Harpers Ferry

Happy Memorial Day! I hope that you were blessed with a day off from work on this glorious day! For our Memorial Day, Babu and I decided to go hiking near Harpers Ferry.  We left the house (and Tahoe and Ashley) around 8:15am and reached the start of the "blue trail" around 10:20am. We hiked (up) the blue trail for about an hour and then we worked our way along on the "white blazed" Appalachian Trail, towards Harpers Ferry. It was sunny, scenic, and very hot.

Scenic overlook on the blue trail - Harpers Ferry

Babu

We hiked a loop that took us about 3 hours. It was only 7mi long but there were a few good up hill sections on the trail that kept our pace slow and steady. In the last mile and a half, we reached a bridge that had a sign that said "Closed to Pedestrians." After going up and down and up and down, I was really not looking forward to turning around and hiking 5.5 miles back to where we came from. So... we ignored the sign and we crossed the bridge. Two-thirds of the way across the bridge we reached a section of the pedestrian walk that was covered and closed with tarps. Luckily there was a hole that we could squeeze through to continue walking without getting run over by the busy traffic on the bridge. Unfortunately, this was also the spot where Babu's hat flew off his head and landed in the Potomac.

A turtle on the trail

Babu crossing the railroad tracks

Babu emerging (hatless) from the bridge construction area

And of course... Memorial Day would not be complete without hotdogs and hamburgers grilling in the backyard. Sadly, Brian had to work today but he made it home in time to enjoy a cookout.

Hamburgers on the grill with Ashley in the background

Biking & a Sick Pup

Over the weekend, I finally dusted off my tires and went biking. I met up with Babu at his favorite (top secret) course.  I managed to ride around for about an hour - it was nice to get back on my bike and pound out some miles. Here's a few pics that I took of Babu...

Babu Armstrong

Babu in the rear view mirror

Ashley has had an upset stomach this week. She must have really been feeling bad this morning because she wouldn't even eat her breakfast. Ashley ALWAYS eats her food so I knew something was wrong.  I decided to come home from work at lunchtime today to check on her. Unfortunately, during the five hours that I had been at work, she had gotten sick and left some unpleasant evidence in the living room. Poor thing.  She ate her dinner tonight so I hope that she's feeling better soon.

Ashley - in need of some tlc

A Long Walk

Today was a beautiful day. So nice that I decided to take Tahoe and Ashley out for the "extra long" walk that I had promised them. We walked and walked and walked...

Ashley waiting for the "walk" sign

Ashley on the "go"

Our goal:  to walk around Lake Mercer

Water break

On the trail

Ashley and Tahoe, walking in rhythm

Hmm... 6:03pm on May 21... we haven't vanished yet

 In total, we walked about 7 miles. We walked past a busy highway and through ball fields and on a trail in the woods and around a lake... only twice did Ashley lay down to catch her breath. All in all, it was a great walk - perfect for a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Claire at Mango's

This evening we decided to go out and see Claire perform at Mango Mike's in Alexandria. We love Mango Mike's! (Brian and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner there - well, we didn't really have a wedding rehearsal but we still had a "rehearsal dinner" the night before our wedding.) We also love Claire! Henry is Brian's brother and Claire is Henry's fiancée.  Anyhow, Mango Mike's is a fun, relaxed place and tonight, Claire was performing there.

Claire, strumming her guitar

Mango Mike's

Unfortunately, Tahoe and Ashley could not join is for our evening out.  In fact, they didn't even get a walk today because it has been raining all evening... I'll have to make it up to them with an extra-long walk this weekend.

It's my Lucky Day!

Have you ever found a four-leaf clover? I haven't. In fact, I don't think that I have ever really seen one. So, this prompted me to ask, do four-leaf clovers even exist? Babu told me that they do exist. He used to have one preserved in wax paper in between the pages of a book. For the last two weeks, everytime that Babu and I walked Tahoe and Ashley, he's occasionally stopped to look for the elusive four-leaf clover to show me that they do exist and can be found.

Today though, was my lucky day...

I found this four-leaf clover during our walk

What are the odds? According to Wikipedia, it has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. According to tradition, the leaves on a four-leafed clover bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally. Legend has it that each leaf represents something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.

Here are some pics of Tahoe and Ashley from the walk...

Crazy Tahoe

Ashley getting some love

Tahoe and Ashley playing basketball

Remember how I mentioned a few posts back that the ticks are out this season and are already latching on to Tahoe and Ashley? Well... it seems that they are not the only ones that are being pestered by the little blood suckers... this morning, I found this...

A tick in my hair - eew!

Yep, that's my scalp... luckily, Brian came to the rescue and plucked it out. All better now.

Yesterday, we went to my brother's house to celebrate my nephew's First Communion. Tahoe and Ashley stayed at home but they wanted me to pass along sloppy wet kisses to my nephew for a "job well done!" Luckily for Christopher, I only gave him a hug.

Christopher, celebrating with wii

We're Still Walking...

During the day, Tahoe and Ashley have been a little more vocal than normal because we are replacing the trim on the house... installers have been up on ladders, peeking in windows, and banging on the exterior of the house keeping Tahoe and Ashley in "alert" mode. In the evening, I've been taking Tahoe and Ashley for their daily walk - those two are so full of energy, they literally pull me down the sidewalk!

Sometimes it feels like I'm being lead by horses!

Tahoe looks on as Ashley eats grass

Ashley on the move

Tahoe, watching people in the distance

Mother's Day

Mothers are amazing. In honor of Mother's Day, here's a closer look at one of America's most iconic mother's: Whistler's Mother

Arrangement in Black and Grey No. 1

Anna Whistler. I bet you didn't know but, behind Anna’s calm and serene countenance lies an amazing story of a courageous woman born in Wilmington, NC, who raised two sons, lost three in infancy, sailed across the Atlantic at least five times, lived in luxury in the barbaric fairyland of Czarist Russia, survived the Civil War, and risked her life to run the Federal Blockade in order to be with son James, the artist, in London. Anna was a devoutly religious but indulgent mother, and an educated and cultivated woman whose life was full of adventure and paradox. She was 67 when she posed for this painting.

So, in the spirit of honoring mothers and incredible women like Anna Whistler, Happy Mother's Day to my mother, and to all of the amazing and wonderful mother's out there!
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Today, Brian saved a dog. Yep... my Brian. The one that claims he didn't like dogs before Tahoe and Ashley. He saved a dog today.  This is how he describes what happened:

He was at work around 11am when something told him to go home. It didn't make much sense for him to go home because he needed to be at work to train a new staff member at 1pm. By going home, he knew that he would only be able to stay there for 30 minutes before having to turn around and go back to the office. Nevertheless, he headed home and on his way he found a stray dog on the exit of a major highway. I credit Brian's actions in the next part of this story to a very special friend of ours who was known for her caring and compassionate nature - no doubt, her spirit inspired Brian.

So, Brian got out of his car, got the dog into his car so it was safe and off the highway, and he called the local police dispatcher. The dispatcher suggested that Brian take the animal to a shelter that was a 25 minute drive from where he was.  Brian's GPS was not working so he called me and luckily, I was home to give him directions to the shelter. After a little challenge with determining if the shelter was open or not, Brian finally got someone to answer the door and take the dog in. Our fingers are crossed that he finds a good home.

Brian's little buddy - a pitbull/chow mix

Yum, yum, yum...

Tahoe and Ashley are addicted to grass.  Every time I take them for a walk they grab mouthfuls of grass.  Why do they eat grass? Does your dog do this too? I once read that dogs eat grass because they are lacking certain vitamins and nutrients in their regular diet. That explanation prompted me a while back to buy Dog-wa, a liquid herbal solution that claims it provides the nutrients that dogs seek when they eat grass.  Supposedly, adding Dog-wa to your dog's daily diet should make your dog less likely to eat grass. Umm... let's just say it didn't quite work like that for us.  It turned out that I would give them Dog-wa AND they would eat grass too.

So, why another posting on grass eating? Well, Tahoe ate a lot of grass on yesterday's walk.  So much grass, that he didn't feel like eating today.  His stomach was making loud growling sounds all morning long! This happens occasionally and I've discovered that giving him a Greenie typically makes his stomach feel better and his appetite return.

Tahoe, digging in!

Gulping grass

P.S.: Yesterday I found a tick on Ashley's eyelashes. Those little buggers are so annoying!

Ticks & Carrie the Dancing Dog

Today I found a tick on Ashley's belly.  Since the weather has gotten warmer, those little blood suckers are out in full force.  I've found at least half a dozen ticks on Ashley and Tahoe over the past month. Luckily for me, Tahoe and Ashley have short hair and it's pretty easy to spot a tick. That said, it's important that I check them both regularly for ticks after each walk. 

Happy Ashley!

Happy Tahoe!

 Both Tahoe and Ashley are happy to be tick free.

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In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Tahoe and Ashley wanted me to post one of their favorite videos - Carrie the dancing dog!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Kayaking on the Potomac

While in Guam, Brian became a certified tour guide for the island. Although Babu and I happened to be the only tourists that Brian ever took around the island, I know that he was really excited about his certification and the prospects of someday, showing other tourists the island.

So, in the spirit of my certified "tour guide" husband, I wanted to share an "off the beaten path" way to soak up the sights in Washington, D.C. - kayaking on the Potomac.  The following are pictures from my kayaking trip with Babu today.

Jack's Boathouse, located on Water Street in Georgetown

The launching dock near the Key Bridge

We rented kayaks for two hours from Jack's Boathouse, in Georgetown. Jack's is located on the banks of the Potomac River, blocks down from historic M Street and Georgetown University. For $14 an hour, you can rent a kayak or a canoe and paddle up and down the Potomac River on your own.

Babu, with the Watergate, Washington Monument, and Kennedy Center in the background

A view of Georgetown from the water

A hidden cove - yep, this is DC, I swear

Although the weather was cool and overcast, it was still a nice day to be out on the water.  Kayaking on the Potomac is definitely a great way to check out the city.