Travels with Tucker

On my recent 6,000 mile trek I was more than glad to have my dog along.  Company when the car breaks down, a reason to get out and walk and sniff every interesting looking roadside park from TX to ME, and the impetus to Google Dog Parks along the way.  And I must say we found some gems.  Best, hands down, was a place called Shelby Park right outside of Memphis in Germantown. 45,000 acres of pastureland dotted with small fishing ponds, friendly people and their dogs, and friendly fisherman- a wonderful break from the highway.

On the way up to Maine I was surprised by how green it was, but not by how hot it was.  July in the south, no surprise this would clear my pores pretty thoroughly.  Is that a polite way to put it?  It was so lovely though that I promised both he and I that I would do my best to find a way to go back on our return.  This time there was a light rain, fewer people but more birds.  The ubiquitous Blue Heron would be startled out of one pond, land in another, only to fly away as we reached that one.  Poor guy, had he gone backwards along our trail instead of forward this wouldn’t have had to happen so many times.  Still, nothing adds a prehistoric touch more than the “Croooonk” of a Blue Heron as he lifts off.  Not hard to imagine other therapod types rustling in the high grass.

 

And, to be honest about my often puzzlement in identifying hawks, I sat under a tree waiting for this pale-chested hawk to take off and show some other ID marks, however, someone coming over the hill in a Jeep made me turn my head, and when I looked back it was gone.  Lovely and intent of eye and moving his head all around to get a better look at me, but what kind?  A Memphis hawk shall we say? 

On the way back I stayed outside of Memphis, because, what was the chance of this?!, it was the 35th anniversary of Elvis’s death and the radio kept saying thousands had shown up for the vigil.  Didn’t need to be a part of that.  Yet, after Tuck and I finished the hike I decided, for the first time in a 4-week trip to stop and have breakfast.  And who was filling every booth?  Elvis look-alikes!  It was surreal!  Aging men in black toupees and rhinestone outfits.  Had I not stopped at the dog park and worked up an appetite I might not have found this place and in the end, it was one of those, “You aren’t in Kansas anymore” moments.  Clearly Graceland was nearby. 

So, if you find yourself on the road with your pooch, I recommend looking for the dog parks and see what little slice of local life you may come by.  Who knows maybe it will be wigged and bedecked in rhinestones if you play your cards right!