Trippin'

 Hubby and I are taking a weekend trip. This will be the first time we have traveled together on a mini trip since ....

well, 2007???

My job that I got in 2008 took up most weekends and I rarely got any time off unless it was well planned and almost always got called in. Trips became non existent after that. Most 'trips' were to the Mad City VA Hospital and I don't call those a get away.

I convinced him to accompany me to go see his newest Grand daughter in person. This trip will probably be a one-off. I don't see him doing it again as he is adamant about being home bound.

He has agreed to try it.

Things that are different now if we go anywhere together.

Organize meds. Bring 02, bring extra 02, bring the concentrator, CPAP, and all the various hoses. 

The drive time will be around 4 hours or so with or without pit stops. He is used to my driving now since he quit being able to drive after his stroke years ago. 

It should be maddeningly interesting to have the back seat driver next to me while driving through busy areas. I do it my way and he wants it done another. Hopefully, he will rest and snooze?

Charlie is going with us. This adds another dimension of complications and fun. Charlie hates the back seat but the front passenger side will be occupied. I have a new harness for Charlie that can hook up to a doggy restraint system that hooks over the back seat head rests. He'll have his 'car' seat crate stuffed with pillows so he can see out the window.

I'll have his doggy bed in the other seat so maybe he'd like that.

I've tried to figure out all of the angles for this ride. 

Seeing the newest Grand Baby will be a breath of fresh air and joy for him. It may be a taxing trip, but we are going to do it.

Best of luck to us! 

See yah....

Know how to work the cute face ~ By Morris

Once again the lady of the house started packing up her bags. I sat next to her suitcase and stared intently at her.
It had been so long since I'd gone on a trip that I wasn't sure She even remembered how to take me along anymore.

He put me in the crate while She loaded up the car. I cried and acted pitiful as could be. I was devastated. All my cuteness had not worked.
She was leaving once again without me.

Then He picked up my crate with me in it and carried it outside to the car. I went into the back seat of the Subaru and I was beyond excited. I dug around in my crate and shook like crazy. I even whined.
Adventure time!

Our Big Adventure started the next day. I started the day tired out. My buddy Scout and I had played late in the yard after I got there. I hadn't slept most of the trip either because I had been so excited for the car ride.

Scout is a youngster who is full of energy. He had this deal about sticks and water. I was not impressed, however I did watch him with a certain sense of jealousy.

We stopped for a sit down at this place on the big lake beach. I climbed up into Her lap and tucked my head into Her arm for a nap.
Oh.
We were not done hiking!

She picked me up and commented on my sleepy looking face. I gave Her my Bedroom Eyes look.

Silly Scout kept leaping about full of energy.

Not me. She put me down and immediately the nice girl called D'manda picked me up.

With all that she was carrying, she sweetly picked me up and gave me a lift. I liked her a LOT.
I was quite impressed at how she could cross a log with that backpack and carry me at the same time.

Isn't she wonderful?

We rested on a bridge for a while before heading back to their car to have lunch. I gave everyone googly eyes and got some crusts of bread.
When you get to be an old dog you really know how to work a people's emotions.
On the drive to our next destination, I promptly went to sleep.

We stopped at another place and off we went. I felt pretty good after that short nap.

But then I started 'the sleepy tired out' look again.

And...

Even the Daryl Guy picked me up and gave me a lift.
I didn't mind it at all until my pal came by and then I made an effort to get into her arms.

I really dig her.
I think my cute face and small size impresses people.
And Scout?

Alas, he was Scout...ever the entertainer...

I was quite sad on the day we had to leave our friend's place. I'd had so much fun. Well, except for the evil nasty scary black cat that lives in Scout's house.
She swatted me on the head and after that I avoided her like the plague.
However I did teach her one good lesson.

Jack Russells will eat cat food.
We headed towards home and She stopped at yet another hiking place.
And guess what?
Yep, you guessed it. I asked to be picked up and....she obliged.

However it was for a self portrait to mark the end of our Big Adventure.

I slept the rest of the way home.

Really...
I really do know how to work that Cute Face to my advantage....

Could you resist all this grey faced cuteness?
I think not.

Road Trip? Can we go again soon?

Gettin' the Itch

I don't know why but every once in a while I get this intense desire to go somewhere and discover something.

I would like to do some traveling and 'seeing'.  I've been thinking about making a journey to see the south shore of Lake Superior and taking in a trip to see the multitude of state parks and waterfalls of northern Wisconsin.

I've even found my mind wandering about and looking at maps to the point where I use Google Maps to find out how long of a drive it is between places I want to see.

I sort of imagine myself going alone. Or perhaps with Morris. Although some parks and trails don't welcome dogs. Alone then would be the choice because then I wouldn't have to worry about him.
Then I wonder if going alone would be fun. Perhaps I'd like to travel and explore with someone else. I thought of my two grand daughters as travel companions. 

When I took a trip to 'shoot' my youngest son's wedding, I booked a room checked the route to drive [no GPS then] used a printed map from Google [have since purchased a good paper map] and plotted my little trip.

I enjoyed myself immensley. The drive was pretty nice even if I missed the motel and had to stop and ask for directions.

But staying on a Lake and having moments of peace and quiet to myself, was priceless.

And it felt good.

I've armed myself with a Garmin now and a good paper map of course. I've upgraded to a 'Smartie-Phone' and have a decent vehicle that begs for travel.

Last year Rich had cancer and my entire year was taken up with caring for him. That was a good thing, I found that I could handle taking care of someone and being there for them. It was an act of devotion and love.

This year we are remodeling the house. The contractor's work is finished and my thoughts keep going back to wandering.

I've started to compile a list of places I'd like to see. And I've discovered that these parks are also open in the winter which gives me a new thought.
I love winter, I love hiking and snowshoeing. I love winter photography.

What if?
I do some winter traveling?

Weather would be a big concern. But...but, the open road still calls.

Pack up your cameras and a light travel bag.

There are things and places out there just waiting to be seen and photographed.

I know.
I can hear the Siren Call.

And the trails are calling to me...

I'm getting itchy feet.

Road Trip

Off I went. Morris scrambled and barked in his crate as I shut the door and got into the car.
The rain was spitting down and the temperatures had suddenly become very fall-like.

Here was my 'big' trip to go see Lily and the rest of the gang.  I promised myself that this time when I crossed the Wisconsin River on Highway 21, I would take the time to pull into the wayside and get a shot of the river and the bridge.
The leaves have gone but the pines still are brilliant green against the dull backdrop of dormant trees.  Most oaks still have their leaves and the wild clouds all made for a fairly good photograph.

Although as I knelt by the river a very cold wind blew into my face. And I decided not to spend too long of a time there.

My real intent had been to go back to the Subaru and get a ND filter so I could have a long exposure of the sky, bridge, and the water.  I decided to heck with it and packed up.

I went to use the restroom and decided against that also.  The smell of the toilets were ripe even with the winds.
Note to self, the place is worth stopping at, but get a whiff of the bathrooms!

I headed east towards Coloma and stopped at the Ship Rock Wayside.  There are a few tables there and the garbage cans have been removed for the season.
I got out and was surprised that I was not cold.  In this area I was somewhat protected from the winds by the surrounding forest.

 

I went around to the backside of the 'rock' and found some exotic looking fern growth on the side of mossy rocks.

Leaves had blown into a dip in the rocks and were the nearly the only fall colors left.

I stopped for coffee before getting on the interstate and headed to Wausau to meet with my son and see Elena and Sterling before he had to go to work.

After I checked in to my motel I got a text from Lily.  Her mom would drop her off with me after she finished her CCE classes!

When Lily showed up we headed to the motel pool.  I sat on the edge of the pool .... note to self... get a swim suit!
We talked and she swam and played.
By 9pm we thought we should retire.

We watched it snow outside for a bit and tried to thing of cool things to do while I was here.  Rib Mountain State Park or Dells of Eau Clair?  

Hittin' The Road

I think the laundry is done, the bags are packed...Morris is pouting as I didn't pack any of his toys.

I am going on a road trip to Wausau tomorrow. The trip will be the first since hubby's illness was diagnosed and our lives were put on hold for months of treatment.

I think he needs a break from me too.  Although my home cooking may be missed.

Boldly and confidently I made reservations at a Motel not far from Rib Mountain State Park and ski area.
I will have all day Wednesday to be a...lone...
No calls from work, no emails, no chores, no housekeeping, no medical appointments...just me.
I hope the rain will ease up so I can scout out a trail at Rib Mountain when I get there.  

If not, I will simply luxuriate in being by myself.  
Thursday I was hoping for decent weather so that Lily, Jer, and I could explore some trails.

The weather Friday may be nice enough to take the kids on an easy trail, hopefully we can figure out which one is the paved trail and take a stroller.
If not, we'll wing it.

I think I am ready.