floridatjej

Inlägg publicerade under kategorin Allmänt

Av EvaLena Hallgren - 8 juli 2020 12:53

Good morning, yesterday I spent a lot of time in the car Mom driving through an entire state 

 

We didn't explore any places in Tennessee because Mom really wants to get further North to the places she had in mind, to begin with. Hopefully, the weather will cool down a tad so it's easier to spend time outside.

At a rest stop, we met this guy that had a bird that talked ............in my life I have learned that birds chirp, not talk like a human...........it freaked me out. Mom thought he was funny


A nice house with a great porch and it reminded Mom of a movie, but as usual she couldn't remember the title........... 

    

Driving on highway 40 most of the time make us both sleepy and it's fine for me I can take as many naps as I want. I have a great front seat, but occasionally I jump in the back to stretch out on the big bed. Mom, of course, has to stay awake and drive, but when she feels too sleepy she'll try to find a spot to park and come back with me to nap.

Unfortunately, the rest stops are far between so we exit the highway, and this time we snoozed by a stadium with these signs.

 


Driving along on country roads we are often passed by loud trucks that let off a big black cloud as they're passing us.

I'm wondering if they're sending us a message? ..........Mom thinks they want to tell us that we are in Kentucky now.....maybe?

  


Riding shotgun I have a great view of everything and I see a lot of unusual and sometimes strange things, like these striped horses for instance........

   


looking ahead we may have a rainstorm coming...............


 

driving on country backroads takes much more time but it's more to look at and keeps more alert.

 


we arrived at Mammoth cave too late for the tour, and it's still 91F (33C) so we decided to rent a little cabin nearby to spend the night and visit a cave in the morning. Mom thought this little stone house looked interesting but there was this peculiar smell that set off Mom's allergy so we had to find a different place.

 

Interesting rocks and you have to pay money for these? They are geodes

Most geodes contain clear quartz crystals, while others have purple amethyst crystals.There is no easy way of telling what the inside of a geode holds until it is cut open or broken 
 
this is all from a rather uneventful day, maybe today will bring more excitements.........I hope so
 
sloppy kisses ya'll
 
 



Av EvaLena Hallgren - 7 juli 2020 10:47

Good Morning all, it's 4 AM and I think Mom has trouble sleeping because today is the day we'll be giving up this awesome stay and get back on the road to continue our adventure. It's sad to say goodbye to friends but we have to stick to our plan, and maybe we can come back here another time?  Right, Mom? Right? ???

 

Yesterday our hosts took us out on their boat and we had a fantastic day out on a lake named Lake James, Mom asked me if I wanted to go for a swim, but I don't even know if I know how to, so I stayed safely on the boat with Pam.

There were many gorgeous homes surrounding the lake and the water had a greenish color 

 


Mom and Rick decided to jump in the water to cool off and they both said the water was amazing..........still I had no desire to find out if they were telling the truth..............I just took their word for it.

 

 Lake James is 1,200 feet above sea level located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains The lake was created between 1916 and 1923 with the construction of dams across the Catawba River and two tributaries, Paddy Creek and Linville River. These impoundments were connected by a broad canal to form a 6,812-acre body of water. Lake James has been a hydroelectric unit for the power company since the early 1900s   

   

The motion of the boat and wind made me sleepy, so I napped most of the time

 

Back at the shore as we were waiting for Rick and Pam to cover the boat Mom tried to create a picture of us by using rocks..........you guys see any resemblance? 

   


All is well, and we're off to new sights and experiences......................

wet kisses to you ya'll

Av EvaLena Hallgren - 6 juli 2020 14:30

Good Morning, we're still living in luxury (Mom said. don't get used to it because it'll come to an end soon)

It was foggy and very quiet when we got up except this strange bird that never seems to get tired of singing. He's a Whipporwill not very pretty but a diligent singer   


 




Yesterday Mom thought it would be a good idea to throw me a ball to suppress some of my energy but as the house is on a hill and Mom didn't want me in the woods (ticks) she decided I could play on this big porch. 

Unfortunately, the ball rolled down the stairs and I managed to squeeze through and got hung up which ended the game rather quickly.

 


These bright yellow patches seemed to develop out of nowhere and people call it "dog vomit"?? I swear I didn't do it

.. It is commonly known as the scrambled egg slime, or flowers of tan because of its peculiar yellowish, bile-colored appearance. Also known as slime mold, it is common with a worldwide distribution, and it is often found on bark mulch in urban areas after heavy rain or excessive watering.

 

I think we should come here in the winter so we can sit by this bonfire and grill sausages..... (hot dogs is something totally different in my world)  

I made Bode a proposal..................." how about if I move here with you and we become brothers?" He never answered

but the look on his face told me exactly what he felt about that. 

 

 

oh well, can't win them all and Mom would probably not let me anyway, so don't worry Bode 

 

 

I do like his squeaky toys, and I managed to destroy 3 of them (sorry Bode) and I heard I'll be receiving a couple as presents for my trip. 

 

I dragged all his toys one at the time out to the living room and tried really hard to get Bode to play a game of tug of war, but all he did was laying down on top of them all to take a nap? I don't get it, but Mom said I will be like that too when I get older..............

 

 


I heard we're in for a new (for me) adventure today, and I can't wait to find out what...................I'll get you all updated tomorrow.............

sending morning breath kisses to y'all

 

 

 

Av EvaLena Hallgren - 4 juli 2020 20:55

As usual, we were up really early and got back on the road driving Northwest towards our next destination and I was riding shotgun looking at the beautiful surrounding which now are becoming rolling hills.

 


The first stop was a city named Asheville and is located in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, which would be Mom's favorite thing but we made a very short stop because there were big crowds and Mom worries about the virus that neither one of us wants.

This looked like the main square, and Mom admired the Glass sphere but I wanted to get back to the car.

 

        

Not sure if eyes on a pigs butt are art but Mom thought it was funny?

 

Not sure if this is the kind of art they are referring to when they claim an artsy town? 

Anyway, we didn't stick around in town because we had a very different goal in mind................ I had no clue but Mom

said we're going to a place where I'll meet a friend and have a great time...............I can't wait

      


The roads are getting narrower and more winding and hilly ...............this is going to be quite interesting  

Finally, we were at an iron gate and behind it was a gorgeous view.

 

 


There was a welcome sign at the door?  

 

 

Wow, MOM lets move here this place is awesome and a Chinese crested powderpuff named Bode lives here. He is a little older than I am so not as willing to run around and play as I am but he is very nice. His Dad's name is Rick 

 

and his Mom's name is Pam and they all used to live across the street from my house in Florida


Bode has a huge toy box and he let me play with them all. I LOVE this place Mom can we move in? 

Mom loves it too and she agrees it would be awesome, but our hosts may get tired of us in a few days...

 

     


The view is breathtaking and this is from the bedroom that we're staying in.................no televisions are needed here for sure.

   

Mom and Rick went for a walk and they left me at the house which wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but Bode's Mom was still home so I was ok after all, and Mom did come back so maybe I don't have to worry about her so much anymore..............................She HAS promised to always come back, but sometimes I don't know if she really really means it.........

 


This place is so gorgeous and is a part of the Bear Cliff and Pisgah National Forest and the lake below is Lake James.........

slobbering wet kisses to everybody and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.

 

Av EvaLena Hallgren - 3 juli 2020 12:32

Good Morning from somewhere on the road, (not sure Mom knows exactly where we are either so it's a very good thing the people talking to her via satellite knows), We just woke up(read Mom) once again staying at a Motel since the pole to the tent broke AGAIN. As soon as we get to a city we'll be sending this entire thing back for a full refund. 

As Mom is getting dressed she found 2 things she didn't need and thought it'll be a great look for me......NOT

 

Today we went to Charleston which is South Carolinas largest city

the city was founded  1670 as Charles town honoring King Charles of England,

Travel Leisure magazine has ranked Charleston the best city in the US for years.
I can see why, because there are gorgeous houses and alleys all over town

            

There was a lot to explore here but first, we went to a dog park so I could play and do my business. It's too hot and dogs I didn't know so I wasn't in the mood to even chase a ball or do anything. Mom understood because she felt the same way. I have a feeling these guys must feel a lot worse than I did with their thick coat who's supposed to withstand a snowstorm says Mom..................(I have never seen snow)

 

What about these poor mules that have to walk and walk to pull tourists around and listen to the same stories all day long....I do feel sorry for them

 

This is a picture of a picture of The rainbow row, because it was impossible to get a decent picture since all houses was behind trees and some covered in construction tarps. Supposedly it's the most photographed in all of town, Mom don't understand how?

 

The pink house is the oldest stone building built of Bermudan limestone but we couldn't find it so here's a yellow house instead


 

Contrasts of new and old

 


MOM,,Mooooommmm I'm being kidnapped, Heelllllp.................Don't be so dramatic she said, the lady only held you up to show her husband she found the dog she wanted, AND she was wearing a mask


 



Pineapple Fountain- Located in Charleston's Waterfront Park, the fountain was placed here in 1990 during the springtime after Hurricane Hugo had hit. Pineapples are popular in Charleston as they are used as symbols of hospitality.

 

Mom wanted me to skip this picture for two reasons. The building in the background which is an art gallery doesn't seem to fit in with everything else in town, AND she is upset she didn't take 2 steps to the left so the building would stand straight,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,picky picky 

There was a sign that you were allowed to wade in the water, so Mom tried to cool me off but it spooked me

     


The new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, constructed in 2005 and named after former U.S Representative Arthur Ravenel Jr., who pushed the project to fruition, was at the time of its construction the second longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere

 


Charlestown played a major role in the slave trade which lay the foundation for the city's size and wealth

the city has also been a hotspot for pirates blamed on a weak government and corruption.

Despite that grim history, the towners have a great sense of humor,

   


here's another fountain to cool off, but still of no interest of me

Considered the most haunted building in Charleston, The Old City Jail has been featured on nearly every major ghost program on TV.


Home of Charleston’s most notorious criminals during the 1800s and early 1900s, the Old Jail is now said to be haunted by the more than 13,000 prisoners who were executed on site. Denmark Vesey, a carpenter, community leader, and enslaved African was accused and convicted of being the leader of "the rising,” a major potential slave revolt planned for the city of Charleston. Local history indicates Vesey spent his final days locked in one of the jail's towers before his execution in 1822.

 


all this walking was getting so exhausting so we hired a bike taxi to take us back to the car. I loved the ride


     

This young lady who was from Serenity outreach sisters handed Mom a free sunflower...........they were sowing seeds of love, and Mom felt it for sure

 

The entire group was working on a presentation movie, and they included us and asked if they could pray for our continued trip. Sure Mom said it could be a good thing. They were a GREAT group of young ladies who had us smiling for the rest of the day. Their shirts are nice and Mom just got a message that they will send her one too

 



   

so much green and beauty everywhere, so as far as we can see the grim history is all gone

     


Finally when we are about a half a block from the car this mockingbird was singing so loud it made us stop to listen


Believe it or not, but the bird was following us and serenaded us from a safe distance all the way, and finally sat down on the car parked next to us watching us get in and leave.............was he/she trying to tell us something?

back in the car and comfortable AC I thought Mom was lost because she drove in circles and into narrow alleys, but she explained we were still sightseeing............ok but I don't care I took a very deserved nap.

 

Mom really fell in love with this city and asked me how I would feel about moving here ...........here's my response  zzzzzzzzzzzz 

We're now on our way Northwest on a highway which hypnotizes and made Mom very sleepy so she just pulled off an exit despite what the satellite people said. We now drove through farmland where there were fields of corn as far as your eyes could see, and the houses are huge and with gorgeous wrap-around porches. It helped Moms sleepiness for a while but soon enough she pulled over and we took a well-deserved nap in the car.

Today is a new day for more adventures...........sloppy kisses to y,all as they say here 


Av EvaLena Hallgren - 2 juli 2020 12:40

Good Morning, waking up in a hotel at 6AM and weather looks promising so hopefully no more rain. We went looking around town last night and I'm sorry to say I do not like cities at all. There's so much noise and smells and people everywhere, and it makes me nervous. Mom is cool as a cucumber telling me it's nothing to worry about as long as she is with me, but I'm supposed to be protecting HER, while she's looking and taking pictures of everything.


         


Savannah is a coastal Georgia city, separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River. It’s known for manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages, and architecture. Its historic district is filled with cobblestoned squares and parks.

The hand-laid cobblestones that compose Savannah’s iconic River Street are from much farther than a stone’s throw away. The stones were originally used as ballast material on the many ships that sailed into Savannah’s harbor.

 

 

   

 


Everywhere I go i hear people go awwww and ooohh sooo cute ohhh he looks like a teddybear and everybody wants to hold me and pet me. One little girl asked her Mom if she could trade her 4 pets for me??  Not happening said both Moms

 

Interesting history about this town.......................................Union General Sherman burned Atlanta to the ground during his infamous southbound march in the Civil War. When he arrived in Savannah, the city’s beauty inspired him to spare it. Instead of destroying Savannah like he did Atlanta, Sherman sent a telegraph of Savannah, with its neat squares and lush greenery, to President Lincoln offering the city to him as a Christmas present..........

  

there was a lot of traffic on the river, and the more modern part seems to be on the other side.........

 

it was dark before we left town to get back to the hotel and luckily we didn't have to drive over this bridge.......psssst Mom is scared of heights

 

 

soon we'll continue our trip for new places and new things......................slobbering kisses to you all  Henry

Av EvaLena Hallgren - 1 juli 2020 23:45

Hello, the second day on the road and we are in a new state now

   

and Mom pulled over to buy one of her favorite snacks which are roasted pecan nuts.

I wasn't about to stop begging sitting so close watching her munching away so I finally got a taste and I ate it (it would have been rude not to) but yuck I didn't beg for seconds.

Our first stop was Silver Springs campsite which Mom had heard a lot of nice things about and seen gorgeous pictures of Kayaking in a crystal clear river. So she called to find out if I would be allowed kayaking and was told it was no problem.....not so, only if you brought your own kayak, which we didn't. Lesson learned is to call and ask for the same info several times, maybe until you get the same answer twice or three times. The campsite was on gravel far away from the water and not very appealing at all. Only animal life we encountered was hard-skinned guy,

 

we walked around the park and it was hot 100F (37C) so we were lucky the big trees gave us shade, and we didn/t have to worry about any crowds

 


The glass-bottom boat closed because of thunder, but that didn't matter to me because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be allowed. The water was absolutely crystal clear so if we had a kayak I'm sure Mom would have gone out there..........................No we wouldn't have: said Mom >what about the thunder?

 

and what about this? I say..............smack them with the paddle Mom says..........HA! yeah right

 

 


It is so hot everybody is panting 

   

 

there wasn't much more to see here so Mom decided to continue on driving Florida's backroads toward Savannah Georgia. I do not know what made Mom turn into this city, named "Starke" maybe it was the name which means "strong" in Swedish.........In any event, it was a small quaint town with a great campsite where we spent the night.

  

 

I sat in the back of the car cheering Mom on as she struggles with the tent. Luckily 2 young ladies came to help. Again one of the poles split lengthwise ........good thing is we're heading towards Asheville where it's made so we can get it fixed.

I had a hard time relaxing and sleep because there were so many new sounds and I'm a watchdog, that's my job. Still, it's cozy and we have everything we need..............except...In the morning Mom got the stove, the water...........and realized she forgot to pack the coffee......the special container she bought for this trip...............I heard a few bad words......maybe time to get the book out? It cooled down a lot at night so Mom had no trouble sleeping

 

we even have a chandelier with a fan ;-) ;-)

 

 


We made it to Savannah today and the sky turned black so luckily we made into a hotel seconds before the sky opened up, as soon as it stops we're going to explore the sights in town

 

 

sending slobbering kisses on your ear...........

  

 

 

 

 

Av EvaLena Hallgren - 30 juni 2020 13:30

Good morning, My name is Henry and it's my job to continue Moms and my travel story after Buttons went over the rainbow bridge. I never met him but for what I hear I have some rather big shoes to fill............Mom says I'm well on my way and will be as good as he ever was.

This is all news to me so I'm not sure what's going to happen but it'll be an adventure. Buttons and Mom always went to her puppy country but we are staying here for my first trip and we're camping. I'm pretty sure it's a first for both of us...................at least in a car tent like this.

 


We are not going very far the first day, only to a place called Silver Springs which sounds good to me. There has been a lot of preparations and ordering of equipment. Unfortunately, the 12W cooler that Mom ordered back in May hasn't arrived from China yet, so we'll have to buy a new one before we leave. Anything else forgotten we'll have to pick up on the way. 

I wish Lilly could come too because I will surely miss her, and she'll miss me too but she has to stay home to keep Pop company.

  


two of Mom's friends and neighbours gave her a bon voyage presents,

   

Since it's hotter than "hell" the cap will come in very handy, and who knows about the book, we may be able to pray away the scorching heat? The truth is she doesn't really believe in this book, but her friend who does is a really nice person and the letter she wrote with suggestions can't be ignored, soooooooooooo the motto is "try it you may like it"

Well, this is all for now, but please come back and follow us on our adventure.............wet kisses for ya'll 



Skapa flashcards