charleston sc

We arrived in Charleston on Sunday. I found this state park on James Island that looked interesting . It is 643 acres with 125 RV sites, a large dog park with lake, and three mile to 2 mile trails. I figured that would work especially for the dogs.

Little did we suspect that this is the site of the Holiday Festival of Lights and it is spectacular. Three miles of lighted displays. It draws thousands of people, includes a Santa's village, lighted walkways. The animation is amazing. You can't really take pictures that capture it all. There is one display with Santa hitting a golf ball and across the road is the lit green and you see a white ball come across the road and roll on the green. Really something . It also meant that we were lucky to get a spot here. And I was just coming for the walking trails.

The only bummer is the damn rain. Everything is wet and soggy as it has rained for the better part of a week. We went into Charleston but the fog made it impossible to see the water. What a beautiful place and the houses are unbelievable !! Can not imagine what it takes to for upkeep with the humidity and ocean air.

Next, to keep the adventure going, we went to the only place in north america that grows tea. The Charleston Tea Plantation. (Jim thought this was on par with going to see the largest ball of twine- isn't that from a Chevy Chase vacation movie) Actually I knew nothing about how tea was processed so I found it interesting. From the time the tea is picked to dried and "tea ready" is 20 hours. So I thought it was interesting. Weare going to be in Savannah for 5 days so I thought we would have enough time to visit plantations, etc. But WHEN would we see tea grown again !

Tomorrow we leave for Savannah. I have walked my legs off but the dogs seem none the worse for wear. If Deco doesn't stop barking I am tying him to a tree, a palm tree at that . Damn dog- he is spoiled. Last night Abbie slept in the entrance to the bedroom so Nemo whined all night as he won't go by Abbie. Unbelievable !

Hope everyone is well and prepared for the holidays

Signing off

Lindsay and Jim on the road

countdown

As I looked outside and saw the snow, not a good sign. We need to get out of here and past the snow line.
It is taking me longer to load up this year, maybe because I know what I need or am bringing too much stuff. Can be pretty sure I am bringing too much stuff.
Loading up all the dog things, grooming kit, meds, leashes and poop bags, treats and food. Like moving a small circus. And all the while I am thinking, god this is the last day I can just open the door and let them out !!! I will get use to all the walking, did last year, but I am dreading it a bit as I have to manage these guys. If they would all get along, but that is not in the cards. Actually the one who is the problem is Flee as he and Abbie don't see eye to eye and he goes after Deco. Macho Flee
then they don't have the big crates as only 300 crates fit easily in the space assigned for doggie beds. Big enough for corgis, they are spoiled at home.
Our goal is to go as far as Winchester VA Friday where there is a camp ground. Most campgrounds are closed in new england and Penn. - wonder why as I look at the snow outside and frozen water.
I do not want to do 95 through New York and New Jersey and DC, so we are opting for a bit more inland. Tomorrow is high wind warnings, now that is not fun in our " high profile vehicle" the wind can push us across the road.

OK folks, promise some good pictures and more interesting text. Love the iphone so I should be able to get some interesting candid shots.
taa taa

One Week and Counting

Now comes the big push,getting the bus packed and the house un-packed , so to speak. Looking over all the summer duds, bringing more with me this year as I really didn't have anything to dress up in I mean casual dress up like no jeans, and I do have that stuff here so might as well bring it with me.

Then it is reloading food stuffs like bread crumbs and diced tomatoes and pasta, stuff I have in the house. We have 2 refrigerators and a freezer in the house so everything needs to go into one frig and I see what is in the freezer that I can take with me. The refrig and freezer on the bus is small so I have to be careful and the dog's food takes up a good amount of room. Unfortunately I can't find decent raw down in Florida so we just have to make due.

Will miss my doggie friends , all the Sneak members and Paulie ,my herding guru. At least I have a few contacts all set in Florida and that has possibilities.

Once I get the packages wrapped, the money set aside for those type gifts, the rv packed and cleaned, the bed made towels folded etc. I will feel less stressed.

I always find the holidays stressful and alot of it has to do with the fact that I feel I don't do enough for the kids and grandkids. Now where does that come from ? Somehow I always feel lacking during the holidays which makes me do more and more, unfulfilled expectations that I put on myself. Damn you would think at 64 I would be over that, it just gets worse until I leave and head south where I can avoid the jingle bell jingle bell feelings. How Christmas can it be with a palm tree ??

Got to say that I love the iphone . love it love it. I took pictures of the granddaughters making a gingerbread house and downloaded it, so handy to have available. And the apps!!!!!! I have one that reads barcodes and tells me where I can buy it cheaper. what a great toy.

OK fellow bloggers, countdown is on . More to come

getting ready

I am beginning to think of traveling and the winter down south. I have summer clothes that are usually put away, lying on the bed ready to be stowed away. I am thinking food for the RV and good stuff for the freezer for on the road. Dogs have been to the vet for shots, prescription meds ordered, we are getting ready.

It is always a bit stressful as I have the holidays and gifts to be sent out before we leave, reservations for on the road, house things to be done before we leave the place vacant. That being said, it is exciting to get back on the road.

We have made reservations for Savannah GA and plans to eat at Paula Dean's, we will be in the Keys for a week at Christmas, then a 4 day agility trial in Palmetto before settling in at Pioneer Village, a quirky but homey RV park for the majority of the winter. I am more excited about the fact that I have found a place to train this winter so that Deco doesn't lose what little 'edge' he may have. More importantly is the companionship of dog-people. All helps to keep me sane.

I will try and stay more timely in my blogs. I have a new iphone, so I can take pictures, get messages, check facebook Damn I love this modern age

back in Ledyard CT

Back home on March 30th via Lagrange Ky , Clarksburg WV - or should I say those are the places we parked. We went through Decatur AL , Nashville Tn, Louisville KY, and then all those Pennsylvania and New York places. I will say the drive across West Virginia on Highway 68 was not one of our smartest moves. Jim simply says that " if you are going to be on the road you need to take what the road gives you" . I say snow, wind and climbing up and down mountains in March is more then I want. Bet it is pretty in the summer going through the Cumberland Gap and all.

But home we are- nice letting the dogs just go out and run and really nice seeing family and my dog family- fellow Sneakers. Good to go to class with Deco and I am looking forward to trialing at the upcoming Sneak trial. So those are the good things. But, I do miss our RV park freedom and the sun and how totally

laid back living is-------note picture of out Florida site ------------

We are already looking ahead to our next trip, May is pretty busy with dog stuff and then the CPE Nationals in June and then- on the road again but most likely close by , Maine, Vermont. I want to do Gettysburg but will wait until the fall when the kids are back in school.

Yes, we are back home and I look around at all the stuff and wonder why I need it all, I never realized I was a minimalist- liked the small space of the bus and the economy of bringing just what you needed. That being said I do need to 'personalize" the interior and I still want wood flooring where the carpet is.

As for the dogs, Flee says anywhere his frisbee is home.

What a guy, my Flee who will be 8 in May- time flies.

Lindsay/Jim and the many corgis back in CT.

greetings from Red Bay

This picture my friend is all us 'happy campers' sitting and waiting for service in Red Bay Alabama. Tiffen has a sort of campground, lets say we have water, electric and sewer, and there is a large grassy lot where the guys can run and play Frisbee. You wait until you are contacted by the service manager and they will schedule your service and it can take time if you have a big issue. Luckily we have some windows on recall to be replaced so we are scheduled for some time tomorrow. Now remember when you get the call, the slides have to come in, raise the lifts, bring in the electric line, sewer line, water hoses. Move things so they don't fly around, and off you go which is simply around a corner to a bay where hopefully your problems are solved. Meanwhile you sit and wait.

I want to have the carpet replaced with wood flooring which I have in the kitchen and hallways but of course this is a problem and will require a week, no way that is being done now so we will head home at the end of the week stopping in Louisville KY to visit friends.

Now this picture was taken at the Coon Dog Cemetery in Cherokee Alabama, just up the road from us. Kind of interesting Only coon dogs can be buried there and the graves are marked with stones, wooden boards with names burned in, metal markers. Kind of cool Our next stop, before we leave, will be Tupelo Mississippi- about an hour away from here and ELVIS's birthplace. Now how could we pass that up The purpose of traveling is to stop and visit these places and I am amazed at how many of them are out there. Helen Keller's birthplace is about an hour north but i am opting for ELVIS this time out. Should have some great pictures to add to my blog. Admit it folks, i am doing better.