road trip
J left for London on Thursday, so on Saturday, Z and I drove to Portland to stay with LMcG and SdG. Initially, I planned to take the train. But as Saturday approached, I became apprehensive: how would I get us and all of our stuff to the train? Was it even a good idea to go? Would it disrupt the progress we've made on sleeping? How childproof is their house - would I spend the whole time keeping Z out of trouble? If I drove, I knew Z would likely only sleep one of the three hours - what would I do the other 2? But, if I stayed home, how fried would I be from not getting a break from caring for Z 24/7? After consulting with several people, I decided to go for it and drive. I also decided to take Old Black Deaf Dog figuring she would enjoy the trip and Z would enjoy the backseat companionship.
My strategy was to pack the car the night before, then hit the road for Z's morning nap. I figured I could at least get 1/3 of the way there then stop and play until Z was ready for his afternoon nap. Of course, it didn't quite work out that way.
Around 9 I noticed Z was starting to itch his eyes and yawn. I had to take out the garbage, my clothes were in the washer, I hadn't disassembled the travel crib, etc. etc. J called and said, "take your time." I put Z down for his nap and continued with chores.
When he woke around 10, I put him in the hip hammock. I stil had plenty to do - water the outdoor plants, put the bags in the car, move the laundry from washer to dryer, etc. Around 1, he started looking tired again. I knew our travel window was quickly approaching.
With all the traveling that I've done, I know how to pack exactly what I need which means I usually travel pretty light. There were a few week-long business trips to Europe where all of my clothes, computer, and accessories fit into a daypack. ...With a bag for the dog, a basket of clothes and toys for Z, a bag of clothes for me, a bag of food for the 2 of us, a travel crib, and a stroller - the trunk was *full!* I'm so glad I didn't take the train.
Around 1:30, as we headed south on Western Avenue - the Olympics to our right, Queen Anne hill covered with trees to our left, and Simpsons' clouds straight ahead - I had the radio tuned to KPLU (NPR/Jazz). Vince Garibaldi's "Linus and Lucy" - a song from The Peanuts Christmas show - fit the moment perfectly - a moment full of potential, freedom, movement...and two silent, giddy traveling companions in the back seat. Old Black Deaf Dog excited to be on the road again after a long hiatus; Z happy that OBDD was so close and had no escape.
Soon after, I put on the Grateful Dead CD....this was Z's first Road Trip afterall...
Z drifted off for about an hour and a half and woke up astonished that the dog was still in the backseat. About 2 1/2 hours into the drive I decided to pull off and happened to take an exit with a park. I put Z in the hammock, the leash on Old Black Deaf Dog and we strolled through the trees. Back at the car, I tied the dog to a nearby pole and nursed Z in the front seat. Then he stood in my lap and played with the steering wheel for a while.
About 15 minutes on the road, he got fussy again. For the next 30 minutes, I gave him a new toy every time he fussed - about every 2-5 minutes. 20 minutes from Portland, I ran out of toys and started talking about the raceway ("zoom! zoom!") as we passed it, then all the streets we would drive and the people we would meet. I guess the sound of my voice calmed him, because he was ok the rest of the drive. We arrived around 5:15.
The weekend was awesome. I'm so thankful to have friends to stay with and to help. I got a few needed breaks, some great conversation, a pedicure!, and was very well fed.
The drive home yesterday was similar to the trip down, except one of the neighbors fed bones to Old Black Deaf Dog at the BBQ on Sunday so we had to open the windows a few times. :) I was surprised how apprehensive I was to get in the car and go...then how relieved (excited!) I felt once we were in the car. Another first. Another obstacle overcome. Confidence rising.
More photos are available.
My strategy was to pack the car the night before, then hit the road for Z's morning nap. I figured I could at least get 1/3 of the way there then stop and play until Z was ready for his afternoon nap. Of course, it didn't quite work out that way.
Around 9 I noticed Z was starting to itch his eyes and yawn. I had to take out the garbage, my clothes were in the washer, I hadn't disassembled the travel crib, etc. etc. J called and said, "take your time." I put Z down for his nap and continued with chores.
When he woke around 10, I put him in the hip hammock. I stil had plenty to do - water the outdoor plants, put the bags in the car, move the laundry from washer to dryer, etc. Around 1, he started looking tired again. I knew our travel window was quickly approaching.
With all the traveling that I've done, I know how to pack exactly what I need which means I usually travel pretty light. There were a few week-long business trips to Europe where all of my clothes, computer, and accessories fit into a daypack. ...With a bag for the dog, a basket of clothes and toys for Z, a bag of clothes for me, a bag of food for the 2 of us, a travel crib, and a stroller - the trunk was *full!* I'm so glad I didn't take the train.
Around 1:30, as we headed south on Western Avenue - the Olympics to our right, Queen Anne hill covered with trees to our left, and Simpsons' clouds straight ahead - I had the radio tuned to KPLU (NPR/Jazz). Vince Garibaldi's "Linus and Lucy" - a song from The Peanuts Christmas show - fit the moment perfectly - a moment full of potential, freedom, movement...and two silent, giddy traveling companions in the back seat. Old Black Deaf Dog excited to be on the road again after a long hiatus; Z happy that OBDD was so close and had no escape.
Soon after, I put on the Grateful Dead CD....this was Z's first Road Trip afterall...
Z drifted off for about an hour and a half and woke up astonished that the dog was still in the backseat. About 2 1/2 hours into the drive I decided to pull off and happened to take an exit with a park. I put Z in the hammock, the leash on Old Black Deaf Dog and we strolled through the trees. Back at the car, I tied the dog to a nearby pole and nursed Z in the front seat. Then he stood in my lap and played with the steering wheel for a while.
About 15 minutes on the road, he got fussy again. For the next 30 minutes, I gave him a new toy every time he fussed - about every 2-5 minutes. 20 minutes from Portland, I ran out of toys and started talking about the raceway ("zoom! zoom!") as we passed it, then all the streets we would drive and the people we would meet. I guess the sound of my voice calmed him, because he was ok the rest of the drive. We arrived around 5:15.
The weekend was awesome. I'm so thankful to have friends to stay with and to help. I got a few needed breaks, some great conversation, a pedicure!, and was very well fed.
The drive home yesterday was similar to the trip down, except one of the neighbors fed bones to Old Black Deaf Dog at the BBQ on Sunday so we had to open the windows a few times. :) I was surprised how apprehensive I was to get in the car and go...then how relieved (excited!) I felt once we were in the car. Another first. Another obstacle overcome. Confidence rising.
More photos are available.
posted by sp1ral at 4:28 PM
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