The Trip East

This post will be a little out of sequence since I have already posted the movies of the new-home tour.  I left Colorado Springs on the 25th of May.  I didn't come directly to Florida; I went via Albuquerque, where, unlike Bugs Bunny, I did make that left turn.  I also dropped Bode off with Uncle Pat and Aunt Dana.  We figured he'd rather spend ten days playing with his cousins than driving across country and unpacking boxes (we were right).  I didn't take too many pictures, but I did get a picture of the kids playing tether ball.

Uncle Pat was also kind enough to send a couple pictures.  Apparently Bode has taken a liking to tennis, so we will do our best to find some racquets and tennis courts and start playing with him.

    

I also took some pictures of Kona and Barkley.  Initially, we were worried the dogs wouldn't get along, as neither has shown a great affinity for other dogs.  After some uncertainty, the dogs quickly became fast friends.

I only stayed a couple nights because I figured I should not let all the unpacking and moving in fall to Ashley.  Thus, on the Sunday before Memorial Day, I headed out.  Barkley did great in the car--the vet said I could give her four Benadryl (four!), which would probably cause me to sleep for 12 hours.  She didn't get sick once, and she slept quite a bit.  We stopped in Wichita Falls, Texas, and stayed at a La Quinta Inn.  I spoiled her and let her sleep on the king-size mattress with me.

I then proceeded to Shirley, Texas, and stayed with Penny and Milton and lounged in their pool.  It was nice to just do nothing for a couple days, as the moving out was a bit stressful, as was the driving.  We all love their pool.

They also have a cute dog named Chief, who was a little afraid of Barkley at first, but, much like with Kona, the two quickly became friends.

I also got to see Owen, who is Ashley's third cousin (Owen is Penny and Milton's first grandchild; Penny is Ashley's first cousin, so if I've done the math correct, Owen and Bode are fourth cousins).

On the Wednesday after Memorial, I left Texas and came to Fort Walton Beach.  I was on the road by 4:45 in the am, which was god-awful early, but I didn't want to get stuck in any Houston area traffic.  I made it to the new house by 2:30 or so.  I filmed the dog-reunion, which wasn't as great as I thought.  Note also I forgot how glass and lenses fog up when you go from a cool environment (the air-conditioned car) to a hot, muggy one.

Per the previous post, Ashley and I have been doing a lot of unpacking for the past week.  Yesterday, Bode arrived, flying as an unaccompanied minor from Albuquerque.  He did great, and we are happy to have everyone together again.  The dogs really gave him a nice greeting, especially Barkley.

 

Today is supposed to be a beautiful day; perhaps Bode will enjoy a swim in his backyard :-)  Pleasant day to all.