Home is Where There is No SNOW!



       Barbara's backyard with doggie walking trail in New Jersey

 We have been keeping up with the Winter weather by watching the New York TV stations on our satellite and by talking and emailing our neighbors.  From what we've heard, we are missing a bad one!  It was last Winter that made us decide to do this!  Everyone has been saying it was a good decision.

 We hate to even tell you what it has been like here; except that it might convince more of you to become "snow birds."  This used to be a derisive term that conjured up visions of wizened geezers playing shuffle board in South Florida.  But, here on the Gulf of Mexico, we are treated like honored guests...the natives will tell you that the greatly-exaggerated news reports of the BP oil spill ruined their tourist trade and caused another Katrina-like hit to their livelihoods and economy.  We are experiencing the utmost in Southern hospitality ("Y'all come back here!)  from grateful folks in restaurants and retail stores. 

But back to the weather...it has been mostly sunny with a few rather violent rain storms at night.  High winds tend to rock the Bus, but we haven't had too many scary moments, fortunately.  Yesterday it was almost 70 degrees...one of those beautiful days that makes you glad you are alive!  As the afternoon progressed, it clouded up and we had a few sprinkles.  But as you can see from the pictures, we just opened the awnings until the clouds departed.  In general, it has been in the mid 50's to 60's during the days.  We have had a few nights of temps around freezing.  We've added a small (lightweight!) space heater for chilly nights.  It has become Vada's snuggle spot and we have to watch to be sure she doesn't ignite while curled around the heater.  While the North gets ready for yet another blast of cold and snow, we are a little cloudy today.  We extended our stay at Bella Terra another week, so that we will be travelling home in mid-March...anything to avoid the snow!  To all of our friends who are experiencing the real Winter...stay safe!     KB

RV Dog-tech!




Larry executing a perfect pooper-scoop...see left hand carry!

There  are two unbreakable rules for camping with dogs...#1.  Pick up their poop and #2. No barkies!  Barking can make a German Shepherd look aggressive and it can disturb the peaceful existence of neighbors; both offenses are grounds for exile from the campground!  And poopies...are just plain rude!  Unfortunately, the Belikoff pack has had no training in this sort of etiquette...they have had the run of a big yard and they bark whenever they feel like it. 

The poopie rule was mostly training for us.  But, we could not bring ourselves to use recycled plastic grocery bags like other responsible dog owners.  One day at PetSmart, we found the answer to our prayers...Dispoz-a-Scoops.  They are little bags with a cardboard handle that contains a perforated pop-out pusher/ handle.  There's no hand-to-poop contact and it's biodegradable!!! 



We just ordered a case (250) of these!

The "no-barkies" rule was a tougher problem.  Our very nice neighbors here at Bella Terra did not want to complain, but they did tell us, very tactfully, that Gus and Vada bark when we leave the Bus.  One day, it was particularly bad because it was warm enough to open all of the windows and our neighbors had friends over.  So Vada barked because of separation anxiety and Gus was defending his territory from the party-goers!  Besides barking in our absence, we were tired of yelling at them everytime they heard something outside.

I guess it is really quiet on Sweet Hollow Road; they don't do this at home.   We had to do some research.  The problem was that most no-bark collars are triggered by the sound of barking, so they won't work with two dogs.  Poor Vada would have been shocked by big-mouth Gus.  Then we found the  "Sportdog 10R"...Gus and Vada's lives were about to change! These collars are sensitive to each individual dog because they are triggered by both the sound of barking and the vibration of the vocal chords.  Luckily, our dogs are used to e-collars; we use them in Schutzhund training.  Vada got the message after only one shock, but Gus had to "game" the system.  In the "training mode" the shocks get progressively stronger if the barking continues, but if there is no barking in 30 minutes, it goes back to the lowest setting.  It took Gus a few hours to figures this out (the booklet that comes with the collar said it takes most dogs two weeks to "test" this feature.)  Gus would wait 30 minutes, then bark, then wait. We advanced him to the continuous setting and it has been quiet here ever since then.  In fact, we only use the collars when we leave the coach.  Our verbal "no bark" commands seem to have new meaning, when we have to use it at all.  And the new no-bark regimen during walks has had the pleasant side effect of de-escalating aggression toward other dogs.  Apparently, barking is the root of all evil, except in Schutzhund protection training...let's hope Gus has not forgotten how to bark on command. But, even if he has, he's a more polite pet...and camper now!        KB

Eating Our Way Across America-First Stop Fairhope, AL

We have several goals for our travels...Since we are big fans of the Food Network, one is to visit as many of the "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" as we can.  We consulted Guy's website before we came to Bella Terra and found a few of his favorites. And last weekend we ventured out to Fairhope, Alabama, a beautiful town on Mobile Bay that is about 30 minutes from here.  It was founded as a "flat tax" town; a kind of utopian experiment that resulted in an upscale artists' community.  It reminded me of New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Well...back to the food.   We had lunch at Panini Pete's where we sat in a lovely courtyard on a brisk day.    But,  the food was worth a chill!  We shared a wonderful mufaletto (ham, cheese, pickles) panini and a hot beef and bleu cheese sandwich with  handmade fries!  Desert was a heavenly bread pudding made with their famous breakfast begnets.  It was smothered in a caramel sauce that was to die for.  Best of all,  we met Pete,  the chef and owner who was featured on the show.  He shared stories about Guy and the notoriety that repeat appearances on the Food Network have created...We warned him that he should be prepared for a Bobby Flay "Throwdown."  Our first stop on the Triple D tour...delicious and fun; and as if we hadn't eaten enought, we left with white chocolate chip cookies that were the best we have eaten!        KB

Somebody has to work!



Gus getting ready for work in his kennel/desk.



Most of the people at BT are retired, but Larry is not!  After a year of planning a workspace, our conversion of the bunkbed area of our 38qba is complete and it seems to be working well.  The desk area doubles as Gus's kennel when we are traveling.  In this picture, you can see the gate that we use to confine him in the space while we are moving. It fits across the opening and is stored next to the desk when we are parked. Luckily, Gus doesn't like to open doors, the way Max did; this gate  probably wouldn't hold him if he really wanted to get out.  He's a good boy...sometimes!

Larry working out of uniform (pajamas); Gus helping.

Larry's desk is a VersaTable that comes equipped with a pedestal that has two monitor mounts. 

 It's designed for use in schools and offices and has some nice features for managing the cables.  Fortunately, Gus doesn't chew on wires, like Vada used to, but having them out of his kennel area is an extra safety measure.

One of the reasons we chose the RED 38qba was that it has two pocket doors in this area.  Larry can close the door to the kitchen/living area when he has his phone conferences and we can close off the bedroom when he is working late.  For short day trips, we close both doors and Gus hangs out in his den.  Although he can't see outside, the big ears, hear alot and our nice neighbors didn't want to complain, but informed us that both dogs have been barking while we are away.  A future blog entry will be an update on the bark collars that are on their way.



My Space!

 And what am I doing?  I can't believe that tomorrow is actually the day that I would have been going back to work!  I used to be ready to go back after Semester Break, but this year, I haven't even thought about it.  Here I am in this picture working on this blog, with my crocheting project on the table waiting to watch the DVD for the 20th time.  And usually the TV is on, too.  My little laptop area is a comfortable spot where I can see outside and do everything.  I've been reading on my Kindle alot, too.  Although, I am having a hard time getting into "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" the first book of the very popular trilogy.  And a couple of times a day, I uproot myself from my little nest to walk the dogs.  My next project:  plan the route home and figure out where we are going this summer.  Looks like we will based in Bloomsbury for awhile so our trips will be planned around mowing grass and when the deer spray needs to be re-applied.       KB

It's a Dog's Life!

One of the interesting things that we have noticed about meeting people here is that they don't ask if you have children...they want to know about your dogs.  Our kind of place, right?  And there are lots of dogs here.  Vada and Gus are among the biggest, though.  Apparently, as people downsize their homes after retiring, they do so with their pets as well. 



Gus and Larry coming back from "chuck-it".  

 Vada has been managing the steps in and out of the bus pretty well...she needs an assist once in a while.  But, we brought her ramp and it remains in the basement.  She also has been doing a one mile hike everyday to try to lose the 7 pounds ordered by Dr. Suzanne.

Gus and Larry play chuck-it twice a day in the field and then the dogs have a nice nap in the afternoon the comfy rug that Mom picked out for it's color...all the shades of German Shepherd dog hair!  The camaflouge works so well that it's hard to tell how fast the hair builds up...but, a daily vacuuming wouldn't be too much.


Napping on the camaflouge rug


At night, Gus is supposed to sleep in his den under Larry's desk...His beautiful doggie quilt, made by Aunt Deenie, is there to make him feel at home.  Vada sleeps at the foot of the bed on her "fluffy bed."  But, last night during a heavy rain and thunderstorm, they were curled up together on Vada's bed.  Who knew that they would both fit and that Vada would allow it.  I guess they are finally friends!

Today, I have to venture out to find everyone's special food.  There is a vet's office down the road for Vada food and a place called the "Shampoo Lab" that carries Gus's food.  It took us four tries to find a grocery store for our food, so hopefully, this expedition will be more productive.  It's no inconvenience though; just part of the adventure that makes having a Gus Bus so much better than putting our buddies in the kennel!!

Life at Beautiful Bella Terra



The Gus Bus "campsite"

Today is not the most beautiful day we've had. It's gray and a little chilly, but since the  rest of Alabama, and a big swatch of the South is under  a Winter weather state of emergency, we can't complain! 

Life here at Bella Terra (BT) is very pleasant.  Our "campsite" is well designed and we are fortunate to have very nice neighbors.  In fact, everyone we've met from the Bella Terra staff to the owners of the the fanciest lots and biggest rigs are friendly and welcoming.  Bella Terra is every good thing we heard about it and it's starting to feel like we've always lived here.  Our lot, which is rented from it's unknown owner, faces a pretty man-made lake which is calming and interesting to watch as the weather changes.  There are several lighted fountains that are beautiful at night and a few herons and a cormorant have taken up residence.  No alligators, yet.

Our lake view!

Some of the lot owners have erected structures for shade or storage.  All are well-built and have a lovely island design.  And there are a few gorgeous outdoor kitchens...unfortunately, the weather has not been conducive to barbecuing.  Our lot is unadorned...obviously purchased as a rental investment.

I use the term "camping" lightly when speaking of what we are doing here...it bears no resemblance to the tenting adventures of my Girl Scout days.  The center of activity here at BT is a wonderful club house that is decorated in an island motif and contains lots of comfortable seating, a bar area with dining room and a movie theatre.  There is also a fully-equipped gym, which we haven't used yet.  Behind the club house is a heated pool and jacuzzi ...also unused by the Belikoff's.  But, perhaps best of all, is something they don't advertise.  Gus and Larry have discovered the undeveloped portion of the property; a field that is perfect for "chuck-it."  But more about that later...



One of the owners "storage sheds"



I think it was a good choice for us to travel to a distant place and stay put in order to get used to our new home which has lived up to our expectations and more.  We are still learning about our Gus Bus.  Larry discovered that our "surround sound" is not broken; he just needed to find the right button on one of the numerous remotes.  And we are settling into our new routine of working in the converted bunkbed/office and filling in my time as a new retiree.  Actually, keeping up with the dishes and dog hair occupies alot of my time...this small space works better if it is uncluttered and clean.  I am also teaching myself how to crochet (can you teach an old dog new tricks?) and I'm keeping up with my reading on my new Kindle.  So far, my fears of missing the privacy of our home in the woods have not been realized.  The planners at BT knew just how to stagger and landscape the sites to maximize privacy and the residents here are quiet folks!



Celebrating the New Year







In fact we have been so busy socializing and adjusting to our new life, that we have not had time to explore the area until this weekend.  More on this later...we are off to see if there is still oil on the beach here.