Glad Maverick did well!
Just wanted to add that humans often prize this type of freedom more than our dogs do. Many dogs don't mind at all and may actually prefer being crated. We feel bad for them, but they're just planning to sleep while we're gone anyway.
We crated Kimber until she was 2. Now when I leave her for long periods, she's usually at the front window when I leave- and she's there when I pull up. I don't know if she wanders the house while I'm gone but I think there's a good chance she just naps right there on her doggie bed.