Last Thursday, Mom and me headed off on a two day road trip for two. I’ve never traveled with only me and Mom before. I’ve always had at least one sibling along, so this was super fun for us both! We headed off for my nose work trial at Abe Lincoln YMCA Camp in Blue Grass, Iowa. The drive was just over five hours plus stop time.
You know we do travel around a lot, so how would you know if you saw me on the road? It’s pretty easy to spot with my face usually looking at where I have been, my nose work window decal, and my NW2 magnet. Some day I hope to add an NW3 magnet. Funny thing is, we did pass a nose work friend on the way down, and she recognized me in the window!
Heading south, we hit Iowa first. Honestly, I’m getting rather bored with driving through Iowa. I wish we could put another state there for a year or two just to make driving more interesting! We made a short stop at the welcome center and snapped me with this sign.
Next thing I knew, it was getting dark out and we were just about to our hotel. We elected to try a La Quinta at the Moline Airport in Illinios. I got the key and first thing checked out the bed for comfort.
After running a few errands for Mom to find some food in the dark we were back in the room. Unfortunately, Mom said I needed to get my furs groomed. She stripped, trimmed, and brushed until I looked presentable. For all my trouble I got a tasty bully stick to munch on while she worked at her computer. We make really good roommates, just the two of us.
We were up bright and early to head out for a morning walk. Finally we got to see where we were in the daylight. I guess our hotel couldn’t be much closer to the airport as it was right across the street. There wasn’t much airport noise, so the location was fine with us.
We had breakfast, packed up and headed back to Iowa to Abe Lincoln YMCA Camp for my nose work trial.
The weather in the morning was great, almost 70 degrees with a wind. I set up my usual back of the car “camp”. I’ve got water, snacks for the car, snacks for my searches and snacks for the way back from my searches. Wait…I thought the sport of nose work was all about finding odor, but maybe it is really about the snacks?
I really had a great time just being alone with my mom for two days. We had the best NW3 trial we have had yet, but sadly did not title. We got lots of wonderful comments about our team work and Mom’s handling of me from our judges too. As the day went on, the weather changed. By afternoon, it was about 40 degrees, with 40 mph wind gusts. I was getting chilly just sitting in the car waiting so much, so Mom bundled me in. I loved it!
We headed home after the trial and got back home about 11pm. It was a great trip. The trial was really fun, and we have high hopes for out next try. This pretty much wraps up our sports season until March. 2016 has not been a very good year for me with nose work. Mom and I have had a major disconnect which we are workinghard to repair. With winter on the way, there won’t be any events in our area until spring, so we have time to work on things. I hope I get to take more mommy and me road trips in the future!
concats that the trial was very good!!! and next year you will win that title…SURE. 2016 was a haunted year somehow for so much peeps&pets, maybe it is better to start next year with all signs of good luck :o) I love this just mom&me time and I currently try to get more of that time, with occupying my dad’s bed every evening :o)
At least you don’t have fursiblings to share your mom with. Sometimes it is hard.
What a fun trip. I’m sure you got lots of compliments on your training, you guys work very hard. 2017 will be the best year yet for you!
We have kinks to work out still, but we were the best we have been in a long time.
It sounds like you two had a great time together. That was truly a great story and I enjoyed reading about your mommy and me adventure.
Having never traveled alone with my mom in ten years, it was about time. We may do it again next year when only I am entered in a trial because it helps us mesh better on trial day.
Your “mommy and me” trip was wonderful! I loved seeing just you in all the pictures. That was so cool that another traveler recognized you in your travels. 🙂 Have you seen the Stella Artois commercial on TV? My PBGV-L group has pretty much figured out it is a GBGV in their ad – too big to be a PBGV. I hope 2017 will be a fantastic year your your nose work titles!! XOXO, Sparkle
No, we haven’t seen that commercial. The main thing is that it is a P or G BGV. We all need some exposure.
Your gal time looks like it was a fun time sweet Emma!
I really enjoyed it, and Mom said life was so simple with only one dog.
How cool that you got your mom all to yourself for a roadtrip! I know that you will be adding a NW3 magnet to your car in 2017. ♥ I’d recognize you anywhere on the road, in a hotel or at the park. ♥
I do get recognized surprisingly often if I go to any events around town. I would recognize you anywhere too. I sure hope I get that NW3 title. I really want to have it.
So fun! I love road trips. Mom and I have also stayed at LaQuinta and we liked it a lot. We never can go too far – just the 2 of us – because she is afraid to leave me in the car if she has to get food or go to the bathroom. Any tips about that?
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I’m a really good car rider, so I just sleep in the back most of the time. Mom will make a mad dash into the bathroom if she needs to, and for food, she gets Subway or goes to a drive through. If she has to go in, she always parks where she can see the car all the time. This time of year it isn’t hot out, so there is no worry about leaving the car all locked and buttoned up.
As you know, Arty and I are also big fans of road trips. We both agree that the ones we take with just Mama are definitely the best!!
Smileys!
Dory Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
You guys totally understand being in a multi pet family. It was really fun! Bailie has taken two trips alone with Mom, but it was my first and I loved it.
What special memories you and your Mom made! That is so cool that it was just the two of you! That’s SPECIAL! Thank you for sharing!
It was super special, and I hope we do it again next year for any away trials we are entered in.
Just reconnecting well is a great thing, so congrats to both of you!!
It was really good reconnecting time. I sure enjoyed it, and Mom enjoyed giving all the attention to just me.
we are sure you will get the title next time – but in the meantime you had an awesome trip
It was a great two days title or not.
Sure looks like a nice trip you two had. So sorry you didn’t title but a great time nontheless.
We are working on it and it will happen.
So fun to have mom and me time when you are a family of fursiblilngs… Great idea an easier on all of you!
Mom says we are going to travel split up for trials from now on. Bailie already did last summer, but it works much better.
Sorry you didn’t get your NW3 but by next spring you will both be pro’s. Is fun to have Mom all to yourself for a couple of days 🙂
It’s really fun being an only dog. I sure enjoyed it.
We’re sorry you didn’t get your title, but so glad you still enjoyed the trial and the trip, and your time together. Maybe your one on one time like this can be a beginning to reconnecting that will extend to your sport. We have confidence you will figure it out and get there next year!
We are working hard on the reconnecting, and I think next year will be a big year for us all in dog sports. Now we kind of take a break but will pick it all up again after Christmas.
The experience is SO valuable. I’m glad you got some time away with just you and mom. You two are a great team, I know you’ll find your juju again!
It’s coming back. Dog sports are always a work in progress with low and high points. We are headed back to high points it looks like.
I’m glad that you got to have some alone time with your mom! It sounds like you had a good trip even if you didn’t title–this might be just the trip you needed to reconnect!
We are getting our team feeling back. I think by spring we will be good as new again!
The thing about trials is that you have to wait around so darn long. We have found that the dogs loose their sharpness waiting around so long and if you add in a long drive with hotel stay, it is worse. I am sure you will do it next year!
Actually, I don’t mind the waiting around. I’m super mellow and just hang out and enjoy myself, but the entire drive thing is what is difficult.