California

I think I have relived the moment our first Puppy we raised for Canine Companions for Independence Graduated to be a working Service Dog a millions times, but I will not go about rewriting it. If you are interested, please jump to my other Blog and read about our new dear friend here and about Haddie here. It truly was the best Canine Companions day to date. I am more motivated than ever to get Kolby to a Graduation ~ I want to experience that reward over and over again.

Canine Companions has four Graduation ceremonies each year, always on a Friday afternoon, and Haddie was scheduled for November. Because we do not live in the same state as Graduation, it meant that we had the choice to either fly, drive, or take a train to the destination. The funny twist is that you are not called for an official invitation that your puppy is graduating until the Monday or Wednesday of the week of Graduation. This puts a new twist on purchasing a ticket for transportation. Last minute deals are sometimes available, but then also last minute tickets may not be.

We decided that we would drive, again, the long two day trek. Because my daughter had an important class outing to attend the morning of November 6th, we left the house about 12:30p. The kids were very excited to start the road trip, admitting that being "stuck" in a car and driving for seven solid hours was not a bad idea, and resuming the remaining 6 hour drive the following day was still acceptable.

By the time the sunset appeared around 4:45p on the first day, the kids were half sideways in the backseat with a blank stare towards the front. At this point, they were not complaining, but their faces shared all. The drivers were not overly ambitious with chatter or glee that we were still only halfway through our journey for that day. It wasn't that we weren't happy, we were so excited to go, but the reality was that we had forgotten how quickly the sun disappears in November, add some strong rain and wind, and you have nothing to look at outside your window as you pass through Country Life, USA. The remaining hours dragged on. The above is a real photo snapped looking out the passenger side window.

The next morning we were in the car by 9a continuing to head toward San Francisco; we had plans to hit Fishermen's Wharf and our favorite dinner hangout at Fishermen's Grotto as a pre-celebration dinner. Then we'd get back in the car to continue forward to our hotel for some much needed rest before the next day, being Friday, and all-things Canine Companions for Independence related.

The trek to California did not hold much entertainment, but it was enjoyable and doable as we talked, rested, and enjoyed the scenery (so long as nightfall was not upon us). Will I travel this route via car again? You bet, in exactly nine more months when Kolby is scheduled to Turn-In.