The Adventure South in Dora the Explorer

Day 12           

The dogs are wondering if their life has in fact changed forever? They were fine to travel in the van to begin with but now the trip has turned into a marathon and I can see the worry in their eyes. What the hell happened to our leather couch and chair for lounging? You expect us to be content in these small chairs with only a dog cushion for days on end? That’s why we keep switching around so much. We are not getting nearly enough exercise. What about the sand pit and the chuck-it ball sessions? RockDog wonders where 40-West went?

And the food? What happened to the oatmeal, eggs and yogurt for breakfast, and the salmon dinners we love so much? We are really sick of this dry kibble and the spoonful of nasty canned dog food that you add for flavor. UGH!

DoDog: “I have decided to sleep for 4,000 miles getting up only to eat, pee and poop. No matter who sits on me and tries to push me out of my C position, I will persevere and continue to sleep. A few years ago I slept all the way to Mexico and back. When there is nothing else to do, I can sleep for hours. Not a problem. I know this is a temporary situation and we will eventually arrive at a warm destination.”

Luce Goose: “I am content to be inside a crate looking out and growling at any dog that passes in front of it. I need my quiet space and prefer it be away from the rest of you canines, thank you very much. I resent RockDog sniffing my butt every chance he gets, and his attempt to make light of it by getting in a play bow. And I too am used to traveling for days. I know we will get to a snow-free place soon.

WoodBoy: “I love the back bed and am so ashamed that I can’t control my bladder better. My leg and shoulder feel okay and I am content to do as DoDog, sleep most of the way. We are on yet another adventure and will soon have lots of new butts to sniff and a place to lie in the sun.”

AnnBanane: “I have been so good, better than anyone expected that is until tonight. I got into a dark chocolate bar and think I might get sick, or worse yet have diarrhea like Woody did a few days ago. Other than that I too like to sleep in the sun and have caused absolutely no problems on this journey. I am content to drive and drive without a clue as to where we might end up.”

Bunny: “Where are the bushes full of birds that I love to flush out? I entertain myself by running back and forth in the van when we pass a semi-truck. At least I get some exercise and can’t wait to check out the dog park in Hendersonville to see if they have any birds there.”

RockDog: “I’m always in trouble because I constantly vie for my position up front next to my mom, and I’m always looking for food. I do like to sleep on top of DoDog because she makes the best pillow pet ever. I would really like to stretch my legs and go on a hike. I am told we will do that as soon as we arrive at our new home.”

I’m a bit guilty keeping the dogs so cooped up and am projecting how I feel onto them, when really they are content to do whatever I want. I’m just so ready to be out of Dora for awhile – not that I don’t enjoy her, we are just ready to stretch our legs a bit and she is needs a rest. Tomorrow we will arrive in Columbus to see family and ride out the Perfect Storm. For now we are off to a good start – no problems with the Wells Fargo card and Woody had a great night, no more episodes! And AnnBanane does not have diarrhea or even an upset stomach from her chocolate bar episode. She’s like her Auntie DoDog, iron stomach of steal. We cruise toward Minneapolis and on to Madison WI without incident. It is now time to go around Chicago, and that is when things turn to shit. Little did I know that it would take at least 3 hours to do it! The toll roads are being worked on so the speed limit is 45 MPH, lovely - and traffic is heavy for the only two open lanes. Thanks goodness it is Sunday, imagine if it were a workday?

At the first toll both the attendant is in awe of the dogs and has to show me a picture on his phone of his black/white cocker spaniel. Of course all the dogs think we are at a drive-thru and wonder where the treats are. For the amount of money we spent driving these crappy roads, they should have gotten at least a scrap. The first toll was $1.90, the second $3 and the third $1.50. After that I lost count. I do know I missed one turnoff so had to double back. Of course there is a toll to get off and one to get back on, without attendants. I need 90 cents in change to throw in a basket – it will not take $1. Oh well, blew right through both of those without paying. There is no time for this nonsense. I assume the state police will stop me at some point or I will get a bill in the mail, as there are cameras everywhere.

There is absolutely no place to pull off as we cruise on and on. I know that Woody is up and that usually means he has to pee. I keep driving because of course I have no choice – this seems to be a common theme particularly in Midwest semi country. An hour later I look in the rear view mirror just in time to see him peeing on our bed. Grrrr! I know he can’t help it. And then, I see him trying to cover it up. Poor boy, he is mortified again. It’s okay Woody; we will get out of here soon. Finally I see an Oasis exit – essentially a concrete jungle with fast food restaurants and a gas station with exorbitant prices! I pull off and everyone has to go potty, including me but of course I am last.

Glad that’s over with but as I pull out I notice the transmission is slipping on Dora just a little. I feel tense and agitated at this point. I know it’s my attitude that has to change and not the situation at hand. I try to do some deep breathing but then my contacts get cloudy and now I can’t see very well, it’s getting dark and I’m still on this bloody toll road. OMG, will it ever end? If there is ever a next time driving across country, I will drive hundreds of miles out of my way to avoid the Chicago area. Finally I see 65-South and the sign for Indiana. Wheew! We are finally on the road out of this hellhole. We pull off at the first truck stop because of course I have to wash the bedding. No problem, I am comfortable inside waiting for the blankets to dry and checking email. We will go to bed, get some rest and tomorrow will be another day. In fact it will be a great day because I will be in Ohio visiting my son and family for a couple days. I had hopes of making it today but after the 45 MPH for three hours I am too exhausted to keep driving. We need to rest and be safe.

The blankets are dry so we find a large field out back of the truck stop where only a few tractor-trailers are parked. A trucker helped me add a bit of transmission fluid to the well, and Dora is once again happy and ready to hit the road tomorrow. We settle in and I decompress with a murder mystery when I hear a loud pop. Holy Crap, did someone just hit the side of Dora? Interesting, none of the dogs moved. I peek out into the night and find everything quiet - no one around. A few minutes later more loud pops, what the hell? Still the dogs are not responding. When I look out the back window I see fireworks lighting up the sky! Ahh, that’s what it is - one of the truckers is setting off fireworks. No worries, it’s actually cool in the ominous, dark sky of angry looking clouds with a full moon in the background. Lights out, we have a short drive tomorrow!

Dora sandwiched between the Big Dogs

Day 12 ends in a large field outside a truck stop in Indiana, where I am cuddled with six dogs under a clean down comforter with a display of colorful fireworks out the back window. Life is good in a van called Dora!

Semi Plaza