My first road trip

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

I don't understand why but we did something really strange yesterday. I knew something was up when the walls made a funny sound and started closing in on me! Next thing I know, I can't walk around and mommy is snatching me and my crate up and loading us into the big white truck.

I have only taken a couple of trips in the big white truck. The first couple weren't much fun. Daddy had me looking at the back door. What's up with that? Then he moved me around so I can see out the front windshield. Much more fun!

We usually go into town where they disappear for a couple of hours, then come get me, let me go potty and let me get petted by some friends. Not bad since it's dark and I sleep.

But this time was different. We left much earlier in the day and we rode all day. Good think I like to sleep! I got to play whenever we stopped for potty breaks but I was glad when we stopped for the night and the walls moved back out so I could walk around.

I don't understand where we spent the night. It was noisy and smelly. I heard mommy and daddy talking about a truck stop, whatever that is. I think the trucks must be those big smelly things that look like my big white truck but much bigger. I avoided them!

Today was much more fun. I got to meet some nice folks when we stopped early. Then later we stopped at a place with lots of grass and room for me to run around in...and chase a stick...and chase a big round thing (daddy called it a nut). I rolled in the grass and really had fun.


Later we stopped again and the walls moved back out in my house. I hope they are done moving for a while...I like it here. There is a lot of things to check out and smell and there is a little dog that I hope I get to play with!

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

Arrived in Tennessee....

Monday, November 1, 2010

Just a short note to let everyone know we arrived safely at Maple Hill RV Campground & Cabins. Nice little mom and pop campground, only 22 sites and a couple of cute little cabins. The new owners are really nice and I hope they can make a go of it...tough time of year, never mind the current economy, to get started.

Today was an relatively easy day, especially for me who took at least three cat naps. The morning started a little rough...heading out from Flying J at exit 80 on I-81 and exiting at exit 77 for that Flying J/ They have an RV island which makes things easier...at least it usually does.

As Stu took care of the fueling, I headed inside for some coffee. First snafu...no coffee since the water was turned off. Okay... They now have a Denny's instead of their own restaurant so I got coffee there. Paid for it and headed out to the truck. Still no gas...error messages on the pumps.

So I head back inside and get in line....then find out their computers are all locked up and they can't reboot them until anyone currently pumping fuel hangs up their hoses. At least 8 truckers and I stood there waiting for the guy on pump 22 to finish pumping. Ten minutes later they sent out a guy to ask him to hang it up...he was at over $500 and 200 gallons. By the time the employee got out the door, the guy was done. LOL!

Now they reboot...they then wait for the tables to load back into the system. All this time they can't check out anyone, no one can get fuel at the auto, RV or truck pumps. The truckers can't take showers (no water), no rest rooms to use. Such fun...

Finally, the system is rebooted and the guys let me go first (such gentlemen). She figures out the pump number and asks me if it will be more than $75. I laugh and tell her yes. Then I run out to tell Stu to go ahead and pump. I come back and get back in line to pay for the propane.

When I see that he's done on the passenger side (I can't see the driver side) I go out to be sure he's done. Well, seems as though she only turned on the one pump. So I had to go back in and get her to start the other one. Eventually we got done and back on the road.

The funny thing was the difference in the patience and humor level between the truckers and the car patrons. Needless to say, the car patrons were NOT patient at all and had NO sense of humor about the situation. Life is too short, folks.

We drove another hour and exited in Abingdon, VA where there was a Cracker Barrel. We were meeting Jenny and Don for brunch. They live about 30 miles away and are part-time RVers. We chit-chatted for about 90 minutes before heading outside where they met Sadie and we chit-chatted for another 15 minutes. LOL! It was so great to meet them. I have followed Jenny's blog for 3-4 years and she has followed mine.


The rest of the day was uneventful. We moved into Central time zone, gaining an hour (and we'll gain another this weekend). The ride up US127 to the campground was really pretty. We'd only ridden it on the bikes and I look forward to riding it again. Jamestown is about 45 minutes north of I-40.

The good news is that we have good cell service here. We can finally make a few phone calls that need to be made. Blogging won't be a problem except for available time. We had a lot to get done in the next couple of weeks. So bear with us...some blogs will be here, some will be at Fire Lily Base Camp. I will try to get some good photos of the area for those that have asked.

Still working on the ToadilyPets.com website and blog as well as Sadie Speaks (which you can also find on the ToadilyPets website). Please pass the links along to your friends!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

There's another dog in the house!!

I didn't know what to do...I could see the dog but I couldn't hear him. I tried to sneak up on him, but he kept moving. It seemed like he was moving towards me...but I couldn't smell him.

I barked. His mouth moved like he was barking.

I jumped towards him. He jumped towards me.

I backed up and bounced. He backed up and bounced.

Mommy came to see why I was creating such a ruckus. She started laughing and grabbed her camera.

Take a peek....


I still don't know where that dog is hiding....

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie