I survived the 9 hours behind the wheel 07-20-19

Such a trip!  I've driven I-5 (and US-99 before I-5 existed) dozens of times, maybe even forty times before, but the traffic this time was just astounding.  I'm glad we are here at Mabel and Mac's peaceful house with the fabulous woodland to enjoy out the large windows on the back of the house.  They seat me at the table so I can look out and relax.

KoKo seems to be acclimating okay.  He will take Froggie to Mac or Mabel to throw for him and he doesn't seem to have any desire to run outside.  He had his two walks up the street and around the curve and did his business just like usual.  And we walked out back in the woods a bit in the afternoon.  All with his harness and leash, of course.  

Washington rabbits are not very skittish.  We passed this one when we were walking downhill and it was still sitting there when we came back.  Didn't seem to mind KoKo until we were within about five feet, then it took off.  And KoKo was only mildly interested in the rabbit. 

I cropped this picture, much lighter color than Placentia rabbits. 

KoKo waiting patiently along the road while I take pictures.  Douglas Fir trees and Cedars in the background fill the lots around the houses.  

And now it is time to sleep again (the vet told me that is the dog's job).  Froggie is on the bed also, but he is very tired because he had more extensive surgery this evening.  Poor guy there is almost nothing left to sew to, he now requires under "skin" to  close up the holes.  

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Oh, the silence! 07-19-19

"We are going where?"

I don't think KoKo has ever been on a Road Trip and he is not sure he ever wants to go again.  After all the days of getting ready we were finally ready to go and he gives me this look.  Instead of leaving on Monday as originally planned we left on Tuesday since I couldn't get ready to go.  And then we hit the road and stopped on the 210 east of Pasadena to crawl along for two hours in an enormous traffic jam - a true SigAlert.  Some poor motorcyclist lost his life at Lake Street and all the lanes were closed for a while.  It was blocked for miles.  Our about 6 hour drive turned into more like 9 hours.  NOT a good start. 

We spent the night with friend Mary in San Juan Bautista and Wednesday morning we joined the millions of other people driving north on I-5.  The traffic was very heavy most of the way to the Oregon border with lots of construction to slow us all down.  That night in Ashland, Oregon, at a HIE that accommodates dogs, but it was another nine hours driving and I was too tired to blog.  

Last night were in Vancouver, WA, at a La Quinta, that always takes dogs.  However, it was another nine hour day due to horrendous traffic north on I-5, and an absolute crawl around Portland on the 205.  I even called a friend in Portland and invited her to come over and walk along the car so we could have a visit.  It wouldn't be too much exercise because we were stopped more than we were crawling.   But when at last we were in our motel room I thought I should just post some sort of short note so  you all wouldn't be worrying, not hearing from me all those days.  Then I discovered that I had left my mousie behind in Placentia.  Can't switch back to the keypad without a mouse, too late at night to go out and buy one.  Besides, I was soooooo tired.  

Up and out this morning and slogged through the traffic from Vancouver, WA,, through the Seattle creep and arrive at my friends' house about 2pm, I think.  KoKo was so thrilled to be out of the car and in a real house, he ran through every room and jumped on every one's lap and was "over the moon".  He just made himself at home.  Such a good dog.  

I will be here until Sunday afternoon when I drive to Coupeville on Whidby Island where I have a cabin reservation and then start Sue Benner's dyeing class on Monday.  Meanwhile, KoKo will stay with Mabel and Mac and I'm sure he will be happy and comfortable.  After the class ends on Friday KoKo and I will stay a few days with Mabel and Mac and then head home with sincere hopes that southbound traffic will be easier.  Dream on, I could see the heavy traffic on that side of the highway.  

I will try to blog over the next few days and every night after class.  But no promises, I am feeling my age on this trip and will probably need to go to bed early every night.  I am excited to be in the class and hope I have all the material and equipment I need.  Naturally, as is my ilk, I brought too much of everything, but it is better to bring it than to need it and not have it with me.  Right? 

KoKo sleep with Froggie's support - half in his carrier and half out.  He mostly just sleeps and doesn't give a bean about what is going on outside.  

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Preparing for a dyeing class with Sue Benner 07-15-19

To be honest, if I had realized how much work was involved just getting ready for the class I might have taken a pass on it!!  All that fabric to scour and then soda ash, all the odds and ends of equipment almost overcame me.  I think I am ready and have almost everything, guess I will have to do some more shopping after I get up to Washinton state.  We had planned to leave today, but since I always leave too many things for the last minute, we just werent' ready.  So, tomorrow morning we will be on our way.  KoKo has never been on a Road Trip, I hope he enjoys it.  Since we are leaving a day late our driving hours will be longer each day.  I think back to when I was 19 or 20 and would drive from Arcadia to Portland to see my mother and it only took 24 hours.  It was at that time not an Interstate Highway most of the way and the distance was exactly 1000 miles from portal to portal.  As the years have passed I have gotten slower and cannot drive as long in a stretch as I once did.  More breaks along the way are necessary also.   Now each long Road Trip I take I think it may be my last.  My late husband and I talked often of driving the perimeter of the lower 48 states, but never could schedule the time.  I'd still like to do it, but don't think I could go alone.  It would take months to do it, it is something over 12,000 miles.  

Placentia, CA to Mt Vernon, WA. is 1,225.6 miles - total driving time is estimated at 19 hours and 48 minutes.  That doesn't count gas stops, pit stops, eating, or sleeping.  And it is all on Interstate 5.   

I'll try to keep you posted along the way. 

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