Thank doG I'm a Country Girl

Greetings from Rockford, IL. We had what seemed like a slow day yesterday with a lot of "road construction" that slowed things down. I put that in quotes because it seems that while they enjoy blocking off a lane of the freeway for 20 miles and slowing people down to 45 or 50 there doesn't seem to been much construction going on. Oh well.

Yesterday took us through Minnesota and Wisconsin. Most of the driving in Minn. is rural, country side. Then you hit the CITIES!!! What a mess that place is and especially with the two cities together. It seems to go on forever with left and right hand on and off ramps, more signs then a speed reader can read at 65 miles an hour and everyone in a hurry to get nowhere that important. We did well, didn't take any wrong turns and only had one close call when some "guy" (I'd like to use stronger language here but I'm keeping this G rated) thought he needed to work the crossword while he was driving and tried to change lanes without looking! I'm sure I'll be enjoying driving by/through Chicago just as much today. LOL

We finally hit Wisconsin. I think next to reaching New York, I've been looking forward to Wisconsin the most. I think it's a beautiful state, so green and lush. Some day I'd love to have time just to take a vacation there. We saw a beautiful sunset in our rear view mirror as we were driving. Dustin has been a fantastic navigator, great company and a real trooper for letting me drag him clear across the country on an adventure.

The Pugs were very good and let us sleep last night. Things should go well today. I promise you all pictures soon, but the camera is out in the van and I'm too lazy to go get it!

Rolllin' on to New York!!!

Are We There Yet?

Day two of our travels started well. Dustin may be convinced that not ALL of N. Dakota is boring as he had to admit that the area around the Bad Lands and Roosevelt National Park was interesting. Driving past the park I finally got to see something I'd been hoping to see for three years. (Last time I was in ND). There along the freeway, inside the park, was a band of about 6 wild mustangs. There are three or four bands that live inside the park. They were beautiful, but sadly I couldn't take a picture because of being on the freeway. We did stop later and take a few pictures however. I enjoyed watching the breeze running over the tall grass as we drove. It reminded me of a vast lake with the wind creating small waves.

The Pugs have been great travelers. Sammy and Ugga however, may be going home with Auntie Lois if they don't start sleeping more at night!! We spent the night in Alexandra, MN last night. It seems like a nice town and I'm anxious to see more of Minnesota in the daylight. We are going to do a little over 400 miles today, so an easier day for us. I suppose I'd better get this show on the road so we can collect a few hugs that I hope are waiting for us in NY!

On the Road...Finally

Well, here we are, a little behind schedule, but finally on the road and on our way to the Third Forever Pugged gathering in Marlboro, New York. Due to circumstances beyond our control, our departure was pushed back a couple of days to Monday. After packing the van with more things then I thought was possible (thanks for the help Linda), we hit the road at exactly noon. It was a very nice day for a drive, not too hot, not too much rain and not much traffic either. Ok, I thought it was a nice day for a drive, D. on the other hand...well, he isn't too excited about the driving part. LOL I especially enjoy watching the scenery change as we traveled across the state. We have the beautiful, pine covered mountains as we travel through western Montana, that gave way to the rolling, but green hills and open valleys in the central part of the state, and finally the vast, open prairies with interesting rock formations in the east. We traveled from an elevation of 6400 feet down to just over 2000 feet here in Glendive.

The Pugs were great travelers. They slept most of the way and only got restless to tell me it was time for a potty break. After we all got our potty breaks coordinated (everyone takes care of business at a rest area rather than individual stops) we made pretty good time and arrived in Glendive, MT at about 9:15 pm. I must remember that no matter how late it is when we arrive at our destination, the Pugs must go for a bit of a walk. The wanted to play well after it was lights out for us.

Today we travel through North Dakota. I've done this drive before and didn't find it unpleasant, but D. is not in favor of the long, straight roads and (in his mind) unchanging scenery. I think he will come to realize that it is more interesting than he thinks.

Well, that about wraps up the beginning of this adventure for the Travelin' MT Pug Pack. Look for another update soon from somewhere east of here!

P.S. The pictures don't seem to want to cooperate this morning, so I'm posting without them for now. I'll have to consult with my technical adviser and see what I'm doing wrong!.

16 Days and counting

Well, we have 16 days until we leave for our big adventure across the country from Montanan to New York! D. and I will be taking along 3 Puggies, although which three is still up in the air. We know we will be taking Ugga, our traveling Pug, and Daisy because she needs to go meet her brother, Bean. We are not sure however, about taking either Ripley or Sammy. It is bed time and I should be asleep so off I go to dream land. I'll take up the planning and pondering in the morning.