Four Paws Kingdom Redux!

Hi all, Bandido here – Since this blog is all about the terrific week we spent at my favorite rv park in the U.S. -- Four  Paws Kingdom in Rutherfordton, North Carolina – I stole mom’s computer and decided to write this entry myself.  

Deluxe Site #18

 Four Paws is all about adult humans and their canine companions.  There are big dog play areas, little dog play areas, agility for fun, agility for sport, hiking trails, a fenced-in swimming pond (my favorite), a grooming station, a bathing room (NOT my favorite), and a unique gift shop with yummy dog treats and dog-themed gifts.  Mom even bought a custom-made (same day) t-shirt featuring the awesome artwork of Birgit, one of the nice owners.  I love Birgit because she always has treats in her hand.

This was mom and dad’s third visit to Four Paws Kingdom; the first visit was 10 years ago, before Tequila and I were born.  They were here with their whippets that I’ve heard so much about.  They were on vacation in a travel trailer before dad retired.  Five years ago they came back in the motor home, again with the whippets, since we weren’t born yet.  Charlie the cat told me all this, because he was here with the whippets.  (He’s older than dirt).  Mom spent a lot of time on the blog entry for that visit, showing all the amenities of the park.  Rather than repeat it all here (my paws might get tired), click on the link to the blog from 2010 if you’d like to check it out:

Blog entry from 2010

What made this year’s visit so special was that we met up with dog-loving family and friends.   Mom’s dear cousin Nancy and her husband Jim spent the first half of the week with us.   Nancy and mom were really “sisters” for a couple of years when mom lived with Nancy and her family in Sarasota, Florida in the early ‘60s.   They hadn’t seen each other for 10 years, so they were really excited to meet up here and camp side by side. 

 Nancy sure is smart – she knows all about dogs and genealogy, my mom’s favorite things, so they had lots to talk about.

Jim recently retired from the military, and in March they purchased an RV to be able to travel with their two huskies, Cota and Sura.   I like the huskies, but I really like Jim.  He threw the ball for me to fetch and even faked me out a few times.  My eyes never left the ball.  It was a fun game!

Mom, Dad, Jim and Nancy enjoyed several happy hours on the awesome fenced-in patio at our site.  The huskies are older than we are and they were too tired from playing, so they stayed home and napped in the evenings.

Me, Tequila, and Izzy got to do our own thing in the adjoining fenced yard area without having to be tied up.  Tequila always gets us tangled up when we’re tied up together, and with Izzy still visiting, forget it!  Not only did we three get tangled up at the rally when we were tied up together, we actually formed a braid with the leashes.  Our fenced yard area here at site #18 at Four Paws is great, because with all the trees, there’s usually some squirrels running around for entertainment.  There are also little geckos that Tequila loves to stalk.

During the day we’d all trudge down to the pond and we dogs swam and played, while the humans sat and talked under the shady gazebo on the porch swing.

Boy, did we ever have fun at the swimming pond!   I hadn’t gotten to swim and fetch for a couple of years, but I remembered just how to do it.   I even swam all the way across the pond one time just for fun.

The Three Amigos

Catch me if you can!  

I was running a little behind in the above photo, 'cause it's a little more difficult to run with a tennis ball in your mouth.  If not for that, I know I'd be in the lead.

Izzy Jones (see prior blog entry) was still with us during this half of the week, so she also got to play with Jim and Nancy’s huskies.  Cota (the dark husky) took a special liking to Izzy.  It kinda made me jealous, ‘cause Izzy’s my girl. 

Me and my gal

Here’s a short video of me swimming out to fetch a tennis ball:

I hate to brag, but I’m a really good swimmer.  (I might have been showing off for Izzy a little.)

Jim and Nancy

Cota and Sura

On Wednesday morning Jim and Nancy headed home toward Virginia Beach.  Now that they have an RV, we plan to meet up again on the road and they might make the long drive to South Texas and visit us at our home there.  When they do, I’ll take Cota and Sura to our doggie park and fill the tub with water.  They’ll really like that, because I watched them get into a tub at the big dog play area.

Soon after Nancy and Jim left, our Retama Village friends Barb and Greg arrived.   They didn’t have their rv with them so they rented one of the cabins.   After having my pal Izzy with me for over a month, I was REALLY upset when Greg took Izzy home to their cabin.  I barked and cried when he put her in the car and drove away!   It was okay, though, because soon we all met up and went to the doggie park and played.

More happy hours on the patio.   Boy, do humans love to sit, drink wine, and talk!  Since Barb and Greg didn’t have their grill and all the things we drag around in our rv, they ate supper with us at our place.  It wasn’t fair that the humans got hamburgers and all we had were rawhide chews.  

One morning we went to the agility fun play area (that’s for dogs like us who don’t really know how to do agility but like to play).  Me and Izzy climbed up the ramp and did a few tricks.  Tequila couldn’t be bothered – she was too busy lookin’ for lizards (her favorite pastime).

I just know there's a lizard in there somewhere....

Friday morning was a very sad day for me.   Barb and Greg took Izzy away with them to finish their vacation in other places.   I won’t get to see Izzy until next fall when we’re back in Texas.  Greg had a selfie-stick, so they took their picture together in the big dog play area before they got in the car.  We weren’t allowed to go to the pond that morning.  I don’t understand why humans don’t love the wet-dog-pond smell, but Barb and Greg opted not to have that in their car.

After Izzy left, mom and dad took us on the hiking trails here at Four Paws.  Here’s a picture of me and dad on the Hansel and Gretel trail:

Mom got a kick out of all the clever signs posted along the trail.  Here are just a sampling:

The trail was only a mile and-a-half long, but it was in the woods with some really good smells along the way. 

No happy hours after Barb and Greg left.  Mom just sat outside in her recliner, did Sudoku, and looked up at the trees surrounding our site.  Dad read his book and did crossword puzzles.  Mom talks about how peaceful it is here and how they wish they’d stayed for two weeks instead of just one.  As for me, I’d like to live here!

Today was our last full day here at Four Paws.  Bright and early we met Birgit and three other dogs and their humans at the Agility Sport field (the one they keep locked up unless you know how to use). 

Birgit (in pink) teaching my parents how to do agility. I didn't need to pay attention, 'cause I've already "got it."

As well as an artist, singer, and all-around creative person, Birgit is an accomplished dog trainer.  She offered a class this morning as an introduction to agility.  I already knew I’d be awesome at agility, but since Tequila was never interested in it, we didn’t really have high expectations for her.

Good Girl!

Well, she proved us all wrong!  Tequila jumped over jumps, walked up and down the very tall A-frame, went through the tunnel, and even went through the chute where fabric at the exit hides the opening.  She went right through it!   Of course, the treats might have had a little to do with her prowess, but mom and dad were sure proud of her.  Now she has no excuse when we play at the agility park in Texas; she’s going to have to participate whether she wants to or not.

Tonight mom and dad are going to a “Toothpick Potluck” where all the food is supposed to be able to be picked up by toothpicks.  Me and Tequila have to stay home, but I’m sure mom will leave us with some treats while they’re gone.  Tomorrow morning we leave here, heading toward some place called Ohio.   I’ll let mom and dad update the blogs from there, because no way could it be as awesome a place as 4 Paws Kingdom! 

 The pet photo of the day is for my mom, since she’s feeling so nostalgic about the whippets, since they loved it here so much.  This photo was the original opening photo for the Travel with Whippets blog. 

The Original Traveling Whippets

Rally Time! North Carolina

Roger here...  First an editor's note.  We have wasted a great deal of time fussing with Blogger, loading pictures from multiple devices and Live Writer.  These are recent issues for us that have made the publication of posts far more difficult than they were in the past.  Unless we figure out how to simplify things, our traveling posts will be far fewer than in the past.  

Rant over.  Now it's Rally Time.  We have attended two RV Dreams Educational Rallies in the past.  The first was in South Carolina (near Myrtle Beach).  The second was in Kerrville, Texas.  Howard and Linda Payne organize these rallies for RVers who want to spend extended time traveling in their RVs.  We learned a great deal at the rallies, and we also made some good friends.  Last week we arrived in the mountains of western North Carolina for a RV Dreams Reunion Rally (for people who had attended any of the past educational rallies).  Instead of attending seminars, the focus of this rally was having fun with friends we'd met at previous rallies.  Fun it was!

The Rally Campground at the Tom Johnson RV dealership in Marion NC had a huge covered pavilion, full hook ups, and a beautiful setting with mountain views and expansive stretches along the Catawba River to walk the dogs.

ASHEVILLE

We spent most of one day walking around Asheville while many of the other attendees toured the Biltmore House, which we had previously seen.  We stopped at the visitors' center and picked up a walking tour map.  What a cool city for a three-mile stroll.  Lots of interesting architecture, parks, shops, and places to eat.

Speaking of eating.  We took a walk down memory lane having hand-made chocolate sodas and egg salad sandwiches at the restored Woolworth's food counter.  

I had forgotten how delicious chocolate sodas were.  You do not find them much any more.

We decided to drive back to the campground via the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We enjoyed the quiet and scenic drive,

but it began to cloud up when we meandered through the mountains so most of the pictures we took were not worth posting.

ZIP LINING...

I have always wanted to go zip lining.  Howard found a perfect place for our group at the  Navitat Canopy Adventures in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Dianne has a fear of heights and opted out of the trip, but I had a blast.  Our group was able to zip on three very long lines (one of them 350 feet above the forest canopy).  We were in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so the views were spectacular.  This is definitely something  I will do again.

BLACK MOUNTAIN FOODIE TOUR...

One of the afternoons we drove a short distance to the scenic town of Black Mountain.  We had signed up for a walking tour of the town, which included sampling stops at four different restaurants, a wine shop, and a fudge/ice cream shop.  The restaurants paired wine/champagne/lemonade and hard cider with tasty specialties from the chefs.  

We were served roasted pork belly on a risotto at the Red Rocker Inn.

Bright red outdoor furniture seems to be a trend in this area.

The black bean quesadilla at Louisa was yummy.  They also serve mimosas at breakfast (or, for the guys, a manmosa --- champagne and Pabst Blue Ribbon.)  We did not sample that one.

The Monte Vista Hotel served a really good tostada paired with a sparkling wine and a strawberry.  

While wandering the town prior to the tour, we had already bought two bottles of wine at the wine shop.  We enjoyed re-meeting the owner, an Ole Miss graduate, during our tasting visit.

I am sure that there was enough walking between stops to work off all those calories... not!

HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS...

Friends of ours, Bill and Nancy, from South Carolina arranged a group hiking trip to Linville Falls (a stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway).  Our wives (and Bill) refer to us as long-lost brothers due to our similar idiosyncrasies.  We are both organized and anal retentive to a fault.  We both love the outdoors.  We both love hiking and biking.  We both sold our homes so we could travel.  We even (unknowingly) wore identical shirts and shoes on the hiking excursion.

  

We even developed identically deformed pinkie fingers.  







The relatively short hike to the water falls was great.  It was exhiliarating to be able to resume our hiking activities in such a spectacular setting.

Moss on a log.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL

Wildlife :-)

SOUTH CREEK WINERY...

On the last day of the rally, Dianne and I traveled a few miles to the South Creek Winery, where we sampled the red wines and...

... shared part of a bottle of cabernet franc on the patio while listening to live music.  

There were many activities in the rally pavilion.  They included games, relay races, videos, and eating.  I was able to renew past fun that I have had playing corn hole.  I had a blast participating in the relay races.  We both enjoyed a variety of catered meals including:  two full breakfasts, a southern feast with chicken and ribs and a hamburger barbecue.  The last meal was a Hawaiian Luau.  The roasted pig photo is a little disconcerting for some --- including me -- but the food looked and tasted a lot better on the plate.  

We enjoyed our meals with new friends Bob and Lindy from Minnesota and...




...  old friends (at least for me) Greg and Diana.  

Ironically,  Greg, Diana and I attended the same small high school in Pendleton IN.  We rediscovered each other at a previous rally in Kerrville TX.

Dianne here -- The pet photo of the day was inspired after our Texas friends, Barb and Greg Jones, made a visit one afternoon to see their dog, Izzy, who we've been dog-sitting for the past month.  

Izzy was so glad to see them that she jumped into their car, sat down, and refused to get out.   She's saying "Take me HOME!"  That day finally happens tomorrow, and she'll be one happy pup!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN -- FINALLY!

Hi all, Dianne here.   Well, after a year and a half we were ready to once again hit the road.  First, there were a few preparations: 

All of our outdoor furnishings had to be put inside the casita.   This is a rule in our neighborhood, in case there is a hurricane while residents are out exploring the USA.  Our patio looked pretty lonely…

The big day finally arrived, and we were loaded up and ready to go.

 We had one extra passenger for the first portion of our trip. Izzy, a/k/a Isobel Jones, was our house guest the last few weeks we were home.  Izzy’s parents, our good friends Greg and Barb, had a prior commitment to house sit near Asheville, North Carolina and were not able to have Izzy accompany them.  Since we were also headed to North Carolina and the dates jived up perfectly, Izzy stayed with us in Texas and then made the trip to North Carolina with us, to be delivered to Barb and Greg after their house-sitting duties were finished.   As you can see, traveling with one extra dog was really not an issue; Izzy is the perfect house AND rv guest.



Tequila, on the other hand, was always on the lookout for a snack!

Our first overnight stop was at Shady Oaks Campground near Ganados, Texas (see opening photo).  We stopped a bit earlier than we had planned, because all of the campgrounds closer to Houston were “no vacancy” due to oil workers.   Our second day took us to Lakeside RV Park in Livingston, Louisiana.  Our third day gave us our first “adventure” of this summer’s trip…

   As the afternoon progressed, we were trying to outrun a series of thunderstorms that were chasing us across the state of Alabama.  Tuscaloosa was our intended stop for the day.  Roger had had a very difficult time finding a spot to park near Tuscaloosa.  We decided it was too hot to boondock at a Walmart, so we headed to the only private campground in the area.  I’ll let Roger continue the narrative from here….   


 The campground was only about a mile from the interstate and was rated 3.5 stars on RV Park Reviews.  Good news so far.  When we arrived at the “office”, just as the storm was knocking down tree limbs, we found the door locked.  A sign on the door said to go to the welcome center to fill out a self registration.  I ran down the street and found a ramshackle building.  It must have been 100 degrees inside and dark enough to make reading a strain on the eyes.  The hand-scribbled directions said to locate the park map on the wall and pick out a vacant site.  As I was trying to decipher the map, boom --- thunder.  I grabbed a registration card and ran back to the motorhome.  Dianne was urging (very polite verb to describe the intensity of her “suggestion”) me to move the motor home away from the falling limbs and out into one of the empty spaces ahead.  All of them were empty.  We parked in one of the spots and waited until the worst of the storm passed before connecting the electricity which did actually work.

Twenty minutes later, the storm had passed, so we took a walk around the park.  The broken lawn furniture tossed in the woods was a precursor to what we already surmised to be the ambiance of the place.

 This must be one of the deluxe sites.  It obviously was because of the extra amenities --- Adirondack chair (only a couple of missing slats) and most of a privacy fence.

 The view from our motor home gives a clear view of the neighborhood.  We did talk about leaving, but since there did not seem to be any viable options, we locked the doors and watched the forest for peering eyes and listened for banjo music.  We knew Bandido and Izzy would be our first-alert system if anyone came near.


  We awoke the next morning in one piece, unhooked, and departed without ever seeing another soul.   A Twilight Zone experience.

On to Chattanooga and the very nice    Best Holiday Trav-L-Park for two nights, just off the interstate.  The purpose of our stop here was to visit my cousin, Beth, her kids, and her grandkids.  Beth and I were part of a very close extended family.  In our youth, every Sunday involved a trip to grandma and grandpa’s for dinner and fun at the farm and apple orchard.  Simpler times.  We went to the same school, were in the same grade, had the same teachers, and graduated from high school together.  Beth was, and is, more like a sister to me than a cousin.  We had a delicious dinner at her house with her two daughters and three grandkids.

After dinner, young Ethan asked me to help him make his “building” taller.  Someone actually asked me to make something taller!  I got to play with toys.  What fun.  (Roger was really in his element – D.)

The next day Beth arranged for the three of us to do the coolest thing.  At the ESCAPE CHATTANOOGA EXPERIENCE we were handcuffed and locked in a room (resembling a prison cell).  We were given one hour to discover the clues, props and puzzles that would enable us to escape.  It was a rush every time we figured something out.  We promised not to reveal any of the secrets, so I won’t, but it was a unique experience that had us laughing throughout.  Alas, we were not among the 42% who found their way out within an hour.

After our failed escape, Beth took us to the Mellow Mushroom in downtown Chattanooga for some excellent pizza. 

 We at outside in a small city that has a whole lot going for it.  The city fathers have made some wise decisions with the development of the downtown area.  Lots to do and see here.  Neat town. 

Our next stop is in the mountains of North Carolina for fun and adventures at the RV Dreams Rally.  More on that next time.   We will be updating our blog on a regular basis again, now that we’re traveling.

The Pet Picture of the Day was taken at the dog park at our Chattanooga campground.  It was simple to get Izzy and Bandido to climb onto the agility bridge.  1.  Put tennis ball on top  2.  Watch Bandido run to top.  3. Watch Izzy run after Bandido.