Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Getting Things Done

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
November 14, 2015

Since arriving on the 14th, we have been busy and the time has flown by. I am happy to report that everything on the to-do list has been checked off! 


Our first order of business was getting Jack to the vet on Monday (the 16th). He had a cyst/nodule under the skin that we noticed in our travels east. One of our favorite vet offices is right here in Tucson...Ajo Vet Clinic (click here for info). We were lucky on this day to see Dr. Jezyk and his vet tech Eric. After a thorough exam, it was suggested the nodule be removed. A surgery scheduled for the same day had been cancelled so Jack was taken right in. Thanks to Dr. Jezyk's recommendation, we purchased infant t-shirts and Jack has not scratched or licked the incision. Its been more than a week and Jack is doing great. Pathologist report determined the cyst was Panniculitis. This refers to an inflamation in the fatty tissue just below the skin. Dogs (and cats) of any age and breed may be affected by panniculitis, however, dachshunds, collies, and miniature poodles are more at risk. Dr. Jezyk believes that in Jack's case, panniculitis was caused by a reaction to an immune-medicated injection he received in early October when he had his yearly check-up in Moab, UT.  If you have pets, it's interesting to note that the thinking is changing on yearly vaccines.  According to Dr. Jezyk and reading we have done, vets are now thinking vaccines should not be given every year...a three year schedule is recommended especially knowing that some dogs react badly to them. 



Our second order of business was to fix the front jack on Belle. Jeff Fisher at Fisher's RV Repair (click here for info) has been taking care of Belle for four years now. While Belle was in the shop, Jeff also installed new shocks, and greased and adjusted the slides. Belle isn't due for fluids and belt checks until next spring.  Jeff works hard and steady to make our "homeless" time as short as possible. As it turned, it was a beautiful day and the few hours passed by quickly. 






We all enjoyed the beautiful day and warm sunshine...


















...a perfect day for a nap!
















And the last of the top three things to get done was a good cleaning and waxing for Belle. 


Joe and Jason


Jason Riker is the owner of Xtreme Power Washing (click here for info). It's always nice to see the dirt and grime washed off and the shine return. 


In addition to all this, we have restocked the pantry which means trips to Costo and Wal-Mart, Christmas gifts for the little ones have been purchased, wrapped, and mailed east and Christmas cards have been ordered.  And in between all that, we have spent lots of time at the off-leash doggie park. 






OOPS, how did that get in here?



Life is good. We have so much to be thankful for. 
Happy Thanksgiving...


These turkeys visited us daily at Stagecoach RV Park in St. Augustine.

Until next time...let the good times roll.
Happy trails!

We will pull out of Tucson on the 30th. Up next, San Diego.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Riding, Riding, Riding and One Happy Puppy

Fort Stockton RV Park
Fort Stockton, TX
November 12, 2015

Today was day three (400+ miles each day) of our trek back to Tucson. We have 2 days (one long 400 miles and a short 160 miles) to go. It's been an uneventful haul...thank goodness! 

We had our very own welcoming committee when we pulled into the Jellystone RV Park in Robert, LA. Dover was very interested in the geese as they slowly waddled on. The sight or sound of Belle did not phase them one little bit.



There was a large grassy area across from our site covered with dead leaves.  Jack was one happy puppy!




We adopted Jack in July 2010 from the Humane Society. He is 71/2 years old as best we know. We always say "Jack is the life of the party."  He loves to have fun! And he is so dang cute!




Of course, there were two puppies not so happy...


Not to worry, they had a nice long walk later. 
Wednesday took us through Houston...yikes! Lots of highway construction going on. The buildings and skyscrapers are eye catchers. I love the reflections...especially the clouds and sky.







We both spotted an object zooming upwards at the same time...it swooped back down to do its job.




Last night was spent at Columbus RV Park in Columbus, TX. Early to bed and early to rise...we pulled onto the I-10 just as the sun was coming up.
My favorite part of today was traveling through Hill Country.


We are settled in tonight at Fort Stockton RV Park.



The puppies have played in the fenced in off-leash doggie park and Joe and I finished the lasagna I made to bring with us. Time to relax and get ready for another day. Until next time, let the good times roll...


 HAPPY TRAILS!

Monday, November 9, 2015

Chilly, Rainy Days...Warm, Happy Hearts...and THINC


Pine Mountain RV Resort
Pine Mountain, GA
November 9, 2015

We arrived in Pine Mountain November 2. The past week we have been dodging rain showers. The only sunshine we've had was on the first day for about 30 minutes. The skies have been gray, the wind has been howling, and blankets and coats were dug out from under the bed. 



Fall is definitely in the air here...



I managed a short, cold walk earlier today. The ground is completely saturated. My feet were squishy and the ground spongy as I made my way under the pine trees.


When I saw the thick branches on the holly bush moving, I had to wait to see what it was. I enjoyed the antics of this Northern Mockingbird for several minutes before moving on.

The colors of fall abound...






with a few colors of summer hanging on...




and colors that tell us winter is just around the corner.


Warm happy hearts also abound in our hometown...


Raelyn, our granddaughter, just turned two.

Joshua, our grandson, is five. 

Avery, our great grandson, just turned one.








 Our oldest grandson, Chase, is seventeen and a senior at Troup County High. He was accepted in the THINC College and Career Academy this year. Being dual enrollment with Troup, students are given the opportunity to take college-level courses from college instructors, earn college credit and receive high-school credit at the same time. Chase goes half day and is taking a critical thinking math class as well as a robotics class. THINC is completely funded by corporate sponsorships...millions donated by companies like Kia, Mobis, Georgia Power, Milliken &Co.  









Last Thursday, we visited Chase after school. He is in a robotics club and was eager to show us around. 



Latest and greatest robotic color sorter...



Boards the class has put together


The class is building robotic soccer teams. They didn't need much netting, so Chase downloaded instructions on how to make it. He then divided the class of ten students in half and guided them thru the process.

We have enjoyed our stay in spite of the weather.

Tomorrow is travel day...we head west toward Tucson. When we left Moab, our front driver hydraulic jack leaked fluid. We have an appointment with our mechanic to get it fixed, Jack needs to visit the vet and I desperately need a hair cut.

Until next time, let the good times roll... 

HAPPY TRAILS!