Another Cool And Rainy Day

Yesterday, we took several walks. We sometimes drop Scout off when she gets tired and she missed out meeting an older couple that gave me treats. They live here in the summer and then they go to Florida for the rest of the year. They are really nice. Everyone but that man that glares at us because his dogs have a barking problem have been nice to us. We met another man this morning that talked to us for a long time. We got bored with him since we were on a mission to walk before the rain returned.  Mama mentioned how much we like the cool weather and he said it was hot.  Dad said someone said to the same thing to him yesterday.  Hot?  Seriously, it is in the 70's and 80's.  I guess it depends on what you get used to.  It is 71 in the RV this morning.  We have the windows opened.  Mama had to close the front door though because someone below us has a fire going and the smoke gives her migraines.  Yes, we camp and Mama can't be around campfires.  LOL   It hasn't been an issue until we got here. 

Mama wanted to mention that if you ever go to Washington DC, she recommends going to Ford's Theater. That is where Lincoln was shot. She was there several years ago and the man who gave the tour was really good. His talk was very vivid and Mama felt like she was really there when it all happened. She then went across the street where Lincoln was taken after he was shot and saw the bed that he died in. She has also been to Springfield, IL and toured all the Lincoln things there. She also recommends seeing the Holocaust Museum. It is very sad to see, but should be so that we don't forget what happened.  Washington DC has so much to see and do.  We definitely didn't have enough time there.

Here's a view coming into our campground.

Another view of the road in the campground.

Some of the campers in the main camping area. They are not in the woods like us.

There is a national park near us, Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is only 10 miles from us. We visited there on Sunday.  We only saw a small part of it.  We hope to go back and do some hiking.

Scout and I walking at Cuyahoga Valley Naitonal Park

Train Depot

Train that visitors can take in the park.  The folks are going to go back and ride it.

Creek in park

Saturday night, the folks ate at Rocknes.  It is an upbeat, fun type of restaurant.  Mama ordered a Mini Max Hamburger.  Basically, it looks like McDonald's Big Mac, but comes with a steak knife in it to hold it together.  It has a secret sauce on it.   It is bigger than a Big Mac.  Mama said it was good.  Guess what?  She was so excited about eating it that she forgot to take a photo.  She said she will have to go back and eat there again so she can take a photo.  Dad had a cheeseburger.  He liked it too.


 Mama make a Hawaiian Pizza last night, but once again forgot to take photos.  We are going to have to tape the camera to her, I think.   She said the pizza was good.  It had BBQ sauce, bacon bits, ham, pineapple and cheese.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Needs To Learn To Use A Camera Since Mama Keeps Forgetting

Thinking Back To Our Time In Washington DC

We are behind in our blogging, so even though we are now in Ohio, we are going to tell you about what we did the last few days in College Park, MD.

After Dad finished his meetings on Thursday night, they went out to dinner.  There was a coupon on the campground map and Dad thought the place looked good. Mama told him that the tour guide had said it was her favorite restaurant in College Park.  When they arrived, Daddy said "I think we might be too YOUNG to eat here."  LOL   Mama said they were definitely the youngest people there. The tour guide is a senior citizen, so I guess she fit right in.  The name of the place is TJ's of Calverton.  Mama ordered a chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and cole slaw.

It was good and yes, we did get a bite of it.

Dad's meal - Shrimp Alfredo with Garlic Bread

The cost of the meal after the coupon was $30, so not a cheap meal.   Mama said it was good, but she would try other places before going back.

The next day, they took the metro train into Washington DC.  They visited the National Museum of American History.   They had visited it the last time they were there and Mama said it seemed smaller.  It was very crowded and Mama doesn't like crowds.

Dumbo from Disneyland ride

Hat that Lincoln was wearing the night he was shot.

Flag that was flown on Lincoln's funeral train.

Kermit!

Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves

Archie Bunker's (All In The Family) Chair

Old computer - this is what they had when I was in high school.

George Washington's Uniform

This was written by someone who was passing through Villa Ridge, MO in 1950.  What is great about this?  Mama grew up in Villa Ridge, MO.  It is a very small town.  It is just amazing to see something from her hometown in the museum.

Travel trailer

Cars and train in automotive part of museum

Greyhound bus

More automobiles

Mama said she felt old because she heard kids asking; "Who is Muhammad Ali?" Who is Archie Bunker?" "What are records?"  The saddest question she heard was from an 11 year old.  He asked "Was George Washington our first President?" and he was serious. What is he learning in school?

The first time she was there, they were cleaning the first flag.  It is now complete and restored, but no photos are allowed. There were a lot of other things that they saw, but she didn't take photos of such as dresses that the First Ladies have worn and things like that.  It is a very interesting museum.

Unfortunately, they did not eat dinner in DC.  They ended up leaving DC around 3 p.m.  Mama thought they would see another museum, but Dad was ready to leave. They ate dinner at a Chinese buffet near the campground.   Mama said the food was really good.  She was a little scared because the floors were sticky and so was the soy sauce jar, but she didn't get sick after eating there.  There was a sign that said if you wasted food, you would be charged a surcharge.  If you wanted a knife, you had to ask for it.  We are not sure what is up with the lack of knives.  Mama said it was the best Chinese buffet that they have had since being on the road.  She can't remember the name of the place though.

I think I still have more photos from the campground to show you, but we will save that for another day.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Finds It Confusing To Blog About DC When He Is In Ohio

Still Kickiing Up My Paws In DC

Scout and I are still exploring the campground here. Dad is attending his conference now, so we are not seeing much of him.  He got home around 10:30 last night and we expect the same tonight.  Today is his birthday and he has to attend meetings all day.  Dad was actually born in Maryland.  His Dad was in the Army. It's strange that he is back in his birthplace on his birthday considering he only lived here for a very short time.

The folks ate at a place called Hard Times Cafe the other night.  It is a place that is just down the road from our campground.  They are known for their chili.  They brought out a sampler of their chili before the folks ordered.

Texas Chili: Coarse ground beef cooed in its own juice, using an authentic turn of the century family spice blend and recipe.
Cincinnati Chili: Introduced in 1922 by Greek immigrants, it is a fine grind of beef with a tomato base and sweeter spices including cinnamon.
Terlingua Red: A tribute to the Texas ghost town that hosted the first Chili cook-off. A redder color and spicy kick of championship chilies.
Vegetarian Chili: Soy flakes cooked in a tomato base with fresh mushrooms, onions, green peppers, jalapenos & peanuts.

Mama decided to order their Five Way Chili Mac which is spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions & beans.  She chose the Texas chili.  She decided that she should have mixed it with the Terlingua Red since the Texas Chili is a little greasy.  The portion size was huge though and she brought some home and had it for lunch the next day.

Five Way Chili Mac

Dad ordered the Polish Cowboy: Grilled Kielbasa topped with BBQ sauce, Cincy Chili, fresh-cut fries and coleslaw. Serve with a side of onion rings.

Polish Cowboy

 Dad liked it. The onions rings were really good and Mama said the dipping sauce was zesty.

Yesterday, Mama ate at the cafe here.  She said the burger was really good. She will probably go back tonight. She bought a cup from them because they give unlimited refills for your entire stay and if you come back at any time in the future, they say you can get free refills.  Mama says that is a good deal because she loves her Diet Pepsi.  She has already had like four refills and we are here for a few more days. Mama gets excited over the silliest things.

Last night and this morning, we walked on the nature trail.  We still haven't completed the whole thing. We just hop on and off.

This is the Bus Depot at our park.  We watch the buses come and go all day.

Here we go through the woods.

There is a bridge up ahead.

Another bridge

We had been searching for this pond for a few days.

Pretty flowers in front of one of the many bath houses.

Our site.

 We have been visiting the dog park each night.  There are only a few dogs here.  They actually have a dog walker in the park that can be hired. Mama said she would be scared that we would get away from her.  Actually, she is scared that I would get away.  Scout would probably just tell the dog walker to skip the walk and pet her.

Oh, we were asked what is up with all the turtles. We don't know, but we found where they have some in storage. LOL

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Still Finding New Places To Explore Here

We are in DC!

We arrived in Washington DC last night. Actually, we are in College Park, MD which is close to DC.  We had a pretty easy trip, no problems. Our gas stops all went well unlike our trip to Texas.  I would like to say it's because the folks are more experienced now, but part of it depends on how crowded the gas stations are and how easy they are to get in and out. We only stop at travel centers, but they are not always RV friendly even though they should be.

We hit heavy traffic in Virginia. If there was a car on the side of the road it caused a standstill. We hit big jams several times during our last 100 miles.

Virginia Traffic

I love our campground!  Mama says it is rated #2 in Best Parks of America.  There is so much activity here.  Mama says I am over-stimulated. Today, she decided I needed to wear my harness because I was pulling way too much. I am acting much better now.

The campground is really a resort. Mama says it is perfect for families.  They have a bus depot here so the buses come here to pick people up for tours or to take them to metro stations.  There is a nice store that has camping things as well as souvenirs. There is also miniature golf, a spray park, basketball court, several playgrounds, nature trail, cafe, outdoor movie theater, hot tub, sauna, game room, exercise room, free Cable TV, free Wi-Fi, TV lounge area and they have a DOG PARK!  Actually, there are two! This place is huge!  We still haven't seen it all.

Each day they offer an informational sightseeing session to help the campers learn how to get around DC. Mama is going to attend tomorrow's session.  They really make things easy here.

Oh, Boy!  Look at this place!

Turtles are all over.

View of the park.

Pool area

Tractor rides are offered free every night.

At the dog park.

Turtles are even in the dog park.  Dad says it is a hazard.

Fire hydrant is also a hazard to running dogs.  We haven't run yet though.

I love being off leash again!

Dad and Scout walking down the path.

A view from the dog walk.

Another view from the dog walk.

And one more view from the dog walk.

We still haven't walked the nature trail. It goes through the woods. It's 1.5 miles.  Does anyone know if we need to worry about Lyme Disease in this area from ticks?  Haven't had any ticks yet, but Mama wonders if it is okay for us to go on the nature trail.

I am having the best time here!!!!  

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Wouldn't Mind Living At This Campground