Jake and Just Harry's Most Excellent Road Trip: Days Two, Three, and Four

Get out your maps again everybody -- here is something we never expected on our road trip. We thought we were just touring the U. S. of A. But as we set out and continued on our trip, we discovered that Mom and Dogdad were taking us international!!! For example, we passed through Naples, Paris, and Florence in Europe; Oxford in the U.K.; St. Petersburg in Russia; Cairo and Jericho in the Middle East; and even took a detour to the ancient cities of Troy, Memphis, Thebes, and Herculaneum. Wowser!!! Who knew???
































After the presentation on Day Two -- and a fun Christmas party at the port -- we set out for Dothan, Alabama. Dogdad, with his transportation expertise, had mapped out and timed the itinerary to make sure we got to Mayemphis on Day Three in time to see Gussie and Teka and their muzzer and dad in the late afternoon. On the way to Dothan, we dined at a Sonic -- where it's OK for dogs to eat at the tables on the outside. Again, Dogdad had mapped out all the Sonics along the way so that we (they) would not go hungry. I had eaten at a Sonic years ago, when I was a puppy -- but for JH, this was a new experience.


After lunch, we continued up the north-south interstate, I-75, and then across the east-west I-10. I-10 is very cool because it crosses the entire country from Jacksonville on Florida's east coast to Santa Monica in California on the west coast. Some day, we'd like to take it all the way. Dinner was at a McDonald's -- just to keep the folks from starving while we enjoyed our kibble and water (and a bite of hamburger).
















In Dothan, we stayed at a La Quinta, which was recommended to us by several wirey friends who travel a lot. What a change from the night before! We got to walk through the lobby and take the elevator to the fourth floor. On the way, people kept telling us that we were "pretty." Gulp. Couldn't they see -- even with what's left -- that we're boys?????









After a quick ride on the luggage cart, an exploration of the full length mirror (four dogs????) a quck look at the bathroom, and our usual bedtime treats, we slept soundly in our beds.

I have to confess though that once or twice we heard something that prompted a bark or two -- but when Dogdad said "leave it!!" we knew he meant it and went back to sleep. Mom was very relieved because she had visions of our barking non-stop and getting us kicked out of the motel in the middle of the night so that we'd have to sleep in the car.

The next morning, we left early: destination Mayemphis!!! At first it was just foggy, but then it started to get cold. And by the time we got to Mayemphis, it was really nippy -- at least for us southerners.

When we crossed the border into Tennessee, we were greeted by what looked just like the South Florids traffic we had left -- lots of big trucks and cars -- but the sky was beautiful and the scent of terrier pals was in the air. When we pulled up at Gussie's place, muzzer was there to greet us warmly, and we went for a quick walk up the street to meet some of her neighbors.














So what was it like meeting Gussie and Teka? If we had a video, you would have heard a few grrrrs and a lot of rowf, rowf, rowfs -- and then, when the folks decided to let us off leash for a minute -- loud, louder, and loudest barks and all kinds of other terrier noises and bitey face attempts. "Grab a dog," was the response from the humans --- and that was how we all got to know each other. And this scenario repeated itself several times while we were there!






















Gussie and Teka's muzzer and dad are wonderful humans -- and they made us -- and our own humans -- feel very welcome and at home -- even when we schlepped tons of things (most of it ours) -- enough for a month -- into the house for our two-night stay. As for Gussie, he is one handsome dude!!! We were very impressed with his stature and demeanor. And young Teka -- well she is a trip!!! A beautiful trip, with a non-stop personality.


















On Day Four, the four humans went for a tour of Mayemphis and saw Beale Street, the famous Peabody Hotel, lots of Elvis memorial signs, and the Mississippi River (for Mom). We didn't mind staying at home -- segregated from Gussie and Teka in the front of the house while they were in the back - because we could look out the window at all the passersby. The folks had barbecue for lunch at Neely's and then came home. When we saw them drive up, we barked our heads off to greet them, just as though we were in our own house, protecting everyone from intruders!!! Mom thought that was hilarious.




















Ms. Teka, as you might have suspected from other tales, likes to make sure everyone is paying attention -- so when calm started to set in and we wires started to settle -- she got the energy flowing again. At one point, knowing we were going to see Swede William on our trip, she did ask JH to give him a message. He never told me what it was, so I cannot report.

What fun!!! We had a wonderful time, and hated to leave such kind people and enthusiastic terrier pals -- but we had a date with St. Loulis and Dogdad's family so off we went to Missouri!!! But that's another part of our story...

Jake