Happy New Year!!!!

It is 10:20pm and we are sitting around a white man's fire in Dahlonega, Ga eating jalapeno poppers and delicious grilled chicken and baked potatoes cooked over the fire.  It is gloriously warm here, sweatshirt weather, maybe in the 50's.  We are staying at this awesome farm, pictures to come tomorrow, gorgeous mountain views, fat furry mules in the field.  Lady and the Tramp are moved in and loving it here.  We turned them loose in the field next to the mules and they ran and ran today on the rusty colored soil.  We went to breakfast today in historic Dahlonega, a cute town full of antique stores and charming stores.  Terry and Mark and the boys went hunting this evening but only saw squirrels.  It is beautiful here and I can see why Mark and family spends so much time here as their second home I think.

Well, looks like we will stay up until midnight and I will say goodnight and Happy New Year.  May all of you have a  very blessed, healthy and happy new year.  Happy 2011!

6:17 pm and still driving

We got kind of a late start with tearing up Richard and Roz's yard and ditch and all and are still driving, We are about 80 miles from Dahlonega, GA where we will stay for at least the weekend.  Have had a good day, it is 51 degrees out still and we actually can get out of the truck without a coat on now. YIPPPEEEEE>  Lady and Al (should have called him Tramp and will start referrring to him here although if any of you know Lady she is the real tramp in the family) are doing good so far though I'm sure they are exhaused from Bobe hitting the brakes so much since these southern drivers aren't in a hurry and like to gawk at every exit.

Since we will be pulling in late and in the dark I will say GOODNIGHT now.

We made it to Kentucky but couldn't get out of their driveway!!!!!

Okay, we had a great trip to KY on dry roads all the way.  Had a nice visit with good friends Richard and Roz from England.  Lady and Al got to stay in the Ritz Carlton of all horse fields with the 4 rail black fence and stunning views of the neighboring fields, beautiful!

Richard, Bobe and Roz


Then, we went to leave and couldn't get out their driveway!  Big Bertha is too long and wide and their road is only one lane wide.  So we had to build a bridge over the deep ditch with rocks.  Whew, just made it out and now my hands have stopped shaking and I can type this.  We are covered in mud but relieved that we didn't flip the trailer over and are headed south.

Check out how narrow that crazy road is!

11 hours and counting...

The dogs are washed, one willing and one not.  The bed is made, the clothes are in, the truck is washed and all 900 other things are done.  Only one thing left to do and that is to go swimming one last time, sleep peacefully all night long (probably not) and get up and leave.  Had a long talk with Lady today about going on a grand adventure where we might meet some new friends, see new places, get stuck with some strange cactus prickers and generally go camping for 3 straight months.  She thought it would be okay as long as there was a 50 lb bag of horse cookies involved. Check that off the list.  Al has never been anywhere or done anything so he will think this is his new life.  MaryJean and Gracie are waiting on the hill in the yard to get in the truck.  They are so anxious that Gracie got in Val's truck, oops, wrong truck.  She is sure she is going somewhere.  Since they have had their bath (sorry Sabrina and Erick about the bathtub) it must be my turn.  Goodnight.

Packing, packing packing, countdown to leaving in 34 hours...

34 hours and counting, the hay is loaded, the horses are shod, the Christmas tree is back in the basement with the mice and the laundry is almost done.  Heading up stairs to take the 2nd to last swim in the big tub before we head out for parts unknown on Wed. am.  Our beloved elderlies Miss and Junior are safely stowed at the fat farm in Fenton under the watchful eye of dear friends Pocahontas and Uncle Steve.  Gracie has been at me heels all day wondering if she gets to go.  "Yes, I assured her, you too MJ."  I have packed 1 pair of shorts, and 1 pair of long johns for the trip and everything in between... hoping I won't be wearing that winter coat much.  Definately leaving the snowpants at home and those darned rubbery ice clips for the bottom of my boots.  Wondering how many books to take?????  Thinking I might like this blogging, I can't seem to shut up.  Better get swimming, tomorrow will be here soon and the raw panic of the last day before leaving for 3 months! Goodnight