Home

For some reason my blog from yesterday won't post. First I thought it was due to the campground wifi, but now I'm home and it still won't post.

Here are some interesting pieces of information I hadn't put in my blogs:

1. Gas was about $3.19 around Tampa Bay but got steadily higher as I went north. Gas was cheaper in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana than in most of Texas.

2. None of the rest stops in any of the States I went through allowed over night camping. Even when they had 24 hour security, it still said no over night parking. That is a shame.

3. What the dogs seemed to miss most, besides their regular dog food, was going into a building. We did stay at La Quinta 2 nights so the other 3 nights they headed for any door they were near. I guess they were getting stir crazy in the camper. And they were too little to jump on the bed, so they had limited floor space to roam. Of course, at home they are stuck to me like magnets although they have the whole house to roam!

4. I have never seen so many CVS and Walgreens as I did in Florida. They seemed to be on every corner. I guess they are meeting the needs of all the retires.

5. When using my GPS, it tells me my speed. But my van will show 70 mph and they GPS will say I am going 65. I wanted to go through a construction zone where they show your speed to see which was right. I went with the GPS.

6. I love traveling with the dogs. When I was gripping the wheel tightly during the high winds, and probably complaining, each dog would come up front to check on me. I would pet them on the head and say "Everything is all right ", and they would go back to their carrier. It calmed me down when they did that.

We drove about 7 hours today and I decided to just come home instead of trying to find a campground. As much as I loved the trip, the dogs and I are happy to be home! But I am already planning our next trip.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Texas

Biloxi, Mississippi

We finally got through Florida. The northern part was all tall trees and few towns, so it was much easier driving. I was getting a little low on gas so I can't remember which town we were in, but I used my GPS to find a Walmart. It sold gas and if you had a Walmart gift card, the gas was 5 cents cheaper. I bought the card and paid $3.18/gal. My MPG was about 16 1/2 and that was driving mostly against the wind. My old van only got about 12.

I did some Walmart shopping and broke down and bought a pillow, some junk food, paper goods and Dog food. I haven't been able to find their kind of food and they won't eat anything else. I finally found some Seymour will eat but Zooey is still holding out. Not that she won't eat a few chips, but no semi healthy dog food!

We quickly drove through Alabama and in to Mississippi. I love all of the water around here. Beautiful! When we got to Biloxi, it was like little Atlantic City, casinos everywhere. I am not complaining about that, but none had camp sites. I stopped at the Visitor's Center and heard about the Cajun RV park, near a casino, and off we went.

I finally set up the camper, plugged in the electric, turned on the A/C, swiveled the passenger seat toward the back and logged on to the free wifi.

Here are pics of the inside of the camper. That is Seymour and Zooey in their bed and my bed behind them. My bed became our bed during the night.




This is the front of the camper. Notice the chairs facing each other? A great lounging area.



After the dogs were fed and walked, I headed to the casino for a few hours of fun. I ordered a shrimp poboy to eat back in the camper. When I got back, the camper was dark. No lights, no A/C. Luckily it was pretty cool outside. All I had was one of those thumb sized pinch flashlights. I checked the electric connection and the fuse box (not an easy thing to find) and still no power.

I finally decided to at least eat my poboy while I contemplated my options. A shrimp poboy should never be eaten in the dark. I heard the first shrimp hit the floor almost immediately and by the time I was done, I squeezed the little light to see a family of breaded shrimp on the floor. And the dogs wanted nothing to do with them.

Back to the electrical problem. I was cussing out Meryl, my camper's new name, because I thought she done me wrong. Then, with no other options I opened a few windows to get a little breeze and tried out the bed. It's not bad. I do like the layout of this camper and how they used the minimal space so well. It's a shame I couldn't see it.

But, sometime during the night, I was awakened by a light in the camper. The electric had came on! Don't know what happened but I'm pretty sure Meryl wasn't to blame for the lack of power. Since I am now wide awake, I decided to write my blog. Besides, Seymour and Zooey have decided they like the middle of my bed best!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

End of a Long Wednesday

Well, I jumped to conclusions about the van. Yes, it is old and there are dents, patches and spots. But, it seems that the shocks are fine. Steve picked us up at LaQuinta and took me to mechanic who worked on the van. He said he looked it completely over and there are no problems. And I have driven about 250 miles today with no problem. But back to the start of the day.
Steve picked me up after getting the title from the seller and then he took me to the DMV to get a temporary plate. That took over an hour. Then back to the mechanic to put on the plate and show me a few things about how to use the van. Unfortunately, the seller didn't leave any manuals or paper work on the van and Steve or the mechanic couldn't answer all my questions. I am sure I will be googling when I get home.
Through it all, the dogs mostly stayed in the pet carrier. Zooey would run to me and squirm like crazy until I took her out of the van - and then she 'd potty. Good girl. Seymour just holds it until we stop.
We finally headed out and the GPS took me on I 19 which has stop lights at least every quarter of a mile. We were stopped for about 45 minutes due to an accident and when I tried to take a detour, it took me to a road that was flooded. I forgot to say it was raining all day. I waited until I saw a few people cross the flooded road, and then I chanced it. I was telling the dogs how much I hated driving in Florida.
After looking for different campgrounds to stay, it started getting late and I decided to stay at a hotel again. I need to stop earlier tomorrow so I can figure our how to use the camper.
Tonight we are all cozy at La Quinta in Tallahassee.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

We are in Florida and Bought the Van

First, when we landed in Tampa Bay, Zooey was desperate to get out of the carrier so I held her as we walked through the airport. She was definitely stressed, shaking and panting. I felt bad for her. Seymour stayed in the carrier and just chilled. Once we got outside to the really awful pet area, they both walked around and she started calming down.

Steve and his wife picked me up in the Roadtrek and it looks good - on a scale from fair to excellent. It is old. I was hearing some grinds and feeling it sway when we were just stopped at a light. It needs work. But Steve and his wife were very nice and helpful. He drove me to get pet food and to get something to eat and he will be back in the morning with the paperwork signed by the sellers and then take me to the Dept of Motor Vehicles to get a temporary license plate.

The van is not as good as I had hoped but I will be able to tell more when I drive it. I do think I will stop to get the shocks and possibly anti sway bar repaired. I called my son and he gave me some good ideas on what could be wrong. He did say something positive "At least it sounds like the engine and transmission are good".

The dogs, in the mean time sniffed their way around the van but went back into the crate for most of the ride. We are now at the LaQuinta Inn in Clearwater and the dogs are sleeping beside me. I like that they allowed up to 2 dogs and don't charge any extra, but will charge if the dogs cause any damage. Fair enough.

More tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The dogs and I are on the plane and we should be landing in 30 minutes. I was pretty nervous since neither seemed to like the crate. But changing out the bottom, including the egg crate type pad with a softer one seemed to do the trick.

My daughter dropped me off at the airport and waited to make sure I could get both dogs on the plane. I did.

I had to pay for their reservation and then we easily went through security. I carried Seymour and Zooey and they only needed to test my hands, not do a full search when I went through with the dogs. Because I had dogs, I got a pre- boarding card so I am in the 3rd row. Luckily the flight wasn't filled so I put them under the middle seat while I sat on the isle. The crate sticks out a bit but no enough to be a safety problem, I guess. The dogs have been quiet the whole flight and have taken turns coming to the front of the crate to lay down. I was glad to see that because that meant they are still breathing. And yes, I am a bit of a worrier.

It is hard to see, but here is the crate under the middle seat. You can kinda see Zooey's white fur.




I would gladly fly with my two dogs again on Southwest. The price was reasonable at $75 a crate and it has been an easy experience.

Now we are hoping the purchasing of the camper is just as easy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On Our Way - Thanks Southwest!

Pet Carrier for our Airplane Trip

After much research, I found the SturdiBag Flexible Height Pet Carrier. I got size large which is the biggest size I could get for it to fit under the seat. It is 18" x 12" x 12" tall and is for dogs up to 25 pounds. My 2 dogs together weigh just over 12 pounds.



It comes with 2 rods that have to be inserted into the inside top of the carrier so that when you squish the carrier under the seat, it doesn't totally collapse. Those buggers weren't easy to insert! I thought I was going to break them as I bent them to fit, but I finally got them in. I sure hope I don't have to take them out for a long time. Below are the parts it comes with - carrier, hard foam core, a pad, the 2 rods and a tether. So far the dogs haven't been too thrilled being in this carrier and we have less than 2 days before we leave. I am thinking that the foam core might be the problem. I am going to see if I can remove it and possibly put 2 pads and a pee pad in the bottom, instead. We'll try that tomorrow.





If I can't get them both inside the carrier where they won't look like 2 sausages, one will unfortunately have to stay home. I am hoping for the best.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

First Planned Airline Trip With Seymour and Zooey

Our next adventure is starting sooner than I expected. I sold my camper van and purchased a new (old) one last week. I was in the "thinking about it" phase and the next thing I knew, it was done. The new van is in Florida and I am in Texas so I had to figure out a way to get it, within the next week.

I read Southwest's pet policy again and found that not only can 2 dogs fly in the same under seat crate, but it costs only $75 for each crate, not each dog!
Both dogs just had their annual check ups and immunizations, so they are good to go. The other good news is that Southwest also allows another carry on or personal item, so I can actually bring a suitcase. I scheduled my flight and then called to reserve a pet space for the dogs. Now I need to find a pet carrier that both dogs will fit in!

See Southwest's policy below.

Pet Policy
Traveling With Pets: General Information
Southwest Airlines accepts small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs. All in-cabin pets must be carried in an appropriate carrier, as indicated below and are subject to a $75 pet fare each way per pet carrier. The pet carrier counts as either a carryon item or a personal item.

Reservations for small cats and dogs can only be booked by calling Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Pets will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. The pet fare must be collected at the ticket counter, is nonrefundable, and may not be applied toward future-date travel if unused. Customers traveling with a cat or dog must check the pet in at the airport ticket counter and pay the pet fare before going to the departure gate. Customers can still secure their boarding pass online, at curbside checkin, the airport kiosk, or the ticket counter.

We maintain the right to refuse acceptance of a cat or dog exhibiting aggressive behavior or any other characteristics that appear incompatible with air travel.

Guidelines:

Southwest Airlines does not accept pets (cats or dogs) traveling without a Customer.
Pets are not permitted to travel with Unaccompanied Minors.
Note: These requirements do not apply to assistance animals or emotional support animals accompanying a person with a disability.
More Information

Note: When passing through security, Customers will be asked to hold the pet and walk through the screening device while the carrier is x-rayed.

All pet carriers are subject to being searched by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), other airport security authorities, as well as searches by airline personnel.

Shared itineraries, or AirTran-only itineraries booked through Southwest channels, cannot be purchased for Pets. Learn More

In-cabin Pet Kennels:
Get your official Southwest Airlines branded pet carrier for $48 (tax included) at any Southwest Airport Ticket Counter or online (tax not included) at The Freedom Shop (not an affiliate of Southwest Airlines Co.). Pet carriers are nonrefundable.

Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers specifically designed as pet carriers are acceptable. The carriers must be leak-proof and well ventilated. The pet carrier must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of the Customer and be stowed in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

Southwest Airlines allows only one pet carrier per ticketed Passenger.
The carrier may contain two (2) cats or dogs and must be of the same species per carrier.
The cat or dog must be completely inside the pet carrier and be able to stand up and move around the carrier with ease.
Pets must be secured in the pet carrier at all times while in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning, and they must remain in the carrier for the entire duration of the flight. Failure to follow this requirement may result in denial of transportation of the pet onboard Southwest Airlines.
The under-seat dimensions are as follows:
Window Seat: 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H
Middle Seat: 19"L x 19"W x 8.25"H
Aisle Seat: 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H
However, please keep in mind that some seats may be slightly smaller in width.

Please note: Pet carriers are considered either a personal item or a carryon item. A Customer may board the aircraft with either a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a regular size carryon bag. A Customer may not board the aircraft with a pet carrier, a regular size carryon bag, and a personal item. The pet carrier must conform to all carryon baggage regulations.

In-cabin Pet Restrictions:
Customers traveling with a pet may not occupy an exit seat or a seat with no forward under-seat stowage.
Southwest Airlines will only carry pets in the cabin; pet carriers are not permitted as checked baggage.
Advanced pet arrangements must be made by contacting a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
There will be no more than five (5) scheduled pet carriers per scheduled flight. However, from time to time, circumstances may allow for more (or fewer) than five (5) pet carriers per scheduled flight.
Cats and dogs must be at least eight (8) weeks old for travel.
The animals must be harmless, not disruptive, odorless, and require no attention during flight.
Cats and dogs must remain in the carrier (including head and tail) and the carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of the Customer (owner) for the entire duration of the flight.
Southwest Airlines will not be responsible if a Customer misses a flight due to the need to take the cat or dog to an outside relief area. Flight departures will not be delayed or held in order for connecting Customers to take a pet to an animal relief area.
If the pet becomes ill during the flight, oxygen or other first aid procedures will not be administered.
In the event of an emergency, an oxygen mask may not be available for the cat or dog.
Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the health or wellbeing of carryon pets.
Southwest Airlines will not accept pet remains in the cabin of the aircraft.
*The Freedom Shop is not an affiliate of Southwest Airlines Co.
**Pet carriers are nonrefundable.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad