one's confidence in your dog's love of you.
And this is an annoyed dog who has finally looked at me after about 100 attempts at getting her to do so. A trip to the dog park does not do much for one’s confidence in your dog’s love of you.

If you want to visit the Park and are traveling between Madison and Milwaukee on I-94, just get off on Exit 267 (Wisconsin 26/Watertown/Johnson Creek) and head south on Wisconsin 26. For those of you who are directionally challenged, that’s the direction away from the Outlet Malls (I know, sad). Just under three miles down Wisconsin 26, you’ll see the signs directing you to the dog park. Follow those, and your dog will be happy!

Keep up with Travels with Choppy on Facebook and Twitter!

Choppy also has her own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

You can also follow our blog by clicking the “Follow” link at the top of this page or at Bloglovin’!