Thanks for the idea, Beth. I was thinking of using comforters, but I took some blankets out there tonight & they do a great job & will be alot easier to wash up when needed.
And yes, Sharon, I do love my Sierra. We were introduced to German Shepherds by someone we stayed with for a time in Bolivia. When I told her we would be returning to the states, she told me to get a house with a fenced yard & get a GS - best advice ever! She's been a great guardian for the kids especially since they came home from school by themselves. You never know who she might have persuaded to not approach our house.
She is so intelligent & caring - a little on the over-protective side, but as she's aged this isn't as much of a problem anymore. I haven't taken her beyond the house much so I'll start out slowly to see how she socializes at campgrounds.