Wow! That sounds like a rough trip, and a very HOT time of the year to move it. Any chance of sending it out early (like now!)? If it were me, and depending on the size, I would put the whole thing in a huge insulated box and overnight it to its new home. Take most of the soil off the roots and put that moisture-retentive gel on them and seal the root ball tightly in plastic. Wrap the branches carefully in foam and tape down - just enough to keep them from flopping about. Then suspend the tree well in the center of the box and fill with "peanuts". I would use DHL or someone who is an expert at shipping larger sizes and things that need special handling. Then, when it got to CA, I would repot it the minute it arrived and water the stink out of it for the rest of the summer! I know how you feel about your tree. Its become part of the family! I would take mine too, although I would have to dig it up out of the garden. In fact, if I ever do have to move (and I hope not), I'm afraid I would have to hire some commercial nursery people to dig up all my Japanese Maples so I could take them with me. How could I leave them behind, at the risk that the new owner would not take care of them!? It would be like leaving your dog behind! Good luck, and let us know how you do it! :-) K4

I don't have any specific advice for any of the areas you are visiting but do want to recommend www.restaurant.com. I've used it traveling and in my own city. You can view the menus online before you go and then buy a savings certificate and print it right out. I never had a problem with using this service. You will probably be eating out a lot when traveling and the savings really add up. It is great to view the menus beforehand and get a map to the location. You can even make reservations online too. The offering include small independant ethnic restaurant to upscale supper clubs - no chains. ------------- I see you may be travelling through The Badlands. Check out Jewel cave in the area. It is awesome. http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/home/thingstodo/parksmonuments/nationalparks/jewelcavenationalmonument Here is a link that might be useful: Restaurant

I have moved plants cross country, not so bad. We had a bag of Hoya cuttings under the passenger side visor and pots of things in the back of a u-haul. Styrofoam boxes and coolers are a great idea, but we just tucked pots in the back of the uhaul wherever we could have them stable. Granted, it was a March move, so temps were relatively mellow. Still, upper Michigan to Washington state. Plants spent 5 days without light, and while they were a little sad on arrival bounced back quick. Yours should do just fine.

I traveled FREQUENTLY throughout the country with 2 rotts, dane, m. dach, glad, and now a black mouth cur. 1. 2 forms of I'D. Chip and tags-if lost not all scanners read all brands of chips. I'D tag should always include your vet name number for history. Vet name/number listed under 'Comments' on microchip site. Also that you are traveling from/to. If your dog's seat tethers are so long they get tangled they need to get better riding manners/shorter tethers. Tether is to keep dog from flying around back seat, not enough room to get tangled. Take some practice all day rides. 2.Rabies tag and file of rabies papers with YOU. Extra collar/leash. Toilet your dog as far as possible away from others to help not picking up diseases. Pick up. 3. Crates are not needed to travel. You cannot leave your dog in a motel even for just a few minutes. (Because other dogs barked/and/or/destroyed room. Plan ahead that one of you will be with dogs at all times. (Sorry- motel personnel have keys to your room- at my last motel stay another guest had laptop stolen from room. If someone came in dog could get out.) Make certain your dog's are 'motel civilized'. Dogs may not be in same room where breakfast is served. Health regulations. Not motel/employees fault. Some motels are a little more lienent than others- all dogs were trained to not break sit/stay even with other people or dogs. In several places they were allowed to sit/stay outside the breakfast room. Other places, the dog could not be in sight/in that part of building at all. If possible I would put them in a sit/stay in the courtyard if in view. 5. Foodpeople/dog. Take water, drinks, snacks, yogurt, friut, things to make dinner in a cooler. You can eat in your room. Put things in frig. One person can run to a grocery store in evening to restock. Plan on some junk food-yuck! 6. Plan on one extra day or two- you are traveling a long distance. Dogs get bored. Stopping for some hours at a state/national site that allows dogs is wonderful!! 7. If you think the trip might be RUFF (sorry), rent a small motor home from UHaul or other so you do not have the nightly/morning unpack/repack which is tedious and time consuming.8!!! BEST HINT!! I had a 'Deal' with my dogs- any and all of them traveled for hours at end. We only stopped if I needed gas/restroom (they got to per first). Many times I did the 'Potty dance' while I waited my turn! Deal... One full hour walk in am before we left. One full hour walk at night right after we checked in and put suitcase in room. (People got to use toilet, dogs got a drink). Before I even had my hands washed they were standing at door ready to walk. This DEAL confirmed a quiet, restful night for me- no restless dog. They all knew the DEAL, and were civilized. We went all over the country. New dog is a large rescue and is leaning about the DEAL.!! Unless rules have changed- Hilton- no pets Holiday Inn- no pets Comfort Inn- yes. $10 pet charge. There are 4 brands associated with Comfort Inn. They all accepted pets. Good luck, safe driving.