The Wind !

We are in Oklahoma now and biked our first full day in this state. And Oklahoma greeted us with blue skies and warm temps.

And And And--17 mile an hour wind, hitting us in the face for most of the morning, then hit us in the back. Then at the end of the day it was hitting us in the face again. It was funny to watch the companion pedaling! He was pedaling and pedaling and just going so slowly! He looked like one of those Russian bears on a bike going in slow motion!

60 Miles Then a Short Day!

The companion and I had to bike 60 miles from Greenfield to Joplin. In Joplin we stayed with Jason and the mean cat. I was so tired after the long bike day.

The picture was taken just before the last bit of rain started. It looks like a monument but it's not. It is just some big thing sitting outside of a store called the Flyn' W. But the Companion totally digs these things. He is always stopping to get a photo and getting one with me in it. OH Dear! (there grandmom, hope you are proud.)

The weather was dark and warm with rain. We biked in rain four times through the day. But the last was the longest, lasting for a couple of hours (on and off). But the Companion put a rain coat on me so it was fine. I don't like getting wet so it was great. The rain wasn't bad.




This picture is me running in the back yard at David's house. After we biked 60 miles on Sunday, we had a short day on Monday. I was so excited to be in a fenced in back yard that i ran around and got the Companion to chase me. Lots of fun.

Then I went to sleep.

Biking, Fun Signs, Scolding

We finally got on the bike today! It was cold and gray, but the companion was really happy to be going again. I could tell he was feeling a bit trapped again, and I felt bad for him. He seemed more sad off the bike than on it. At Brad's house, the companion was in a good mood. But at George's he was sad. he said it was the rain and not being able to go and get going.

So we got started around 12:30pm, later than the companion wanted. But the ride was well. it wasn't so cold but not warm either.

The sign is one the companion just loved. He laughed at it, and said look at that Antigone! They have to make a sign to encourage people to do what they really should.

we got to a hotel and the companion called his mom. She scolding me for saying Ohmygawd! so I guess I'll have to stop saying it. She suggests: My Stars, or MY MY MY.

I sigh.

Brad's House and Leaving

We are leaving today. We are back on the road today seeing what we can see and doing what we can do! But we enjoyed staying here with Brad and his family. I heard the Companion laughing some over the past three days. And there were storied of the Army, stories I've never heard him tell. The annoyance never stopped but the home is so warm with lots of soft places for me to sleep! loved it.

Here is Brad's family. Carson, Katrina, Brad, and Ethan. Thanks to Brad and his family for making us so welcome, and warm and dry! They gave me all the attention I could want!

Rest and a new Annoyance

Yesterday we arrived in Kansas City, by way of cheating. The companion's friend drove out to the country to find us, pick us up in his van, and drive us to his home. It was a 30 min drive, and the companion said we couldn't have made it to KC if he didn't. We would have had to camp out. Instead of camping we slept in a warm house, with a family and children, and an annoyance. I say cheating is ok sometimes.

I love camping--in warm weather. So I was glad for the cheating. The companion says we are going to stay for a few days and rest before we begin again. I'm happy for the rest, and I'm making myself at home already. My hat is off, so that means no bike for me. My harness is off, and that means we are home.

I love resting. Resting feels good, it makes me happy.

But the other day, the Companion was odd. Not odd like crazy or sad, odd like "Ohmygawd! What are we doing?" kind of odd. And still today, I can tell that he is thinking of the next part of the journey, and feeling nervous. He feels overwhelmed I think, sometimes.

What happened was he was pedaling and I was in the Contraption. When suddenly he yells: "What? Are we really biking across the country? Am I crazy?" Then he giggled and pedaled faster.

Yes, we are biking across the country to someplace called the Pacific. And of course he's crazy. I know, or at least I've heard the companion say: people bike across the country all the time. But this journey is different. We are doing it without training, little money: and he is taking me. Most bikers don't take their dogs.

And this isn't a joy ride either: We are looking for a new home. The companion is moving, and he is making sure I am with him. Yesterday he said to me: "I know you don't really like this, but I can't stand the thought of you not being with me." That made me feel good. I've found my forever home, but so many other basset have not. I hope we can help.

So yes people must bike like this all the time, but this is not like their rides.

The companion doesn't realize this but I remember what Susan said to him when we went to the waddle. She said: 'most people would get rid of the dog, but you are keeping Antigone. That's what makes this great!" We make a good team!


The new annoyance. They call it Princess. Oh bother.

Tebbetts: Rain, Warmth, New Friends!

On the Companion's Birthday we biked 50miles to Tebbetts, MO. On The Katy Trail. I've enjoyed the trail a lot: there is plenty to smell along the way. The trail is warmer than being on the open street, and quieter too. I'm going to miss the trail when we leave it to go back on the the streets.

We biked for some and then the rain started. So the companion got out and covered me to keep me dry. But I kept my head out of the contraption and it got wet. The rain would stop from time to time but we really didn't have a long break.

Then we arrived at Tebbetts and the companion found us a house to stay in, with some people I didn't know. I was excited to be in the warmth, and to run around such a large house. There was a second floor to see, and a bottom floor with lots of things to smell. We stayed two nights.

There were six others with us. And they gave me all the love and attention I could want. George would stop and pet me every time he walked by. David gave me cheese. CJ would let me sit on his bed and would pet me.

But after two days we had to say goodbye, and I didn't want to, I wanted to get more loving!

The Path is Blocked

We were biking along in the rain, and the rain had stopped. It will start again, and stop again all the time. I’m not too bothered by it this time. The air is really interesting to me. Lots of things to smell. Sometimes the companion will stop and let me walk along the trail. And that is great: but for crying out loud Companion, let me smell something completely. NO! He’s always wanting to go.

We biked along the trail until we met this tree. There were two men there trying to clear it fro us, but it was so huge its going to take a few days. They cleared a path around it, and helped the companion get the bike around the other side.