We are thankful for a safe and successful trip to Oklahoma and back. The weather was problematic, and Nelson’s nose work trial was changed up a bit because of weather, but overall, we had a great trip. Mom appointed me and Nelson to be the official weather watchers and we did a good job when we were not sleeping.
Our first travel day was gorgeous! We made it to Kansas City making a couple of stops along the way which we will go over in other posts. Our first night was at a Drury Inn which we love. The night was fairly short but we all slept really well.
Day two we had a long list of stops to make and it was raining. Every time I got into the car I checked the back to see if Madison was in her riding place, but she was not there. She was with us, though, as we kept coming across Madison Streets when looking for spots we wanted to take in. The rain also stopped whenever we got out to take photos which was good but weird. Above is a huge dinosaur we found at a bowling alley.
We got to our hotel in Shawnee, Oklahoma around dinnertime in the rain. After eating, we all went to bed, Nelson in his place under the bench. The guy refuses to sleep in bed like the rest of us.
Our navigator was awakened by sirens just before two am but Mom didn’t wake up. Then the knock on the door came and we were told to get into the middle of the hotel in the hallway because tornadoes were coming. Our navigator said they were headed right for us. The four of us got dressed, meaning collars for Nelson and me, and headed into the hallway. It was a good half hour before we could go back to our room. The storms turned a bit and missed us, but the wind and rain was bad!
In the morning, the power was out. Mom didn’t know if our trial would be cancelled, it was chaotic in our room. We didn’t hear anything about cancelling, so we got ready and headed to my Elite Trial about six miles away. How would it go having not slept half the night? It was held at a company that makes sprinkler systems and I got to search all kinds of “guy” things like machinery, tools, stuff like that.
Our morning was fabulous and I found all the hides in both searches. In the afternoon they modified everything so we could finish early because storms and tornadoes were coming again. It was very hard and in my first afternoon search I found nothing along with half of the other competitors. Mom kind of flipped out at the time but hey, they were tough hides. Above is my ninety second, four fork lift search with one to four hides. I found one in the pallets and was getting my snacks.
The video is from my first search of the day where I found all five hides, which was during the search and unknown number, and earned third place. In the background you can hear the storm whipping up against the metal building, but I was not scared at all. Mom said our team is finally starting to really understand each other and I think she is right.
This is my third Elite Trial and my first placement. Olivia also got her first placement in her third Elite Trial. We had a ton of fun searching on Sunday but then decided to go to the hotel which still was without power and leave the area. Storms again was not sounding fun so we left and drove to Wichita, Kansas for the night. It rained hard the entire two and a half hour drive but we arrived safe and sound. We are thankful for a safe and successful trip despite the many hurdles we were given.
I’m joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Nice work, Nelson, and those storms don’t sound like fun. We’re glad the tornado kept its distance from you!
It was only about 25 miles away were all the damage happened. Pretty close.
double congrats to you two!!! and so good that the tornado caused no harm.. that must be scary to sit on the floor and to wait what happens…
Mom doesn’t worry much about it but we really wanted to go back to bed. It is weird sitting with people you don’t know, on the floor in the middle of the night.
Congratulations on a successful weekend. Sometimes things are more “exciting” than we would like, but you did your work!
It was all worth it and we are happy we took our trip despite the crazy weather.
Madison will always be watching over you to make sure you are always safe.
She does send pretty bold signs but they make Mom cry a lot. Olivia checks for her in the car every time we get in but can’t find her. Still can’t believe she is gone and not coming back.
I sure am glad the nasty tornado didn’t come your way. Congratulations from all of us, what a good time!
It took a little turn and missed us but we got the nasty wind and rain that knocked out the power.
Nelson and Olivia,
OMDs I love that you saw so many ‘signs’ that Madison was with you.
How scary to read there was a tornado heading right for your hotel. thankful all passed and hopeful all in the path are safe.
Congrats on having such award winning noses
Hugs Cecilia
There was a lot of destruction in OKC, some people in Shawnee where we were also had bad damage from the high winds but we made it out alright and had a fun trial anyway.
That was sure a fun and successful trip, yes, Madison will always be with you. Congratulations!!! Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Mom says she will be with us more openly for a while and then not be as apparent as we adjust to our life without her.
How cool that you guys did so well. I am sure glad that you can still see Madison in all you do! I know it’s tough, but sure enjoy watching you!
Thank you. We miss her all the time, especially Mom misses her. She is with us, we know that as she is very busy sending us signs.
CONGRATS Nelson!!
What an ummm…exciting? trip! Mama once got woken up in a hotel that had a small fire, but no pups were with her. We are sure Madison was looking over you during this trip!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
She was with us all the time. Olivia looked for her in the car every time we got in the car since the three of us traveled together always. So sad to not have her physically with us but she showed us she was there in spirit. Nose work was great and we are so happy the trial wasn’t cancelled.
Thank God you got missed by the big storm! Madison was definitely looking out for you. Yeah, sitting with strangers in dark hallways is sortof we
The whole trip was a bit weird but we had fun and managed to see and do a lot.
Oh my, that was a trip that was certainly “memorable and eventful”, though not in the best sense. Hopefully, the next one will be a bit better. It’s good that Madison keeps close watch over all of you, that has to be a big comfort to all.
It makes our mom cry a lot, but it is also good to know she is with us.
Congratulations on being able to make the best of a hard situation!
It was really a bad trip, but for some reason it turned out to be a lot of fun, and we accomplished almost everything we set out to do. Weather can’t ruin everything I guess.
Yikes…sounds scary. So glad you guys made it safely home. Congrats on being a great team.
It was a real example of tornado alley. Thankfully our trial was set so we could be done a couple hours earlier than usual so we could all get to where we needed to be and more tornadoes moved in after we left that night and the next morning. Crazy!