Best and Worst from Trip

So, we made it home Saturday night. Traffic in Austin was so bad that I detoured around the freeway to do some food shopping. Still thinking about Gwen's great Greek dinner so I ended up stopping at the Phoenicia Bakery for some cucumber salad, peta bread and other great Greek sauces. Then stopped at my favorite Austin grocery - Sun Harvest and got the veggies I needed - then went home to call friends to come over for a copy-cat Greek dinner. I think I was a little delirious and exhausted but the dinner and conversation was fun. Sunday I was exhausted all day. But blah, blah, blah, on to my best and worst list from the trip:

Best dinner - Gwen's Greek dinner
Best potato salad - Pam's Mom's secret recipe
Worst traffic - Memphis!!
Worst problem with police stopping cars - Tennessee
Worst State for no tolerance for speeding - Arkansas
Best scenery - Kentucky and Mingo park
Worst pet-friendly State - Kentucky - especially the "Welcome to Kentucky" center
Most pet friendly State (*by a sliver) Pennsylvania
Most expensive gas - Pennsylvania (next most expensive gas - Texas)
Best gas prices - Arkansas (I saw $2.47 on the freeway)
Best tourist attraction - tied between Kentucky Knob and Lincoln's birthplace
Best idea on what to take with me on the trip - my pillow!! All beds are OK as long as you have your own pillow.
Best travel companion (once he found the back seat) - Little Seymour

I'm already thinking of my next adventure. Stay tuned!

One More Day

This was a long day - traffic in Memphis was horrible, as usual. I think the worst drivers in the USA live there. I know it was probably worse because of the Elvis followers but it can't be all due to that. The drive through Tenn. felt like it lasted 2 days. That might have been because there is a no tolerance for speeding on the highways there so I drove no more than 1 mile above the limit - so rare for me!

But the cool things we saw were rivers - the Tennessee River - we drove through it right in the middle of a nature of a nature preserve. But then I went across the Mississippi River and was in awe of it. I would definitely go back to see either or both of those places.

We tried to go into a Gift shop and restaurant but were told we had to leave - no pets. Oh well, at least we tried. That was the first place we couldn't get in - I'm sure they will now put "no pets" signs on all of their doors.

I wanted to go to the Central Tenn Art Center - but never did find it. I had been there before and loved the arts and crafts. Maybe next time -

We passed St Jude Children's Hosp - it is enormous - very impressive!

It was amazing how many roads are now named after people - I'm wondering if we are overdoing it. I mean - Scott Hamilton Blvd?? Albert Gore Sr Highway - LOTS of Dr Martin Luther King highways. They even say DR MLK - I don't think DR is used in Austin but I could be wrong.

So, now we are in our hotel in Mt Pleasant, TX - near Paris, TX and Pittsburg (no "h") Tx. For the first time, the cable has HGTV so I'm overdosing on it tonight.

We should be home tomorrow.

PS - I attached pics of the parents house and their family room where we spent most of our time. I also sent a pic of my "non-smoking" hotel room - the black object beside the sign is - yes - an ashtray!

Musings from the Last Few Days -

Today was pretty uneventful. My parents left at 7 am to drive into Pittsburgh to get my mother's hair done. Seymour and I took our time packing and left at about 9 am. We are now in the same hotel we were in when we heading to Pittsburgh - somewhere outside of Nashville (I'm too tired to look up the city) Additional comments about the last few days:

1. My parents LOVED Seymour - he was an angel while he was there. I think they would have kept him if they didn't have to walk him. In fact, I talked with my mother tonight and she asked when I was coming back - so she can get to know Seymour better!!

2. If I never hear the ding of an unfastened seat belt, it will be too soon.

3. We ate dinner at a cafe called Y2. When we went in, there was a wall of cooler for selling beer and about 8 tables. The first table had a woman smoking. I was surprised that they allowed smoking in the small cafe - and then found out it was the cook smoking!

4. When we were driving to the Casino my Dad kept saying he was worried about the dog - that he would get out when my Mother went to the Lunch Bunch - cute. But Seymour was fine.

5. Seymour did his howling routine a couple times when he was with my Mother yesterday - he looks like a little coyote.

6. My headache is almost gone.

7. I did buy a fan for the guest room - it saved me from sweating to death. I also bought and put up a shower curtain liner - oh and bought some shampoo.



A couple more days and we will be back home.

The Day the Humor Died. . .

Today we split up - Mum went to the Lunch Bunch and Dad came with me to the new Casino in Pittsburgh. We had about an hour to drive and it went pretty well, considering. When we got to the Casino, he did not like any of the 10,000 (or so) slot machines. He wanted one with the arm that you use to play and the basic 1 line bar game. We walked all around but my Dad's eyes aren't as good as they used to be - so I had to make sure he didn't walk into a slot machine (like he did when I "pushed' him into the pool a couple years ago). By the way, I didn't "push" him but I've given up defending myself.

We did find a few slot machines where I sat him down and helped him feed them money - then I sat at a machine nearby. This went on for about 2 1/2 hours and luckily we were both ready to go home.

When we got home - no Mum. We waited until an hour passed when she usually gets home and finally Dad was itching to go look for her. We went to McD's and there they were, the lunch bunch was turning into the dinner bunch - 4 1/2 hours at the same table!
Tonight we went to dinner and had another Pittsburgh specialty - french fries and gravy. I'm now groaning (inside - remember I like quiet) and finishing tonight's blog.

Humor? I'm not sure where it went? I think it is hiding out with my relaxed muscles , conditioned hair and calm demeanor. This is one of the only times I would beg for a massage!

We will be packing up for the trip home tomorrow morning.

Day 2 with the Parents

The day started with a trip to meet the Lunch Bunch - overall nice folks. The 75 year old thought he was too old for me - realllyyyy??? Then Seymour and I went to the mountains to visit Ohiopyle - a beautiful State park on the river. While following my GPS directions in a way I've never driven, I happened to pass Kentucky Knob, a Frank Lloyd Wright home that I had never seen or heard of before. Seymour and I decided to stop and went into the gift shop to talk to the staff about the home. It required reservations and I doubt if Seymour would have been allowed so we just walked through the woods. There seemed to be an air of creativity there - hard to explain. I didn't see the house but I did see pictures of it. Good enough for this trip.

Then we all drove- actually I drove after a bit of persuasion - to my brother's house to have Beto's pizza and see the remodeling he did. He actually took down a wall to open the living and dining room and found and refinished hardwood under the carpet, just like they do on HGTV.
Tonight I'm recuperating - I'm very used to quiet and driving in peace - and neither are words to describe our drive. In addition, Seymour had gas most of the drive and my mother had burps and loud, extended yawns. Seymour's gas alone was giving me a headache but the combination was causing near blindness.

We got home to the CO meter going off and blinking "Evacuate". I think it was from the chemicals of the carpet that had been cleaned today - at least I hope so. On second thought, maybe we should have evacuated instead of going to bed. I hope we don't grown another knuckle because of the fumes.

PS - Monday night

OK, so everyone is in bed here and I can see that the guest room hasn't been used since around Christmas - because the gift Shan and Chris gave them is on my bed - racing grannies in wheelchairs. Also, no one seems to have realized that the only AC vent in the room is on the floor - under the heavy dresser. So, I'm sweating like crazy. I decided to take a shower to cool off. I don't think the shower has been used either - no shower curtain liner. I hated to do it but I pulled the shower curtain inside the tub and turned on the water. Then I started looking for soap, shampoo, etc. The only thing I found was foaming hand cleaner -which I used on my body and as shampoo. I'm not sure it rinsed out of my hair or ever will for that matter!

I'm seriously thinking about driving to the all night Walmart -at least I think it's an all night one - and buying a fan. Poor Seymour is in his crate by my bed and I'm sure he's thinking that his owner is losing her mind. It going to be a long night - and I'm still thinking about the egg cooker . . .

I'm going to need an intervention!

More on the title of this later. Seymour and I stayed and talked with Gail this morning and I found a person for the duplicate Crocs I had to buy last week (long story). See above -he actually had a pair of sandals on inside of the Crocs!

After hugs and goodbyes, Seymour wanted to see some of the old haunting grounds. Unfortunately, things aren't as good as they used to be. Mingo park is now a bit unsafe and Gail said it would be best if I drove through with my windows locked and didn't get out of the car. So, I drove through with my windows locked, took a picture of the covered bridge and checked that place off my list.

Driving through construction - as usual - I tool a picture of a guy really following that adage "work smarter not harder" Seriously, couldn't they just use some kind of battery powered remote to flip the sign? He's not even holding it - he's using it to rest his tired body on.

Anyway, we walked through South Park - I love that park - then got Big Boy Hamburgers (now called Superburgers due to some law problem) and headed to my old high school friend - Mary Lou and her husband's house. It was another one of those times when conversation was comfortable and close, even though we haven't talked in years. It sure brought back some good and slightly emotional, old memories. But after a few hours, Seymour and I slowly headed to the parent's house. That's where the intervention comes in.

They seem to have changed from Home Shopping to QVC and they purchased an item I want!! Help me - I am NOT a home shopping network person but I think I would use this product. It's an electric egg cooker - no water - and cooks eggs from soft boiled to hard boiled and any boil in between. I always forget that I am boiling eggs and invariably they explode so this is a good product for me!!

I am afraid I may have inherited the latent "home shopping" gene and I'm trying to fight it.

Other than that, we settled in here for a few days. I had my "chipped ham" sandwich fix and hopefully tomorrow I'll have my Beto's Pizza fix. Where did I put those stretch waisted pants??

Tomorrow I get to meet the Lunch Bunch my parents hang out with every day - Monday through Friday - for about 3 hours at McDonalds! My mother buys a salad and brings her own hard boiled eggs (from the new egg maker) to put in it! I'm sure McDonalds loves that!

The group used to hang out at K-Mart until K-Mart took their tables away. I wonder if McD's is starting to consider that also? I'm only meeting everyone and then planning to do more sight seeing with Seymour, although there is a 75 year old man my mother wants me to meet there :(

We're in Pennsylvania!

After leaving Gwen and Gary's this morning - at a slow pace since I was enjoying my time with them - Seymour and I headed through W. VA to PA. Believe it or not - there is construction on every highway. One cool thing that happened was that we were on the freeway and the construction made the lanes merge from 3 lanes to 2. I was in the middle lane - grumbling - about the inconsiderate people who got into the lane that was closing and passed us all by - only to get in the front on the line. So, we pretty much didn't move for about 15 min. After awhile I saw that there were no more cars coming down that lane and when I looked back, I saw a tractor trailer blocking the lane so that no one else could use it. What a great thing to do! I put my hand out the window and gave him a "thumbs up". If he hadn't done that, I'd probably still be sitting in that lane. Maybe that's not a big thing but when you've been driving for 4 days, it made my afternoon.

I finally called my parents and my friends to let them know I'd be in town and set up some visits - nothing like a few hours notice! My good friend Pam and her sister Gail invited me to Gail's house to have left-overs from a picnic they held the day before. Pam's daughter is going to Med school and had come home after a 10 week internship in Memphis. Pam and I go waaayy back - to about 1976 or so. We were neighbors and went to college together. Even though we don't see each other enough, it is alway comfortable being with her and we still laugh at the old stories.

On my way to Gail's I passed 2 houses that I used to live in - where each of my children were born. I'm attaching pics above. The little park in front of the big house now has a Farmer's Market on some days. It was good to see the town doing well.

I then started my "Eating my way through PA" at Gails - we ate, told stories, laughed and played with Gails sweet son. I need to take a picture of him to put on my blog - he's going to be a heart-breaker when he grows up! Pam and her family are the kind of family everyone would like to have - a bit crazy, loving, close, and full of adventures. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. I do miss them.

Gail let me and Seymour stay in her house tonight - so I'm now lying in bed with a full stomach - and Seymour is in his crate at the bottom of the bed - quiet as can be. All is right with the world.

Kentucky and More Rantings

I now have a love-hate relationship with Kentucky. The "Welcome Center" when you first cross the border had more "No Pets" signs than I've ever seen in one location. I was thinking that if they had 1/2 as many signs they could have built a really nice pet park on the grounds. After grumbling that Seymour only had the space between the parking lot and the freeway to walk - the most unsafe place around, I got back in the car and continued on. A little further I saw a big sign that said "Hell is Real" and I was tempted to add - and I'm driving through it. I stopped at a flea market and put Seymour in his pet carrier/purse but when I went to the door, there was a big sign that said -yep - "No Pets". Come on, folks, this is a flea market - old stuff!

So, we continued on and I started mellowing - the scenery was the prettiest I've seen so far. Beautiful hills and shades of green - I guess because no pets are allowed on it.

I did take a detour to see Lincoln's birthplace - the log cabin is inside of the building above. The grounds were beautiful and there were trails and cabins everywhere. It was free to get in and I didn't see any "No Pets Allowed" signs, so I was starting to like Kentucky a little more.

I finally arrived in Columbus and stayed with my friends Gwen and Gary. They are such a cool couple. Gwen is a master gardener and her backyard is amazing. I wish I had taken a picture. She is growing the most enormous tomato plants, herbs and flowers there.

They have a big dog named Kate Jackson. From the start Seymour and Kate growled at each other and I wasn't sure it was going to work. So, being a gracious couple - they put Kate in the house so Seymour could go out in the yard. The next thing I knew, their neighbor yelled "your dog is in my yard but it's OK". She had another big dog and Seymour was just sniffing around and causing no trouble. So Kate came out and they all got along. I have to admit I was probably the biggest problem - I was afraid Seymour would become Kate's dinner. Kate was a real sweetie but her tongue was bigger than Seymour's whole head. She kept licking Seymour and it was like giving him a bath with every lick. I am attaching a picture of Kate and Seymour - a bit of a size difference!

Gary's son Sal was there and we all had a fantastic, fresh Greek dinner made by wonder woman Gwen- yum! In the morning I took Seymour for a walk around their neighborhood - called Germantown - and got carried away looking at all of the old houses - and got lost! I had to ask for directions to get back to their house. Ahhh, to have a sense of direction for just a short time would be a dream . . .

Day 2 - Seymour Finds the Back Seat

Well, OK, he didn't actually "find" the back seat - he was standing on the front arm rest and I stopped suddenly. (Hey, I've been taking lessons from Britney's Guide to Child and Pet Car Etiquitte, ya'll)

Anyway, today he spent most of the drive in the back seat - in his crate and only twice became my lumbar support. I don't want him to forget his new "skills".

We tried to see Graceland and I got very lost in Memphis and found that the drivers there are CRAZY!! It wasn't my favorite place.

We were going to stay at Loretta Lynn's RV Campground tonight but the temp here is 105 degrees and it didn't sound as fun when we got out of the car. Even Seymour pulled back to stay in the AC. So, we are now in Dickson, TN. I think it is a suburb of Nashville. I kept hearing of wrecks closer to Nashville so I decided the Dickson was the place to be. Tonight we're going to go driving around the town and see if we can find a park for a change. If not, there are great empty lots around.

I took a picture of a cool school here in Dickson, through my windshield. I'll try to post it tonight or tomorrow. The internet here isn't very strong.

What I've learned so far traveling with a dog:

1. You don't get the best rooms in the hotels - even the not-so-good hotels.

2. Dogs won't eat while they are traveling - at least until they are settled in a hotel.

3. You get to walk more with a dog - whether you want to or not.

4. If you have a large dog-purse (not a purse that dogs carry, but a purse you put dogs into) you can get away with going into a number of stores. I've already been to a convenience store with an attached McDonalds and Eckerds. I haven't tried a grocery store yet - I think that would be pushing it - too much food around.

OK, Seymour is getting tired of sitting in the hotel room already so we're off to explore and find something to eat.

Seymour Learns to be a Lumbar Support

Day One -
We are relaxing and enjoying seeing Texarkana. I've never actually looked around before. Great buildings and interesting combo of Texas and Arkansas. In fact I'm staying on State Line Street - the division between States.
The day started a bit late - 10:30 am and I got lost getting out of Austin. They put in a new road since I've tried to drive to Dallas and I circled the toll road twice before I found my way to the interstate - a wasted $1.50! Besides all of the road construction along the way, all went well.
But Seymour started something quirky (well, he is my dog); he started laying down on my upper back, the space between where my back hits the back of the seat and my head. But, when I moved a bit forward - to pick up my drink or turn my head to make sure a car wasn't coming, he let himself down lower on my back. A couple times he was almost my (uncomfortable) lumbar support. He seemed very content. I don't know how he could have been comfortable - I sure wasn't. But it made me laugh - what a position!
Seymour put up with the drive so that he could feel like he was a stray again - OK a stray with a leash. He loved the new smells and sites - mostly the smells - in the different places we stopped to walk. No parks for us - we are tough! We walk the highways and by-passes, parking lots and road side rest stops. The smells are fantastic - at least to Seymour.
Gas mileage was 48.4 today, which is better than I was getting in town. I found that La Quintas allow pets and don't charge extra so that is where we are tonight.
More tomorrow -

Tomorrow's the Day!

The trip is finally starting. It's about 9:15 pm the night before I'm leaving and I've done very little to get ready. I have some things on the dining room table that I want to remember to bring and I did hook my camera to my computer to be sure it works so that's a start. I plan on printing out a mapquest with pet friendly hotels along the way - thanks Sarika. I think the site is http://www.petswelcome.com/ I'm also bringing my GPS - I can't go anywhere -or at least I can't arrive where I am supposed to arrive - without it. That sense of direction did not come in the original packaging!

I've attached a picture of Seymour in his car seat. The picture makes him look like a giant that couldn't possibly fit in the seat but in fact, he can curl up in it quite nicely -when he wants. That will be one of my biggest challenges - keeping him on his own side of the car. I hope I can't get stopped because a dog looks like he's driving!

Seymour is innocently sleeping in his bed right now but any time I look like I'm doing something that might involve me leaving the house, his head pops up and he watches me until I sit back down. I wonder if he needs a psychologist?

OK, I need a little time to procrastinate a little more and then I'm going to get serious about packing. Well, I do still have some time tomorrow morning.

Trip starts Aug 9 - finally!

We're finally getting the trip re-started. So far, I've packed most of Seymour's things as you can see at the top of the page. His items include:

1. Portable crate for sleeping - he's been periodically choosing to sleep in it at night so I think it will work.

2. Car seat - he spends about 25% of the time in it so we'll see how it goes. The biggest problem is that he still gets tangled in the thingie that connects his collar to the car seat. He hasn't learned that he can't keep circling when he has a 6 inch leash attached to him. I hope to post a pic of the seat before we leave it's cute and I bought a matching blanket to put in it.

3. Two blankets, stuffed dog and 1 toy - he's not much into toys but he could change his mind after 50 hours on the road!

4. Wash and wipe, poop scoop bags, spot remover, lint brush (it really works to brush him with the lint brush) and leash. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things but I have a few more days to start writing that list.

5. Dog food, food bowls, and water bottle

6. Wardrobe as shown in the picture above. I'm starting to feel a little eccentric with this clothes business but they do say that chihuahuas get hot and cold like humans so I'm just doing my job!

My packing has been a little slower - pretty much non-existent. This is what I'm planning to bring:

1. Camera and connection to computer - as soon as I find the disk to upload the software in my laptop

2. GPS - as soon as I find the cord to connect it to my computer so I can upgrade the maps

3. Laptop - as soon as I finish using it for work stuff

4. Pillow - if I remember to take it off of my bed Thurs morning.

5. Blanket - in case we have to sleep in the car or on a hard wooden plank in a cabin

6. AAA Traveling with your pet book - started looking through it but found that it doesn't have much for the direction I'm planning on going

7. Map book - in case my GPS steers me wrong

8. Address book - so I can contact people before I get to their houses and let them know I'm on my way.

9. Clothes - everything I can find that is casual, washable, and doesn't show dog hair

10. Toiletries, snack food, drinks, cooler, travel cup, books on CD, music and light reading. I plan to bring Cd's that I can sing along with - this will be one of the few times I'll be able to sing in the car with no one grimacing except Seymour.

I'm sure I'll write one more entry before I leave. It's finally starting to feel real.

By the way, you'll notice 2 pictures at the top of the page that have nothing to do with my trip - it's my house and my guest room. I accidently uploaded them and cannot find a way to delete them so - ignore or enjoy!