Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pre-Rally Fun Continues

We’ve established somewhat of a routine with our group, which has continued to grow and now consists of 7 couples: Kathy & Chuck, Karen & Donnie, Arlene & Kevin, Donna & Keith, Lynette & Greg (Mac), Dortha & Mark, and Jim & myself.   We don’t do everything together, but we’ve been gathering in the evening for happy hour and some sort of dinner.  One evening everyone brought their own choice of meat to grill along with something for the salad bar.

Oh yes, Jim found time to throw together one of his cherry chocolate cakes in the Dutch Oven:

Jim 009

The next night we just offered a potato bar, everyone brought their own potato and a topping for the potato.  That night we invited more folks who are here for the Gypsy Journal Rally, as well as Molly & Bob.  Dee & Jim came along, they are staying over in Goshen at the fairgrounds for a few days.

Jim 066

I’ve taken up line dancing this week.  Carol & Marlene , who are also here for the rally, are teaching an informal class before the rally starts next week, and Dortha started last week.  She seemed to enjoy it, so I decided to try it.  I’m glad I did, I’m having a good time!  Arlene and Karen have been coming along too, and there are a few other women as well.  None of the men have joined us – yet!  Line dancing classes can be found at a lot of campgrounds across the country, so I’m hoping I’ll have the opportunity to keep taking it even after we’ve moved on.  I know there’ll be a class at the Escapade.

I’ve also been walking nearly every morning, although yesterday I took the morning off to bathe both dogs and groom Mr. Bo Jangles.  I just had them groomed in Red Bay, but they already needed some trimming, so I took advantage of the cool, calm morning to get it done.  I’ve been trying a couple of new training tricks with the dogs recently.  Mr. Bo Jangles has always been a “puller” when we walk, and has some aggressive tendencies when we encounter other dogs.  I tried a Halti lead before but didn’t have a lot of success.  Recently I met someone else who uses one and decided to make another attempt.  This time it’s working pretty well! 

The lead goes loosely over his nose to a ring under his chin and a strap fastens at the back of his head.  The leash is attached to the ring under his chin.  Dogs don’t like to have their heads turned, so when he pulls or tries to lunge, his head is turned towards me, and he stops.  The loop that goes over his nose is loose enough for him to eat, drink, bark, pant, etc., it only tightens up and turns his head if he pulls:

Jim 024

Jasmine is a barker, once she starts barking, she likes to keep it up.  I’ve tried many of the usual methods, a water spray bottle, can of rocks, shot of canned air, etc., to no avail.  The same woman who uses the Halti lead told me to try a lime – one of those little plastic bottles of lime juice that looks like a lime.  Another success – we’re making good progress with that one, too.

Jim 035

We’ve been out exploring and shopping every day, but have stayed away from any more Amish restaurants – so far!  Monday afternoon we visited one of several RV surplus-type warehouses in this area, Arrow Distributing.  It consists of three huge warehouses with just about anything that goes on or in any type of RV.  The prices are a little discounted from what we’d find at Wal-Mart or Camping World.  Dortha found a nice new patio rug, and we picked up 4 jack pads that are supposed to be very heavy duty to keep from breaking.  I also found the cleaner I use (Thetford Aqua Clean) and some picnic table cloth holders. 

On Tuesday we went to the Shipshewana Flea Market.  Other than Amish baked goods and lots of produce, this market was very much like the markets we’ve been to in Mesa and Yuma Arizona.  Lots of cheap junk.

Jim 048 

Yesterday, we found a few furniture places to browse through.  The bottom ring on Jim’s chair has broken, so we are looking around to see what we might find to replace that chair. 

Today we woke up to a chill in the air!  In fact, I noticed the temperature was about half what it was some days in Red Bay – from 104* to 52* is a huge drop for me.  I’d really like to split the difference – I think I’ll have to put the blanket back on the bed soon.

More adventures to come!

9 comments:

KarenInTheWoods said...

You guys are having wayyyy too much fun!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

Rod Ivers said...

Flea Markets, Mesa, Yuma, and the one between Donna and Weslaco in Texas. The DonWes or something like that. But Amen on the lots of cheap junk!!!!!!

Jasmine isn't your dog, she's Mark's, LOL

Karon said...

Oh, what fun you are having. When do you sleep? Jassy is a happy little camper...she gets to see her buddy. I'm really enjoying your adventure.

Keep on having fun and keep the updates coming!!!!!

Hugs, Karon

Donna McNicol said...

So tickled to see you guys tonight...if nothing else, we'll see you at 4:00 tomorrow!

Janna and Mike said...

Poor Mr. Bojangles! And poor Miss Jasmine, too! But, it is so much more pleasant when dogs behave! Have fun you guys!

Lee Ann said...

Looks like you guys are having a great time. Jim's cherry chocolate cake looks pretty yummy...Have a wonderful time at both rally's!

Barb said...

So much fun and the Rally hasn't started yet! Haven't line danced in years, but I used to love it. Great exercise and lots of fun. My Katie is a barker, too. Haven't heard the lime juice bottle method - what do you do with it?
Barbara

Dan and Gail said...

I've used a Halti lead on our Corgi, Kasey, since he was about 6 months old. He was so easy to train, but just would not heel. A trainer at Petsmart suggested the Halti, which was designed by a horseman. Within about 20 minutes he was heeling properly.

Sounds like you guys are having a great time. Hope we can meet up again sometime.

Debbie and Rod said...

You have the most well behaved dogs I have ever met and you're one of the most responsible dog owners ever!!

Deb & Rod