Day 1-NJ to Roanoke, VA. Up at 4 AM and off by 5. We have managed to fit all the stuff and the dog into the car. We decided to send the giant, glazed green pot with the movers, but in the back is my smaller strawberry jar still filled with basil, rosemary and thyme. It sure smells better in the car than that usual car deodorizer stuff. ;-) Poodle man doesn't last more than an hour and a half before I am squirting the four drops of Rescue Remedy on his tongue. He settles, sort of, about a half hour later. Settles means in between standing, wobbling and panting in our ears, he  actually does does lie down for maybe 10 minutes at a time.

Harry and I are doing well, no arguments about route, no getting lost. We are NOT on I95 south. We took the back roads to the Penn. Tpk. and from there to 81 south.  With leaving early the traffic is light. I look at Harry and say that he is already looking like a "retired person." He actually laughs and says he can't see it yet because he is driving. I look at the green northeast plant life and compare it with the more austere vegetation on the mountains around our Mexican town. Even in the rainy season the trees are not as thick and green as the oak and pine of Maryland and Virginia. Checking our itinerary we decide that since the San Antonio to Laredo segment is only three hours or so we may just skip the overnight stop in Laredo and go straight through. All this depends on what time we hit Laredo and how long the wait is at the border. We will have to wait and see remembering the best laid plans etc...

We have decided to stop every two hours to stretch and change drivers. While I drive, Harry studies his Spanish book. We get to Roanoke about 1:30. I had hoped to rest and then swim but because of the drought restrictions the pool is closed. Poodle is glad for a walk, lots of water and even some food. His mistress is  just glad to see him eat! His recent, sudden brush with severe illness really scared me and I am worried about him handling the stress of the trip. We rest, read, grab a late dinner. I relish fresh local scallops and a really good crab cake. Back to our room and to bed for another early start.

Day 2-Nashville TN. Off by 5:30 AM. The drive reminded me of eight years ago; that first trek from PV to Ajijic. Just like that trip, today we drove around, over and through some serious grades, and  lots of mountains. These were old , tired mountains. Nothing like the young sharp topped peaks around the lake. Seven hours of driving is about how we set up the reservations. That is long enough. It has been years since we did this much driving. Prior to 9/11 if it was anymore than three hours drive we flew there! Even after 9/11, it still seems to be a good idea. We have to go to Portland OR. for a wedding late August and I'm sure not driving!

Maybe he is just resigned to it, or maybe it was the Pepscid and the Rescue Remedy just before we left, but Woody was better today. In the car, he actually put his head down and slept! He came into the hotel room drank a bowl of water, ate some dog food and is now stretched out in front of the air conditioner.

With apologies to you southerners, I don't know how anyone can live in this climate. Around 2:30, we went downtown to the river front park and to the Nashville farmer's market. 100% humidity and 98 degrees. Sure you have air conditioning but once in a while you do have to go outside. Even with the hot months of May and June, I much prefer the climate around Ajijic. I will wait until about 5:00 to go for a swim in the pool. Dinner tonight has to be barbecue! I normally forgo red meat, but here in a town that is one of the temple's of barbecue, I can make an exception!

Day 3-Texarkana TX. We got another early start. The dog seems to be doing much better.He is just settling down and going to sleep!!!  Who knew!  He was always so awful we have never traveled more than two days with him. Arkansas does NOT impress me, Even the interstates are unkempt, the surfaces are ripply and full of pot holes. Funny note..the large sign designating Hope, AR. as the birth place of President Bill Clinton...is riddled with bullet holes! Weird .. someone out there is not thrilled that Bill was born there! Texarkana is just over the border, rain on the way in and more predicted for tomorrow.

Day 4-Laredo TX. We skipped San Antonio this evening. Problem being WE COULDN'T GET INTO THE CITY!!! The whole place was flooded as were parts of the interstates that circled it. We were afraid if we got in there we would not make it out. So we just drove on a bit longer to Laredo. Some how I did not expect floods in Texas! By the time we got to Laredo the sun was out but they are predicting the low will just circle around and start raining again in the AM. Up tomorrow morning by 4:00AM.