Bikes galore but none to ride

I told Momma and Dad that they had better stock up on dog food or I was going to refuse any more guard duty for the rig.  They decided to head for Ashland, Va as it had a Walmart where they were sure they could grab a BIG bag of my favorite blend.
Well, when they got back, Momma was trying to distract me with all these pictures of bicycles.  I don't know what the big deal was.  You couldn't pedal or ride any of them.  See for yourself...

 There is a cycle event coming up in nearby Richmond, so the town got into the spirit of the event.
You could however ride the train that travels on the tracks right through the middle of Ashland. 

The old train station is now the Visitor's Center and doesn't even sell tickets.  But if you wait outside the building, the train will stop and pick you up.
And then, out the corner of my eye, I caught Dad coming in with my BIG bag of dogfood.   What?? That's not a big bag.  That tiny bag may last a week if they skimp.  No wonder Momma was trying to distract me with colorful bike pics.  They had better leave dog food on the shopping list. 
Hickory

I've got rhythm....

Well, I would have had rhythm if they had taken me along.  So much for this family togetherness.  Would you believe they all ran off and left me in the rig?  
It seems that Santee was holding a Bluegrass event so they grabbed their chairs and hopped in the car leaving me behind.  

Maybe if I had my own chair, they would have taken me along?? 
Hickory

Grandma's House

Many of you are aware that Momma and Dad decided to attend a Rally several years ago in Bushnell, Fl.  Not, knowing anyone and being 'first timers' with the group, they were adopted.  Yep, they have pictures, birth certificate and all.  The couple who adopted them turned out to be SUPER parents and grandparents, although Momma still marvels over the fact that her adopted mother, Colleen is actually 2 months younger than she is.
Yesterday we arrived at Grandma Colleen and Grandpa Ted's house and we were welcomed with open arms and warm hugs....yep, even me.  I even got to join everyone inside the house.  Now that's what I call a loving, sharing Grandma!!
Now it gets even better.  As you know, my Momma knows how to stretch out a birthday.  And wouldn't you know, this is her birthday month (but her birthday isn't until the 27th) ....and the celebrations have begun with homemade White Texas Cake and fresh churned Peach Ice
Cream.  Colleen and Ted have started the birthday month festivities!!

Happy 'Almost' Birthday to Momma!!
And of course a night wouldn't be complete without several hands of Pegs and Jokers.

Hick

Well, I've been following Momma and Dad back and forth and back and forth from the house to the 5er all week and FINALLY we hooked up this morning and headed north.  Dad said that he needs to get me a saddlebag so I can carry my own stuff.
We headed out about 9 am with Dad behind the wheel.  By the time we crossed the Georgia State Line, Momma was behind the wheel.  I'll take a turn at the wheel.  I've seen pictures of my furry friend Penny behind the wheel.
 We didn't experience any of the effects of Erika at home, but it seems Georgia did.  When we pulled up to our site, we decided it would be in our best interest to ask for another site...a little bit drier site....

There were lots of empty sites available.  
When Momma and I were out on our walk, we chatted (okay, so Momma chatted and I listened) to a gal who said that they had a really hard rain last night.  I think it was a good idea as we had a little more rain this evening adding to still standing puddles.  I have to tell you, the rain didn't even come close to the dynamics of the flashes and booms that roared out of the sky.   
We picked up a few hitch-hikers on the road...of the love bug variety.  

One of the first tasks was to clean our nose....well, the Open Range nose....and that is when Dad discovered the first thing we forgot to pack.  He went to reach for the car wash bottle of soap and ......ooops....left it home.  Not to fear, there was a Walmart down the road.

Dad won one of those hoses that grows when it fills with water at the Coming Home Rally.  He has sure put it to good use.  It packs up small but it does a dynamic job when called upon.
As day 1 draws to an end, I'm happy to say....we're on the road again!!

Ahhh... perfume to my nostrils

Okay, I really thought I was being helpful.  I mean I do have a lovely coat of fur.  And Dad has often said I should be a mop and help clean up a bit.  Now, I know I don't normally offer my assistance, but the smell was just sooooo enticing.  Diesel fuel.  Now there's a perfume I can really enjoy!! 

You see, Dad decided to change the fuel filter on the truck but.....it really didn't go as planned.  He had secured a filter from the local Autoparts store but alas, it was the wrong size.  By the time he got done monkeying around and trying to put the old one back on for the third time, it wasn't sealing and he had a mess.  That's when I appeared and decided to help mop up.
I turned my head slightly to the right, lowered it to the driveway and slithered along the cement right into the middle of the puddle.  Of course Dad was busy muttering bad words under his breath and didn't even notice my help so.....I trotted in the house to show Momma what a helpful gal I was.  
Well, to make a long story short.....I suddenly found myself on the wash rack out back with a thick coat of suds covering my gorgeous fur and eradicating that beautiful perfume I had worked so had to accumulate.  

That would have normally been fine...relaxing even.  I do enjoy a good body massage but.....about the time I was just beginning to enjoy my sudsy experience, a HUGE, LOUD, BOOMING clap of thunder undid me.  I  wanted off that wash stand and ....and....well, I just wasn't sure where I wanted to be. I mean Momma was still there and she protects me....but...Gosh that was loud!!  Hurry Momma, let's take cover before it happens again.......

Hickory

Now this is a RESORT

Well, we sailed....oops....poor word choice there.....it really wasn't too windy.....we crawled across the 5 mile suspension bridge...due to construction and only one lane open each direction and have left the UP (Upper Peninsula).  Dad paid our $8 to cross....that's $2 an axle.  Mom gave me cookie bones to assure I wouldn't bark at the ticket booth.  Now figure this one out.  I only got 4...four....cookie bones.  That's only $1 a leg.  Hmmmm.  I think I should at least qualify for 2 cookie bones a leg don't you?  Especially since I didn't bark at all.
We are in Hillman, Michigan with lush, green, soft, just meant for rolling in grass.  Yep, honest to goodness, marvelous thick grass.  Thunderbay Golf and RV Resort is really a resort.  I mean paved site with cable, wi-fi that really works, 50 amp full hook up and friendly neighbors. And the biggie....NO MOSQUITOES!!   Dad is smiling as we are staying at 50% off with our Passport America card. 
They also have an elk farm here and you can reserve an evening 5 course dinner at the lodge after taking a carriage ride to view the elk and take pictures.  Mom, Dad, Carolyn and Jerry tried out the club house for a late lunch upon arrival and they all said the neighbor who told them they should give it a try gave them a great recommendation.  They have a fantastic chef in the kitchen.   I guess that is why all the reviews for the Elk Viewing and Dinner Evening rave about the good food....no it's not elk....pork is served.  Maybe we'll have to come back one day when we want an expensive night out.  ($89 per person)
They even let us wash our rig here so we are sparkling once again.  With hard water, Momma had to go behind Dad with the squeegee and towel to avoid water spots.  I just rolled and rolled in the grass.  aaahhhh   Hey, I think you might have missed a spot Dad.....to your right.
Hickory

Anchors Away

So you thought I'd given up blogging.  Well, I had really begun to wonder if we'd ever return to a technology friendly area!!  The only thing plentiful were HUGE mosquitoes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  Cellular service was sporadic.  The wi-fi they claimed to offer was dial up plus slow and unreliable.  Now we are staying at Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace...just on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge....with water hookup, 50 amp electric and dump station for $15 a night.  Dad's wallet is lovin' it!!  Jerry was even lucky enough at the casino to 'earn' his stay.  Dad used his free set up money ( a whole 5 bucks) and lost it all.  He decided not to reach in his pocket and give away any additional $$.
I saw a sign yesterday that said, trucks and RV's crossing the Mackinac Bridge...20 mph due to the winds.  Well, today it is a tad windier.  Our schedule calls for bridge crossing tomorrow morning.  I wonder if we will fight the 'breeze' or sail across without the crosswind. Maybe we should attach a para-sail to the 5er.  Time will tell.

Mom and Dad enjoyed some time on the water during our stay at Munising, Michigan.  They took the Pictured Rock Tour Boat to view all the unique shapes and colored rocks that Mother Nature provided along the coastline of Lake Superior.  The white is limestone, green copper and tea coloring is tannins from the trees.

Now they could have opted for renting kayaks like the ones in the lower right corner in the picture above rather than sitting back and letting the captain and crew entertain them with facts, information and stories as they sped along at 14 knots up the coast line, stopping for pictures along the way.
The second boat had a glass bottom and focused on shipwrecks that were in shallow enough water to be seen thru the glass.  It was a great day to be on the water and with seats right up front on the bow of the boat, it was an enjoyable day ....without mosquitoes!!
The falls just north of Newberry, Michigan is another favorite sight for tourist. 

It is a State Park.  You might even see a moose.....head.... that is mounted for display.
Hickory