2nd Week of Trip

Hi All, 

Nacho here.  I'm going to give you a report of our second week of vacation.  Mom might pipe in about a few things since I didn't get to go on the boat ride or visit a castle.  Mom said to tell you if you like old houses and antiques you might like this report with lots of pictures, because her and Dad got to visit a castle on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence Seaway.  She said it was pretty cool!

We left Stowe, VT on Saturday morning after going over to Mountaineer Inn to help Pamela re-arrange the canopy, since hers was destroyed during a rain/wind storm two days previous.  She finished grooming me so I would look handsome while Dad re-arranged her stuff under our canopy and got the x-pens moved around.   She's the greatest!!!

Anyway, after we left we drove north and crossed Lake Champlain into New York state just 1/4 mile from the Canadian border.  We then drove down along the west side of the lake and a bit west to Wilmington, NY which is about ten miles from Lake Placid.  We stayed at a KOA there.   Mom said it was pretty nice this time of year, but like many she wouldn't want to stay there when they are busy.  We had no around around us close, so it was private and quiet.  All the sites are under the pine trees so the ground is covered with pine needles.  It sure smells nice.

The next day, we drove east a bit to see the Ausable River Chasm near Keenesville, NY.  The falls and what we could see from the road and the walkway were neat, but Mom said she wasn't paying $16 per person to take a walk.  Anyway, we had a nice walk and it was pretty cool.

Then we got back in the truck and drove to Lake Placid.  Due to the time spent at the Ausable River, we were too late to see much of the Olympic sites in Lake Placid as they were closing up for the day because it was Sunday.  Mom and Dad took a tour of the skating arenas where the 80' Hockey team won.

Monday morning, after KT and I woke them up (our usual duty), they packed up and we headed northwest towards the St. Lawrence Seaway and Thousand Islands and into Canada.  We made good time and arrived about mid -afternoon at Mallorytown, Ontario.

 
After setting up (at another KOA) and taking a run around their private dog park,

 we jumped back into the truck and headed down to Rockport, Ontario where Mom and Dad had a fish dinner while KT and I took a nap.  Then they came and leashed us up and we walked around the little (very little) village of Rockport and up a hill to a Catholic church that had a nice overlook of the Thousand Islands area.  It was a nice walk and fun to bark at squirrels and greet people.

The next morning after some exercise and breakfast, we  were put in our bed and had to sleep and entertain ourselves while Dad and Mom took a five-hour boat ride and visited a castle.  From here, Mom will report:
Dave and I drove early, about 9 a.m. to Gananoque, Ontario to see if any of the boat tours of the Thousand Island area along the St. Lawrence Seaway were giving tours.  We were in luck, the one we really wanted to take, a five-hour cruise which included a two-hour stop at Bolt Castle on Heart Island was going out.  We signed up and were told we only had about a 1/2 hour wait.    Almost every island is inhabited.  During the time the area was being settle, people built their homes on the islands as the river was their main mode of transportation and employment.  Even a little island about 300 yards in diameter had a house built on it.   As you will see from the pictures, they vary in size due to the island size, number of inhabitants or the persons' income.  It was a very unusual sight and some of the houses were really impressive.

Even these birds had their own little island

The most impressive thing was the island owned by the Bolt family who co-owned the Waldorf-Astoria in NY city.  He built a castle for his beloved wife and the gardens and many features in the castle feature hearts.  She died before it was completely finished and he abandoned it.  Years later it was purchased by the Bridge Authority and over the years they have been restoring and finishing it in the manner intended by the Bolts. Two hours was not enough time to enjoy this beautiful castle and it's immaculate gardens.  And it is built on an island!!!!  Pretty neat!

The castle as viewed from the St. Lawrence

The ceiling in the entry foyer

The entry way to the island

The Power house for the island

The Castle's boat house

The circular porch surrounding the castle

The stairs in the entry foyer

Some of the bedrooms

The Ballroom

The library

One of the dozen fireplaces

2nd floor sitting room off a bedroom

Outside views of the castle

I have lots more pictures I could share of the beautiful grounds and additional rooms!!!

After getting a few groceries we returned to the AS to relax for the evening and exercise the pups.

Nacho back here reporting......Wednesday morning we woke Dad and Mom up at our usual time, about 6:30 (can't let them sleep too late or we won't get to see anything!)  They packed up and off we went again traveling across Ontario towards Lake Huron.  We wanted to stay Wednesday night at a Provincial Park, but after arriving and spending two hours driving around looking for a suitable site, (Mom and Dad were totally disgusted and it was 7:30 at night and getting dark) we gave up that idea and drove to Port Huron, MI.  We didn't get there until pretty late about 9:30 or so, but this KOA had security which after waiting for 15 minutes finally showed up and signed us  in and escorted us to our site.  Wow, it was really fancy!!!!  We had our own patio with furniture!


We didn't get to stay and enjoy it because Mom and Dad decided our next stop would be the Indiana Dunes National Lake Shore and camp at the campground there since Dad has his "senior" pass.  It was worth the drive because we had a nice site with a big area for us to play and to have a fire.  This whole campground is nestled in the trees near the Dunes and was pretty quiet the first night, which was Thursday.

Friday night a bunch of people arrived with about 20 kids and it got really noisy fast!!! We tried to keep them in line, but Mom and Dad wouldn't let us voice our opinions.  How not fair is that!! The kids could be loud but not us!!!! Friday during the day, we were lazy a bit and then we had a lunch at a truck along the highway.  It was pretty cool; it was an old truck like from the 50's rebuilt with a wood burning pizza oven.  It was called the Rolling Stone Bakers and they make really great unusual flavored pizzas.   (Dad has pictures, but Mom can't find them right now; she'll add them later).

Mom and Dad seemed to really enjoy theirs, I can't say because they didn't share.  We then went to Bass Pro, because Dad wanted to look for something for fly-fishing, his favorite thing to do.  Later we all went for a walk along Lake Michigan at the foot of the Dunes.  It was a bit of a climb up and over to the beach, but we helped encourage them along!  :)  Later we drove along the shore up to Michigan City and got some groceries.

After building a fire and just playing and being lazy around camp, they roasted some hotdogs and had some salads.  We did get to have a bit of the hotdogs, it was nice they shared.  It was a nice campground to just relax because we sure have been busy seeing the sights!

Saturday morning we loaded up and took off for our trip home.  We arrived about 5:30 p.m.  It sure is nice to be home!!! We have lots more rooms to run through than the AS.  And our yard is huge!!!!  Ah...home at last!!!!

Dog Camp and beyond

Hi All!
Nacho checking in.  It's been a while but not much was happening around our house for a couple weeks.  August 30, we took off after Mom and Dad left work for the day and we traveled to LaSalle, Illinois for the start of our trip to Vermont.

 

  We were supposed to meet up with Pamela but she got a late start from Colorado.  Mom said we would meet up with her along the route, which we did on our second stop in Ohio.  She really put the pedal to the metal! So onward we traveled to Stowe, Vermont, arriving about 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

We checked into the campground

  and then hightailed it over to the Mountaineer Inn where "Camp Gone to the Dogs" is based.  Once we got registered, Dad with some assistance from Mom or Pamela set up our canopy, X-pen, kennel and table and chairs.  He was pretty busy making us a nice base for the week!!  KT, Mom and me joined Pamela, Ringo my dog Dad, Rocky, Ralpie and sister Velvet in the activities for the evening.  Lots of instructions about how the week would go, meeting the Trainers and other campers.

First thing every morning, bright and early at quarter to seven, we headed to camp.  We got a few minutes of walking around to stretch our legs and do our "duties", before Mom put us in the X-pen and she headed in to eat breakfast and visit with the other "parents".  She says all three meals per day were great.  No fear of going hungry!

First event each morning at 8 a.m. was beginner agility for me.  Wow, it was fun!!  I like going up the "A" frame, over the jumps, across the "walk", and through the chute and tunnels!  It is so great!  Mom said Dad is going to make me a course when we get home!  I would like doing that every day.  I only got in trouble a couple times when I got the "zooms" during class, but really it was because I was so happy Ralpie was with me.  :)

Next on the agenda was Obedience for KT and I got to rest. KT didn't like obedience that well (said it was boring).  Mom said she got a lot of insights into her (KT's) personality.   Next was puppy kindergarten, though neither of us are puppies, we (Mom) learned some good things to teach us that she says will help us mind her better.   Then we got a rest until after lunch.  Whew it is very busy at camp!

In the afternoons was "tricks" and "recall" where we learned to come in an emergency.  Mom said this was really important!  We had great treats during this class; all the leftovers of people food, so I can tell you they had great food! :)

Another favorite class was Lure class where I got to chase a bunny!!  KT thought it was boring and turned her nose up at all the excitement.  I got to run really fast and free! Love, love, love it!!  Mom didn't like the class because she said I got too "wound up".   Not sure what she means by that, but I only got to do it two days.  Bummer!

Well that is my opinion of camp, but I am sure if you talk to Mom she will have more to say!

We are now in Lake Placid, but heading to Canada tomorrow.  I'll check in again soon to tell you about the rest of the trip, but Mom said it's bedtime now.  Also she said she'll add pictures as soon as she gets them loaded on the computer.

Good night!
Kisses,
Nacho

Weekend at Trout Camp

KT checking in this week.  I told Nacho, my boy, he can't have all the fun and I can tell a good story also.  Well, Mom and Dad packed up the truck.  We didn't take the AS because Dad has an old, old 5er up at Trout Camp with a really nice deck built on it.  The trailer isn't bad for as old as it is, but the deck is the best part.  It's 20' long and about 10' wide with a red tin roof over it.  Mom likes the sounds on it when it rains!  Dad also built gates on the front and back entrances; he says its a giant doggie play pen. 

We all arrived about 4:30 Friday afternoon; Mom cleaned up the trailer and we played on the deck and helped Dad.  It was great after being cooped up in the truck for 3 hours.   Dad built a fire later and he roasted hotdogs while Mom fixed the sides inside.  Then they sat out by the fire and looked at the stars; watching for falling stars.  Nacho and I had to stay on the deck; they don't trust us not to go chasing rabbits and other creatures that are all around out there in the woods and pastures that are bordering the camp.

Saturday, friends from Cascade, IA drove up to spend the weekend.  They have a Spaniel, Mom can't remember the kind. Anyway, she is older than us but pretty active, she gave Nacho a run.  Her name was Molly. 

Dad and Pat went fishing and caught some trout; Dad even brought three home for Mary.  Mom and Peggy sat on the deck and talked.  Mom made new tie-outs for us to use at Doggie day camp and Peggy did cross -stitch, whatever that is.  Nacho and I played and slept and kept an eye out for all the critters.

The highlight of the evening was when Nacho, Molly and I went for a walk with Dad and Pat. Nacho, fast little man that he is, caught another mouse and then proceeded to carry it up to the deck to show Mom.  She was not pleased.  Dad and Pat hadn't even noticed (I did of course, but they didn't listen to me), that Nacho had caught it and was carrying it.  Mom saw he had something in his mouth and went to take it away and almost had it in her hand when she realized what it was............boy, did she yell!!!!  It was really dark on the deck, but seriously she knows what a pistol Nacho is and should have guessed!  She had a fit and wouldn't let him sit on her lap or anything!! She called him "Mouse Mouth" the rest of the weekend!  HaHa, I received all the loving and he, not so much.  :)

It was relaxing and peaceful at camp and we got lots of walks and also got to check out the creek, but Mom wouldn't let us get in!  Bummer!

Well, hope you enjoyed my story of the weekend.  I'm sure next time Nacho will insist that he tell it.
So long for now!
KT

P.S.  Mom said she'll have to get some pictures from Dad and post them later. 

Thomson, Illinois

Nacho here reporting live from.....home, didn't have time this weekend as Mom was too busy! Having fun!

We drove to Thomson Causeway, which is a COE facility with four camping loops.  The campground is right on the Mississippi River.  When we arrived, Kevin and Chris were just finishing setting up.  They had a much shorter drive from their home; ours was 3 hours.  It was almost dark and  we sat outside for just a bit because Mom said the Bugs were "eating her alive"'. I don't see how that could be, but what do I know, I'm just an Aussie.  :)  I sure do like RVing with Mom and Dad, because we get lots of walks and attention.  Much better than when they go to work.

They took their bikes and so did Chris and Kevin, so we had to stay behind while they went for bike rides each morning.  Mom was proud of herself!  They like their new bikes!!

The excitement for the weekend was a really bad storm went through the area with high winds and lots of rain.  We all sat in the truck by the river and watched it cross over.  By the time we went back to the trailers it was raining so hard we had to wait.  We all got soaked running in.   :)  No damage to the campground, but just a few miles down the road there was lots of damage.  Clinton, IA was hit hard and we saw lots of trees down as we traveled home on Sunday.

Grandpa and Grandma with Uncle Chad were supposed to come visit, but Mom warned them so they didn't come.  Brenda, Steve and Ethan were thinking about visiting also.

After the storm blew by and we let things dry out a bit, Dad got firewood and he and Kevin built a fire.  It was rather difficult because the wood wouldn't stay lit.  So Chris cooked supper (burgers,brats and hotdogs)  on their grill that came with their trailer.  As they were eating, Mom received a call from a close friend that she rarely gets to see.  They wanted to drive up to see us, so they came for a while, but we all got chased inside again by those pesky bugs!! It was nice to meet Lori and Wayne! Mom misses Lori a lot!!  

Well, they wanted to get up early to beat the heat for their bike ride, so going to bed early was good idea; I was tired!  :).

It was a nice weekend with Mom's brother and sister-in-law.  Hope we can go with them again soon!

This is the view of the marsh from the bike path.  It runs from the Quad-Cities to Savanna, IL. This area is between Fulton, IL and Thomson, IL. 

Our shared campsite, we are on the left with the AS.
 

 Lily pads in the inlet at the entrance to the causeway. 

Sunset over the Mississippi River!

The bikes!

The prairie grass along the bike path.  This area is a conservation area for turtles.  Chris LOVES turtles!!!