This was our first road trip with Sebastian. We loaded up the trunk with our bags, put Sabey in the backseat with me, then drove over to pick up Uncle Bill an dheaded out North on Hwy205, taking back roads to avoid Dallas on our way to Kansas City via Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was Memorial Day weekend so we anticipated bad traffic, and were pleasantly pleased with the result of avoiding NOrth Dallas on our way out of town. We got to Tulsa aobut 10:30PM and checked into the Renaissance Hotel (where I checked ahead of time to be sure they allowed pets).
Sebastian was fairly difficult on this first leg of the journey and I began to have my doubts about his future as a travel companion. He stayed so restless and I really had to entertain him and keep him in the back seat so he wouldn't bother Drewry or Uncle Bill. I was exhausted when we finally arrived in Tulsa...and hungry too, as none of us had eaten much of anything all day. We settled into our rooms, and then walked over for dinner at the Applebee's next door.
To our delight, Sebastian was very well behaved in the hotel room. We laid out piddle pads just in case he needed to go to the bathroom, but the next morning he hadn't needed them and he hadn't chewed up anything either. I cleaned myself up and took him down for a little playtime in a nearby field where he proceeded to do his business and chase some birds. Drewry and Uncle Bill packed up our rooms and met us downstairs. We headed out for Kansas City about 8:30 or 9AM.
The drive from Tulsa and up through Kansas was beautiful and the countryside changed to include more hills and vibrant greens as we traveled further North. To my surprise, Sebastian was on his best behavior in the car. Each time we stopped for gas or food, we let him out to walk a bit, but in the car, he found a spot and laid down to rest. WE arrived in Kansas City, Missouri about 1PM and made our way through The Plaza district to our temporary residence at the Holiday Inn (who also allowed pets). We checked into our room with a veiw of the Plaza. Instead of separate rooms, this time we got a room with two queen beds and Uncle Bill stayed with teh pup and us since th ecost was considerbably higher than the Renaissance in Tulsa had been. The room wasn't near as grand, but we were all quite comfortable for a one night stay.
We touched base, via cell phone, with Claudia and Susan and decided to meet up at the Cheesecake Factory. Yum! It turned out to be just down the hill and across a park from our hotel. The walk down that hill was much easier than going back up later that evening. It was a very steep climb and the weather was extremely hot, making the task even more taxing. Uncle Bill had never been to a Cheesecake Factory so that added to the fun. WE arrived first and I made a quick trip up to the restroom. When I returned, Claudia and Susan had just arrived looking terrific as ever. Susan hadn't changed a bit but Claudia was sporting long natural gray/white hair pulled back into a ponytail. It was so precious. She always had a short blonde hairdo but this change suited her gracefully!
Lunch was grand! Conversation and company was even better. We all had such a lovely time! It was much too short a visit. I wish we could ahve spent the entire day with tehm. As it was, we said our goodbyes...Claudia advised me to walk a great deal during my pregnancy and it should help out with the delivery. We inivted them to Bobby's game that evening, but both declined, mostly due to the heat, but we all left with hopes of meeting up in the morning for breakfast before we got on the road back home.
Before we left from lunch, Susan recommended we walk around The Plaza a bit and make our way to a place called Three Dog Bakery, which makes gourmet, all natural foods for dogs. She said it is a hoot and we really should check it out. And so we did. It didn't dissappoint. The food in the display case honestly looked like it was made for humans, but everything there was for the dogs, although the disclaimer said the woman who made all the items had tasted each treat herself. Needless to say, we bought a few snacks and treats for Sebastian, who was most pleased when we returned to the room that evening.
Our stay with Sebastian was short-lived, one quick trip out to do his business, then we headed out to find Arrowhead Stadium where Bobby's team, DC United were to take on the KC Wizards. With great pre-printed directions, we made excellent time and enjoyed a few moments to photograph the Foodtball stadium, home of the KC Chiefs and the neighboring baseball park for the KC Royals. We really enjoyed our time at ARrowhead...partly because it was easy to find your way around in, and it is so colorful and fun shaped, but also beause DC scored on the opening drive. By the end of the first half DC lead 3-1, I think it was, and Bobby had scored a header to earn one of the goals right in front of us...his first of the season! AFter scoring, he ran over to where we were sitting and pointed up at us. It was one of the best games we've seen yet! Uncle Bill thoroughly enjoyed the experience and Drew couldn't ahve been more excited!
After the game, we drove back to our hotel. Bobby stopped by not long after, and once again we left Sebastian to hang out alone in the room for a while, as we headed out to grab some dinner. We walked back down that hill and through The Plaza trying to find a few places Bobby remembered going to. One was a great Barbecue place, but it was no longer there...several other bars had lines out the doors, so we walked on...a little further up we found a place bobby had been to before but was apparently just far enough away that there wasn't a line to get in. It was super crowded inside, but we were seated immediately adn had great service. The music was incredibly loud, but they played some good music, so it wasn't bad at all. The food was good. Our waitress was nice. We all enjoyed the time to talk a bit, then Bobby got word that some of his teammates were down the road at a club named "Blondie's" and that turned out to be just down the road (South) of our hotel. So we walked him over to the club, which seemed like the place to be if youw ere Bobby's age, single, and full of energy. Only a bit "Bob" graced the entrance over the door. It was nearing 2AM and I was exhausted, as were Drewry and Uncle Bill, so we said goodbye to Bobby at Blondie's and walked back up the painful hill to our hotel.
The next morning, again to my utter delight...Sebastian hadn't piddled or pooped in the hotel room or torn anything up the entire trip. He was so good! I took him down for a walk and let him do his business, while Drewry and Uncle Bill cleaned up and got things packed. We hadn't heard from Susan or Claudia so I tried calling each of them at home and on Susan's cell, but still wasn't able to reach them. WE decided to get out on the road and pick up breakfast once we were on our way, which ended up being a Burger King. Yea!
Before the trip, we had debated on whether or not we would stop for a night coming home since it was such a long stretch, but we pretty much knew that morning we were going to head all the way back that day. The trip was 10 hours, but was a very easy drive with all the company. We took a debatably longer route...through OKC (further West than Tulsa) but it was all highways so in in the end it probably worked out the same. We stopped here adn there so Sebastian and I could have bathroom breaks, Drew could fill up on gas, and we could pick up snacks if we needed. It was another good day for Sebastian in terms of his behavior in the car. I think he finally realized after the first leg, that he was in the car with us for the long haul. This was the longest leg of the trip in one stretch by far, but he did just fine and earned a chance to travel with us in the future. Yea!