Driving Miss Dixie – Welcome to VA
The welcome to Virginia sign was a relief after traversing Tennessee. While Virginia may be open for business, I hope Virginia also has jobs and single, emotionally evolved men over the age of consent.
Dixie and I travelled 2900 miles and everyone was right – as long as she was with me, she was fine. She looked forward to hotel rooms. In fact, in our last one, we had to get two queens instead of a king and she ran in and jumped from one bed to another like a four-year old. Most of the time her dinner was served in the back seat at a rest area. She didn’t care. The car was home base and it was on the move.
I’m thankful I had warm weather for our trip. The same areas we passed through now have ice and snow. It was a journey I’ll never forget. I’d like to thank my friends for digitally cheering me on and others for calling to ensure I was safe. We did fine and now I know – Dixie is a traveller and I was a long-haul trucker in a another life. Would I do it again? No, driving long distance through three time zones is not romantic.
Once I got to my friend’s house in Richmond, she told me her dog had fleas. I figured that out about three hours after my arrival when Dixie was rubbing her muzzle on the bed. That evening I couldn’t sleep because Dixie was groaning and shaking her bed with the scratching. I could feel the critters on me and running in my hair. The next day, bombing and dipping occurred but there were still die hards around. By Monday I was at the vet and discovered Dixie is allergic to fleas and the vet stated that the house had a severe infestation that was probably present since the summer. A professional extermination was necessary. Between that and an un-housebroken Yorkie, I went home, gave my roommate notice and moved out two days later.
After 17 loads of de-flea laundry, dry cleaning, pills, baths, and sprays, I am now home. Dixie and I are pest-free and happy. NOW I’m open for business.