WHERE IN       THE WORLD IS       SAM?

Well, we have been traveling a little over a week and I haven't made another entry, as things have been pretty routine. What is ROUTINE? We stayed in a camp grounds in South Carolina and their was this wonderful pond but Mom wouldn't let me swim, something about it being an alligator habitat. Good thing we were only there one day.

We did stay 2 days in North Carolina where I got to play with a Springer Spaniel who had won trophies at the dog show.  In Virginia I got to play in a creek that was crystal clear and cool.

We are now in Pennsylvania just north of Hersey, PA. and it is beautiful! Days are in the mid 80's and nights mid 60's. Things called "hills" are all around and they are beautiful, but more important they are FUN to run up and down! I play with a Golden Retriever here. Can we get hills put in my dog park back at home?

I think Dad was upset on our way from VA to PA. Something about a gridlock on the Washington DC beltway. I only know we were moving very slowly. We hit another bog down when we got onto I-81 near Hagerstown, Maryland. We were actually stopped at times. Thank heavens,in both cases, it was only heavy traffic and road construction and not accidents that caused the hold ups.

We finally get to the camp ground over 2 hours later than we had expected. Everyone was tired but me (I was ready to play in the dog park). Setting up camp did not go so well. The jacks that level the RV didn't work right and Mom had to reset them. After several tries we finally got all set up. I think it was a good thing there was a restaurant on premise (with a full bar) so no one had to cook!

Mom says things run in 3's. Hope that is right. So far this trip the A/C's peed on the living room carpet, the refrigerator went from 38 to 50 degrees, and finally the jacks. Good thing that adds up to 3! Oh, about the pictures, I'm not sure the play ground with this plane was intended for dogs but sure was neat. You can see the beautiful hills in the background. We will be in Maine on the first. Then I get to SWIM everyday! I miss you all and will be back in touch. Love, SAM and Family

Back on the Road

                  WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SAM?

BOY oh BOY, I got so EXCITED loading the RV, running in and out with every load. Finally we are on the road and heading out. Then what happens? WE ONLY TRAVEL 2 hours! I made just as many trips up and down the steps and I'm not tired. You'd think these guys are retired or something.

We stopped at a place called Lake Panasoffkee, FL. Very "old Florida" with air boat rides and everything. This restaurant down the road even serves frog leggs. Yuk, I just thing their fun to chase.

Now on the walk to the dog park we encounter this black thing with a funny bark. He ran up and down the fence wanting to play. Now I'm a city boy and since this is the funniest dog I've seen I just barked and kept my distance.

I overheard Mom say we were site seeing on our way to Maine and it would take us about 10 days so I will keep you all posted on my travels.

So far Dad hasn't done anything too funny. However it did take him a full day to figure out how to open the umbrella over the patio table.  Go figure! I will keep you all posted on our adventures. Love, Sam (Mom, Judy and Dad, Chris too.)

Bush Gardens -  Williamsburg, VA

 

Well, this will be my last entry. We are now headed for Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World for four days. It is not easy to add a blog at Fort Wilderness. Can you believe you have to go to the Outpost Trading Store for WiFi, or hook up an elaborate system at your site. Even so, visiting Disney is such a nice way to end each trip. I have time to mentally unwind and get ready for my normal routine. It is hard to believe we have been gone two months. Sometimes it seems fast, but when I look back at all we have done, it seems longer.

I have been to Williamsburg before and visited Historic Williamsburg, Jamestown and Historic Plantations along the James River. So this time I did something different, we visited Bush Gardens. I know we have Bush Gardens in Tampa but this is really different. I have enclosed pictures for you to check out.

I love doing these blogs and hope you have enjoyed them as much. So long for now.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Williamsburg%20Bush%20Gardens

 

Washington DC at Night is Spectacular!

 

Hi Everyone. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to my blog. I took a night tour of DC, then headed out for Williamsburg the next day with intentions of doing my blog. The camp grounds in Williamsburg was very nice being, situated in a forest, but it had no wifi fast enough to blog. Hurray I back in electronic civilization.

I have been to Washington DC several times and still there were Memorials I had not seen. We stayed at a camp grounds in Maryland just off the beltway. It was so convenient. The RV park had bus tour pick up and delivery from the park into DC. With all my trips to the city I had never seen the monuments lit up at night, so I killed two birds with one stone and took a night tour with Grayline. I was able to see the Monuments I missed and see them lit up.  I thought the memorials were grand during the day but, Oh My, you must see them at Night! I was moved to near tears more than once. Attached are some of my night pictures but I am not sure they do justice.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/DC%20at%20night

We came into DC on Saturday and no problems with traffic. I had heard so many horror stories I almost dreaded scheduling us to spend four days there. We left DC on Wednesday taking the inner loop east around the city then I 95 south toward Richmond. It was only 164 miles from DC to Williamsburg, VA so we didn't leave camp until 10am. This turned out to be a perfect time as we missed the morning rush hour. All my fears were for not. I will be down loading my Williamsburg pictures and hopefully be able to add another blog in a day or two.  I miss you all and look forward to returning home (I think). You'll hear from me soon.

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light

 

It is hard to believe we have been here in Maine for a month. We are pulling out of here on Tuesday heading back south. We have several stops planned including D.C. and Williamsburg. We will not be home until the end of September. This past week we had an outing with Sam and drove to Fort Williams Park to see the Portland Head Light. It is the oldest and most photographed light house in Maine. We took Sam because they have a off leach area where Sam could run.

 

The Portland Head Light was authorized by George Washington and the US Congress in 1787, and was first lighted in 1791 using whale oil. About 1885 this was replaced by kerosene and subsequently by two 1000 watt lights producing a beacon which is visible for 30 miles. 

 

The historic lighthouse is located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine and sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, which is within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The light station is automated, and the tower, beacon and foghorn are maintained by the US Coast Guard. The former lighthouse keepers' house is a maritime museum within Fort Williams Park.

 

 

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Portland%20Head%20Lighthouse

 

 

As time draws near to leave, I thought, for you dog lovers, I would share with you "A day in the life of Sam."

Oh, to be a dog!

 

 

 

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/A%20Day%20with%20Sam%20Camping

Mail Boat Run, Casco Bay Portland

 

What a wonderful day on the water! Going out of Casco Bay are several different sightseeing tours but I decided to do something different. I took the Mail Boat Ferry. The mail boat is run by the U.S. Post Office and delivers everything from Hotel food supplies, building material, washers, dryers and of course the mail, to residents of several islands. A spokesman gave a narrative as we passed sites of interest.

The picture on the left is Spring Point Light taken as we left the Maine State Pier heading into Casco Bay. The picture above is of the landing on Little Diamond Island, our first stop. Other Islands we visited were Great Diamond Island (two stops there), Long Island, Great Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island.

The trip takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours depending on deliveries. The cost is $13.50 for seniors. I have attached two albums because I went crazy taking pictures. I also made the size of the picture smaller so hopefully the albums will be faster and easier to open. Let me know if it helped.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Casco%20Bay%20Mail%20Boat%20Run

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/More%20Casco%20Bay

 Sam thinks he is a small dog and lays on the dash watching everyone walk by.

Below is a rub down.....Who's spoiled? Hey, where's mine!

     This is the RV Park we are staying in while in Maine. OK...... don't get excited, "Adult Camping" means no children NOT NUDIST! We are not getting risqué in our old age. The RV Park is located in the middle of Maine Audubon's Scarborough Marsh. It is the states largest salt water marsh.

This is a great location. We are 3 miles from the beach and 20 minutes from Portland. We love it here so much, that we have reserved our site for July and August of next year. Several of the Campers, two legged and four legged, are Seasonal residents. Some live close enough to come up on weekends from their home.

The seasonal campers know Sam by name. As we walk, someone is always calling out his name.  Do they know my name? Probably not, I'm Sam's "mom". As we take our walks, he has regular stops he makes to get treats. Talk about being spoiled!

Here are some additional camp pictures:

 http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Wild%20Duck%20RV%20Park