Ocean City Part 2.

April 26 - 27, 2017.

The beach and Boardwalk in Ocean City 

is as ever-changing as the tide.

No trip to the Boardwalk is complete without some 

famous Thrasher's French Fries.

These two became friends 

once the Bulldog realized Zu was not a threat.

She gets this "What the Hell is That?" look often.

She's used to it.

My Dad used to say "You wear your feelings on your face".

Yup.

We had some good runs on the beach.

Zuma loved the freedom.

The mist of the sea made for an eerie atmosphere.

We loved our quiet time with sand underfoot and a crashing ocean.
Peace and Craziness and Harmony.
That pretty much sums it up.

Ocean City Revisited.

April 25 - 27, 2017.

Ocean City, MD.


Ocean City was pretty much just as we left it over a year ago.  Phew.  Thank Gawd. 
Great energy, all positive.  
Clean, uncluttered, welcoming and friendly.  We had a great three days there.  Off Season/  It's The Best.  
We watched for Zuma's reaction to a familiar place that she knew so well a year + ago and she was clearly elated to be back in OC.  She got on a big ole sniff in the parking lot (we went to our usual parking space) and immediately her tail went into reckless abandon mode smashing furiously into the car and it was obvious that she recognized the hotel, the elevator, the stairs and the smell of the sea.  It was dangerous to be in the elevator.  That tail is a weapon when in full swing.  By the time we dumped our bags in the hotel room and trotted to the Boardwalk she was over the moon 
and played with me on the beach like a puppy.  
No rules.  Just jump around and be a total puppy goofball.

 

I always like to try something new but with the rain and the transition, Doug and I agreed we needed comfort food so we had a nice dinner at the across-the-road-from-the-hotel Italian place. Remember The Kissing Chef?  Yep.  He's still got it going' on and he's still puckerin' up.  Handsome and charming as ever.  What a great character.  The staff (who likely had no idea we ate there a bunch of times a year ago) sincerely greeted us like we were family and the food was fantastic.  Ristorante Antipasti.  Food for the SOUL.  A warm welcome is what a traveler needs more than food. But freshly hand-made pasta and sauce created with warmth and love nourishes a weary body, mind and soul.  You can taste the love.  Plus, the staff occasionally bursts into song and they're pretty darned talented.  It's a great night out.

For three days we toured around the area, walked the Boardwalk and strolled around the shops; Zuma loved meeting new people and K-9s.  We connected with old friends we met over a year ago who still remembered her (not us, but her, they knew her by name.  We are invisible.  Love it).  She sniffed us into old haunts and wagged her tail endlessly when she met up with people she remembered.  It was awesome. I love this dawg.  She has no clue that her chops are all over FB.  She's just so humble, she doesn't mind.  She loves everybody and that's why she is such a Scooby Doo Dork of a Dawg and why we love hangin' out with her.

In the drizzly early mornings there were few tourists/joggers/dog walkers so we got in our 5 miles a day and it felt fantastic to return to our fitness binge (i.e., no more chips and dip on the couch).

  
One morning we saw this pair of helicopters flying in unison:

another morning we stood and oogled these kites 
being flown by a local Kite Flying Club.

If you have the need for a "feel good" minute in your life, check this out, you will pass this on to friends, it's amazing.  Be sure to watch it until the end and I challenge you to keep your mouth closed throughout the entire video because you can't do it.  I least I can't.  The winner of this challenge receives a free all-expenses-paid 2 week vacation to Fiji.  Nah, I'm messin' with ya.  But check it out!  This 80+ year old man is deaf and flies kites like you've never seen. Clamp your jaw shut.  I dare ya.  

Go on, then, make a cuppa .... you'll thank me.
This is ROMANCING THE WIND.  

   https://vimeo.com/4121199

You're welcome.  Didn't that make your day?!  
Iiiii know!  Well worth a simple wrist twist to cut and paste, huh?!

  

#romancingthewind

#oceancityinapril2017  #amazingpeopleontheboardalkinoceancity #bestitalianrestaurantoceancity  #travelingwithagreatdanedog #ontheroadwithzuma  #kiteflyingoceancity #boardwalkoceancity #awesomepeopleoceancity 

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and Nag's Head.

April 25, 2017.

Leaving the fertile fields of Delmarva, flying by huge transports loaded with thousands upon thousands of chickens in cages heading in the opposite direction to their mortal doom and eventual glory via Perdue and Tyson, we passed the blackened stalks of cotton fields and fresh green acres of newly planted crops and headed north up the coast.

Driving back over and under The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was a piece of cake compared to my last crossing (lashing winds, torrential blankets of rain and a tractor trailer recently burned to a crisp and extinguished at the edge of the entrance to the bridge). Once you get on there, there ain't no goin' back.  The rain spattered and made for a spooky atmosphere this time but it wasn't anything like the drama of clutching the steering wheel of the VW van Zuma and I started out in.  Doug drove.  He was all cool about it.  His first crossing and a good one.  It was easy.  And I was glad.

While I snoozed (better to be unconscious when we get killed out there) Doug witnessed a road rage incident (ending up in two totalled vehicles) right in front of us.  A car and a truck and trailer bickering with automobile weapons over road space. Nobody was hurt, thankfully.  But nobody won.

Time to take a break from the fast route.  We toddled along the coast, finally able to unwind and take it slowly and drove through Nag's Head.  I seem to have a problem with sub-terranium travel.

Once we "crossed to the other side" we headed north along the coast.  Time to chill out after several frantic hours of highway travel in the rain.  Zuma remained calm and curled into an impossibly small "Dane ball" to keep herself warm; she doesn't like the cold.  I explained the route to her but she was checked out.

Nag's Head is a pretty cool place in the "off season" months. We breezed through here on the tail winds of the big storm.  
Doug took this pic.  I had to get Zu out on the beach for a romp.

The majority of the shops are seasonal so most were closed but it was fun to read the signs of the local business establishments:  
I GOT YOUR CRABS, DIRTY DICK'S CRAB HOUSE, BISCUITS AND PORN .... (now there's a combination for yah).

The ocean's pounding calls you to take a closer look and fill your shoes with sand.  The kind of sand you find in parts unknown a year later and it makes you smile.  How incredible to have the whole beach to ourselves. 

 

It's been 17 months since we dipped our feet in the Atlantic Ocean and hearing the crashing fury of waves revitalized my soul; 
Zuma got caught up in the energy of the salty air.  

We had both forgotten the scent of the sea.  Those smelly "ocean mist" candles don't begin to do it justice.

Where does the path lead now?

We wonder  what she's wondering ....  

Leaving Asheville ....

April 24, 2017.

For the final week in Asheville, I packed and cleaned the RV and when Doug arrived, we took her in for storage with a for sale sign on her.  It's been a good run, but we're changing paths.

I couldn't look back from the car as the mountains faded into the distance.  I like to see them coming, not going.  Same with people. We met such stellar people on our trip and I like to see 'em coming, not going.  I don't like goodbyes.  So we had visits with most of our great new friends for a few days and then we hit the highway.  For the ones we didn't see, we said, "see ya later" via text, FB or e.mail and we all agreed we will meet again, in NC or in Maine or in between.  True Friendships last, pick up as if friends only parted for a while; carry on through thick and thin, sharing stories, losses and gains in life.  Everything changes.  But friends are always there. Wherever "there" is.  They're there.

Zuma had to have anti-flea and anti-heart worm dope and it gave her the squirts and pukes for two days.  Try that with a 145 lb Great Dane in a 25' RV at 2:10 a.m.  It was like attempting to heroically pick up liquid mercury with a paper towel.  It was ugly.  I gag at the sound of a cat heaving a hairball 100' away so when I say this was ugly, I'm not joking.  This was really horrible.  Like, epic nasty.  We got through it.  Thank you, Bounty paper towels, the quicker picker upper.  I'll spare you the rest of the details.  You're welcome.  That's what I do for friends.

The rain has been misty, moistening, refreshing and occasionally torrential this past week; it hammered down with a vengeance once we hit the road for Southern Pines, NC, to visit our dear friends who live near us in Hope, Maine and have a Winter house in NC. Sadly, we had to decline their invitation to stay overnight because of the dreaded Squirt Alert. After a great catch-up with T & M, we headed for Rocky Mount, NC and the rain slammed down mercilessly.  This was no ordinary rain.  This was The Devil's Rain.  Compare to driving underneath gushing waterfalls.  Visibility was close to NIL on the highway but it was too dangerous to stop; cars were hydroplaning into ditches (lots of Police support), the hotel parking lot was 6" underwater when we arrived.  And Zuma was still sick even though I'd given her Pepcid as the vet advised.  

It was a shit storm all the way around.



#travelingwithagreatdanedog #rvtravelswithanXXLdog  
#shitstorm
#goodbyessucksoletsnotdothatandsaywedid #amisupposedtoputcommasinmyhashtags?
#ihopeweallmeetagainatagloriousparty

The End Of The Line?

April 24th, 2017.

Well, we're getting ready to head home shortly and I have to admit, it's gonna be strange to give up this lifestyle of being a gypsybumwritertravelerbloggerbucketlister wandering around

the country but it will be nice to return home to Maine.  

I admit, I've been a tad worried pretty much having a total meltdown about 're-entry' back into 'the real world'.  
I'm gonna miss our 'tiny house on wheels', the city here, the buskers, our friends and the mountains that surround us and wondering if I need to refill the propane. 
  
I've missed Emma and our house and the farm in Maine, our wonderful friends, the horses and the cats.  I'm guess I'm ready to go back to Maine.  It's just gonna be a huge lifestyle change. Thankfully, we have Emma and super friends and neighbors who take care of things when we're away.  They've made this 4-month trip-turned-unexpectedly-17-month trip possible.  The long blackboard downtown invites you to write "Things I Want To Do Before I Die".  'Have to share this with ya'll:

It's gonna be weird going back.  Hula Girl, our 25' motorhome is up for sale now.  The end of the line.  She's going to be stored for the Summer and, if she doesn't sell, when we return in October or November, we'll stay in her next Winter.  Or find a VRBO.  

It's been a fantastic 17 months of travel, seeing distant places, experiencing new landscapes and meeting fresh faces. Experiencing the many kindnesses of people helping travelers along the way. 

We've worked hard our whole lives and we know how extremely fortunate we are to be able to do this, to see so much of this great country and to share it with a non-complaining, adventurous, ginormous dog.  Best traveling companion ever.

Thank You, Doug, for making it possible. 
Thank you, Zuma, for being a humble, gracious, rock star of a dog wherever we go.  
And thank you, Donald for not having us blown off the map .... 
at least, not yet.

Today, I was in Ingle's (a grocery store here) and as I grabbed a shopping cart, they were playing one of my fave roadie songs and suddenly tears started rolling down my face:  The End of The Line.  I'm such a sap.   

As The fabulous Traveling Wilbury's sang:
"Well, it's alright, riding around in a breeze.
Well, it's alright, if you live the life you please" I totally felt I was losing it.  I've got allergies, I told the cashier.  Yeh, I have them too she empathized.  

Sooo .... I've got the youtube link here for ya'll; if you have three minutes all to yourself today, why not make yerself a hot cuppa tea or crack open a cold one, get yer hippie on and cut and paste, put yer feet up and enjoy this: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwqhdRs4jyA

Doug and I have agreed it's not the end of the line, we're aren't done yet.  We're just gonna take a pause, make a plan and carry on.
Before life passes us by and we're too decrepit to pull it off.
Gypsies, man, gypsies.

"Well, it's alright, even if you're old and gray,
  Well, it's alright, you've still got something to say".

Thank you, Traveling Wilburys.    
Even if your song stirred up emotions and I looked like a blubbering idiot in Ingle's.  I was blessed to have a cashier who didn't judge me for being emotional.  

If I got that song stuck in your head, well, my work is done for the day.  You're Welcome.

We're gonna miss you, Asheville.  Thank you for your gracious hospitality and for welcoming us with open arms.  
We'll be back.  

"I'm just happy to be here, happy to be alive".  Tissues, please. Happy tears.  "Remember to live and let live .... "

   

#ashevillenc #bucketlist #rvliving #travelingwilburys #endoftheline #bucketlisters #travelingwithagreatdanedog 
#tompettyhasthebestnoseever #royorbison(emptyrockingchair)butsuperbvocals #Gawdtheyweresoyoungandweren'tweall? #behappyithappened andnotsadit'sover.










  

Billy Scribbles

April 23, 2017.

  
When we were living in Savannah we were told by many travelers "You have to go to Asheville, NC, you'll love the energy and the Buskers".  So we went.  'Cuz I'm all about energy.  We couldn't get here fast enough.  We were here an hour and I said, "We need to live here". 

Over a year later, we're still keeping Asheville as our 'home base'. We've been searching for a small house to make it our "Winter home" but we haven't found one.  So we'll be back in the Fall and try again.  Music and art makes the city.  

Totally by coincidence, I meet up with a lot of writers.
Writing compares to:  "Take all your clothes off and expose everything and expect people to give you money", one writer told me.  Yep.  That about sums it up.
I may have to take up the banjo. The tips would likely be better, lol.

Writing is about exposing your soul and it's frightening and scary and you have to have a thick skin.  
But some stories need to be shared so you just go for it.

Which brings me to writing about great souls we've met on our journey.   Which inspires me to write about Billy Scribbles.  He has SOUL.  He wrote a book that Doug found on Amazon (only place you can buy it, ya'll, and I highly recommend it, limited edition so don't miss out).  He shoots from the hip and someone told him "you write how I think" and I wish I coulda told him that first 'cuz I feel exactly the same way.

Billy is a really cool guy.  His real name is Brendan Brown.  Doug sent me a copy of his book, GAS STATION TALES and I unwrapped the parcel and plunked down at the picnic table one afternoon and read the whole book in one sitting, laffing out loud as the neighbors asked me, "WHAT are you reading?" and I lent two fellow glampers the book and they loved it too.  The book is small, an easy-going read and I guarantee you will laff out loud.  

So.  I HAD to meet Billy Scribbles (his pen name) before we leave Asheville and have him sign my copy of his book.  Oh My Gawd.  I felt like an aging 'groupie' trying to track him down in the city.  But I had to meet his guy.  Finally, two days ago, we met him and his lovely partner, Katie in front of Woolworth's and he graciously signed my book and we pretty much dragged them off for a drink at a local bar and had a really super visit with them.  Before he becomes a star on Oprah's Book Club List.  Oprah, take note.

Billy Scribbles (Brendan Brown is his real name) is handsome, sweet and super humble.  He and Katie are just a delight and we invited them to come to Maine and hang out at the farm and we hope they do and we hope he'll play locally.  I'll definitely blog about it because mid-coast Maine is in for a real treat.    

A year ago, I wrote a blog about the Asheville Buskers and the group he plays in ("Ain't Nothin' Much").  

May 19, 2016 Blog:  Buskers and Biscuits and Gravy.
That's Billy playing in the 7th pic, on the right.

FYI, Real "Buskers" are street musicians .... with class.  And soul.  They play for tips and they make people smile and get all warm and fuzzy.  Billy plays the banjo, harmonica, the spoons and the guitar. He will tell you he's not that great but he IS.  He's just so humble. 

I hope you check him out on FB.  I hope you buy Gas Station Tales.  And I hope you snort tea out of your nose like a goofball as I did when I read it and made a scene at the RV Park.  It's been a long time since I read a book that is so honest, raw and genuinely kind about the crazy people who frequent the night shift's routine in a haunted gas station.  And Billy didn't even have to take his clothes off and expect people to give him money when he wrote Gas Station Tales.  He's the real deal.  We need a good belly laff at this challenging time in America.  He has another book coming out in June, about how he crossed this country on $64.00 busking his way across America.  Stay Tuned!

People with soul.  Rare.  They make the world a better place.       

View more blog posts for more fun people at 
ON THE ROAD WITH ZUMA!

    
#billyscribbles #ashevillebuskers #ain'tnothinmuch #ontheroadwithzuma #mountainmusic #gasstationtales #travelingwithagreatdanedog #peoplewithsoul #americaneedsagoodbellylaff #buskingacrossAmerica #makingtheworldabetterplace

More Pix of Brother Wolf's RUN FOR THE PAWS ....

April 30, 2017.

Hello Again! 

Here are a few more pix from RUN FOR THE PAWS ....

                           

 

  Brother Wolf provided drinking and wading pools  

so everyone kept cool....

    

.... and when the people got thirsty, OH! Look where we are! 
New Belgium Brewery!

We're on the road with Zuma this week so it's a bit of a challenge to write.  We hope you'll check back with our blog in a couple of days for more feel-good Asheville vibes!  If you haven't heard of Billy Scribbles, he's a writer, musician, busker, lover of folk songs, humorist, traveler, fascinating guy who wrote a great book about his experiences working the night shift at a gas station in Asheville.  I hope you stay tuned, you're in for a real treat!

#BrotherWolf  #RUNFORTHEPAWS #coolAshevilledogsandpeople
#billyscribbles

#ontheroadwithzuma # #travelingwithagreatdanedog