Tag: car ride

Last Day on the Road

Last Day on the Road

I so did not want to leave San Miguel but we must move forward. This is our last day on the road – for now.  Leaving Holt, Ontario many things crossed my mind. First what a crazy thing to do! Second, what the hell am I doing. Third and possibly the most important, I was following my dream. I feel that most people never ever thought that I would actually do it. How many women or men pack up and head out to a new life at 68? I too had my doubts whether I would grab that bull by the horn and actually go through with everything. Was I all talk and no action? Guess I was fool enough, strong enough, head strong enough, so why the hell not! In retrospect I wish I had taken longer to make the journey, taken the time to explore while I was travelling. But alas that also would have required more money which I did not have. Maybe next time.

The last leg of my journey was a sticky one for me. From San Miguel de Allende to my destination meant driving right through Mexico City. That I did not want to do. Not a chance. With my pigeon Spanish and trying to traverse through one of the most populated cities in the world it was not happening. What to do? I contacted a small tour company from San Miguel called Safe Trips SMA. Mara was supreme. The day before I sent her pictures of all the documents she needed. Mara was driving, Seven and I were passengers. What a joy that was going to be. The time was set for 8AM. I was awake way before that making sure I had everything in order and a couple of good cups of coffee. Mara was right on time. We loaded the few bags I had, put Seven in the car, said our good-byes to Hamish and paradise. And we were off.

Mara is Mexican and has countless years experience driving in Mexico and the US. But at the same time I was nervous. I have only driven this car for just over a week and to me it was like a damn truck compared to the Jeep I had driven for 17 years. But Mara climbed in and started driving it like she had owned it for years. I was unaware it was a holiday weekend in Mexico. Pretty hard to keep up with in Mexico because they have so many! Lucky for us because the highways were relatively quiet. Mara told me that usually driving through the city can take hours but we were sailing through. Coming closer to Mexico City she asked me what year the car is and the last number on my license plate. Kind of an odd question. I told her and she looked at me saying, really? All the information that I had read prior to the trip I cannot for the life of me remember reading anything about this. In Mexico City they are very adamant about keeping older cars off the road. And you must pay attention to the last number. My number was up. We were not supposed to be on the road. Holy Shit. If caught the car would be impounded, Mara could lose her license and I would be up shit’s creek with a bill that I could not afford. We purchased a pass for the over-pass. There was hardly any traffic and we booted it. Once safely out of the boundaries of Mexico City we did a high-five and fumbled through our bags to light a cigarette. Tense? Just a tad.

We are almost there. The road out of Mexico City to our destination is a highway that runs through the mountains. The highway gave us glimpses of the most active volcano in Mexico

Popocatépetl

Popocatépetl which has been more active since the devastating earth quake in September of this year.

Not far now. My friend Maria is meeting us at the only gas station in town to guide us to my new home. We made such good time everyone was amazed. Mara had places to go, people to see so there I was parked waiting for Maria. The clock was ticking. Maria was thinking the same, where are they. Finally we connect. She is at the other end of the station. It has been a year since I have seen her. We are both pretty speechless. I am in a daze.

Now it is time to follow Maria to the house. The brakes are squeaking. The road is bumpy. I have absolutely no idea where I am going. We arrive. Time to meet the landlady. Seven is sniffing every bush and we quickly make it to the front door. I am immediately told that I need to get water, I need to get gas. I am shown a room upstairs which has just been built. It is lovely. But I am told if I want it, it is and extra $1500 pesos a month. Whoa wait a second. You do realize that I have driven for the last 9 days I can’t take all this in right now.

Maria asks if I would like to get something to eat. Damn right, haven’t had a thing all day. I lock the door and get in her car. I have no idea where I am but I buy something to eat, buy some coffee and some things that I feel I will need. I had no idea. The plan was to wait for Maria to return but I needed to get back to the house. Order a taxi I am told. I did just that and guess what, we got lost. Just great. Luckily I was able to get Maria on her phone and she guided the driver to my house. I pay the driver and there is Seven in the yard. I forgot to shut the back door, thank god I shut the gate.

I spent the next couple of hours unloading the car and dragging everything to the house. There was no need really but this was it. We made it Seven.

Journey’s end. Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico.

home
we made it
Day Eight San Miguel de Allende

Day Eight San Miguel de Allende

Seven days on the road. Highways, motels, trucks, crappy food and my poor Seven not really knowing what was going on. I was exhausted yet wired to the gill. The road trip was not over yet but we took great refuge and thanks to my friend Hamish for letting us stay at his magnificent house in San Miguel de Allende. It made the seven days all worth it. His home in San Miguel is paradise. Nestled in the centre of the town behind brick walls and an unasuming door.  Like many homes in Mexico, never ever judge the book by the cover. There is not the flamboyance of showing off to the passers-by as seen throughout North America. You just never know what you may find behind those mediocre looking garage doors.

casa de Hamish

Upon entering I was immediately hit with the smell of jasmine. Everything is open but private. I immediately felt relaxed and ready to rejuvenate.

reflect and rejuvenate

After a good sleep, the first one in seven really, I had coffee and took Seven for a little walk around the neighbourhood praying I would not get lost! Returning, our day started with a great traditional Mexican breakfast prepared by the lady who takes care of everything at the house except the garden who Seven kept occupied, it had been a full week of not chasing his favourite ball so he was in paradise also.

happy seven on the roof top

It was then time for me to see a little of San Miguel. I certainly need more than an afternoon but thankful of my friend Hamish taking me on the mini tour. What a beautiful town and the centre was buzzing with tourists.

San Miguel de Allende

In fact San Miguel was my first choice some years ago but it has become expensive. In fact San Miguel has been listed as one of THE places to retire and as more and more people move into the town it is getting difficult to find suitable accommodation so my search extended.

Enroute to dinner I found my wings and had a magnificent meal while listening to some great music from Bobby Kapp, a good friend of Hamish. 

Time to walk back to paradise and have a good sleep, another busy day lays ahead of us as our journey continues.

Hamish and I
spread those wings
found my wings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Seven

Day Seven

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

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

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

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.

 

Day Three

Day Three

Each night including the night before I left I would write down the directions to our next stop.  I wish I had kept all of those notes. It was a wonder I could actually follow them the next day with confidence. I don’t have the luxury of GPS in my car and I do not have mobile internet. I refuse to pay for data on my cell. Why would one, when everywhere has WiFi. It also gave me a sense of where I was and the road ahead. Now as you can tell if you have read the past posts, it seems I get lost a fair bit. All part of being on the road I say to Seven. Not always are maps correct. I was using Google Maps which helped guide me and it was pretty straightforward until the directions I had written suddenly became redundant. Road closures, detours and trucks. So many trucks. Then try circumventing around a large city that you do not know in the pouring rain not able to see anything in front of you with people weaving in and out of lanes because they “know” the roads, they are the dangerous ones. And then the trucks. So many trucks. I was holding onto the steering wheel tightly and by the time I stopped I thought my shoulders were about ready to seize up permanently.  We have a big dislike for cities.

Day three was from St Louis, Missouri to Fort Smith Arkansas. The landscape in Arkansas was amazing. A lot of the highway was empty and suddenly I think I am in a scene from Deliverance. Strange where your mind takes you. Seriously, there was a scenic route that I would have loved to take but we only had so many hours of daylight driving and I did not need to get lost in those hills as breath-taking as they were.

Lynn

We upgraded to Best Western in Fort Smith because there is no Red Roof Inn. Cost me extra for Seven but he is definitely worth it.  At Red Roof you do not pay for your dog. It was great, they gave me room right beside an exit door which made it very easy to take Seven out for pee and poo time. But it did not matter because tonight was special. I had arranged to meet with a fellow animal advocate for dinner and some wine. Lynn was fabulous. she brought one of her rescues, darling Sasha

Sasha

along for the evening too which was great for Seven. Lynn brought the wine which was fabulous, wine always surpasses beer which we manged to consume all of it and I am not telling how many bottles. And she bought dinner which I inhaled. Now how awesome is that. We talked for hours about so many things that are forefront in our minds daily – the welfare of animals in the world, it was liking meeting up with a long lost friend. We could have continued for hours more, but I was on a mission, I needed sleep for the next day on the highway. One day Lynn, we shall meet again, I am sure of it.

Lynn and I

One last pee for Seven, one last drink of the fabulous cream licquer Lynn left before I wrote my directions for the next day.

Over and out, the end of day three.

the motel look

 

 

Day Two

Day Two

Up early and waiting for the free breakfast. Might as well take advantage as a 7 hour drive ahead except for pee stops for Seven.  Leaving Coldwater and headed towards St. Louis, Missouri. One does not see much of the country while on the highway and I did not stop to take any pictures. Should have and could have but I did not. A bit silly really as it is doubtful that I will do the same journey again. Then again, never say never. I must admit that the US has great pit stops along their state highways. Well posted, clean and very convenient. Sure makes it easier so you don’t have to get off the highway and search for a toilet!! Some have more to offer than others but for Seven and I they were just what we needed.  Some even offer poop bags for your dogs.

The second day while cruising along, what was alarming to me was the number of deer that were road kills in Michigan and Indiana. This was only on a small section of highways that criss cross the country but I stopped counting at 20, it was too depressing.  Such beautiful animals. I can only hope that death was immediate and they did not suffer.

Always checking the gas and I kept saying to myself, oh must stop and get gas at the next sign. Well I kept saying that and then well lets say I had to get off the highway and get gas. I followed the sign which led me to nowhere. Now what? I was in a small town, a village really and had no idea where they went for gas. I stopped a young man on the street and asked. He says well my Jesus you are the second person this week to ask me the same thing. He then gives me the directions which take me out of this village and up the big hill, you can’t miss it he says. Well when someone says that to me, I invariably miss it and yes I missed it. Making a u-turn on a dirt road that goes nowhere, I found the one and only gas station. I look at the pumps and man are they old. So do I pay before or just pump the gas. Haha, didn’t realize that you had to press the lever down or was it up. Got my gas, bought some beer for later and paid my bill and then realized I was in bible .country. Praise the Lord.  Now to find the highway again. We only had a couple of hours of daylight left before our next Red Roof Inn.

Pulled into the motel and discover they have an indoor pool and I don’t have a swim suit. Too bad, that would have been great.  It’s time for Seven to go out. We take a walk down this road which I thought would have been quiet. It was until a guy in his supped up pick up came barreling down the road. Poor Seven freaked and he damn well near strangled himself trying to get away. Needless to say we did not take that road again.

Grab some food, bed time and end of day two.

sleep time
Leaving Day

Leaving Day

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.

new friends, digging and lots more

new friends, digging and lots more

it’s been awhile but as smart as i am, i am unable to master the keyboard to tell you updates, so i have to trust my mum to do this for me. this is what it would be if i was typing. ,lvgfrknjdmkhbv bhn mn  v bfvghjnbgjnbhhbnh as you can see it makes no sense. yes, mum made me do this.

my mum has been doing that work thing a lot but that’s ok because then she has more money to buy me things. she takes me to my food store and the other day we brought home a new toy. not that i need it really but i won’t say no! this one is called pinky because it is pink and it squeaks. i am very good at bringing the right toy to my mum when she asks, pretty smart just like a border collie should be.
the other day when mum was at work, a friend of my mum’s came to let me out. well i would not move from my crate because i did not like him. i don’t know why but i just wouldn’t move. i think i was a little scared and i nipped him. i am sorry, really i am. but then another friend came to let me go outside for pee time and all was good. i’m glad my mum has lots of friends! and then this really nice lady came the next day with sam her labrador. we went for a really big walk. i showed them where to go, it was so much fun and apparently she will be coming over lots.
i have been for lots of car rides visiting all the people i know trying to be a good boy. but i had a little poop accident in my friend’s house. you see they don’t have the bell on the door to ring. it’s ok though they will have me back, i think! speaking of the bell, i have mastered that one. and i think mum is wishing she never taught me because i go to the door and ring the bell, she lets me out and then of course i want to come right back in again. then i ring it again. it’s my little game, wonder how long mum will leave the bell on the door?
and mum has started to dig in the dirt. i really like this but don’t understand why she doesn’t like it when i start to dig. again, humans are strange but i am getting better at understandiing them. one walk i do like is the one first thing in the morning, it’s the best!
early morning run