We do a lot of walking while parked in the small campground in McIntosh. The campground is slightly run down and sad looking but cheap! I am enjoying the cheap. The bedraggled looks of the campground are balanced by being able to walk around town and see historic old Victorian houses shaded by huge moss covered live oaks and small cottages with neat gardens. Even the run of the mill houses seem to take on a nice patina among the old trees, ferns and flowers.
Some yards are especially well kept.
Some mornings are cooler than others. "I'm sleeping in this morning. It will be warmer in another hour and we will be able to walk even longer," observed Remi.
While traveling the usual chores still need to be completed like laundry, grocery shopping but who wants a story about Winn Dixie when it isn't about a dog.....
Audrey spend four days at the Greater Ocala Dog Show grounds. In Ohio the Lima Kennel Club has its own show grounds but most shows are held at fairgrounds or expo centers. The rings here are outside as one would expect in Florida but the grass around the rings was very well maintained. The grass was short and the ground was level without the usually pot holes to trip some uncoordinated owner handler, if Audrey would happen to have one of those. The RV section was laid out across a fairly level field with well spaced electric hook up pods and water available for filling tanks. The grounds were keep very clean all weekend and "pump-out" services for RVs was available for $25. It makes coming to shows in Florida not so painful for those that travel down for the winter circuit.
Most of the grounds are well fenced to protect animals in the case there might be a loose dog. Over away from the RV field near the shade trees on the other side of the conformation rings were two large rings set inside another fenced area specifically for obedience and rally.
The unusual set up below sat out across the driving lane from my rig. I found out from one of the handlers set up near me that the rig's owners have a driver for their Provost and a set up man to put up all the fencing and light. They were traveling with nine Frenchie's some of which were their show dogs and some of which were "house dogs" and they didn't want the house dogs to miss their big fenced yard from home. The dogs were cute. I didn't let Audrey get too many ideas and Stuart reminded her that we had already recently upgraded our ride.
We got to walk through the grove of trees on the back of the property. There aren't any electric posts in this sections but for certain times of the years these trees would make nice car parking for summer events. We had walked to the far back and are looking out towards the main show grounds.
As posted from my phone, Audrey won another point towards her AKC Championship on both Thursday and Friday. She went Best of Winners over the male class dog and because there were no "Specials" entered either day, she and I got to join the big dogs in the Sporting Group each day. She didn't really care one way or another as long as there were treats involved. I didn't have an anxiety attack of over klutziness so it was good experience for both of us.
"These are really mine? You sure they aren't Daisy's by mistake?" inquires Audrey.
"Will Daisy get to see them? I hope she gets to see them. Bet she will be surprised! I miss my sister Daisy, but I don't miss her taking all the points. See, Daisy. See. I got the right stuff, too!" whispers Audrey.
(A picture from earlier last summer in Ohio when Audrey and Daisy took turns earning major points. Audrey on the left and her sister Daisy on the right.) Daisy finished her Championship back in November in Columbus one of those weekends when she wasn't sharing points with Audrey.
Just like meeting people from all over through camping and our WomenRV forum, at dog shows you can meet wonderful folks that you have only heard of from friends. Ruth and her daughter drove in to the show from the Jacksonville area on Saturday and I got to meet her black and tan English Cocker puppies and watch her red boy win Best of Breed.
Ruth's daughter took this picture so we could prove to our mutual friend Cindy back in Ohio that we had gotten together. I tried to convince Ruth that I was suppose to take one of those black and tan puppies back to Ohio with me but she just laughed and shook her head, "No."
More about that Friday night weather. We didn't get the be-jillion inches of snow that the weather folks are threatening the mid-west and northwest with but we did get 2.5 inches of rain that night. Even the sandy field showed some signs of the moisture.
Several handlers coming in late on Friday and/or early Saturday had trouble with a few soft spots. This one below had to wait for the tow truck. Knowing that I wasn't pulling out until Sunday afternoon I wasn't worried. By then the ground would be drivable again and I was facing one of the main graveled roads anyway. The Chairman of the show owns English Cockers and stopped by our ring on Saturday. She did say that she had run out of dry clothes last night after taking all the calls from the security folks regarding the rigs trying to get in and set up after dark. She was still smiling though. I enjoy meeting resilient people who keep their sense of humor.
If you don't bring your own rig you can set up under the pavilion that is if you get there early enough and don't mind grooming in small spaces.
These are the Havenese puppies the handlers near me brought with them. They also had several pens of adults but the pups here are included especially for my friend BJ. I asked how carefully they counted the pups and if they would miss one......
Audrey went reserve on Sat and Sun but we met some wonderful Florida English Cocker folks and I met a nice Wheaten Terrier owner handler who was parked in a small rig next to minee. She had closed her groom shop in TN to come down to the Florida circuit. Her female had finished the previous weekend and since there weren't many Junior Showmanship kids hanging around I got to take one of her dogs in everyday since she had both entered as Specials. The Juniors would have done a better job but Cynthia just stayed on the dog she wanted to win. Cynthia has breed 5 generations of dual champions since she puts obedience titles on all her Wheatens. That takes work and dedication.
After the shows were over I drove the whole 20 minutes back to the McIntosh campground and settled back in.
Audry took up a new hobby. Carrying sticks on her walks.
She carries them for miles.
Someone might mistake her for a retriever or something.
Nan drove in the beginning of this week to join us in McIntosh, catch a couple of her doctor appointments and some card games. She is working on a rotary cuff injury so no kayaking for awhile. Her Winnebago is just a big bit longer and taller than my Thor Vegas but she lives in hers fulltime. One of our neighbors is trying help problem solve a window wiper issue.
We moved Liz's rig down to share Carol's spot so Nan could take her spot next to my rig. We planned ahead of time by leaving Liz's rig parked for the days she was in GA helping her daughter. Liz's spot next to my rig was one of the few here that still have 50 amp electric that works. When Sarah came in the end of this week she parked to the right of Carol. There was more space between rigs at the dog show but these sites are cheaper. The neighbors here are nice, too.
Nan and I took off one day to get pedicures at the mall before one of her doctor appointment. We came out with happy toes ready for sandals and warm weather. Walking around the mall trying not to get into trouble I saw these critters ready to be rented and ridden/rolled around the mall. They had slots for quarters so I imagine that they moved right along. I don't know exactly what they do because Nan wouldn't let me stop and try one out. Something about not missing her appointment.
Saturday after our adventures at the Flea Market up the road we recouped our strength at the Iron Skillet, Truck Stop road food at its best. At least the desserts selection was limited and not too tempting while the salad makings were fresh and plentiful. Sara, Liz, Carol and Nan.
Sarah and Nicki came by this morning before I pulled out to check out the rig again. Nicki said it worked for him. He said there aren't any good snuggle spots in his rig.
Sunday afternoon the pups and I drove 30 minutes over to the Silver Spring State Park Campground. We have five nights here to enjoy the hiking trails and if it gets warm enough there may be more kayaking. This park is so beautiful and spaces far apart. The only site available last week when I looked to see if there were cancellations or vacancies was a "buddy" site. I figured that even "sharing" the site I would have more space than many Florida private parks. I have been here before in other winters and an never disappointed. Just walking through the loops I can feel the tranquility of this place wash over me. Depending upon the weather tomorrow we will head out to the trails.
The rig in the back is the other half of the "buddy" site. They pulled in about 30 minutes after I did. Two ladies, one of which is a retired elementary educator. They are driving a new Thor Ace, a rig similar to mine only a few feet longer at 29.5 feet. Now if they like to kayak......
No comments:
Post a Comment