September 2009 Trip to Maine

Early September brought us two loads going to Maine. The first we went to our own agency in Stockertown PA to load out of a SAM. Bear was with us and being eager to help, we had him run the forklift.

Well OK, he didn't run the forklift by himself- but we were very proud of him anyway! From Stockertown we drove up 209 through the NPS to Dingmans Ferry. Same day but they were both estimated to be smaller loads and we figured heck, lets give it the old college try. That load could not have gone smoother either and we found ourselves settled into our Super 8 in Middletown NY by 2pm. Orange County Choppers is only three miles from the motel and it was our intention to go visit but there was a great deal of road construction off the exit ramps so we decided to check them out next time. Our motel stays are always fun (usually :) )and this was no exception. I am careful to book in advance online and always check out the properties for safety ahead of time. Still some are great and fancy and others are just basic no frills stays. This Super 8 was in a large parking lot, bordered by a deli, a chrome shop and a freight yard. No pool, no restaurants, really a trucker motel but the people inside were very friendly, the room clean, and pizza delivery was a phone call away. After a very early dinner and walk we turned in by 6pm.

The thing with going to sleep at 6 is that you are up and at em at three and that is exactly what happened. We decided to walk across the lot to the small deli and were so surprised. The super friendly woman at the counter was more then happy to brew us fresh coffee and make us egg sandwiches. The place was hopping- a Fed Ex driver reading the paper, several other drivers stopping in for a quick cup of coffee to go. Fortified, we headed for Maine and being so early we made it through that special hell that is Connecticut traffic and sailed through Mass. By 10 we were photo -oping little Bear at the Maine border and realizing that we could very well start deliveries same day! First up was Corinna where shipper had requested we deliver to their drop cleared lot down a dirt lane. We followed the directions , easily spotting the "missing sign" and "big rock" that all signified our progress was positive! When we arrived at the clearing in the woods it turns out they really wanted the truck backed up the hill where they planned on having the trailer delivered once electricity was run. You cant make this up. The boys ran free while we delivered their load , hand shakes and hugs and we were on the road again. Still feeling good we decided to head to Mariaville which is about 45 minutes east of Bangor for our second delivery. Wound our way through the tiny wooded roads, found the dirt path that lead us into his "community" and eventually found his house. Nice house on a nice lake. He has been building it for 22 years. Its about half done. Plumbing is provided bu a garden hose run from a faucet in the left side yard, no steps up to porch, no kitchen, I said earlier it was on a nice lake. Lakefront. Great view. Did I mention NO windows in house? You really cannot make this up. I asked how he gets around in the winter. He said you cant. The road closes. He laughed and said no cars, fire trucks or ambulances can get through. He seemed very happy about that too. Said he hates people. We did not let the dogs out of the truck at this delivery and were very happy ourselves to leave. A nice full day found us checking in to the Motel 6 Bangor, one of our usual Maine stays.

The morning of September 11 dawned and found us well on our way home. We listened to the radio as we drove and listened as the names of everyone killed that fateful day eight years ago were read. Kind of reminded you to take advantage of all the good things life has to offer because you just never know. 2966 people went to work that morning fully expecting to go home that night. They never did.

We did make it home in great time- this entire trip was flawless as far as time was concerned. Looking back it was flawless in all respects. Shippers were happy, moves went well, everything rode nicely in the truck, and the four of us had some enjoyable moments. What more could we ask for? OH Yes! Lobster Rolls! For those who may not know what they are about, Lobster Rolls are all over Maine. They are basically lobster meat, with mayo on a hot dog bun (bun grilled). Unbeatable food fun! Over the years we have eaten lobster rolls in a tree house at LL Bean in Freeport ME, eaten them in many many small fishing villages in local diners and bars, even eaten them on a ferry! Of course we had to buy three so the boys could have one to share. On the crew of 39 we are all equal!!

Bear goes boating!

Thankfully we have started to get busier at work. Of course, it is just human nature that when you are busy you want time off and when you have time, you want to work. After this economic slump though, we will take work 7 days a week and no complaints from us. This Saturday though we managed that rare combination this summer- a day off AND nice weather! (will the rain ever end?) We headed down to the dock to take a few hours out in the boat with Bear and his new yellow floatie. Bear isn't all that excited about walking on the dock because it moves and he thinks that is odd. I managed to get him into the boat, then had to convince him that wearing the floatie was cool. He spent the first few minutes frozen like a small statue, acting as though he couldn't walk or breathe. Fortunately that passed quickly, and he accepted the floatie. We went out to Blueberry Island, then Comfort Island, stopping midway so he could take a dip with daddy. After that we lay in the sun and dried before returning to shore. It was such a relaxing afternoon after a very hectic 10 days and Bear really seemed to enjoy himself. Next we will try canoeing?

BEAR'S TRIP TO KNOXVILLE TN

Bear has been rather busy lately....he has traveled to NH NY NJ MA and CT . Yesterday he made his way to one of our favorite states for the first time- TENNESSEE !! We left the cold and rainy Poconos we call home at dawn and headed down 81. Talk about rain!! By the time we crossed into MD it was giving us a break and at the WV border (another favorite state) we had a quick photo op.

We continued through VA through the Shenandoah Valley- this is a fabulous ride and the scenery is just breathtaking. I hoped to stop off at x180 and hike around Natural Bridge which all our other canine crew members have done, but the weather had other plans . We did get a break again so we stopped to breathe in the wonderful post rain air and Bear really seemed to find it exquisite!

Paul realized that Bear's map reading skills may need a brush up so they spent quite a bit of time navigating together!

All that navigating paid off as we managed to get Bear to the Big Guitar in Bristol before continuing on into Knoxville.

Tennessee holds so many special memories for us. Great vacation last year in Gatlinburg, so many great memories in Nashville- even line dancing at the White Horse Saloon. Then Memphis with Graceland AND Beale Street, and you cant leave out Chattanooga and Ruby Falls. Tennessee just has so much energy, beauty and history. And did I mention the barbecue? To DIE for! Before travelling to Memphis I never knew that BBQ Memphis style is having the cole slaw right ON your pulled pork sandwich! So it is also an educational state! :)

Bear had a wonderful trip- he is becoming a true trucker dog- he gets so embarrassed when we carry him to the grass at truck stops but I tell him he cannot walk in diesel drips!

He still barks a bit in the motels at night if the neighbors try and check into their room, but the rest of his manners are impeccable and this trip he also decided he loves watermelon!! Tomorrow it is on to NJ......

DOLLYWOOD

Back in August during our vacation to Gatlinburg TN we stopped our blog on Sunday, promising that Monday would be Dollywood. Somehow it was never written about though so on this rainy April day I can take myself back to that beautiful August day......

For as many years as I can remember I have wanted to go to Dollywood. We got close several times, but the trip always changed up a bit and we missed it. Not this time!! We had spent several great days in Gatlinburg which is next to Pigeon Forge where Dollywood is. Tour guides advised waiting until Monday so the crowds would be easier and we usually take their advice. Monday morning we took Tigger for a nice walk, got him settled and then we walked downtown to Ripleys where the trolleys gather. We hopped on the Pink trolley (of course)which was bound for Dollywood. There was about 20 of us on board and no one else had ever been there either.
After a half hour ride, there it was- DOLLYWOOD and it was almost like the first time you see the Disney Castle in Orlando- kind of like " I cant believe I made it!!"


We were both starving when we got there, having skipped breakfast so we could indulge in the park. Of course the first eatery you come upon is a pastry shop with this huge selection of goodies. Paul is always watching his sugar so we opted for coffee and sat and watched the people coming in. The we started our day, riding every water ride they had- Beaver Creek Boat Float, Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, Mountain Slidewinder, Timber Tower, Smoky Mountain River Rampage. We toured Dolly's tour bus. We rode the 5 mile excursion on Dollywood Express an actual coal fired steam locomotive. We battled in River Battle. We rode the carousel! And we ate.
Ham and Beans, funnel cake with strawberries, barbecue, kettle corn, corn dogs, flat bread sandwiches.....I am surprised we didn't burst.





We also explored the little shops- so many hand made crafts made by local artists. Dollywood has brought prosperity to Pigeon Forge and allowed traditional artisans to maintain their lifestyle. We ordered a hand forged name plate sign for our house and had it shipped back to the Poconos. The weather was sunny and very warm but not awfully hot, we really could not have asked for a nicer day to go. Finally it was time to catch a trolley home to Gatlinburg, to walk Tigger along a stream bordered trail at the Smoky Mountain National Forest and finally sit on our deck on our rocking chairs and watch the sun set over the Smokies. It was another of those days where you just feel truly blessed.

MEET BEAR ROYCE

On March 20 we found our newest family member at Friends of Pep Border Collie Rescue in Gouldsboro PA. I had seen little Bear on the petfinder site for over a week and kept coming back to his picture to look at him.Two years old, chihuahua -boston terrier mix, owner surrender from Kentucky. His picture was really not all that flattering and I was afraid no one would want him. I had been reading petfinder for months looking for a new family member- since the loss of Cato and Niels the house has had a big empty hole that just loomed larger everyday. We have so much love to give but the problem was that we had to find the perfect match. We have met several great dogs, which will make great family additions but they just did not click with us and it would never have been fair to them to not have their perfect forever home. I filled out the online app, called the rescue and was told to come right up. Bear met me at the gate and I knew he was the one. Before I left to see him Paul told me to listen to my heart and it was screaming Bear. A few formalities later and Bear was in his new ride on his way to his new home. We have only been with Bear two weeks now but he has blended in seamlessly and we cant wait to spend a lifetime loving him and making him happy. Let the adventure begin.....

St. Patricks Day, NYC 2009

St. Patricks Day is always fun to be in NY. Everywhere you look you see green and this year was to be no exception. We started our day at Cosmos, walked Tigger and headed up to the parade. The sun was shining and it was really a beautiful day. (Last year we had a big snow right before and we spent the parade wearing snow sneakers and trying to avoid slush. ) One of the first people we saw was this man who was drawing as much attention as the parade. Bagpipes filled the air, Irish flags, hats, scarves and banners. The marchers made their way up Fifth drawing huge applause from the crowds. Back in 1762 the first parade was held in NY when Irish soldiers organized the routes, with marchers gathering at their own churches and marching up to the old St. Patricks Cathedral where the Archbishop would address the crowds. When St. Pats moved uptown, the parade came with it. It remains a marchers parade allowing NO cars, floats or vehicles.

After the parade we took the subway down to the village to walk about and enjoy the sunshine. We followed Bleecker over and passed Johns Pizzeria. Johns was established in 1929 and has consistently been voted "The Best in New York City." Pizza is available in small and large sizes only — No Slices.

We continued our walk uptown now, passing so many restaurants all gaily decorated in green and white, many offering outdoor seating! Woo-hoo winter is over!!! At one point we stopped in at a small shop and had a cup of coffee just to sit and people watch. That is the fun of NY- there is always something or someone to look at!

We ended up walking all the way uptown to Times Square which was still a sea of green tourists and growing crowds outside of the Irish pubs. (The smoking ban in bars has them all smoking outside now). Starting to tire we walked back to our neighborhood, found some corned beef and retired early!

Katz's Deli

It all began while watching the Travel Channel. We really enjoy Adam Richman's show, Man v. Food. What makes it even more fun for us is that we have been to many of the cities he travels to and have seen many of the places. This past week we watched him in NYC and he visited three places we have never been. Katz's Deli is one of them. You will have to stay tuned to find out the others!

It was a mild spring afternoon and a walk was definately in order. We decided to head for Katz's Deli in the East Village for a pastrami sandwich. We headed down 2nd crossed over to 1st at 6th and then followed that to Houston where we made a left. There it was.... since 1888 NY landmark Katz's Deli, 205 Houston St. We looked in the windows and it was so crowded we almost backed out but decided to go on in and eat- after all, we had come this far! Well you walk in the door and a friendly man hands each of us a ticket. We asked him what we do next and he was happy to explain that if we sit at a table against a wall, we would get a waitress. Since the chances of getting a wall table were next to none, we opted for the second choice which was just go anywhere along the counter and place your order, get your food and sit anywhere not against a wall. When I approached the counter I read the big signs advertising various foods and saw the one we were after- Pastrami on Rye $15.00. $15.00!! That is when I decided we would share one sandwich. Before you get the sandwich, you hand the man behind the counter your ticket and he writes on it. Then we went off to eat it - sitting next to a table of New York's finest all enjoying big fat sandwiches too. Sharing was a great idea because the sandwich was huge. The pastrami was just wonderful -melt in your mouth wonderful. Piled high and served with mustard on top, fresh pickles on the side. It is easy to see why Katz's is the place to be. We finished up, enjoyed a few more minutes of people watching, went to the cash register, (cash only)turned in both tickets and paid our tab. After that we were glad to have the long walk home to make up for that pile of pastrami!! Of course we had also smuggled out a few choice pieces in my purse for Tigger. He thought it was wonderful .