The road trip to Somers Wisconsin was supposed to be a really fun two days with just me and Mom, but things didn’t really go as planned. I was called up from the wait list for an NW2 Trial spot just a week before the trial on July 24th. Mom and I took the opportunity and wanted to turn it into a fun road trip but it turned out to be more of just an adventure.
The first decision was should Emma ride along with us. We were looking at temperatures in the upper 90’s with high humidity, causing heat indexes of over 100 degrees. For Emma it would mean basically sitting in the car for two days for nothing. Three days before leaving, we got the email that competitors could crate inside the building because of the heat. That sealed the deal – Emma would stay home as she would have had to be in the hot car all day alone and that was not an option. So, Mom stocked up the frig and we left Emma to cat and house sit for about 36 hours. No worries, “her people” were there to walk and feed her.
Mom and I left earlier Saturday morning because we were planning to get to the hotel before dinner and we wanted to stop along the way and take photos at some of the fun landmarks. Well, about five minutes after leaving home, plans started to change when we were hit by a nasty storm with 60+ mph winds, heavy rain, and hail. We had to park and wait for almost half an hour. The rain continued the entire way to our hotel, and because of the poor driving conditions, the six hour drive became about seven and a half hours.
Finally, we arrived at our hotel in Gurnee, IL. We decided on a LaQuinta, as it was one of only a few options available. We’ve stayed at LaQuinta hotels twice before and had bad experiences. This time we are pleased to say the hotel experience was great. The staff was superb, and the rooms were super nice! We lost TV and internet several times as the rains and storms continued into the night. All told, the area got around three inches of rain in about twelve hours. Mom and I were soaking wet from potty breaks and getting our luggage from the car to the room.
I was dog tired and settled in for a good night’s sleep early. The beds were nice and comfy, and there was plenty of space for Mom to fit in the bed with me.
As luck would have it, our hotel was just blocks from Six Flags. Mom was sad because she didn’t have time to go ride some coasters, but we were on a nose work trip. I thought maybe if we were at the gate early we could get in and take a few rides, but at six in the morning, no one is there to let guests in. At least I can say I was first in line on a Sunday!
I also learned dogs aren’t allowed on the rides, and I would be too short anyway, but it still looked like a real fun place.
We stopped by Joe’s Crab Shack on the way back to the hotel for our breakfast. It had some fun stuff outside around the play area. Everything was still soaking wet from all the storms.
After breakfast, we packed up and headed back to Somers Wisconsin to my nose work trial. Remember back in May, I got my NW1 Title, so this was my first try for an NW2. Mom and I felt really good about it and were quite certain we would bring home that title. On the way, we stopped off at the Mars Cheese Castle. I wanted to get Emma some cheese, but it wasn’t open yet, and yes, it started to rain again!
Here we are at the trial location, Shoreland High School in Somers Wisconsin. It looked like a nice spot for a trial.
I got my stuff, including my crate, inside and set up camp for the day. I was dog #9 out of 38 in the run order. The heat index ended up being around 107 degrees most of the day, and there was also a big storm with wind, rain, and hail that rolled through shortly before we were ready to head back home. It was a real treat being able to be inside in the air conditioning.
Our day started off with a bang. I nailed the two interior searches right off the bat! Sadly, Mom and I had some miscommunication on the vehicles and heard the dreaded “no”. I had found the right spot but she missed my alert and blurted it out at the wrong spot. So, it was not meant to be, but only 13 of 38 titled which is pretty low for an NW2. Above is the search map from the trial. There are a couple more trials I will enter and hope to get a spot in this fall. For now I cancelled the Ohio trip. It is just too far to drive. After this trip, Mom wants to keep things to six hours max drive time. We got home safe and sound. Mom and I were able to have two days of good one on one time which made an otherwise not so great weekend definitely worth it.
Just a reminder to stay up to date with me and Emma by following My GBGV Life on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We often post fun things on social media that are not on the blog and we sometimes post photos before they are on the blog!
that was a great trip and even though the rain made for a longer drive – it was worth it – and good job on your sniffing
There was some fun to be had, but not really what they had hoped for. Being soaking wet together was their bonding time!
Your mom makes every trip special. You are one very lucky girl! We understand the hot and humid, and we need some of that rain. XOXO Sparkle
Believe me, they had enough rain for everyone on Saturday!
Sounds like a great trip with your mom! We don’t like it when it is humid, but we love it when it rains! Glad you guys made it home safely 🙂
None of us like humid or hot, we don’t mind rain, but Mom is not a rain fan. She prefers snow.
Wow….the weather, unbelievable. I’m glad you did good on your trial though, it’s all a learning thing isn’t it.
Just awful weather and a little bit of everything too! Hopefully I’ll get into an NW2 this fall again.
We are sorry you had all that rain, but t looks like you still visited some very cool places! Sorry that you didn’t get the title this time…but hey, that means another road trip with your Mama in the future, right??
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
PeeEss..Glad you had a good experience at the LQ!
Hoping to get into a local NW2 this fall, otherwise, maybe IA. The LQ was so different from the others in the past. Very nice.
Well you did nailthose first two quickly so you will get there sweet girl. Mom just needs a little more practice!
Mom has a lot more experience trialing with Emma, so now it is my turn to train her to work with me and my style of searching.
Mom hates driving in the rain and as you know, I am not a fan of storms. I’m glad that you were able to stay home and have the house by yourself. We won’t mention that wild Saturday night paw-ty, okay? BOL! XXOO Bentley
My mom does not like driving in monsoon type rain, and Bailie isn’t a fan of storms, so together they were an awesome pair, LOL! No one knows about the party. Since the neighbor boy had his own party, it took the attention off my house 😉
We’re glad you enjoyed your weekend, in spite of things not going as planned and not getting the title. One on one time with Mom is so special, and you got to see some cool sights too!
You and your Mom are far more adventurous than we are, I probably would have turned around and headed back home when that first storm hit! 🙂
Mom did consider that for a few minutes but the storm was so bad, she couldn’t drive at all for a bit, then she decided they were on their way, they may as well continue, after all, it couldn’t possibly rain the entire way. Wrong!
At least it was a little fun? At least you were with mom
Snorts
Lily & Edward
It was a little fun, and they had their one on one time.
Your mom always finds the coolest spots to take photos with you! I can’t believe that you aren’t allowed on the roller coaster. That doesn’t seem very fair.
Sorry about all the rain! Often times we find we have more fun on those trips that just don’t go quite right. At a certain point you just have to laugh at all of the craziness!
The laughter began when they finally got into the hotel room, both were drenched and so was the luggage. Mom took a moment to take off her rain coat and then looked. Yep, sopping wet Bailie was curled up in the middle of the bed. Oh well, what’s the difference, a little or a lot of wet dog smell? It was a weekend for dogs anyway!
Too bad pups can’t ride da coasters!
It really is discriminatory. I guess maybe a Great Dane could go on rides, but most dogs, no.
Well it stinks that you didn’t get your title, but if you and mom had some good one on one time and had fun, that’s important too!
The title is the goal, but learning to work together as a team and spending time together is the most important thing. Although Bailie and I have both been doing nose work for the same amount of time, Bailie has had very little trial experience. Mom has a harder time reading and trusting Bailie which creates an extra challenge. They will get it together and do really well soon, I’m sure.
What a fun and eventful trip, even though you didn’t win the title. Mom and I have stayed at LaQuinta and we liked it both times.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Like every hotel chain, each one is different. Until now we have had terrible luck, but this one was super nice.
Sorry about the title but it sounds like you had a fun trip with your mom, Bailie and that counts for something! 🙂
It was a good learning and bonding experience. They both need some trial experience together. Bailie is a great nose work dog, but she is completely different from me and Mom has to learn to work better with that in a trial environment.
We are still very proud of you and it sounds like it was fun.
They had fun being together, and it was a good learning experience if nothing else.
What a great adventure, I live in WI and never been there.
Sometimes your own state is the one you visit places the least. I’m sure we will be road tripping to WI more and more for competitions in the future.
Sorry you had to run into that weather. July here has been a lot of storms with 60-70 mph winds and we all hate that rain. We haven’t gotten very many woods walks in between the rain and 90°, days. We have had trees down on every walk so we have to find a way around. I’m sure you will have better weather and a fun time next trip.
The wind and rain are no fun at all when you are not at home. It makes driving tough, and getting dry in a hotel nearly impossible.
Gosh you were so close to us! We could have met you there I bet. We think LQ is the best dog friendly hotel for the price and convenience. Sounds like Bailie is doing great to us! Love Dolly
They had planed to get in early, but the storms the entire way slowed down the drive, and the driving rain was so bad, they just wanted to stay in the room once they got there. The next morning they were up early and off to the trial and then left for home right after. It was a short trip, last minute.
Tell your mom she’s inspired me to do more “one on one” things with the Boys. Looks like a wonderful weekend.
With Katie, time was much more limited, so one on one time was as well. Right now as long as there are just two of us, we do a lot more things one on one. It is so much easier for photos and we each enjoy our special time.
Summer time really IS road trip time, isn’t it?! We stayed at a Red Roof Inn on our road trip, but I’ve heard several times now that La Quintas are also a dog-friendly hotel option.
This was our first good La Quinta experience. I think with all hotels, it really depends on the hotel you are at. This La Quinta was wonderful.