b'When thats not possible, we stay in campgrounds. We havealso been blessed by the kindness of strangers-turned-friendsalong the way who have loaned us a riverside cabin, a con-vertedschoolbushouse,andcountlesscozyrooms,saidMallory, smiling at a now soundly-sleeping Baylor. She hasonly stayed in hotels out of necessity, like when repairs areneeded for Rufio.Mallory is the first to admit that she is an unlikely adven-ture seeker. She is a creature of habit, luxuriating in normal,mundane pleasures. I am easily overwhelmed by fast-movingplaces, hoards of people and unfamiliar experiences, she said.She confesses that there are times in the woods where sheIll happily stick my head under a sink andcall it clean, pee in the woods any day ofthe week, throw my clothes in a lake andconsider them washed. But please, deargod, let there be a decent internetconnection when I need it. First worldmelodrama I know, but it\'s the truth."and Baylor feed each others paranoia. Other times I get theheebie jeebies and cant shake them all night. But, as I told mysister once, its not about being fearless. You just have to keepdoing it to get less nervous. Im not fearless, and you donthave to be either to seek adventure. You just have to be com-mitted. To give it a go. To fall five times and get up six. On topof that, fear is not a good enough reason to not do something,especially the hard things that make you a better person. Malloryhasavisionoftheadventurershewantstobecome.PartLauraIngals Wilder,partJacquesCousteau,healthy dose of (Sir Ernest Henry) Shackleton. Resourceful,adventurous, capable. The type of person who goes deep intothe wild with confidence, and comes out alive on the otherside, she said.This trip, this adventure of a lifetime is fueled by onewoman\'s stubborn determination, intentional sacrifice, and anobsessivedesiretolearn,experienceanddiscover.Sheacknowledges support from a can-do community and admits,while luck plays a minor role, none of it would not be possi-ble without shear determination, hard work and a positiveattitude. That, and the love of the best traveling companionanyone could ever ask for, a dog named Baylor.Every day strangers take time to say hi, look out for usand provide friendship and community on the road. Peopleare good. This I will always believe. UZ To read more on Mallory\'s adventure with Baylor and Rufio,visit MalloryPaige.com. Follow them on Facebook at OperationMoto Dog. Tell them The New Barker said hello.Wed like to thank John Messmore, owner of dog-friendly SweetSage Cafe on North Redington Beach. He gave us the head\'s up onMallory and Baylor when they visited the restaurant on their way toMiami earlier this year.38 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'