Camping in Asheville, NC

On our trip back to Florida, we stopped for a few nights of camping in Asheville, North Carolina. It worked out perfectly that I picked up Athan in Cleveland on the way, and then we drove 10 hours together to meet the rest of the college of Charleston crowd.


It was pretty cool that we were able together seven MES program grads for a 10 year reunion! We came from Charleston, Virginia, Ohio, and Florida: Athan, Dave, Joe, Michelle, myself, Julia, and Roman.


The dogs were spent after the 6.5 mile hike, with a 1500' incline to John's Rock. Incredible view overlooking Pisgah National Forest.


The pups recovered with a dip in the river!


We all hung out by the water pretty much the whole time.


When she was tired, she would put herself to bed in the tent.


Roman's kids loved Mavie and Sheba so much they wanted to go everywhere they were! Their dog Willis was part of everything, too. Good times!


The next day we visited the sierra Nevada brewery and met Julia and Joe's dog Nick. The more the merrier!


After a long weekend of hiking, camping, and playing, they had a nap!

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Dogs visit Nursing Home!

Grandma has always loved dogs, so Dad and I figured we would surprise her with a visit from Mavie and Sheba.







She was so thrilled, she shared her sandwich with Sheba! Residents and nurses alike came out to see them, and they enjoyed the attention. One lady commented "look, the black one walks like us" when they watched them play with the ball. Great therapy dogs!



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Mission-Aransas Reserve: Port Aransas, Texas

I have heard that the landscape in Southeast Texas, not far from the Mexican border, is similar to South Florida, but it was nothing like home, or any of the other Gulf Reserves I've visited the summer. The local said it's not normally so green this time of year, but due to the recent floods, everything looked rather lush to me.





I have never visited Texas, and what an impression I know have! Check out this menu! You can bring them a dove, rabbit, or squirrel, and they'll cook it! Vegetarianism was not popular here. I ate a lot of french fries!





We toured a BP-funded research facility built to study the surfactants used to disperse the oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill.





We also saw the rehab facility for oiled or otherwise injured birds and see turtles. I was thrilled to get to see a few greens in rehab, and then we walked out on the jetty. During the mile-long walk to the end, we saw well over 60 juvenile green sea turtles before we lost count! They feed on the algae growing on the rocks. It was so cool!





The view of the open Gulf from the end was interesting. The jetty borders the shipping channel so there was lots of cargo ship traffic. The Florida Education Cordinator's posed for a photo there- it was a treat to see them so often this summer, since our offices are in every corner of the state.





How could we resist a silly group shot?





And some Texas beer as a finale!






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Sheba visits Rehab

I took Sweet Sheba to a rehab facility that specializes in agility training. She did the underwater treadmill so the vet could see her gait and give her a workout.

The vet diagnosed her with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, where she is losing control of her muscles and muscle mass, just like in the human disease. The good news is that there is no pain. Just a neurological imbalance that causes her to trip and slip.



The facility had all kinds of toys to help her strength and balance.



They gave me exercises to do at home to keep her as fit as possible so the muscle degradation will progress slower. More swimming and playing!



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Apalachicola Reserve, Florida

Next stop on my teacher training travel was Northwest Florida. The Panhandle is very picturesque, with its fleet of shrimping boats and all.



We enjoyed Frogmore Stew one night- just as delicious as I used to have in Charleston. This is a Southern Tradition that I miss very much!



We took a boat out to St. George's Island and explored with the teachers. Such a neat outdoor classroom.



And when I got back, I had a nice welcome note from the furkids, haha!

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Family vacation in Bend, OR

We picked up Charley's sister and fam, who flew in from Chicago: 4 adults, 4 kids, and 1 big dog, all packed into a sweet rental minivan bound for Bend!





Bend is three hours east of Portland. It's in the desert and so, so hot! We spent one afternoon hiking through a cave. It was a 1-mile long, lava tube, created by hot magma surfacing through a volcano. So cool! Literally! It was only 42° inside!





Another day we hiked to Steelhead Falls. Everyone jumped off the cliff, except Wrigley and I. No way, no how, would I ever be able to do that! I hate heights!





The desert is a whole different place. Brown, dry, and blazing hot! It was 119° on the hike!





The scenery around Bend is surreal. The jaggedy mountain peak in the center is called Brokentop- which I actually climbed 8 years ago on my first trip to Oregon! It was cool to be back there again. We explored Elk Lake with paddleboards and kayaks.





Another day, we rented a pontoon boat on Lake Billy Chinook. The water in this volcanic lake is over 400' deep in places. But it didn't feel as cold as I was expecting. Maybe I'm getting used to the water temperatures in the Pac NW? It was refreshing.





And then there is Mt. Hood, over 100 miles away. I just love seeing that snow cap.

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Spontaneous trip to Portland

Here is me, taking a dip in the coldest water ever, in the Washugal River (Washington) just an hour-and-a-half outside Portland. The air temp was 100, and nowhere has a/c, so this is how you cool off in the Pacific Northwest!


Back in Portland, Charley and I had delicious tacos at a place that everyone raves about- and we waited and waited for a table. Food was good, but the atmosphere was great. I liked this section of town. Maybe because it is on Mississippi Street but nothing like the state of MS?


Then Charley took me to the Biker Bar. It was not at all what I was expecting! You literally ride the bike to earn your beer.


And back in PA, mom sent this photo of Mavie and Sheba. I always miss them when I'm away. Sweet babies!


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