Halloween 2017

My 2017 Halloween Super Heroes!

Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA: Natural Bridge, VA

On the way home from the DockDogs World Championship, we did an over night stay at Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA in Natural Bridge, VA.

Our Campsite:

Margarita taking a stroll around the campground – she was fascinated by the free-roaming chickens!

We had a very nice stay at this campground.  If you have never seen the Natural Bridge, this is definitely a trip to add to your travel wish list!

2017 DockDogs World Championship: Knoxville, TN

We were thrilled that all three of our dogs who participate in dock diving were once again invited to compete at the DockDogs World Championship!

This was also the first year the World Championship was held in Knoxville, TN!

Once again, we traveled in our motorhome, and towed our Jeep.

We had our team decals updated:

Ready to roll!

We had fun playing the Roadtrip Bingo game created by a fellow dock diving competitor!

Arrived to Knoxville safe and sound…Cheers!

 

Excited to be in Knoxville, TN for the first time!

Waiting in line to check in at the competition:

Getting super crowded as we move in line to sign in!

 

Having some fun in line!

First glimpse of the competition floor!

Dog Town:

Our spot in Dog Town:

Getting back to the hotel room and Margarita claiming all of our Goody Bag items as HERS!

Limoncello

 

Hooch

Hooch earned #1 Ranked GSP for the 2nd year in a row ~ so proud of him!

Lager

Margarita

Margarita enjoyed the views from the hotel windows, and napping between competitions !

Liver Killer Bling:

 

We had a wonderful time, and hope we are fortunate enough to be a part of this event next year!

 

Hauser Estate Winery: Biglerville, PA

Previously home to acres of apple orchards, Hauser Estate Winery ‘s tasting room is located right outside of Gettysburg.  Beneath the tasting room is an underground winery production facility.  The winery also has a location in downtown Gettysburg on Lincoln Square.

We visited the tasting room, which was situated on a hill, and had a gorgeous view.

We sat on the outside deck, as dogs were not allowed inside.

Their outdoor patio was dog-friendly.

 

We enjoyed the wine and the views here!

War Dog Memorial: Knoxville, TN (University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine)

While we were in Knoxville for the DockDogs World Championship, we were fortunate enough to have enough time to take Lager to visit this wonderful War Dog Memorial.
This noble Doberman Pinscher represents hundreds of heroic war dogs that served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
This Memorial is an exact replica of the official memorial in Guam, was donated to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine by Dr. Maurice Acree July 17, 1998.
It honors not only the war dogs, but symbolizes the special connection people share with dogs.
We will continue to get Lager to every War Dog Memorial we can throughout his retirement years with us. Click below to see the other Memorials Lager has already visited.
Click HERE to see a list of all the War Dog Memorials in the United States.

Wytheville KOA: Wytheville, Virginia

This may have been the most fun we’ve ever had at a campground!

On the way out to Knoxville, TN for the DockDogs World Championship, we stopped for an overnight stay at Wytheville KOA.

Not only was this campground super dog friendly, it had a snack bar, an arcade, batting cages, AND a bowling alley!

The Arcade:

The Batting Cages:

 

The Bowling Alley:

Margarita got excited to see a few other “doggies” she could play with!  HaHa!

                                                                                     Not much further to go!!

North Fork Resort: Front Royal, VA

On our road trip down to Knoxville, TN for the 2017 DockDog World Championship, we did an overnight stay at North Fork Resort in Front Royal, VA.

This was a great over-night spot right on the Shenandoah River!

This campground has lots to offer!

  • All sites come with a fire pit
  • RV 30-amp & RV 50-amp sites
  • Water and Electric sites
  • Water, Electric and Sewer sites
  • 2 Dump Stations
  • River front sites

The amenities here are endless!  I wish we had more time to enjoy some of the many options!

  • Bingo
  • Fishing
  • Horseshoes
  • Playground
  • Volleyball
  • Propane Refills
  • Dog Park
  • Minigolf
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Ball field
  • Outdoor Stage
  • Game Room

 

Settling in for the night…

We were able to do a campfire before settling in!

Taking a walk around the campground before we headed back on the road to Tennessee:

Each time we stopped to spend the night on our way to Knoxville, we changed the “miles to go” sign on our camper!

Getting ready to get back on the road… but not before a selfie with HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!

 

 

Rita Goes to College!

Margarita had her “first day at college” with a great visit at Rowan College at Burlington County meeting students and staff in the Student Success Center for their Mental Health Week event, while she helped enlighten them on the positive benefits therapy dogs provide for students with depression and anxiety!

The event was sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa Chi lota Chapter and RCBC Student Support.

The first full week of October focused on increasing understanding of what mental illness feels like, so others can learn more about the wide range of symptoms experienced by those living with a mental illness.

In addition, the purpose of this week was to also reduce the misunderstanding and stigma associated with mental health conditions.

War Dog Memorial: Bristol Township, PA

To celebrate Veteran’s Day, we took Lager, our retired Explosives Detection Canine, to the War Dog Memorial in Bristol Township, PA.

Few Americans are aware of the invaluable service given by War Dogs teams during the Vietnam War. Dog teams consisting of Scout, Combat Tracker, Sentry, and Mine/Tunnel dogs saved thousands of lives. Routinely braving danger, these intelligent and adaptable dogs would locate injured GI’s, search out Vietcong weapon caches, locate deadly booby traps and would alert and thwart enemy attacks and ambushes. 

The handlers responsible for the dog teams lovingly cared for these brave animals. These soldiers literally carried food and water into battle for their faithful friends and protectors.

Despite the impassioned pleas of the handlers these valorous animals were classified as “expendable equipment” at the end of the Vietnam War and were abandoned to unknown fates in South Vietnam. The courage and loyalty of these dogs are honored only in the memories of the soldiers whose lives they protected. 

The War Dog Teams were so effective and efficient that’s the Vietcong High Command  issued a bounty on them. Hundreds of War Dogs gave their lives in combat. This memorial is dedicated in honor of all the brave War Dogs from every military conflict.  Let us never forget the thousands of War Dog heroes that served with valor during the Vietnam War… 

“All gave some, some gave all.”

~from the inscription on part of the Bristol, PA War Dog memorial pictured below: