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!

Trip Delay

Well, I have decided to delay my trip until August. There are a few reasons for this - and most are good reasons.

1. I need to watch a marathon round of The Dog Whisperer before I go. I took Seymour to the 4th of July parade and he was the sweetest dog - with all of the people. All he wanted was to be petted and admired. Then other people started bringing their dogs and he became Agresso-Dog. He barked at all of them - just about all through the parade. It was like being at a good restaurant with your crying baby. The looks around me could have melted my chapstick if I had remembered to bring it. He doesn't bark at dogs he knows or if there is just one dog - but a parade of dogs did him in. I have to work on this before we leave. You never know when you're going to run into a parade of dogs.

2. I bought a new car on Friday - through e-bay. It's a salvage Prius that was fixed up. It was a bit risky since I didn't even talk to the sellers before I had won the car, but it worked out. I flew to Houston to pick it up and drove it home through a major rainstorm. I was a bit concerned when right after I signed the paperwork to officially purchase the car, a bolt of lightening hit the parking lot near my "new" car. My new "electric" with batteries - car. I guess it was just a "scared ya, didn't I" joke from above because the car was fine. Now I have to go through all of the paperwork and stuff to get the car titled, inspected and insured and I won't be able to do all of that before my trip was supposed to start. I also have to clean up my old car and sell it - hopefully before I leave. I'm including a pic of my cool new car - probably at the top of this page because I can't figure out how to put it anywhere else.

3. I haven't even opened the AAA book on traveling with pets and I really need to do that before I venture out on the road. I plan on doing that in the next couple of weeks. Well, I did open it and my eyes glazed over at all of the small print. It's like reading a phone book so I need to prepare myself before I open it again.

4. I still haven't e-mailed my friends that I am coming. It would be nice to give them a little notice.

5. Good and bad news - I signed up for a 30 day subscription to "Pets on the Go". I was thinking that 30 days was all I needed because I'd be done with my trip by the end of the subscription - now I'll need to pay for continued access to the website.

On the positive side, I bought a very nice seat cover for the new car to keep dog hair off of the upholstery. I also got a new package of Seymour's favorite treat - chicken tenders. Oh, and I also got pepper spray.

I plan to update this blog about once a week until I leave so hang in there. The adventure will start soon.