trip . . part of it

I am on a road trip with my cousin “Da” from Bethesda, Maryland to Utah, via Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Yes, it is a long trip and we are only a couple of days in. We are amused by the routes that the GPS takes us. On the trip down to North Carolina, we took a side trip to Appomattox Courthouse, the location at which General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General U. S. Grant. It felt that much of the trip between Maryland and North Carolina was on the back roads, not many major highways at all, let alone interstates.As we were traveling south, headed for Appomattox Courthouse we began seeing signs for Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's plantation home. We decided to take the short detour over to it. I remember that it was one of my favorite sites when I visited way back in 1983 ( I think that was the year). We found Monticello without much difficulty. We went up to the visitor center and found the ticketing place. Come to find out that it was $22 per person, average visit time was 3 ½ hours PLUS the next tour didn't head up for another 45 min. We nixed the idea, since it was a little too much time and money for us. We headed for the car, looking for any sign that would say Monticello and discovered a small sign directing us to an African-American grave site This is when I decided that this will become the graveyard tour, since I went to Arlington the previous day. We are sure to point out any cemeteries we drive by, or signs for the National ones. There have been quite a few that we have seen that are just lovely. I guess in North Carolina there are cemeteries that are decorated like it was Memorial Day, all year round.
We learned (or was reminded) that Appomattox Courthouse is actually the name of the town in which the surrender occurred. The actual surrender was at the McLean house, not the courthouse. When we pulled up to the parking lot, I started taking pictures of the most prominent building . We walked up the lane and found the sign to the actual courthouse with a sign indicating that the visitor info was located inside, so I felt I had fell into the pattern of my father, who has a knack of taking pictures of the wrong locations. I was relieved to find out that our original impression that the large house was THE location.
We also learned that if you see a McDonald's or Subway about lunchtime, that you should stop and eat then, instead of traveling on to Appomattox via back roads and small towns (since that is how the GPS took us). We didn't find lunch until 4:30 pm that day. We used the Garmin to find food at this point. We picked a local fast food place, followed the directions, found the place but it was closed. We caved and decided to check out the food at the gas station that we just tanked up at. Needless to say, it was not that appetizing; we opted to buy snacks to tide us over until we found real fast food. I asked the clerk where the nearest fast food place was. His response “I don't know why you would want that when there is Mimo's across the street”. I asked if it were fast and he replied that “it ain't slow”. We decided that we might as well go there. Good food, but it was a wee bit slow service.
We have been amused by signs in the different states. Perhaps our favorite had to do with a sign that instructed that all two-way radios and cellular phones should be turned off at this time for a construction zone. We laughed and joked how they must have some very sensitive machines, you know, like in hospitals. About five miles later we saw a sign announcing “Leaving Blasting Zone”. What a close one. Good thing no one called us in that stretch of the highway.

Tulip time again

I went to the tulip festival again this year. This time I went with my good friend and her two lovely children. We had an enjoyable time. Although I timed it at about the same time as last year, we missed peak, because everything bloomed a bit earlier than last year. There were still flowers to enjoy, just not as many.

Dog park

I took Ubu to the dog park that is about 8 miles from our home. I think he liked it, although he spent most of the time socializing with the people rather than the dogs. Of course, most of the dogs were bigger than him. He learned quick that he is on the bottom of the dog pile. He did finally start barking again, when he was on a platform above the other dogs.
There was a little 5 year old girl at the park. Her and her siblings really took to Ubu. I said that they were welcome to hold Ubu, since I wanted him socialized with children. She came over and started asking questions such as : "so, you don't have children of your own?" "Are you married? Do you want kids?" She then declared that I should probably think of adoption. Usually I would probably think this was a bit too personal, especially from a 5 year old, but it sort of took me aback. This little girl was obviously adopted herself. I played dumb and asked if she had been adopted and she said "yes!" Then I asked "where from?" and the reply was "China!" So sweet!. It gave me something to think about.

Christmas weekend

For Christmas, hubby, ubu and I spent Christmas eve and morning at home, then packed up the car and headed over to my sister's home in Idaho. We had a nice visit there. Ubu was quite liked by all (except me by the end, after having a few "accidents" inside). He did not have any car sickness this time. I think the use of the crate helped. My nephew was baptized by his grandpa and confirmed by his favorite uncle Dave. It was a nice simple service. I am glad that the weather cooperated and we were able to go. The roads were good all the way there and back. Hubby says that is because we bought the chains for our tires. We can return the chains in April if we don't use them this winter, which is nice. I should be getting set up to use skype. Hope all your holidays are wonderful.

Meet UBU

Yesterday we finally got a dog! Yipee! I know, some of you think that I am crazy. Others have told me not to do it. I've had others that helped me look for dogs and someone else willing to bring one back from Utah for me. I was leaning towards a corgi. Almost went up to Bremerton to get a corgi from the Humane society, but in the end, decided on a miniature Schnauzer. He is a 12 week old puppy and is quite adorable, in my opinion. We were going back and forth between names of Moose and Ubu, but decided on Ubu (oo-boo). I have wanted to name a dog Ubu for a long time. When I was a child I remember watching shows and at the end of some shows, the production company would have the black lab as the trademark and they would say "sit, ubu, sit. Good dog!"
He was quite reserved when we picked him up in Cle Elum, so it was a 70 mile or so ride. I figured he was sort of freaked out because these strange people had taken him away from his mom and dad dog and siblings. Turns out, he also had a bit of car sickness. Dave held him fro 20 or so miles then handed him off to me. About 10 miles later he was feeling much better. I, on the other hand, was smelling much worse. We had to get off the free way and use some snow to try and clean Ubu and me off.