Missing It Already.

Since I've been home for three days I've been missing camping.  It's a simple way of life even though there's a lot of work.  I would love to be a Full-timer.  Not sure my DH could handle it.  He can work anywhere in the country and if I get nationally certified so can I.  Moving around to a different area every few months would be awesome.

Tahquamenon Falls, MI

White Fish Point, MI

Dallas & Domino enjoying the outdoors.

Domino & Dallas tuckered out from all the hiking and fresh air.

Last Day In Canada

We stayed at the Milton Heights Campground in Milton, ON.  We were only going to stay two nights, but ended up staying four.  This was a great home base to visit, Guelph, Toronto & Parry Sound.  My grandfather was born in Guelph and my great grandfather and Bobby Orr were born in Parry Sound.  My great grandfather actually died in Parry Sound at the age of 33.  The campground was clean.  It had hydro (electricity), water and sewer.  Most of the campgrounds we went to did not have sewer.  This one also had a laundry room which is great to have because it's really hard to pack a ton of clothes in a small camper.

There were a lot of dogs here and a lot of really nice people, most of whom were from Ontario.  I wasn't surprised they were all so nice, because they were dog people, hahaha!  We even gave a couple that was staying across from us our email addresses so if they are ever in the States they can let us know.  I am glad that we left when we did because most people had a long weekend in Canada due to their Thanksgiving being celebrated on October 10th and lots of people started filling up the campground with children.  I don't mind children, but they do make my dogs bark.

It was really nice to stay somewhere for more than two days and not have to hitch and unhitch every other day.

On our way home it was more than a days drive because it takes a lot longer to drive pulling a travel trailer because you're not going 60 mph.  So I found a nice place on a river in Schenectady, NY.  We didn't get there until 7pm so everything was dark.  We almost drove down a railroad track because it was right near the turn for the place.  It was called Arrowhead Campground & Marina.  It looked like a nice big site when we pulled in, (thank goodness it was a pull-in site at this time of night). But we couldn't see anything but the plug to plug in.  We didn't hook up to their water because we needed to use up our water in the tank before getting home.  In the morning when we woke up, it was a spectacular site.  On our door side of the camper was the river with lots of trees and no other campers in our line of site.  I couldn't believe our luck coming in so late on a holiday weekend and getting, what I would call, a prime site.

Still not home yet, but I'm sure we will be back tonight or tomorrow morning.  I truly have enjoyed our experience RVing and could do this most months out of the year.

Guelph, ON where my Granddad was born

The Basilica in Guelph, ON

Wayne Gretzky Sports Center & Hall of Recognition.

Domino & Dallas chilling' at Milton Heights Campground thinking they're getting the steak we're cooking!

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in Parry Sound, ON

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in Parry Sound, OR on Georgian Bay in Lake Huron

Yes I play Pokemon Go.

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Bobby Orr's dedication to his Dad after he passed away.

In front of the City Hall of Guelph, ON trying to find out about my father's family.

From the top of the Civic Museum in Guelph.  Small museum, but nice old pictures of the town.

Outside the Guelph Library still trying to find out about my family.

Toronto For The Day

Went to Toronto today.  It is a very big city.  I haven't walked through a major city in awhile so I don't know if there are tons of people walking around in business suits all at the same time with large pockets of no-one in between.  My husband went to the Hockey Hall Of Fame and I walked Domino & Dallas through Toronto.  I was worried as I walked through little marbled sitting areas thinking that one of my dogs was going to have to go to the bathroom.  I guess I shouldn't have worried, because Domino decided to wait until he was in the middle of a street.  I saw that he was trying to go and I kept pulling him onto the sidewalk.  I did go back into the street and pick up after him.  And I was happy in the end that he didn't go in front of one of the many restaurants that we walked by.

When Gary got out of the Hall Of Fame we walked to the CN Tower near the waterfront.  We had to take turns going inside.  I went and bought both tickets so Gary just had to wait in three lines instead of four.  It cost $35 to go to the main upper deck.  There is a higher deck that I thought Gary would have gone to, but he didn't.  And they have an outside area where they tether you off and you can practically hang off the side of this very tall building.  So we went up 114 stories, but we could have gone up 147 stories.  It was not as impressive as the Sears Tower, or the John Hancock in Chicago.  These windows were just like regular windows.  I wanted them to be floor to ceiling.  They did have an outside fenced in deck that was nice and windy.  And they had a glass floor in a small part of it that people were lying on and having their pictures taken.  I could barely get myself to look down.  And it wasn't as scary as I thought going up and down the glass elevator, even though I was right out front.  I think it was because they shoved so many of us in one elevator and I felt like I was safe and secure.

Surprisingly, they had pretty good spinach and feta stuffed bagels at the top of the tower.

We then walked for 15 minutes to go down to the waterfront.  It had kayaks for rent and a tiny beach which was nice.  And also a train museum and a brewery.  We never got to walk to the gardens or any other museums.  They are not all together like in Chicago.  If we didn't have the dogs, we would have gone on a double decker bus tour and a lake tour to the Toronto Islands.

I liked Ottawa better than Toronto even though we didn't have a chance to walk around Ottawa.  I guess because there were no hockey places in Ottawa so Gary didn't have a need to walk around, hahaha!

Something New To Learn Each Day

Well, I didn't have internet for two days.  I thought I could write my blog and just not publish it.  I guess I was wrong.

We have been seeing some beautiful scenery.  But still no wildlife, unless you count our dogs.  We even stayed inside Acadia National Park for two nights and only saw chipmunks.  How does that happen??

It rained the two days we stayed in the park it was like being in a rainforest. We met a few people from across the way.  One guy was very friendly and liked our dogs, and the other one kept walking by and staring at our dogs without saying hi.  I don't tend to trust people that don't like my dogs.

Oh The Places We Go

Last night we stayed at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground.  It was lovely.  It had electricity and water and free wifi.  But our water hose didn't reach and Gary was having a hard time getting the camper close enough so we went with the water we had in the tank and filled up our holding tank this morning. It cost about $70 for the one night and was nice, but expensive.  Tonight we are staying at the Bar Harbor CampGround and it is supposedly right on the water.  But there is a large cliff and woods separating us.  Although we can see the water. This place is only $30 a night.

If you look hard enough you can see the ocean!

This was the fire we were having.  It was really windy out and thought it might not be a good idea.  It was not, so Gary put it out after awhile with some bottled water.  We also finally tried opening up the awning with a few little snags.

Gary was trying to start the fire with a firestarter like they do in Naked And Afraid.  He cut his hand while opening the package.  I laughed when he wasn't looking.  It didn't work, but we did meet our neighbors from Connecticut who kindly brought over a real lighter, but Gary already had one ready and we talked for a bit.  I have only met nice people in Maine and some of them are just visiting.  A man that works in the deli actually walked down an aisle at Hannaford's to help be find something because I looked confused.  Now that's customer service the Maine way.

Coffee Time

We had coffee with Ruby this morning.  The dogs, Dallas & Domino are really feeling comfortable in the RV.  They even seem to bark less.  That is really the only thing I'm worried about at the campsites.  Dallas loves to talk to squirrels.  But most people don't enjoy her high pitched voice when she's doing it.  I'm hoping with all the exercise we'll be doing that she will be too tired to talk.  And maybe Gary will too, hahaha!

Moving

We finally passed papers on February 7th. We breathe a sigh of relief. I thought we would be moving all our stuff soon after that. But NO, my husband wanted to rip out the rugs in three rooms and put down hardwood flooring.

It's a good idea because a cat use to live here. And if you know anyone that has a cat, you know that they make sure people know they were there. The smell was horrible pulling up the rugs and the stains were everywhere.

I advise anyone making changes in their home to work on the rooms you need first. My husband decided to finish the second bedroom before any other room. aargh!

My dogs are not liking the rug removal.

54 Things I've Learned In 54 Years!

Today is my 54th Birthday and I have been thinking about my life and what I have learned. I thought I would share some of my insights with my readers. I have learned:

1. Family IS always there for you no matter what.
2. All you need to clean when company is coming is your kitchen and bath!
3. What you say is way more important than what you wear.
4. No matter what your age, you can always find a date.
5. Cell phones, social networks and computers are fantastic and horrible.
6. You should always be aware of your surroundings.
7. Like the book says, you really don't have to sweat the small stuff.
8. The library is still a pertinent place to go.
9. Recycling is not that hard to do.
10. When you're raising children all ages are challenging so ask for help.
11. You can buy better clothes at the Salvation Army than at Walmart.
12. Cell phones counteract rage while waiting in a long line.
13. There is someone just for you, even if you don't find them till you're 45.
14. My parents really can be nice people.
15. You can survive your childhood and your children's childhood.
16. Black Friday is my least favorite day of the year.
17. You can drop friends from your life that suck the life out of you.
18. Dogs make the best friends.
19. Meditation is a necessary part of life.
20. Living on autopilot is dangerous and not very fun.
21. You can drink wine everyday and be healthy.
22. Doctors get paid too much and do too little, I would rather have a nutritionist/trainer.
23. It's very easy to say I Love You to the ones you care about.
24. Hugs are way underrated.
25. Vinegar CAN clean everything.
26. Getting rid of Blue Laws completely, is wrong.
27. You can teach yourself anything if you can read.
28. Watching children or dogs play can get rid of any bad mood.
29. Everyone just wants to be heard. So really listen when someone is talking.
30. Being vegan does not mean being healthy.
31. You really don't ever forget how to ride a bike.
32. You never stop being a Mother.
33. Closets are important.
34. Country music has a song for everything that has happened in your life.
35. You can get a good job without going to college.
36. Everyone needs to go on at least one road trip with someone they like.
37. God is everywhere so you don't have to go to church to talk.
38. Bookcases are a very important piece of furniture.
39. Christmas movies are good anytime of the year.
40. Having money does NOT make you happier. Knowing what to do with it does.
41. Listen to all the experts, pick what you like and leave the rest.
42. Football is pretty easy to understand.
43. No is an easy word to say!
44. You can go through life without using paper towels.
45. Getting things for free is always fun.
46. Wireless headphones can save your marriage.
47. Raking is great exercise.
48. Even when you clean up after your dog, you will always step in something.
49. Blueberry's make me happy.
50. Leaf blowers were the worst invention ever.
51. Your children can teach you things.
52. You don't have to shave your legs after 50. (It stops growing.) TMI?
53. There are people out there that will help if you just ask.
54. And last, but not least, my children turned out pretty good even though I wasn't perfect.

Have A Fantastic Day Everyone!

Dogs Off Leash?

As I'm sitting here in South Boston two dogs, rather large at 75 lbs are unleashed. But behaving rather well! I still think they should always be leashed because anything could happen. Some people are truly afraid of dogs.

Stupid Dog Owners

Let me preface by saying that I love pit bulls! It's their owners that I dislike!

When I was out on a walk with my two dogs I saw the most beautiful red nosed pit and American Staffordshire Terrier. A man was holding them on strong leashes and walking with his wife/girlfriend and baby in a carriage. I was walking between the water on a small piece of land with not much room for four dogs. Thank goodness I was almost off when they saw me and turned around to sit on a bench and wait. That was the smartest thing they did.

As we walked far enough away from them they commented on how beautiful my dogs were and I said the same of theirs. Then they proceeded to tell me that their dogs do not get along or like other dogs. That scared me. What If I had been in the middle of the land? What if he lost hold of his dogs? Who the hell brings two massive dogs that don't like dogs to a place where everyone, especially woman and the elderly, walk their dogs?

And why on Earth would they walk them down the center strip with only enough room for two people. They are out of their minds.

They probably take them to dog parks to see how many dogs they can catch!!! And to know they have a baby and will teach it to treat pits this way is horrifying. It's why the stereotype of these beautiful dogs is tarnished and will not change.

My dog Dallas is half Am Staff! She is a beautiful and friendly dog. Towards people and animals.

Domino's Twin

I was freaked out today looking at Petfinder.com! I saw a dog that is the spitting image of my dog. Both are mixed breeds so it's kinda weird. I want to adopt him, but can't have three dogs in my apartment!!

Pit Bulls

I am so pissed off about laws against pit bulls! They should start charging the pit bull owners! And where does it end? Do all laws only pertain to 100% pit bulls? There are a few breeds that are considered pit bull! One of my dogs is 1/2 American staffordshire terrier (pitbull) and she is a sweetheart!
When we adopted her from the shelter we had to take her to puppy classes for six weeks! Maybe we should have laws that force people to go to dog training classes and while we're at it parents going to parenting classes would also be awesome!