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Wags & Wine at Windmill Creek Winery; Berlin, MD

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Note: this post is back-dated. I am currently attempting to catch up on many missed memories that I failed to post over the last 2-3 years). I appreciate your patience as I attempt to bring my diary of “special moments with my dogs” up-to-date!

What an amazing weekend in May of 2021! It was so wonderful to be together with so many of our Dock Diving friends. Windmill Creek was beautiful and the wine was delicious!

Margarita

Our team won a 50/50 raffle plus 2 of our dogs placed in finals so The Liver Killers were able to raise a total donation of $660 for rescue!

Limoncello

Cello enjoyed 2 Big Air waves this weekend and her jumps were pretty as always! Cello recently had a change in her Dilated Cardiomyopathy, so her jumps are limited at the moment.

Hooch

•3rd Place Big Air Finals / Elite Division

Lager

•5th Place Iron Dog / Titan Division

Whiskey

•3rd Place Big Air Finals / Novice Division

•New Personal Best jump: 9’9”

Jägermeister

•1st Place Speed Retrieve / Express Division

•5th Place Big Air Finals / Masters Division

•New Personal Best jump: 21’2”

Margarita: Team Cheerleader

Rita enjoyed touring the vineyard grounds and napping under the shade of our team canopy.

Porter: Team Manager

PoPo enjoyed rides in the golf cart and exploring in the campground dog park.

Paws FUR Pink 5K

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Never underestimate the healing power of dogs (especially now during Covid times)!

Rita and I participated in the Paws FUR Pink 5K while raising funds to beat human and canine cancer! A portion of our race fee went to Suzan G Komen, Keep A Breast, Be Well, and canine cancer education research at Clear!

Brown’s Brewing Company: North Hoosick, NY

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Margarita and Porter visited Brown’s Brewing Company‘s tap room in North Hoosick, NY!

Such a cool location and building!
Only the outdoor seating area was open due to Covid-19 restrictions. Porter and Margarita enjoyed the shady area.
Porter
Outdoor seating area
Margarita had one too many bowls of water … haha!

Tractor Supply Company: Southampton Township, NJ

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For Margarita’s 10th birthday she visited Tractor Supply Company for the first time!

Margarita checking out the Chick specials 😂

Picking out her birthday gifts:

Waiting patiently for her treat from the nice cashier:

👯‍♀️🐽🐽Twinning with one of her birthday toys bought at Tractor Supply Company!

Armageddon Brewing: Somerdale, NJ

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We visited this hard cider brewery during its third open weekend.

Margarita was their first 4-legged visitor!

Armageddon uses as much organic locally sourced produce and honey as possible. 

Their tasting room is dog-friendly, and Rita-approved!

“Desolation” was my favorite in the flight!

✔️ #10 Eat a Fancy Steak from Our Area’s Best Steakhouse ; The Library II, Voorhees , NJ

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Margarita checked off another Adventure List item!

Everyone red meat-eater has their favorite steakhouse, right? Well, Brian’s preferred high-end steakhouse is a a place called The Library II . Now I don’t eat meat at all, but I must say, this place is one of my favorites too… for their famous (and huge!) all-you-can-eat salad bar!

The Library II has been in business since 1942. This restaurant has long been a New Jersey landmark and neighborhood favorite with its distinctive “library” atmosphere and unique serving style. They are well-known for their steaks, surf-and-turf, and salad bar.

Photo credit: yelp.com

The Library II has won awards from the Courier Posts‘s Best of South Jersey, Philadelphia Magazine‘s Best of Philly, South Jersey Magazine Best of the Best, and also boasts a rating by Zagat.

When ordering here, you meet your chef at the kitchen window, where he/she will help you select the perfect cut of steak, or your choice of lobster tail.

Not a meat or seafood eater? No problem! The Library has one of the largest salad bars I have ever seen…and best of all: The salad bar is “all you can eat!” Beyond the “normal” salad bar items, the Library II salad bar has an extensive assortment of fruits, vegetables, artisan breads, and gourmet cheeses!

Photo credit: Sitar Harel

Margarita’s filet mignon:

Margarita enjoyed her fancy steak!

Bok Bar: Philadelphia, PA

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BOK to School!

What a cool place to spend a Sunday-Funday during Back-to-School season!

Bok Bar is located on the rooftop of a closed technical high school. The rooftop bar is dog friendly on Sundays after 2pm.

It was neat walking through the hallway of the school to get to the elevator which led to the rooftop!

The bathrooms were left just as they were when the high school was open!

Margarita enjoyed snoozing on the rooftop!

Check out the views!

Cherry Street Pier: Philadelphia, PA

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Margarita visited the Cherry Street Pier!

Cherry Street Pier is a dog-friendly, “mixed-use” public space within a century-old pier on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA.

Cherry Street Pier was originally built in 1919 as a shipping pier . You can still see the original railroad tracks, and steel trussed roof.

There is an open-air garden under the Pier’s historic steel trussed roof. Here you will find concessions sold out of historic train cars! There is also many beautiful views of the Delaware River.

We took a break down by the river and enjoyed a beverage.

Margarita snoozed along the Delaware River just beyond the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

✔️ #1. 🥪Taste-test a famous Philly Cheesesteak from the two Most Famous Philadelphia Steak Joints / Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks: Philadelphia, PA

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One of the most yummy (and fun!) Adventure List Items check off!

Margarita visited the 2 iconic rival Philadelphia cheesesteak joints, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks !

Pat’s King of Steaks
Geno’s Steaks
Know how to order before getting to the window! Will it be WIT or WIT-OUT?

Rita performed her very own “Pat’s vs. Geno’s” taste test.

Click on the video below to see which famous Philadelphia cheesesteak joint she thinks is the best!

Jack’s Firehouse, Philadelphia, PA

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Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, and set in a 19th century firehouse, Jack’s Firehouse is definitely worth a visit!  Jack’s Firehouse is located directly across from Eastern State Penitentiary on Fairmount Avenue.

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Margarita



Margarita

Even though we sat at the dog-friendly outdoor seating area, Brian and I each took a moment to explore the inside of this unique establishment. Most of the original mahogany interior, wooden plank flooring, and yes, even the brass fire pole are still intact!  There is also a racing shell suspended over top the bar.

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What great history this place has! The fire company that originally occupied Jack’s was Truck A, now referred to as Ladder Company 1 and located on Parish Street in Philadelphia. Truck A was the first paid Philadelphia Fire Department in 1871.

We enjoyed a glass of wine and ordered the Calamari with Hot Pepper Chips, Carrots, and Hot Lava – and it was absolutely amazing! We enjoyed being able to take in the historic, yet sometimes eerie views of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Cello visited here on April 27, 2014.

Margarita visited here on August 19, 2019.

Urban Saloon, Philadelphia, PA

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Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on Fairmount Avenue, Urban Saloon has outdoor seating, is dog-friendly (they even bring our a bowl of water for your pup!) and is situated directly across from Eastern State Penitentiary.

Margarita visited here in 2019

Margarita
Margarita

Cello was here on April 27, 2014!

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Limoncello
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Limoncello

“Not a worry in the world, a PBR on the way – Life is good today. Life is good today.” ~ Zac Brown Band

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It was exciting, yet eerie to enjoy a glass of wine at their outdoor seating area while gazing at the historic Eastern State Penitentiary.

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The Bishop’s Collar, Philadelphia, PA

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“The Bishop’s Collar – Salvation by the Pint. Come worship with us.”

                                                                               ~The Bishop’s Collar



Margarita
Margarita

Limoncello visited here on April 27, 2014

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Limoncello

Named after a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, The Bishop’s Collar is located in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on the corner of 24th Street and Fairmont Avenue.

This was our first stop after my Birthday Hike at Wissahickon Park.  Here we enjoyed Risotto Balls appetizer, served with marinara sauce (YUM!)… and of course washed them down with a Bloody Mary (Jen’s choice) and a pint of Boddington’s (Brian’s choice).

The atmosphere was fun and lively on this day, as the Flyers were playing.  Cello enjoyed people and dog watching along Fairmount Avenue, and we very much enjoyed our food, drink, and the jubilant atmosphere here!

Cello people-watching:

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Limoncello

✔️ #4. Visit a Distillery🍸: Train Wreck Distillery; Mount Holly, NJ

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Train Wreck Distillery checked-off Adventure List item #4!

Train Wreck Distillery is New Jersey’s first legal craft distillery since prohibition!

The distillery is located in the historic Mount Holly train station.

Train Wreck welcomes dogs both at the outdoor seating area as well as inside the distillery.

We purchased a bottle for our home bar before leaving.

Kelly Green Brewing Company:Pittman, NJ

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Another enjoyable New Jersey Brewery!

Kelly Green Brewing Company, located in Pittman, NJ, is open Wednesdays from 5 – 10PM, Thursdays from 5 – 10 PM, Fridays from 3- 10 PM, Saturdays from 12 – 10 PM, and Sundays from 12:30 am – 6 PM.

You can take a tour any time during brewery hours, and if you don’t plan to hang out in their tasting room, you can bring your growler in to be filled with your favorite Kelly Green Brewing Co. beer.

Right now their beer cannot be bought in stores – it is brewed and sold exclusively at the brewery.

We enjoyed the beer, the atmosphere, and the fellow beer drinkers here!

Bonesaw Brewing Company: Glassboro, NJ

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A colleague at work recommended we try Bonesaw Brewing Co.  so of course we couldn’t resist!

Owned by a surgeon and his brother-in-law, Bonesaw is open 7 days a week, and allows dogs on the outdoor patio area.

This brewery has quite a few beers on tap!  Click HERE to see their menu.

We very much enjoyed our flight of beer, and will definitely visit Bonesaw again soon!

 

Hidden Sands Brewing Company: Egg Harbor Township, NJ

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Hidden Sands Brewing Company just opened in 2016, and has a pretty neat story about how they obtain fresh water for their beer.

Hidden Sands Brewing Company dug down to tap the 800 foot deep  fresh water aquifer in the area !

In addition, all Hidden Sands brews are made with quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Getting a closer look at the brewing tanks

Pinelands Brewing Company: Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ

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Located  in the Jersey Pine Barrens (home of the infamous Jersey Devil – read more about it HERE …and HERE ! ), Pinelands Brewing Company  is a homegrown nano-brewery.

The spirit of the Pinelands influences the names of their signature brews and the laid-back atmosphere in the taproom.

Their water is obtained from the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer, which is known to contain some of the best all-natural drinking water in the world.

We enjoyed the beer, atmosphere, and people at this brewery!

Atco Brewing Company: Atco, NJ

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Atco Brewing Company  brews in small batches and is located in Southern NJ.

You can view their current beer menu by clicking HERE .  Here’s our flight:

What’s YOUR superpower ?!?!

Sharpies are provided to write your name on the post!

They even have a “Stowaway Membership” that includes:

  • Invite to stowaway events (4 per year) for early access to experimental stowaway brew/recipes
  • Includes one free flight and a pint at each event
  • Reduced price beer at each event
  • 1 Stowaway Pint Glass
  • 1 Stowaway T-Shirt
  • Reduced renewal rate for subsequent years

Berlin Brewing Company: Berlin, NJ

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Another day, another brewery! Sniffing out dog friendly watering holes one beer at a time!

Berlin Brewing Company was founded in 2014.

They have an extremely cool tasting room they call the Pastime Tap Room, as it is filled with baseball memorabilia.

Our flight:

 

Sharpies are provided so you can add your name to the flight stand… can you find ours in both of the pics below?

Good beer and good times!  If you visit around Christmas  – we highly suggest the Holly Jolly  Winter Warmer!

Zed’s Beer: Marlton, NJ

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Continuing our mission to find ALL the dog-friendly watering holes, a friend of ours told us Zed’s was a “must-try.”  Zed’s Beer is one of the newer breweries in our area.

Geoff Bado received a “Mr. Beer” kit as a gag-gift at Christmas . . . and now, 20 years later,  he is the founder and brewer for Zed’s Beer!

                                                                                    Know what rhymes with Rain? … BEER!

 

As of now, in NJ, breweries in New Jersey, there is a law that requires you be provided a tour of the brewery before purchasing a pint or flight.

The tasting room at Zed’s has a great atmosphere!

 

 

 

                                              Just wishing someone would stop drinking their beer for a second and come pet me!

Salem Oak Vineyards: Pedricktown, NJ

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Salem Oak Vineyards in Southern NJ  was super dog friendly!

The wine was yummy, and the tasting room was neat … Best of all – the tasting room was dog-friendly!

                                                                                          We loved the wine box bar-front!

Autumn Lake Winery: Williamstown, NJ

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While we were doing a wine tasting at Coda Rossa Winery , our host suggested that after our tasting we try a new winery that was right down the street.

We took the suggestion – and were so glad we did!

This family-run winery is set on beautiful grounds where you can take your dog for walks on the trails.  Autumn Lake Winery is so new, that their tasting room is not built yet, but they have a temporary tasting room set up in a greenhouse.

The family is so nice, and their wines are very tasty!  Oh – and they LOVE dogs!

 

 

Coda Rossa Winery: Franklinville, NJ

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Coda Rossa Winery is named for the Red-Tail Hawks that live in their vineyard.

This winery features both New Jersey and California wines.  We did a tasting here and were very pleased with all the wines we tasted!

Halbrendt Vineyard and Winery: Orrtanna, PA

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Halbrendt Vineyard is a small winery owned by a husband and wife  who built their winery while both holding full-time jobs at Penn State University Fruit Research & Extension Center.  We very much enjoyed the wines here, and the tasting room is dog-friendly!

Adams County Winery: Gettysburg, PA

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Adams County Winery is one of the oldest wineries in Pennsylvania, and also was voted Best Winery in Gettysburg.  Best of all, they have free wine tastings every day!

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a few of their elves even stopped by to visit Margarita and tell her she was on the Nice List!

 

 

Buddy Boy Winery: Gettysburg, PA

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Buddy Boy Winery has a selection of whites, reds, and specialty wines (check out the names of some of the specialty wines!)

 

Their bartender was pretty cute, too!

Dogs of Gettysburg Pet & Gift Emporium

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During our stay in Gettysburg this past Thanksgiving, Margarita had the opportunity to go shopping with her PAWrents!

Dogs of Gettysburg Pet & Gift Emporium is a Civil War inspired shop that contains unique gifts for both people and dogs.

                                                                  Rita decided to do some shopping of her own!

We found a cool Pointer print, which we now have hanging in our home:

…and a few other fun gifts:

Balic’ Winery: Mays Landing, NJ

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Balic’ Winery makes over 27 award-winning wines!

Not only did we love their wines (we bought a case!), they had a chocolate fountain – YUM!

Balic’ also had a quite outdoor sitting area:

Best of all, they are dog friendly, and have their own vineyard dog, Mariah , who Margarita quickly made friends with!

We will definitely be adding this winery to our “visit regularly” list!

Cheers!

Hauser Estate Winery: Biglerville, PA

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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!

Rita Goes to College!

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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.

Pop’s Garage: Asbury Park, NJ

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After Margarita was blessed by the Pastor at the Blessing of the Animals, we headed over to see The Stone Pony.  We then decided to check out the Asbury Park boardwalk. There are several dog friendly eateries on this boardwalk. We decided to try Pop’s Garage – and were glad we did!

With authentic Mexican cuisine and delicious drinks, how could we pass it up!?!

The staff was very dog friendly and set up a water bowl for Rita.

The food was delicious, and the drinks were amazing! If we are ever back in Asbury Park, we will definitely be visiting Pop’s Garage again!

Asbury Park Boardwalk: Asbury Park

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After Rita attended The Blessing of the Animals, we decided to visit the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Although we had been to several boardwalks in NJ, we had never been to this one – and it was the perfect weather day for the occasion!

Rita loved people-watching!

Even though it was a perfect day, the boardwalk was not very crowded.  We enjoyed taking a walk, looking at the beach, and listening to the ocean!

The Stone Pony: Asbury Park, NJ

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After was blessed at The Blessing of the Animals, we  headed over to see the famous Stone Pony!

Said to be one of the greatest rock venues on earth, The Stone Pony was a starting point for NJ locals like Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt!

I was born and raised in NJ, and had always wanted to visit – it was awesome to see it in person!

More Summer Bucket List Items Accomplished

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Margarita visited Island State Beach Park where she checked of TWO 2017 Summer Bucket List items:

1.  Visiting a State Park

2.  Walking in the ocean

 

Entering the beach

Rita had fun taking a walk in the ocean for the first time!

My favorite photo from the day:

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

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While checking-off a 2017 Summer Bucket List item, we were close enough to Barnegat Lighthouse to take an extra little drive and visit this NJ State Park.

Such a pretty lighthouse with an amazing view from the park!

Walking on the Beach

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Margarita checked-off another 2017 Summer Bucket List item when we visited the dog Beach on Long Beach Island.

She even went into Barnegat Bay for the very first time (You can see Barnegat Light House across the Bay)!

Margarita had a blast retrieving her toy from the bay!

We had an amazing day!

 

First Baseball Game!

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Margarita checked-off another Summer 2017 Bucket List item …  We attended a Lakewood Blue Claws game together!

On our way to the game:

Arriving at the Blue Claws  home stadium- First Energy Park:

Rita got her own “wrist” band for the game!

Finding our seats… we had a great view!

Watching the game with Pop:

Keeping cool during the game:

Margarita found a doggie friend, and didn’t want to leave his side!

Margarita enjoyed her first ball field hot dog !

Such a fun time!

First Canoe Ride!

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Margarita’s Summer 2017 Bucket List item:  Take a ride in a canoe for the first time!

What a beautiful night ~ The sky was as pink as Rita’s life jacket!

We had a beautiful sunset, and a fun night out on our lake!

First Ice Cream Cone!

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One of Margarita’s Summer 2017 Bucket List items was to enjoy her first ice cream cone!

We took her to the Sand Stand in Medford, NJ – I think she enjoyed it! Haha!

 

 

Amalthea Cellars Farm Winery: Atco, NJ

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Another great New Jersey winery ~ Amalthea Cellars !

Such a cool tasting room! Dog’s aren’t allowed inside – so if you visit with a friend, be sure to have them watch your pooch while you check out the inside of the winery.

We sat outside on the pretty grounds and very much enjoyed ourselves and the wine!

 

White Horse Winery: Hammonton, NJ

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White Horse Winery, located in Hammonton, NJ, quickly became one of our favorite wineries!

Dogs are not allowed in the tasting room.  However, leashed, well behaved friendly dogs are allowed outside, where they have corn hole, live entertainment, fire pits, and plenty of seating.

 

They have a nice selection of white, red, and rosé wines.

I think this may be Margarita’s new favorite winery as well!