Lucy on the bicycle trail

Lucy enjoys running as I am trying to catch up with her on my bicycle. It has been
nice to be here on Navy Mid South Base. They have a nice walking, running bicycle path all the way around the perimeter of the base. It is a little over 6 miles all the way around. I usually go to the point I have to cross traffic and turn around. This makes
a bit over 8 miles by the time we get back. Of course I do not let Lucy run the whole way.

Kris's new toy

Kris used to have many remote control toys in his younger years. He has been talking for a while he would like to have a sail boat and maybe a plane. Yesterday we stopped in at a local hobby store and took a look at what was available. They had
a neat helicopter that is so small you can fly in the house. So, we bought one. Kris has been having a large time flying it in our rv.
We are planning to get a sail boat when the weather is warmer and a better selection
arrives.

The Bear 10-26-2010

We stopped at a Hampton Inn in Highlands, NC on the way back home from Duane and Heather's wedding. They had a stuffed bear in the lobby of the hotel. Lucy was not
real happy with the bear. She puffed up like she was ready for battle. She does not
care that the bear is many, many times her size. I love my brave little baby!!

Lucy stealing the show 11-2010

We don't think many people notice our new ride.
Lucy has stolen the show. When we stopped for a break people wanted to take her picture. When we were riding down the road people were slowing down and waving and taking pics with
their camera phone! Lucy looked so sweet in her dogie glasses!

Every time we pick her glasses up she gets excited and starts wagging her tail! She is
ready for a ride. We both were so pleased how she took to the new experience.

There was this one young guy who was so cracked up with seeing Lucy he was laughing so hard and beating his steering wheel at the site!

Some people have their dogs in the car with them and pick their dogs up to the window and point at Lucy!

Seeing so many people smile at Lucy makes the heart feel lighter.

Lucy has broken a lot of barriers between motor cycle riders and car riders.

Open Road

Kris and I have been pondering for quite a while how we can enjoy more of the open road.
A few weeks ago we passed by a motor cycle dealer who had a Spyder sitting out in front of their store. We stopped in an checked the vehicle out to see how well it sat for me.
Kris jumped on the internet and spent a good deal of time researching the vehicle and trailer and how to tow it when we relocate.

As of Wednesday July 28 2010 we are the proud owners of a blue Spyder and matching trailer! We drove a rental car to Nashville Tn to take ownership. We then headed out the next day on the Spyder to NC to register it. We took mostly back roads and went in to Murphy,NC.

Submarine Base or Airport, you decide

This is the new airport Kris is working at here in Panama City, FL.
As you can see there is a problem with drainage. The airport was built on a swamp and as they drain the water, the water drains into a park which is close by. The residents are not to happy.
The airport is slated to open on May 23rd this year. This is not a FAA facility even though the FAA has equipment there. So there in lies the problem.

Formation Flying

This was taken with Kris's Droid out in the bay here in Panama City.
You can't enjoy this kind of view with just any boat. The boat picture was taken in
Key West.

A Little Guest

You know those constant little noises you hear all night long in the summer time. Well all that racket comes out of this little rascal; a Tree Frog. In case you have never seen one this is what they look like. Our little guest was hanging out on our glider.

A tree frog is any frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state.

The back color of tree frogs is typically a vivid green, uniformly so in many species, subtly patterned in others, altogether giving an excellent camouflage depending on the particular kind of vegetation they inhabit and the predators they hide from. Many tree frogs can change their color to a remarkable extent; when resting on bark they are usually bright brownish gray.

Covered Bridge

We took a picture of this while in West Va. Thought it would be of interest.

In 1852 Lemuel Chenoweth, a well-known Appalachian architect and carpenter, built a covered bridge in Philippi to provide a link on the turnpike running between Beverly and Fairmont. The Philippi Covered Bridge continues to be the town's prominent landmark.
Philippi was the scene of the first land battle of the American Civil War, on June 3, 1861. The battle was later lampooned as the "Philippi Races" because of the hurried retreat by the Confederate troops encamped in the town. The battle is reenacted every June during the town's 'Blue and Gray Reunion.'

Pic of the town as well.

Reindeer Moss

This is the first time I have seen Reindeer Moss. It is used as food for reindeer. It may take decades to returned once trampled, overgrazed,or destroyed.

The lichen is used as a traditional remedy for removal of kidney stones by the Monpa in the alpine regions of the West Kameng district of Eastern Himalaya.[9] The Inland Dena'ina used reindeer lichen for food by crushing the dry plant and then boiling it or soaking it in hot water until it becomes soft.

Osprey nest 4-2010

Kris,Lucy & I were out on the water and spotted an Osprey nest high on a electric pole.
As you compare the other pole without the nest you can see how deep the nest actually is.
Even though we were way down in the water the mother was flying overhead and not happy with us being there.

Horseshoe Crab

Kris,Lucy and I were taking our usual walk this morning down by the water. Right there in front of us was a horseshoe crab. We could not get a good picture of it since we are in overcast skies and the water was to dark. Instead we are putting this link in so the grand kids can see what a real horseshoe crab looks like.

Grandkids

You talk about blessed! It ought to be against the law to be so blessed with 2 wonderful grandchildren.

Riley so full of energy has recently turned 2 years old and Caleb is a cooking super hero 4 years old.

We are not wishing to fast forward time, however we are so excited about taking our boys rv'ing with us and teach them to navigate a sail boat by the stars and to fly an airplane when they get a little older! Oh my what fun we all will have. Of course we may let their parents come a long sometimes.

Introducing Lucy

Lucy is a precious 9.8 lb poodle mix. She is so much like our Precious we had for 15 years. Lucy arrived in our life on April 3rd 2010 while we were at Warner Robins AFB in Macon, GA. We were staying at the Fam Camp there and a couple came in to meet up with some friends for the weekend.

We had several opportunities to speak to the couple over the weekend. They informed us
they have had Lucy for a year, but needed to find a good home for her. The wives parents live in the Philippines and were going over for a visit. There were several people that wanted Lucy, but the owners new the others would not take good care of her.
Their children already has pets and could not take on another one.

They were real impressed how quickly Lucy took to us. She never barked at us and she allowed us to take her on several walks. The owners even allow Lucy to stay with us overnight.

Lucy did so well. She whined only a little which we did expect.

So in a nut shell Lucy became ours. She has taken to us like bees to honey, like salt and pepper. She only whined one other night.

Yes she has stolen our hearts already. Believe it or not she sleeps with us! I know what those are saying that knows me. A dog in the bed! Well she is so small and so sweet. She starts out under the covers at our foot each night. Then sometime in the night she snuggles right in the curve of my belly.

We cannot get over how easy she is to take on a walk and she lets us know she needs to go potty.

She loves our little boat and loves the water.

She enjoys lying on her bear.

Precious would approve.

On a walk 4-29-2010

Lucy and I were talking a morning stroll on the a path behind the Fam Camp here on the Tyndall Air force Base. We came along a huge hole dug under the fence that separates the rv park from the actual base property. I knew it had to be a big beast from the hole it dug since there were roots dug up as well. When I reported the hole to the park office we both figured it had to be constructed by a black bear! There have been sitings of black bear in the area. They are common to the area. Lucy didn't seem to be alarmed so I felt certain we were safe. The hole was dug from our side going towards the other side. I knew this because the loose dirt and roots were on our side. I looked for foot prints, but there were so many leaves around the area and the dirt that was distributed from the dig was spread wide. This would have covered most of the foot prints. I figured the bear came right out of the under the brush and straight toward the fence. I did not see any signs of foliage beaten down. This meant to me it was not a larger bear. I took pictures of the hole but it does not show debt in the picture. I should have put Lucy in the whole to get the true feeling of the hole. Oh well. I am not a good a detective as I thought I was.

On the water in Panama City, Fl 4-28-2010

Kris,Lucy & I went out on the boat a few times now. It must be matting season for the horseshoe crap. We saw many along the water line on a beach we were walking on. We thought this would be a scene for National Geographic.

It is never to early for kids to learn

When someone tells you that kids are to young to be taught, I give you permission to laugh in their face. I know from personal experience kids can be taught something when they can communicate with you. The communication does not have to be verbal, but action.
A child can be taught not to litter when they can hold something in their hands. It is a matter of how you communicate this action to a child. I believe the so call grow up just does not want to be bothered. Well it takes more energy to correct a bad habit than to learn a good one from the start.

I know of a 2 year old that is speaking English and Spanish.

It is all in how much effort the parent wants to make in teaching a child.

With the correct positive approach the child will want to learn and learn and learn.
There will be no limit to what a child can accomplish when he or she is older and how they will impact someone's life.