Summer Travel Scrapbook: Ty’s Road Trip

Remember Ty the Dog’s big summer 2012 road trip? I ran into Ty’s people at the Forest Hills artists tour, and learned he’s going road-tripping again this summer. We enjoyed Ty’s write-up from August 2012, and thought our readers would enjoy reading it again. – Tracy Johnke

by Ty the Dog

I, like many of my friends, am enamored of cars. Of course, I don’t drive, but my best buddy does and when he decided to go to Idaho this summer I was more than ready. I knew it was going to be fun. We were taking another friend along for conversation and shared driving.

I don’t know what I like best about traveling – seeing new sights, inhaling the scents along the way, the wind in my hair or just the companionship of my closest friend.

There’s nothing like the good old USA to invigorate a city dog. Forest Hills is great, but the wide open spaces are a real treat. Seven days on the road is a good opportunity to see American history. I used to go to Idaho by plane, but that wasn’t very comfortable. I had no room to stretch and it was quite lonely. Car travel is much more pleasurable. We stop for a lot of great meals at places like Arby’s (specializing in roast beef) and get to stay at some very interesting motels.

When I get to a motel, I’m always the first in the room so I can sniff out who stayed there previously. It’s a treasure trove of smells. I’m an authority on the comfort, or not, of the beds, the age and texture of the carpets and the amenities, most of which I can’t use, e.g. samples of shampoo and conditioner.

There’s also the cultural aspect of travel. Have you ever been to the Mustard Museum? How about the International Circus Museum in Peru, Indiana or Lincoln’s home in Springfield, Illinois? Mostly are worth seeing even if only from the window of a parked car (although I was invited into the circus museum because we were the only visitors that day).

And finally, the pièce de résistance: The mountains of Idaho blanketed with shady trails and wildlife not seen inside the Beltway! Blue skies, huge forests! Wonderful hiking every day and cold, refreshing lakes to help cool off. It was my good fortune to miss the days of no lights, no air conditioning and no breezes back home. Almost 6,000 miles on the odometer. My idea of a good time. No complaints. Better than summer camp, don’t you agree?

Reporter’s note: Ty is a handsome yellow lab of about six years old who was rescued from a truly terrible situation as a puppy. Since then he has led a privileged life, is a graduate of a well-known obedience school and is an accomplished ball and frisbee player.