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Published: February 3rd 2012
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Lobster at the Ale House
it's not that great a picture, but you get the idea. Wednesday February 1, and Thursday February 2, Thousand Trails, Orlando
Let’s give this blog a name. Two days of driving in the car.
Wednesday morning saw us take off bright and early for the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) rally at the Hernando County airport near Brooksville, FL – which is very close to Bushnell and Webster of earlier travels. Over the river and thru the woods we went, listening to Siri, misjudging once, but eventually getting there.
I like watching the Florida terrain change. Our campground is at the southern end of Lake County, which, as you travel north gets hillier and greener. I believe there is something in the weather patterns that makes the Clermont area just a little greener. Orange groves fill the scenery. Turning west thru Sumter and Hernando counties, the terrain goes back flat and horse farms come back, and it’s dryer and browner.
The FMCA rally is like the FRVTA Rally we were at earlier, only different. In order to attend as a camper, you must be a member of FMCA, something I have never seen the need to do. Within FMCA there is a Singles International Group that is very active. The time might come when I need/want to join, just not yet. Ginnie is a member and has attended this rally. I asked her why she/we didn’t do this one, and she says this costs more than FRVTA and costs even more if you want electricity. FMCA has more camaraderie and meals offered, but FRVTA has electricity for campers and a much bigger vendor/exhibitor area is my take on the differences between the 2. Ginnie had friends attending, and she wanted to say hi, so off we went. Many of the vendors were the same, and I bought cable easy on/off TV wire connectors and an ice cream cone. Ginny finally got her Passport America 2012 book and she was happy. In an attempt to locate her friend, Pat, we took the shuttle bus around the entire complex and HUGE it was. Placed on unused portions of the airport, there were many RVs parked along the runways, and some clubs elected to park on grassy spaces. We found Pat’s rig, but she was not at home. Since we had left the animals alone long enough, we got back in the car for the 60 mile trip back to Orlando.
Winston was fine, he just barked a lot as was evidenced by the large amount of spittle on the window. It was unfortunate that Wednesday night was the 1 ¼ pound lobster special at Millers Ale House and I had to leave him again. We packed up almost immediately to get there before the crowd, and were successful in promptly getting a seat. The lobster, $12.00, $1 extra and it came stuffed with ritz/scallops/shrimp, was mighty awesome. It was served with baked potato and really good cole slaw. The drink special was whiskey sour for $1. In order to get that with the dinner special, you needed to order a double, at $2. I obliged. Ginnie, the driver, ordered O’douls. The dinner was awesome, and by the time we left the crowd was outside and around the building. Good decision to be there at 4:30.
As we approached our rigs, I noticed that my kitchen blind was askew. Uh oh. Yup, Winston chewed it, similar to his ‘event’ last year. It was destroyed. He also pee’d on the carpet. Let me tell you, he knew he was bad; he wouldn’t look at me. He knew how mad I was for sure, and was very mellow for the rest of the evening.
After talking it over with Ginnie one more time, I made the decision to invest in a small crate for the RV. I cannot continue like this. He is not getting any better, and if I have to say, he is probably worse.
Thursday morning he was still pretty mellow. He knew I am boss. I would not let him bark at another dog, I would not let him off our rug, etc.,etc.
We decided to take him to the nearest Petco or Petsmart, neither of which Garmina or Siri readily found. Petco ended up being the choice as Ginnie had been there before, but it really was 22 miles away. We brought Winston as we wanted to put him in any crate we selected to test the size. Lo and behold, they had a groomer who wasn’t busy and who had actually seen a Bedlington before! I sure signed him right up. They said anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, so we went to Sams Club (gas and booze), Camping World (roof caulk for Ginnie and no suitable used RVs for me), Bank of America, (quarters for laundry for me) all before we hit Thousand Trails. As we pulled into the campground, Petco called with a few questions about how I wanted him groomed, and said to come pick him up in an hour. SR192 is awful in the afternoon. So many lights, so much traffic. Ginnie wanted to go to the TT manager’s meeting at 3; she graciously offered to let me drive her car back as I can drive stick. Back down the traffic road again, almost 45 minutes to accomplish the 22 miles….growl. Winston looks wonderful; he’s all clean, nicely shaved down, and smells good. It ended up being a pretty expensive afternoon, between the crate, the grooming, and the poopie bags…..ouch. I elected to take the Toll Road back part of the way ($1.75 to cover the worst 9 miles of traffic, worth every penny.) The crate is hard plastic with a sturdy metal doorway and short small windows on the side. Even if he barks in the crate, he will be safe and will not destroy anything more, and if he pees he will just pee on himself rather than the carpets. Good thing he’s cute and I love him.
Ginnie helped me assemble the crate and we put it on the couch. I was hoping it would fit under the table, but it doesn’t. I will put it in the kitchen area when I really use it, and stow it on the passenger seat or shower. Ginnie put tiny pieces of his favorite treat, Beggin something or other, way in the back of the crate. He didn’t go in at first, but tried to reach the treat without putting his hind legs in. She lifted him in, he got it, ate it and came out. She repeated that several times, and he went in easily the whole way. We repeated this a couple of times, and after his walk I put some pieces in, let him go in, then closed the door gently with my hand and sat next to him for a minute then let him out. He seemed fine. I will try that a few more times tonight, then tomorrow sit with him in it when it is locked closed and see what happens. Please say a prayer that this works.
I can’t believe I have been here almost 2 weeks already, and Sunday it will be time to move. I will be sad to leave here, and leave Ginnie for a week; we have had some great times and a lot of laughs.
Kat out
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Kathy Everett
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See you soon
Sure hope the create works for you Kat, I have one and Oscar is much calmer after he has been in it and dossell too. Can't wait to see you guys,just a few more days! I leave today for my son's house, then Jacksonville then Oscala!! On the road again... Kathy