Category: moving

Day Seven

Day Seven

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Waking up in a house rather than a motel was like heaven. There is no comparison. Below are a few pictures of the house and garden. Arteaga is a place that I would like to visit again. If I am ever in that part of the woods again I would most definitely. I had promised the lady who ran the small restaurant where I had the most amazing coffee that I would return in the morning. Full intentions, yes but I had a long car ride ahead of me, so it was time to hit the road.

dining room
The entrance

We were on our way from Arteaga to San Miguel de Allende to meet up with my friend Hamish who I have not seen in eons. This was my last day of driving which I will explain later.  A brief look at my notes and off we go.

out of Arteaga

 

 

directions to San Miguel and Hamish

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road to San Miguel looked pretty straight forward. A six-hour drive skirting the big cities. Maps lie. Of course I should have realized that by now but that was all I had to go on. All was good until we hit St Luis Potosi. Often the ring roads are not the answer as I was told in Texas and I should have listened to those words. So I ended up going round in damn circles and at one point found myself on the highway to Guadalajara which was completely in the wrong direction. After back tracking and realizing when I asked directions to San Miguel, I have to go through St Luis, just try to keep an eye for the right highway number. Yeah right!!! Once we did that and were clear of the city we were on the right path again. Then suddenly traffic came to an abrupt stop. We were stuck. My head was now pounding because of no food. We were out of water. And nowhere to go. We had to suck it up and get through this. Trucks and more trucks.

grid lock to San Miguel

Seven did take some water thank god but I could tell he was not happy and neither was I.  This lasted what seemed an eternity – 2 hours. I think there was an accident in a small town that we went through but by the time we passed through all that was left was the police tape and one cop directing traffic.

Finally we were through the traffic and once again motoring along. By this time I did not want to stop, all I needed to get to was San Miguel, my refuge for a couple of days.  We made it, we were in San Miguel and for the life of me I could not find la casa de Hamish. Thankfully I was close and he met me and drove us to his home.

And WOW, Seven and I could have stayed there forever. Tonight there was a party for one of Hamish’s friends. The food was outstanding, the people were fantastic. And I was in a daze.

It was such a relief the end of day seven. We were both so happy.

grand entrance
rest in San Miguel
Day Six

Day Six

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Wake up time. Leash time. And wouldn’t you know it, they do serve breakfast. Guess it’s the proverbial left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Coffee and a doughnut and stashed some fruit. Problem is I never eat when I first wake up and after years it really is hard to force myself to eat when I can barely open my eyes. Listened to a lady’s tale of woe trying to get back into Mexico with her pets after years of marriage that only just fell apart. She was totally fretting because where she has to leave them in Mexico she is worried that they will not get the pampering they are used to. I know I have her email somewhere, I hope everything worked out for her.

We were not far from the border into Nuevo Laredo. Was I nervous? Damn right I was. I had many people give me pointers about the crossing, many who were concerned that I was alone and travelling in Mexico. All sorts of things were racing through my mind. Before anything though I had to put the sticker on the windshield sent to me from the Mexican government so I could drive my car in their country. That and fill the car up as gas is more expensive in Mexico but prices right near the border are not that special which does not surprise me at all. That done, passport, papers etc are ready for customs to see and give me the approval or not.  And off we go. There is a bridge to cross the river for a small fee and then bang you are in Mexico. Obviously I got the green light although I didn’t see it and I was through check-point one.  All the reading I did and route I carefully wrote fell apart immediately leaving customs. Bear left as soon as you leave customs.

page one of four today

Do not travel through Nuevo Laredo. Well that bear left could not have been more than ten feet out of customs and of course I missed it. So here I am driving through a town that everyone told me not to do. Great. I knew I had to make it to the road that goes around the town and that was to my left by all calculations. I made it, no problem but I see what everyone was concerned about, certainly not the place to park the car and hang out for awhile.  Now safely on the right road we make our way to the next checkpoint which is about 30km from the border. Here is where they examine everything.  Ok, Seven hang tight, let’s see what happens.

There are three customs men staring at me, my car packed with stuff and Seven remaining very still. They all look at my passport and ask where I am going. Then they start smiling and kind of laughing. Oh shit what now. They did not ask for any paperwork on the car, for Seven or ask to see the on-line visa I had. They were laughing at my middle name – Joy. Yep, that’s me, one big bundle of Joy. And with that I was in Mexico. It was all surreal. Nothing was scanned, nothing was checked. Had my passport back and was back on the highway heading towards Monterrey.

towards Monterrey

Trying to read my notes, take everything in while I am in a bit of a daze.

page 2

 

Page three

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road soon becomes quite different as we head into the Eastern Sierra Madre and the butterflies. Wow all the butterflies. There are even signs on the highway to slow down which I am not really sure is effective.  It was really quite beautiful thousands of them in swarms. My welcome into Mexico. All is going well. I am staying on the paid highways and not the free “libre” roads. If one gets stuck, help will be there eventually so I was told.  This was going to be my shortest day on the road and should have maxed at 4 hours.  Up and down mountains I can feel the car struggling. Oh man please don’t fade on me now. Everything was fine and I am sticking to my route plan to get to my Airbnb reservation in Arteaga just outside Saltillo.

Well unknowingly I missed the damn turn.

Missed the turn

Stopped at a few places to ask directions and no-one knew Arteaga. Not surprising it is a small suburb really of Saltillo. Eventually one man was able to help me and I was basically an hour at least out of my way. Turn around and boot it back. I take the free road and not the paid highway which was fine but ended up west of Saltillo. And I was now lost. Stopped at a corner bar and these 2 gentlemen guided me in the right direction – I followed them to the highway. Still no Arteaga. It was getting late. I was freaking. I tried to call the owner of the place where I was booked for the night but to no avail. Now I was really freaking. Finally I get hold of her and she is in Cancun so sends a taxi driver to meet me and guide me to her house. Honestly I don’t think I would have found it by myself.  We then look for the keys and they are not there. Off the taxi driver goes to get the keys. The house is beautiful. He then takes me to this small restaurant and I have the best coffee I have ever had, seriously.  I walk back to the house and grab some beer, have a shower and let out this huge sigh of relief and settle in for the night. Seven was happy, he had a whole house and a backyard!!

What a day. End of day six.

Day Five

Day Five

By | | Comments 2 comments

All through this road trip I was amazed with Seven. He was so good. So calm. As though he knew this was it for now. Motels and highways. I know he wanted to run like mad and burn off some of that energy but as long as he was with me, he was content.

sleepy seven

Well, that is what I like to think. Once we hit six hours though he was starting to show a little anxiety, like hello where exactly are we going? That is why I tried my best to keep each day in the car to six hours which for the most part I did but there were those days when that was not the case.

Today was the last day in the USA, from Waco to Laredo. Waking up surrounded by highways in Waco is something to be desired. The free breakfast sucked. Coffee, a cigarette and honestly I cannot remember what else passed my lips that morning. It was the final stretch before another border crossing. Once again we packed the car and headed for the highway and said goodbye to the last Red Roof Inn.  This final stretch in the US was extremely boring. Highways and trucks. And more trucks the closer we came to the border town of Laredo. I must admit though the highways are big and built for speed.  Which was fine because the scenery was nothing to write home about unless you like highways and trucks.

We made good time today and checked in before our room was ready at the Family Garden Inn & Suites. We had time to explore a little. Like find a dog park. I was given directions from the lady at the front desk. Needless to say those directions flew out the window. It was pick up time at the primary school. Yikes found myself in a line-up with them, did the u-turn out of there and tried to find a park. That didn’t work so back to the Inn and our room was ready. It was great, two exits which I guess is great if you need that quick exit. One door was to the car, the other was to the open patio and the centre of the motel. The leash and poop on command time for Seven, it’s become a no brainer for him by this point. This motel does not offer free breakfast but free beers and nachos, burgers, hot-dogs.  By this time I am starving so I go over to get my free beers and nachos which did not work, do I ordered from the grill. Can’t remember what I ordered, doesn’t matter it was awful and so was the margarita.

Last night in the USA. Wow was I ready for this? Who knows what I watched on the big bright lite at the end of the bed. It does not matter. Seven is beside me and all is good.

Day Five – done.

Day Four

Day Four

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Woke up and so wish I could go back to sleep for another few hours. First things first, take Seven out for a pee. This is really quite hard because since he came home with me all I have had to do is open the front door and off he goes. This wake up, get dressed, leash ordeal is not fun for me especially when one does not feel 100%. Of course I have no one to blame but myself for the wine that was consumed the night before, so out we go. We meet other people who are doing the same and having the same problem. Seven is at least peeing and pooing basically on command. I felt sorry for this one lady whose dog was having a hard time to do either because he was out of his environment. We must not forget that travel will affect everyone differently including animals. Back inside I make my way to the free buffet. It was great but all I could stomach was some juice, coffee and a croissant. Not really adequate for the day ahead but pocketed some fruit to take with me.

We leave Fort Smith and start our journey to Waco, Texas.

the route

Have been told off numerous times of the correct pronunciation but either way people know where you are going.  We are definetly heading south now as the windows need to be open at all times. Leaving Fort Smith we take a road less travelled and yes I got lost but only slightly.  I was told by one nice lady to take one route because it will be quicker but another said no, take this one if you are not in a hurry.  It was the latter one I took because at the time I was in no hurry to take the major highway and I am glad I did.   But eventually one must face the traffic.

Dallas

Somewhere along that highway in Texas before Dallas I stopped at one of the best pit stops I have made. It was big as one could imagine cos this is Texas. Seven was able to be without a leash away from traffic and people, stretch those legs baby we are half way there. In the huge welcome area I find a map and ask the guy what’s the best way around Dallas, should I take the ring road or barrel right through. He drew on the map and said go straight through. I wasn’t sure if I was going to buy the map but thought well shit now I have to but no, the kind man folded it up and said enjoy your time in Texas ma’am.

With that we were on the road again. Trucks. More trucks. More trucks. The highways in Texas are big. And through Dallas was no different so it was the best way to go. How many more highways does one city need? Construction everywhere. More highways, more trucks. Our stop in Waco was smack in the middle of highways. Not a restaurant really unless I wanted to get lost in Waco. So it was once again pizza. And the tiniest spot to take Seven for his business. By now we were both getting accustomed to the leash. Haha listen to me – I don’t think we will ever get used to it.

Lights out – end of day four.

 

Leaving Day

Leaving Day

By | | Comments 0 Comment

The day finally arrived. The day to head out. The day to leave what I called home for 18 years. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t. I had to look forward not back. One last look of the road, Mill Road, Holt, East Gwillimbury. Seven and I will miss you.

mill road

The night before I hardly slept. I had a long journey ahead and it was something that I had never done before. I was as nervous as hell. I hate highways and here I was about to embark on a 4500km road trip. Crazy. Absolutely insane. Finally when Seven saw his bed, toys and food bowls, he knew he was coming too. One last look. One last phone call. Door locked. Shaking like a leaf, I buckled up, started the car and made that one last drive up the hill. Holy shit Steph what have you done?

As I said I hate highways so I flatly refused to take the 401 to Sarnia. Thought I would take it easy for the first few hours. All was good until construction around Stratford, Ontario. In Ontario and most of Canada there are two seasons on the road – construction or snow.  A mere 2 hours into my trip I am lost. Great start. And it won’t be the last time as you will see. Back on track and here I am on the 401, the road I did not want to be on. Have to make up time now, so the highway was the only answer. Amazingly the road was not busy then the bridge to the USA and traffic came to a halt, I had heard stories of line-ups for hours. This was a breeze and only took half an hour to get to the check point.

Passport, papers for the dog. Did I have it all? Yes of course. When travelling solo, you check and recheck and check again. US customs. Where you headed miss he asks while looking at my passport and the interior of the car. Mexico, I say. I see you have a dog, can you open the door please ma’am. Here a lump came in my throat as Seven does not fair well with strangers as I told you. Seven looked at him and froze. He closed the door. Do you have dog food? Yes. May I see it. Well that was kind of awkward but I dragged his bag of food for mr. customs officer to look at. What’s in it? Shit man it’s dog food I felt like saying. I said I think it’s made in the US and he says well it’s got French on the package so I doubt it. It has lamb in it. That is not allowed. Oh great I am thinking. Make sure you leave none in the US, take it all to Mexico. Seriously dude? And with that we were now in the US and motoring to our first stop at the Red Roof Inn Coldwater, Michigan.

into the USA

By the time we arrived at the hotel after getting lost again exhausted and starving. Seven was also totally confused.  Ordered pizza, turned on the TV, took Seven for a pee and tried to settle down for a good nights sleep. This was a whole new thing for Seven and I, being on a leash. Try telling a dog who has had free roam of 200 acres to suddenly be told hey it’s pee time, lets go. He was not amused.

The end of day one.

Saying Good-Bye

Saying Good-Bye

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Saying good-bye is always hard. But I feel it is never good-bye, more like hasta pronto – see you soon. The word(s) good-bye are far too final. Saying good-bye was really difficult. That was what it was like for Seven and I, difficult.  For me it was saying good-bye to a place I called home for 18 years. That’s a long time. That house was my nest. I felt comfortable, perhaps too much, perhaps I had become too complacent and it was time to move on. For Seven, I don’t know. That house was all he knew. He knew every corner, every tree, every bush, every smell. As shown in my last post he had his circle. It was his domain. But he had me and that’s all that mattered. As long as he was with me, he was home, minus the smells and circle of course.

We spent many days tripping around. Visiting friends, visiting those old trails. I knew it was a good-bye, a hasta pronto. did Seven? Perhaps because our home was not what he accustomed to. A tad more chaotic than usual. He knew something was up, but what?

Part of me did not want to leave. I did not want to leave that comfortable little bubble I had created over the last two decades. Leaving my best friends, my stronghold. It was scary. Perhaps Seven read my fears. I am sure he did. But we were one and we were going to do this together no matter how confusing it was for him and I. Think about it, how many people do you know have sold, thrown away, packed up and left their bubble at 68? Not many I bet. Call me crazy, call me brave but it was time. It was time to say good-bye, hasta pronto, time to burst that bubble and seek out a new life.

There were tears and big ones in private. There were many hugs. There was caution and there was help. I cannot thank my friends and my mum enough for giving me the confidence to do it. Shit how could I back out now? I was left with a few boxes, I would have nowhere to live. It was time to take that bull by the horn and do it!

Seven had no idea where we were going. Did I? Yes I had a place to go but that is a name on a map. A destination is another thing altogether. And that destination is something that Seven and I will find together.

the bubble for 18 years
hasta pronto Devon and Delphi
Before the Move

Before the Move

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Animals know, all animals know when something is different to their routine, especially if one is connected to you like Seven is with me.

I was not only moving from my home of 18 years but I was discarding the majority of what I had collected for the past 68 years. I reduced it all to what could fit in a dodge caravan and head for the hills.  This was most confusing for Seven and in fact for myself! He saw item by item leave the house.  In the end we had a mattress and a few boxes scattered on the floor.  His only comfort was that his bed, his cats and I were still there. Then the cats left. That broke Seven and I. I do know that they are fine, they are together and have the best life ever with a most amazing lady.  But damn it, I do still miss them terribly and always will, Kitty(mama) and her two kittens Lucy and Baby.  But logistically it would have been insane to travel alone with Seven and 3 cats on the journey that I was about to make. You will hear more about them as time goes on.

Lucy Baby Kitty

Seven was not leaving my side during this whole process which took not only a few days but weeks/months of planning and organizing. Even if it was to go to the corner store he came with me. If on the odd occasion I had to leave without him the look on his face would make you cry and it did.  My work was sporadic which didn’t help and there were days or evenings that I would curl up and cry. Seven always trying to comfort me with his kisses not really knowing what the hell was going on. But he sure knew that something big was happening. How the hell do you tell a dog as smart as Border Collies or any dog can be, that you are packing up and leaving but they are coming too? Pretty much impossible. But we coped, we had each other, as crazy as that may seem to anyone who has never had a dog share their life.

I tried to make life as normal as possible but honestly I don’t think I did a very good job. My mind was scattered and Seven sensed it. He was feeling the anxiety that I was creating in our world.  I looked at him and saw the worry in his face. We would visit our friends and I would put on that happy face but little did he know that was the last time he may see them. And back to our empty house we went. To the mattress on the floor. To the scattered boxes. To the odds and ends that were lingering behind waiting to be tossed away. It was chaos. And he knew.

Then the trusted Jeep left. That was hard. Sure wish I had her now because she would be perfect where I am which you will all see soon enough.

Without him, without Seven by my side every single day, I could not have done this. I could not have moved on. that’s what friends are all about. They slobber you with wet kisses when you are happy or when you are sad and that makes you happy.

I’m smiling

 

whew what a day

whew what a day

By | | Comments 0 Comment

so much has happened in the last 24hours, not sure where to begin. but when that really nice lady, my new mum showed up again, i knew big changes were going to happen. she scooped me up in her arms and i gave her lots of kisses. we quickly left the house because my first human mum was feeling very poorly and she couldn’t even give me a kiss goodbye but i know we will see her again this summer, they promised me that.

and then i was on my mum’s lap in what is called a car.  i wanted to explore but i couldn’t so i talked all the way. wasn’t really sure what was going on! after what seemed a very long time, we stopped. then these amazing smells came into the car but again i couldn’t. nevermind because i really wasn’t hungry, too much going on!  then we stopped again and i got into another car with just my mum.  i quickly made it to the back seat and was falling asleep and then we stopped again.  good job too because i really had to pee!
then she scooped me up and took me inside a new house, my new home. all these new smells and 2 cats!  i thought one was one of my siblings, same size, same colour and i side checked her.  found out rather quickly that she was not.  after i settled in and smelt just about everything, i had dinner and promptly fell asleep.
whew, what a day!  lots more to come, life is good! see you tomorrow.
totallly exhausted
march 10

march 10

By | | Comments 0 Comment

my human mum has told me that my moving date away from from real mum is march 10. i’m not sure what march 10 means but i do know though that i am really looking forward to sharing my life with my new mum, that really nice lady who i told all my stories and gave lots of kisses.

she is really excited to have another border collie and i will try my best to be a good dog, a good border collie but i will make mistakes, so please be patient with me.

i will be sharing my new house with 2 cats, look at them below.  i better behave myself.  i am told that they have very sharp claws and will try to grab me. i must learn not to chase them but they too are very young so we will grow up together and probably get into trouble together.  i will make sure they do not wander far and will bring them back to our house cos that’s what border collies do apparently.

each day i am getting bigger and stronger just like my brothers and sisters.  we play a lot, then collapse and sleep so we can do it all over again.

hope my human mum will send a new picture of me so i can show you how much i have grown and how handsome i am!

lucy likes sleeping in the dirt

nose when she first arrived

lucy, aka trouble!

My Facebook

My Facebook

Meta

The Journey via Email

Enter your email address to follow the Journey