July 1 - HOT!

Cooper got to visit his favorite grassy area again before we left the truck stop motel.  He really enjoys this spot.  So many smells with a few trees.  I wonder how many other dogs must visit that area.

We attempted another repair on my bike at a Honda place I found on my GPS.  They didn't have the parts but they did find the problem at NO charge.  There was a very nice girl there named Chyanne who works in the service department.  We talked for a long time.  She loved Cooper and petted him the whole time we talked.  She told me about the biggest trophy in the store and how SHE won it.  She races dirt bikes and is sponsored by this store.  I had to go look at it before we left for the day.  I think it's taller than she is!  I wish I got a picture of it with her, but she had to go back to work.  

Chyanne, if you are reading this, keep in touch.  I would love to know where your racing takes you.

I can see where I'm going AND where I've been

We got under way again.  Only a few hours later we had to stop again.  It was so hot that we needed to get into some AC.  We stopped at a gas station with a convenience store. The ladies there didn't like us being there.  We stayed for about 1/2 an hour.  Cooper finally stopped panting and my heart rate went back to normal.  I drank a lot.  Cooper drank some too. 

Not feeling welcome

I thought this might happen in our travels so I brought a refillable ice bag.  We filled the bag with ice from the soda machine, wrapped it in his sleeping bag and put that in the crate for him to ride on.  It worked PERFECTLY to keep his core temperature down.  He appreciated it VERY MUCH and understood that he should stay on it.  I don't worry about him at all now.  As a matter of fact, I put his bottle of 'Smartwater' in the sleeping bag with the ice bag.  He drinks cold water best, and 'Smartwater' has electrolytes in it, so he gets that most of the time when it's really hot.

Another pit stop to soak up some shade.  

Cooper has his ice pack under him.

By the time we got dinner it was 10PM.  Cooper got part of a cheese burger from Burger King mixed into his food tonight.  It was the only place open by the time Jesse went looking for dinner.  No problem really.  And Jesse got chocolate shakes or something that had whipped cream on top, so I scooped some whipped cream off and added it to water and got Cooper to take a GOOD BIG DRINK.  

ZZZZzzzzzzzz......

We rode 440 miles today.