Our Last Drive Home

I realized the other day that when I say that I'm driving to New York to visit my family, I say that I am driving home.  When I drive the return trip to Ohio, I also say that I am driving home.  One week and one day ago, Sampson, Allie, 4 cats and I drove home to New York together.  I had a great time on the drive, mostly blue skies, pretty clear roads, and the best travel companions I could hope for.  Around 4:15pm, probably somewhere east of Buffalo, New York, I saw the beginning of a rainbow - faint and still definitely a rainbow.  Then I noticed - WOW - a second rainbow segment also starting from the ground and just "outside" of the first rainbow.  I have rarely seen rainbows starting from the ground and even more rarely double rainbows - WOW!  A few minutes later, I noticed the OTHER side of the rainbow to my left starting at the ground - also double.  WOW!  I was driving into the rainbow even though I could only see the ends.  The rainbow began to get brighter and brighter and impossibly brighter - it was by far the brightest rainbow with the most intense colors that I had ever seen.  All of a sudden I looked up and I could see the ENTIRE rainbow arching above me.  One side on my left and one side on my right arcing over us and the NYS Thruway.  I was able to drive and watch the rainbows for about 30 minutes, I think, before they slowly faded away.  I took a few pictures with my cell phone (I know, not the best idea, but I was VERY careful).  I was stunned and amazed and thrilled with this event.  I was wondering if other people were noticing - how could they NOT notice??

Also on our drive home, we shared french fries from McDonalds (apologies to all my slow and gourmet foodie friends :) - a road trip tradition with me and the dogs.  It started with Sam and Sara and has continued to include Abby and now Allie, too.  Sam had two big french fries when I usually only give him one small piece.  He happily gobbled them down.  Maybe somehow we knew it was the last time?  At our rest stop Sam and Allie made a few friends when we parked near a couple with an older yellow Lab named Alex...  We had so much fun on that drive.  I couldn't have asked for a better "last drive home" with Sam.

I have made that drive with Sam since he was a puppy and we moved to Ohio - yes, I moved to Ohio one month after I adopted Sam, close to 17 years ago.  Another big event in my life.  All those times I have made that drive with him - and I've never done it without him. 

So, early next week we'll "drive home" again.  For the first time, without Sam, though I will still have the rainbows that he left me with....and french fries...  It's good to have a few different "homes" - I hope Sam is enjoying one of his right now.

Love ya', Bud...