It's My Turn!

I finally got myself to the doctor last Wednesday. My self-diagnosis was correct (isn't the internet wonderful). My daughter had recommended a very nice doctor and I liked him, his staff, and the way the whole process worked.


I am on a large dose of anti-inflamatory medication and the doctor said 4-6 weeks of physical therapy. However, if I'm not feeling better after 2 weeks, he wants me to call him and he'll do more tests and maybe try a shot of some kind, then surgery if that doesn't work. I told him I was going to make a trip west. He assured me that even after surgery I would be recovered enough to go. That's the best news I've had since September 30.


I was going to walk up to the nature center, where Susan and I walk Jack, to take some pictures, but I made myself walk there last Tuesday and almost didn't get back. I was ready to go to the doctor after that little venture. I'm going to take the car up next week and I'll take pictures so you can see how fortunate we are to have this little bit of heaven right in the middle of chaotic suburbia.


Jack is funny. Sometimes he walks out to the mailbox with me and when we walk back, he lays down by the trailer like he's pretending to camp. The trip to Gulf Shores whet our whistles. He goes to our regular vet soon for his shots so he'll be ready to go as soon as I'm able.


Jack and I are going up to Blue Ridge to my eldest son's cabin for two days. I'm looking forward to getting away. He and my daugher-in-law make it so comfortable not only for themselves and family, but for the people who rent it. They even decorate it for Christmas and Thanksgiving. It's very homey.

Cozy Bear

I'll bring my Kindle and curl up with a book right here on the porch.

My Kind of Day!

I saw Nancy with the map and wondered what she was up to. Susie came back from her shower and Nancy said, "How'd you like to go to Dauphin Island on the ferry? Then maybe up to Mobile?

We got in the truck and drove for quite a while. The ferry was great. The two crew men paid lots of attention to me. Nancy said it was because Susie was at the end of my leash!

Susie took care of me while Nancy was taking pictures.

They really liked me. They stood by us through the whole trip.

Everybody said hello to me.

I was thirsty. Fortunately, Nancy always carries water for me.

The oil rig that leaked was about 60 miles from where we were. The crewman said that recent storms washed more oil up so he doesn't think they'll ever get it all cleared up.

We decided we didn't want to go all  the way to Mobile so Nancy said, "Why don't we go back to the island and go the opposite way. Maybe we'll find a place for Jack to swim." My ears perked up! Yeah, at last!!

The gulf was rougher than we had ever seen it.

Waves like in the ocean. I got knocked over by waves, another one crashed right over my head--I had a blast. Nancy and Susie were getting a little nervous. Nancy never brings her camera when I'm in the water just in case she has to come in after me. (C'mon, Nancy, I'm a Lab).

After a while, Nancy decided that she'd go back to the truck to get her camera. I was soaked and Susie had me on the leash. I got very nervous when I couldn't find Nancy, and then I saw her and went running to her!

I'm coming, Nancy

Still Comin'

Almost there!

Don't Leave Me, Again

Don't call me a wet old man!

Before long, it was time to get in the truck and take the ferry back to Gulf Shores. We met the same two crewmen who talked to Susie all the way across. I think Nancy is right--they were flirting with Susie, but they were paying attention to me. 

This week has gone by so fast. We're all sad that we have to go home, tomorrow. It's been so good to get out and away from home for a while. We got back to the trailer and Nancy got a text from the Mayor. She and Linda were going to stop by. More fun! Nancy had some wine left over so when they got here, we sat out at the picnic table and they gabbed and laughed a lot. Nancy has camped with Deb (Mayor) before, and she is so much fun, and it was great that she and Susie met Linda. It was dark by the time Nancy remembered that she hadn't taken a picture of them--so...

Linda and Deb

No caption needed (and they tell me to behave!)

Pensacola!

We got up this morning and after my walk we decided to take a ride to Pensacola, but along the coast this time.

The weather seems a little warmer than the past several days, but it was still pleasant because there is a breeze.

Susie was hungry once we got to the historic part of Pensacola so we went to a cafe where we could sit outside.

The waitresses were wonderful. I was hoping I could sit on a chair this time, but there are rules. I don't know if you can see him, but there's a hairless dog near the man's leg at the next table. The waitress walked by to bring me a bowl of water (before we asked for it!) and he jumped out and tried to bite her. He sounded very nasty. The waitress said he was nasty, but I was just so good I could have all the water I wanted.

Not a very flattering picture, but I was just about to lay down and relax after finishing a bowl of water.

Susie and Nancy ordered lunch and were joking around with the waitresses (I think one was training the other, but we got a lot of attention). One of them has a black Lab like my Lizzie. Anyway, the lunch was good and the atmosphere very pleasant.

Then we took some pictures of the old homes that have been restored--mostly businesses, now. Here was a little house that Nancy thought was cute.

Evidently there are walking tours and you can buy tickets, here.

This week has passed very fast. It's hard to believe that the day after tomorrow, we'll be driving home. Tomorrow night Nancy and Susie are going to eat at Lamberts which looks like an interesting place.

Deb (The Mayor) and Linda are coming over after dinner, tonight, to finish off the wine and cheese with some more good conversation. I'll have to remind Nancy to get her camera out.

Free at Last - Gulf Shores

We left on Saturday--first real day of cool weather in Atlanta. Nancy hardly slept the night before. Just as the sun was coming up, she finally gave it up, but she was up at 8 a.m. Fortunately, she had hooked up the night before and only had a few last minute items to throw in the trailer. Susie arrived and off we went.

Nancy said she almost put the trip off another day. She got a second wind, but was glad when the 6 hour drive was over. No traffic made the drive less harrowing than it could have been.

The RV resort is very nice (hardly camping), but Susan likes cable and wifi and a nail salon-- within a mile is a must. It's almost full, but very, very quiet. No campfires which is what Nancy and I like to do at night, but Susie doesn't really like to rough it--did ya guess that already?

When signing in, Nancy asked for a pull through and the woman who was signing her in said they were reserved for big rigs. She kept telling her about a smaller, back-in site that was right next to the bathroom and explained how convenient it would be.

Nancy asked her whether she was paying the same for a site as the big rigs or does she get a discount since the premium sites are reserved for them (keep in mind that we used to have a big rig). At that point, another lady (named Nancy) said why don't you put her in 5--it's empty for a week. (Actually the long pull through next to us has been empty) She was a very pleasant lady, and Nancy said she could tell that the other lady wasn't happy. Anyway, all is well that ends well.

Nancy is standing at one end and the truck is in back of the trailer with room for another car in back of it!

I'm enjoying my walks and I just like being on the go. It's been such a long time since we've been able to have a change of scenery. There's a wonderful state park, here, and Susan has ridden her bike on the trails. Nancy's friends said it probably wouldn't be a good idea for me to go on the trails because there are little rattle snakes that look like sticks. Well, I don't want any part of that!

Susie walks me a lot. Nancy manages to get me to the dog walk, but her back is really bad. Fortunately, it doesn't hurt her except when she's been on her feet for more than 5 minutes. Strange. Twisting, turning, bending doesn't hurt.

Yesterday, we drove over to Pensacola to the historic district. I can tell Nancy isn't feeling so great because she never forgets her camera, but she did. In fact, she forgot it the day we went over to see her friend's beautiful condo--right on the golf course. Nancy didn't want to take me in her house (even though she was gracious and said she didn't mind) because I shed. Well, heck, I'm a dog for crying out loud.

I sleep on Nancy's bed most of the time, but I can cross over to sleep in Susie's, too.

I'm not allowed to have any dog treats. At home, Nancy dehydrates sliced sweet potatoes for me--Um um...are they good and Nancy says they are one of the healthiest foods I can eat. For this trip, she bought frozen string beans, carrots, and assorted veggies and I like them, too!

The weather was perfect here for the weekend, but is expected to get warmer. There seems to be a breeze, though, and we hope it continues. The shade has been quite comfortable. Nancy and I sit outside while she reads. I love watching everything that goes on. People always say hello to me. Nancy really likes her Kindle. She's resisted buying one because she said she likes the feel of a book. Well, the Kindle changed that! Now she wonders why she waited so long. She got 10 free books the other day. She had purchased something from Amazon and they made a mistake on the order. To compensate, they gave her $5 off her next order and she found some books that were on special...can't get better than free!

Susan and Me in the shade in back of the trailer.

We are going to go back to Pensacola--I'm not sure which day, but I think Nancy will get some nice pictures. Gulf Shores is a beachy community--we've crossed over the inter-coastal waterway several times.

Susan is going to the beach with the Mayor and Linda. They came over, this evening, and we all had a glass of wine. We had a really nice time.