Adventures with Abby - Day 1, Mile Zero

The Journey Commences

June 20, 2023

Norwood, Louisiana

Mile Zero

The high temperature in Baton Rouge yesterday was 97° but 45° where Abby and I are headed in the Canadian Rockies.  I packed her a warm blanket, and all the usual cold weather layers for me including marino wool long underwear, fleece and down jackets and the obligatory gore-tex rain gear and hiking boots.

The SUV is fully stocked with dog food and her toys, in addition to all my stuff including tent gear and sleeping bags.  We’re preparing to leave the house on a 7 week expedition to the far north and the moment of departure has arrived. 

I’m particularly missing Danielle, as this is my first summer trip without her.  That said, her ashes are onboard and have been carefully repackaged into a number of smaller zip lock bags.  I’m preparing to scatter them in a number of exceptionally beautiful locations she loved, and wanted to return to.

This is, after all, a journey with a purpose.

More to come.

PM UPDATE:

Alma, Arkansas

468 Miles

Day One an unqualified success. We’re having fun!

I brought Abby in with me to the first rest area, and then left her in the vehicle with the air conditioning running at the second stop. I have 10 minutes after locking the car and using the remote start to crank the engine and the air conditioning. Then it stops. I guess the design engineers at Volkswagen feel that 10 minutes is surely enough time to accomplish anything you may need to do while leaving your canine companion in the vehicle on a ragingly hot day.

At rest areas I clip her collapsable water bowl with the carabiner Danielle attached onto one of my belt loops, and return with it filled with water to present to Abby while we inspect the grassy areas.

She sat on her pallet atop the North Face bag a good two minutes or so over the course of the entire day. My lap is the preferred option. The pallet does come in handy though while I run into a restaurant for take out or use the rest room. She can see out the windows easily and excitedly know when I’m returning.

Hoots BBQ in Arkansas, our worthy lunch destination, has a great pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw. As I left Abby’s treats at home on the counter, I know exactly where they’re at, she enjoyed a few small tastes of the slow roasted pork. She seemed pleased.