[NAGDU] Our solo adventure

[nellie at culodge.com]

Tracey,

Your message and story are so invigorating!  Being from Wisconsin I know
exactly what you are talking about in Madison!  I have been there twice with
my pups and I know how goofy the streets are!  I give you so much credit
exploring on your own!!!  That whole environment is so different than around
my house.  We have no sidewalks or stop lights so Madison was a bit
overwhelming for me, can imagine Jersey!

Good for you, and give your pup a big hug!!

-Janell and Miss Rosy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2019 10:59 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: [NAGDU] Our solo adventure

Twice this year, my job has sent me to Madison, Wisconsin, for training in a
new computer system we're implementing.  The first time, some of my
coworkers came at the same time, and it was very cold and icy out, so I
didn't want to go out much.  But last week I went on my own, and the weather
was great, so I got out and walked around.  Being an old married gal, I was
a bit worried I'd lost my nerve for exploring on my own, so I'm happy to
know I've still got it.  

My hotel was downtown, next to the Capitol square, so there were lots of
twisty streets and strange intersections.  I felt like I was back in Jersey.
Don't they know Midwestern towns are supposed to have nice, orderly street
grids?  

I bought some AIRA time, and I have GPS on my phone, but the best method was
still the tried-and-true one of asking a passing stranger.  

I got directions to one place from my GPS that were:  "Turn left on unknown.
Turn right on unknown.  Turn right on Main.  Turn left on Main."  Say what?
So I used the GPS for general directions, and to know the street names where
I was, but that was about all it was good for.  

The AIRA was useful, but I kept having a bad connection, or losing the
connection altogether, so it was back to the passing stranger, or my best
guess.  

I tried to get to a restaurant that was 15 minutes away, but I got so mixed
up with streets turning and changing names I finally gave up, and got almost
as lost getting back.  After that, I stuck to closer places, and had better
luck.  

Krokus did very well.  I'm surprised his head hasn't got even bigger, with
all the people saying what a beautiful dog he is.  Someone even told him
"Keep working hard, dog", which I thought was great-having someone recognize
him as a hard-working dog.  

He is 6 now, and has developed a thing in unfamiliar areas where he just
stops and refuses to go.  At this point, my husband usually goes ahead with
his cane, and Krokus follows him, but, being on our own, this Krokus
strategy didn't work and I had to work hard to get him moving again.
Thankfully, he only did it twice, but it's nerve-wracking, because I don't
know if he's stopping for a real reason or because he wants to find someone
to follow.  Of course, he doesn't recognize me talking to AIRA on the phone
as having someone to follow; he wants to see someone.  I'll have to call TSE
for some advice, if anything can be done.

 

Just wanted to share, because I'm happy I haven't lost my ability to explore
on my own, and maybe it will encourage someone else to do the same.

Tracy and the mighty Krokus

 

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