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“Rescued” UPDATE #1 !!! by N&J
Fort Thompson, SD (Sep 28/13) – Updating the ‘Rescued’ story on Daisy (aka Ears), the dog who was taken into care by Rescues Unlimited. Daisy delivered 4 female & 4 male pups yesterday (4 days after being rescued!), all healthy. Daisy is a very gentle and loving mother to her little ones and will not leave them for a moment. Although too soon to tell, the father might have been a Border Collie by the looks of the markings on the wee ones. 4 white, 2 black, 1 white w/black & 1 multi coloured. So thankful that she was rescued just in time. A huge ‘Thank You’ to Auntie Lindy…
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“Close Encounters of the Gizmo Kind” by N&J
Somewhere in the boonies of South Dakota (Sep 27/13) – Many have asked how N&J manage to co-exist in such a small space found in a Volkswagen Westfalia camper van. Mostly it is easy. Both completely comfortable with the living quarters as it is. Dressing, cooking, peeing, making the bed, whatever… involves some ‘dancing’ around each other. Somewhat more difficult when it is rainy. That said, there are some situations where ‘wiggle-room’ is at a premium. Thank goodness Gizmo is a ‘double-decker’ with the tent popped up. When first embarking on this voyage, N was pretty certain about what she shares ‘foodwise’, with anyone… essentially nothing. But as the journey…
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“Rescued!!!” by N&J
Crow Creek Indian Reservation, SD (Sep 22-25/13) – The sun is already up as N&J begin to stir, the morning chill fades. With gregarious yawns and a bit of rustling about, the kettle heating on the stove, their attention turns to their new-found friend ‘Ears”. Spying out the window searching for her, wondering if she survived the night. Sliding the side door open to gain a better vantage point… she is sitting right outside Gizmo’s door looking up at N&J, tail wagging, eyes yearning. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery N&J excitedly greet her and can see a slight twinkle in her eyes. Not used…
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“Day Off” by N&J
Crow Creek Indian Reservation, SD (Sep 21/13) – Saturday morning, have been here a week and it’s N&J’s first day to explore! Excited about heading into the ‘big city’ of Chamberlain SD, similar in scale to Hope BC. The first stop was the annual St. Joseph’s Indian School Pow Wow; traditional dress, native drummers and chanters festooned the school field with a pageantry of colour and music. The kids practice their dancing all year long at the chance of winning recognition and prizes. Parents sitting on the sidelines watching intently along with school supporters and spectators, enjoyed the performance under sunny skies. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow…
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“It Tickles !!!” by N&J
Fort Thompson, SD (Sep 20-21/13) – After 6 days of working on the Habitat project and being on their feet all day; aching muscles, a pair of torn shorts, a few cuts, inflamed plantar fasciitis, and paint left on the skin… N&J look back on the past week pleased at what has been accomplished. Approximately 100-120 collective hours has been put into the project. Some of that time was spent getting the lay of the land, figuring out the systems in place, and going over the master plan. Looking back… they ran telecom/data cable, pulled old wires off the building exterior, completed refurbishing the upstairs bathrooms, completed and confirmed the…
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“Opportunity Denied” by N&J
Crow Creek Indian Reserve, South Dakota (Sep 18-19/13) – Driving through a community is one thing; living here is a completely different experience. Immersion within this life comes at full force with eyes wide open… everything is foreign and N&J are not sure how to be. Comfort zone challenged… not ‘viewing from the sidelines’. Getting to know the locals, the natives of this land… talking to them in their backyard, on their turf up close & personal. A hand reaches out to shake theirs, welcoming into their space. At first it felt somewhat uncomfortable, unsure, more because of N&J’s own insecurities and the interpretation of their presence, quickly realize that they too are…
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“Vacation Suspended” by N&J
Fort Thompson, SD (Sep 13-16/13) – Lucky for N&J, avoided any tragedy brought on by the terrible flood conditions in Colorado. After crossing into Wyoming at Cheyenne, traveled east on I-90 into Nebraska, dipping back into Julesburg CO to stay at a rest area for the evening. Playing a bit of frisbee in the evening as the sun set, they had a great sleep and were excited knowing would soon be at their defined destination. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Next day made our way north to South Dakota. The expansive landscape afforded sweeping views in all directions. It was early in…
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“Freestyling” by N&J
Fort Collins, CO (Sep 12/13) – The first stop after leaving Moab was Vail, Colorado. Arriving later in the evening and seeing that there is ‘no parking allowed’ on the streets drove around the residential area. Being it’s the ski resort off-season, discovered that there are a fair number of homes unattended, soon find a suitable driveway to set up camp. N&J feeling rather proud of themselves for their ingenious ways of ‘Freestyling’ their way across the States are quite chipper until a nosy neighbour decides to drop by to check N&J out. J quickly puts on his friendly charm and soothes the man’s inquisitive concern… something about ‘their friends’ have…
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“River Rats” by N&J
Moab, UT (Sep 9/13) – Waking up to a deluge of rain N&J thought for sure the whitewater river rafting would be cancelled… Nope, they were stuck and had to go. A two hour drive getting to know the ‘very funny’ river guides for Canyon Voyages – Richard, Sarah and Scott. They lightened up to the idea of getting drenched while maneuvering down the class 3 or 4 rapids of the Colorado River. The rain subsided a bit and they were ready to embark on the adventure. The safety talk put them on edge a bit but soon discovered that they had a great (international) rafting team and all worked…
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“Outdoor Playground” by N&J
Moab, UT (Sep 6-8/13) – After leaving Salt Lake City UT, and a 5 hour drive N&J came down into the red rock canyon of Moab UT. Absolutely stunning, over the top beautiful, they have found a little piece of heaven! Finding a campsite along the Colorado River they are able to take a dip in the very reddish/muddy water. J decides the clay must have healing properties and decides to spread it all over himself. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Despite the colour of the water it was inviting and refreshing due to the scorching 38 degree celsius under the sunshine.…