LA/XC-4: First Peek

* * * COUNTDOWN:  169 DAYS TO LA/XC-4 * * *

Jk about starting the countdown already.  I mean, I won’t even have a dog yet for another two weeks.  But as I’ve learned from LA/XC-1, -2, and -3, it’s never too early to begin planning.  And part of the prep, of course, means getting Kemba geared up for his  first cross-country road trip.

I e-mailed Steve the Breeder early on that this type of an adventure would be in the cards for Kemba down the road.   “I can bring your puppy to my work place on a regular basis,” Steve wrote back.  “It’s

located about 45 minutes from our home, in each direction.  Puppy Herman will be well traveled.”  That’s a good start.  And while there’s no way of knowing for sure that Kemba will be a stellar road dog the way Ricky was, we’re certainly stacking the odds in his favor.  And let’s not forget:  He’s traveling from his birthplace in Ardoise, Nova Scotia to his new home in Westport, CT by car.

I’m sure Beagle Man followers remember that the game plan — after the rousing success of LA/XC-1 — was to turn that road trip into an annual event for each of Robby’s four years at USC.  Of course, we assumed Ricky would be making all four of those trips.  Very sadly, that didn’t work out.

But as you well know, once Beagle Man gets his teeth into a plan, there’s no giving up.  It’s like trying to get a cheeseburger back from Ricky.  So, yes:  LA/XC-4 will happen.   No, I know it won’t be the same with another pooch riding shotgun . . . but that doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to it.  This one’s gonna be in April.  (Couldn’t do it in September; didn’t have a dog. 🙂 )  Might still be a little cold in some parts of the country, but I’ll just have to deal.  And Kemba’s from Canada:  He’s used to thrashing around in icy cold water tolling for ducks, for crying out loud.

Besides the new dog, and the new time of year, there’ll be at least one more new twist this time around:  Matt, who’s been on a mission to set his feet down in every state of the union since he was about 7, is looking at LA/XC-4 as a chance to tick a few more off his checklist.  So he’s planning to join me on the return trip, where we’ll do a northern route including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota — five states on his most wanted list.

Some other stops under consideration for LA/XC-4:

Glacier National Park, Montana:  I’ve sworn to hit this one before my cross-country trucker career is over

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland:  Really liked the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville; don’t see why I wouldn’t go for this one, too

Wrigley Field, Chicago:  The only one of the classics I’ve managed so far to miss

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor:  Love me some college towns!

Red Rocks, Denver:  Greg went to two concerts at the king of outdoor music venues this year — and didn’t bring me to either!

Any other ideas for me?  Now’s the time to let me know.  I may be the Beagle Man — but I’m not Mr. Spontaneity.

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