Journey Through North Carolina – Part 2

by usathroughoureyes

Before leaving on any road trip, there is always preparation work to be done.  On our list was making sure Daisy was mechanically sound.  This was only our 3rd long distance road trip in our travel van Daisy since purchasing it in late fall of 2016.   Since this would be our first spring/summer excursion we needed to de-winterize it.  One would think “what’s the big deal” and you would be right.  But, being our first time we wanted to be safe and have a dealer do it.  We scheduled the appointment and $400.00 later we were set.  Wow, this was great… now we could use the faucets and toilet.

Next on our list was some small fix it projects and finally was bathe Emma.  You dog owners probably know a 60-pound chocolate lab can sometimes be a tad bit odiferous especially when inside a camper van that has limited living space, so we wanted her to begin the trip fresh and clean.  Emma does love her baths so this was an easy task.

Well this is it for today.  We hope you come back and see how the trip unfolds as we share more of the USA Through Our Eyes.  Until then be safe.

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usathroughoureyes

~ USA Through Our Eyes ~ Stories Told Through Words, Photographs, Videos and Sound

79 thoughts on “Journey Through North Carolina – Part 2”

  3. Thank you Elizabeth. She loves her bath time for sure. LOL, LOL about Remy and Henry acting as though you are using acid and sandpaper. You have a wonderful sense of humor Elizabeth as well as culinary skills!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Sir, let me ask for a favor. Please by and read my book, “The End Matters Most – The Journey into a Glorious Destiny” and critically review it. It is a Christian book. God bless you , Audrey. Say me well to Emma, and I pray Daisy will always be in good condition. God bless your children (whether born or unborn). I hope the prayer is not too much?

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  11. Soooo much wonderful happening. God at work. We have this dream, we step out into this dream, we want to share the dream so we begin a blog USA Through Our Eyes, and we repeat the process again and again. By chance, have you read the book “The Pursuit of God” by Tozer? In it he writes in chapter 2 a story of Abraham and Issac. How he unpacks it is profound. After God walked through the moments with him Tozer notes he, [Abraham], had everything, but he possessed nothing.

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  13. Daisy held up well but you see in the upcoming post where she needed some tender loving care at the garage to replace some important parts. It was all good though because now we’re better prepared. But at least for the start of the journey Emma had a bath and we got on the road.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Dear friends, Just to let you know, you don’t have to bathe a cat. I’ve been escaping the house on a daily basis and think I would love to ride in a camper called Daisy. Your Friend, Roxie Dammit aka The Other Cat.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Our boy is actually an old man. He almost 17 years old, so he doesn’t have the energy to hunt any scents. He still will halfheartedly chase the herd of deer in our backyard though. I know he loves to swim and be in water…but for some odd reason he HATES the bath! You stay safe as well, I’m glad that you were able to navigate those turns on the BRP. They can be so tricky.

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  23. LOL. This is great you have a chocolate lab also. They are great travel companions. How is he in the woods with all the wildlife around? Do you let him off leash? Emma wants to hunt down every scent. That’s interesting Mocha doesn’t like bath time. For Emma, if there is water she’s in it. Great having you along. Be safe out there and keep sharing your adventures for all of us to be a part of. Thanks also for your comments.

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  24. Our chocolate lab needs bathing rather frequently. He sleeps in the bed with us so a smelly dog is a big no-no. You’re so lucky Emma loves her baths…Mocha acts like we’re sentencing him to torture every time we scrub him clean.

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  28. This is so true. We enjoy the lamp we light for ourselves, but when it is lit around others, it may not be so appreciated. The world is a constant test of our faith, no doubt!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. This is awesome Steve. Get away time with the bride makes for a happy marriage and the opportunity to be in the world and sharing your faith by your walk. We find it easy to be in our home but its when we get on the road and with the people that the real test of our walk is put to the test.

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  30. Sounds like a fun road trip. My wife and I just got back from a week on the road in 3 states and it was so much fun!

    Steve

    Liked by 1 person

  33. After a week in the van and returned to you current home you would feel like it was a 3000 square foot mansion, 21 cubic foot refrigerator, 300 square foot bathroom with garden tub and two walk in closets, lol.

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  34. Amazing how adaptable dogs can be. They actually seem to prefer those little dens (with sufficient romping time outside, of course!)

    As I watch those road-warrior videos I often wonder if I could live that way myself. In some ways it seems almost simpler – and how fun to be able to take your “house” with you around the country.

    Then I look around and think that organizing my current digs for functional ease doesn’t seem quite so daunting after all. 🙂
    xx,
    mgh

    Liked by 1 person

  35. LOL. There is definitely a science to managing in small quarters. When one of us is moving the other sits. Its funny because Emma knows the routine and get up between the front captains chairs and sits with her little tail wagging. At night when we push the button for the bed to fold out she waits then sachets to the little cubby hole underneath it which is like a little fort and snuggles in till morn. Its amazing how much room there is for as little room as there is, lol.

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  37. SO eager to read about it. For some bizarre reason I’m fascinated by life in tiny spaces.

    Perspective, I guess – keeping me grateful despite my current reality of too few closets and my yearning for more effective storage space. lol (My kingdom for a utility closet!)
    xx,
    mgh

    Liked by 1 person

  38. lol – GREAT mental picture! NOW I have to get Tink a bath toy. 🙂

    My friend Jason swears by those doggie baths. But I don’t think he climbs in himself, even with the terrier — no room left over with his big dog. (but then, he’s probably not as dirty as you guys get on the road, coming directly from the ‘burbs).

    Tink sends Emma a big WOOF!
    xx,
    mgh

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Yup, these self bath things are really popular. They kind of frown down on it though when we climb in the tub with our rubber ducky and Emma but hey we need a bath too, lol, lol. Emma says Tink could supervise, woof woof.

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  40. Its funny how the chores are there regardless of being at home or on the road but the how too is a bit different. Because of the compressed space each thing we do requires immediate attention so as not to lose ones mind. We start each morning with God and laugh our way through the rest of the day (so we don’t harm each other, LOL). It just seems to flow and some days we wonder how it does but it does. We’ll be definitely be posting more on this topic of survival on the road. The physical part is pretty easy its the other parts that can easily be put off but with consequences, lol.

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  41. Are you able to locate a $10 bath for Emma when you are on the road, or are they mostly a city thing?

    btw- Tinks eyes don’t really gleam with pleasure. I think he’s mostly accepting what’s so and hoping it won’t last much longer – lol. Shih Tzu aren’t really water dogs.
    xx,
    mgh

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  42. And you are a doll to say so – thank you!

    btw – I typed grey but was thinking black (re tanks and emptying same). No surprise to read about the many ways folks have come up with to work around that little chore.

    I’m looking forward to your “pragmatics” post. I’m so curious about how you manage to support yourselves on the road (spiritually and psychologically and practically – not monetarily, btw).
    xx,
    mgh

    Liked by 1 person

  43. LOL. Yes, the grey tank isn’t bad but that black one… well you can imagine. Actually they empty so easily when the macerator works. That’s an upcoming post. It is great having you along with us even if its only a virtual ride along. We feel your presence through your encouragement. You always say the right things to keep us moving forward. You are an excellent life coach!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  44. We’re sure Tink loves that bath time as does Emma. As we bath her you can just see her eyes gleaning with ahhhh’s. Yes these bath houses are great. 10 buck and they supply multiple soaps, towels, etc. We walk out drenched but with a happy and clean dog.

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  46. I have spent many a happy [procrastinating] hour watching YouTube videos of folks who customize their vans into travel vehicles for l-o-n-g road trips – so it was fun watching you add the net, etc. (since I feel like I actually KNOW you guys).

    I’m sure you’ve investigated toilet options, but the videos I’ve seen seem to believe this feature is not optional – lol. MOST prefer to avoid grey water tanks when possible, however. They seem equally thrilled with “running water” so I got a big grin from your mention of these two items.

    I’m almost as excited to read about this trip as I might have been if I were traveling with you actually vs. virtually. Eager for Part 4.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    Liked by 2 people

  47. Yeah – I noticed that! Tink tolerates baths well, but we have to do the blow dryer in segments – frequent breaks (and treats!). Even tho’ he is much smaller than Emma (we bathe in a plastic tub in the kitchen sink!), his hair is much longer, and Shih Tzus cannot sit around wet or they are likely to catch pneumonia (their Achilles heel). It takes more time after the actual bath itself is done than it takes to bathe him.

    Aren’t those bath houses for dogs GREAT! I have friends with bigger dogs who swear by them.
    xx,
    mgh

    Liked by 1 person

  54. Thank you so much for your kind words that encourage us beyond what you may know. We so enjoy the process of learning to tell stories through the 3 minute or less video. RIT preached that you have to tell it in 3 minutes of less. A challenge when you have an interesting subject.

    Liked by 2 people

  55. I love the video “blog” elements you used in this post and the previous post. Your videography and accompanying music make us feel like we’re right there with you. What a lovely piece!

    Liked by 2 people

  58. LOL, this is good Margaret. You and Mandy would have laughed because that is how Emma was as we were preparing. She kept adding her bone and Frisbee to the pile as if to say, don’t forget these things, lol.

    Liked by 2 people

  66. Thanks Anne. Yes she loves bath time. If there is water around she’s in it, lol. So nice having you along to share it with. We gotta say how much we enjoy when you post photos of your horses. They are so strong looking and well groomed.

    Liked by 1 person

  67. I loved Emma’s bath! She looked like she knew it was bath time when she went into the store. What a lovely face she has and she was very good in the bath too. Safe travels!

    Liked by 2 people

  73. Both videos are great, but washi Emma is fantastic, she is so sweet and patient, a big hug for her and a wraff from Mandy. (She hate a hairdryer, to much noise 😉 )

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  74. Glad you enjoyed the video of Emma’s bath experience. She loved it all except as you can see in the video how the blow dry was making her antsy. Dogs love their bath time and you like us are lucky they tolerate it.

    Liked by 1 person

  76. Love the doggie wash and wish there was something like that for my Rottie mix. He’s pretty good about being hosed off in the back yard since it’s always hot here, but I can see how happy Emma is and that would be a treat. Safe journey to you!

    Liked by 2 people

  79. You are off, so well planned and greatly organized.👍🏻
    Lovely to see Emma 🐾🐾 have her bath❣️
    Safe travels, all of you.
    Warm greetings from ☀️☀️ Norway🇳🇴

    Liked by 3 people

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