The Lower 48
ROAD TEST: A DOGGIE ADVENTURE
W
By Teresa Patterson
HAT HAPP E N S WHEN A SINGLE WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE LOADS HER VAN WITH FOOD, PROVISIONS, TWO DOGS AND SETS OUT FOR A ROAD TRIP SHE’LL NEVER FORGET? ALL IS REVEALED HERE… I start my journey on a rainy Sunday, May 2 in a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan departing from middle Kentucky (Ky.). The first day is really about stopping to see a few friends. Although this adds almost 1000 miles to the overall trip it is definitely worth the time and effort. I also learn that the GPS I use really hasn’t caught up to some of the road improvements made in Kentucky and Tennessee. So I spent extra time going in circles; always fun in the rain. Finally, with the help of a friend in Paducah Ky., I find the way out of there and get back on track toward Mississippi. Tennessee is another challenge. I have to go through Memphis and they are upgrading roads as well. So I get lost and have a lovely tour of Beele St., which honestly is kind of cool. I run a couple of red lights, oops, but get back on track eventually without any tickets, and am en route to Collins, Ms.. I arrive without incident, spend the night with friends, and continue on my journey next morning. I stop and get gas and coffee at a little station on Highway 84W in Mississippi, not far from where I 36
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spent the night. This is my third fill-up and all at under $3 bucks a gallon: not bad. Buy some water for the dogs, and reset my GPS so I don’t have to go through the center of Texas. This takes me back north but actually saves time. There’s more rain the second day too.
DAY 2: LET’S DO THE TWIST I go through Louisiana without stopping and make it through Dallas. On the other side of Dallas I start seeing signs saying tornado watch in this area. I keep driving. The rain starts getting harder. The next sign says tornado warning area. I pass a couple of them. I have somebody check for me and they say
the tornado is really close to my location. About then the hail starts. I take a ramp and all the traffic in front of me is under the overpass. I think, holy crap, and say a quick prayer. I get as close to the stopped traffic as I can; a tanker is next to me, and I wait for it to pass. I guess the twister either goes over or behind us. I later hear two people have been killed in the tornado the next day. Nonetheless, I keep driving even though I’m shaken up. I stop in a small town toward the western end of Texas to sleep because my nerves are shot; I even forget the name of the town. I call someone and tell them where I am, “just in case.” I sleep in the van with my dogs. One of the dogs is a 10-month-old, 70lb American terrier that loves me so I’m not worried about anybody messing with me. If you’re wondering why I make this trip with my dogs I’m happy to explain it. I found myself in a marriage I wanted out of, in a hometown I was tired of being in. Most people follow their dreams when they are young and carefree. I do things backwards. I always wanted to move out west but was busy raising kids and doing the stuff that makes us put our dreams away to rust. Recently I have had opportunities to pull those dreams out and clean the rust off. I’ve had many dreams come true in the last year or so. This journey being one of them. My pup also being one. I’ve wanted a blue pittie for years and just hadn’t gotten around to it. My pup, Spirit, was meant to be mine. He is one of my traveling companions. I brought dog food but after the second day he discovers fast food and dog food is out. They may have eaten a couple bites of what was scattered all over the back seat of the van but cheeseburgers are the preferred meal. And fries…can’t forget those! Even my glass of
