Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig Jig!

Well, Evie & I packed up right then and there, hooked up the camper, and burned rubber on our way out....NOT!

It was about 4:00 PM, just after my last post, when I decided we would leave—immediately! My friend Kathi with the two huge white dogs came over with some yummy things to help me stay awake on the drive home.

The woman I was going to go to dinner with stopped by to finalize our plans, and when I told her I was “outta there!” She was in disbelief!

Then I texted Karen & Bob (the golden retriever Lily’s folks) to tell them I would be hitting the road, they were heartbroken that there wouldn’t be more puppy pal time on the beach...

So, after explaining that nothing was wrong, I just felt like going home after two weeks in a tiny camper with my big dog and lots of cold, rainy days, they understood.

Next, I backed my SUV up to the camper and attached it (sounds MUCH EASIER than it actually is...with all of the backing up and pulling forward until it lines up right). Then I hooked the chains from the camper to the hitch and plugged in the lights.

Lights? What lights? I didn’t see any lights on the sides and rear of the camper!

“That can’t be good, “ I thought, but since I’ve already decided I’m going home I’ll just toss all the remaining things onto the floor of the camper, close it up and drive off...to see Karen and Bob. Since he helped me with my flat tire, surely he would have a suggestion about this.

So off we went with all we owned, and we stopped outside of their campsite and waved at the window, hoping they were home.

Yes, they were, but they were eating dinner! Poor timing for sure. But Bob came out to see what was up, and tried to unplug and plug in my connection from the (newly installed) trailer hitch on my SUV to the camper. No luck.

“Do you have a fuse tester?” He asked. And “Do you know where the fuses are for the camper and for the trailer hitch?”

“Well, I have some fuses under the bed in the closed up camper but the camper is crammed full and it’ll be hard to reach. I’ll open it up and try.”








As I was spinning and stepping around all of the things on the camper floor (this was the situation from my perspective!) Bob went home and found his fuse tester. He explained to me how to use it as I tested each fuse. There was one that seemed dead, so I pulled it out and he retested it. It was still good. So I put it back in and Bob headed off to located the fuse box on the car.

Bob found my car manual, read it carefully to find the line for the “TLR” fuse, opened the hood, located the fuse box, opened it up, and VOILA! We both saw a protruding 30 amp fuse.

We simultaneously shouted, “There it is! That’s it!!” And jubilantly pushed the fuse back into place. As the sun was setting, the trailer lights came on and WE WERE GOOD TO GO!





Four hours later after a pretty smooth drive, it was 10:00 PM and Evie and I arrived in front of our house to find Jim sitting on the front steps, reading a book by headlamp, waiting for us to arrive.

I rolled down my window and called out to Jim, “Hi! We’re home! Great to see you !!” He replied that he was waiting for us to help us get unhooked and unloaded.

Well, at the sound of Jim’s voice Evie stopped her panting and began to jump up and down in her crate on all four paws. She was so excited and elated!

Yes, it was a very happy homecoming for all, just in time for Valentine’s Day. And with that, we walked inside together.






In JOY,
Ronda & Evie

Location:Lylebourne Ct,Apex,United States

Well, if I’m actually gonna pull up stakes, I’d better get busy and start writing!

No sooner than I pushed “Publish” on my blog entry about it being cold and dreary outside, still wet from the constant rain, then I heard my friend Kathi say, “Are you in there?!”





“Yes!” I responded, pushing open my little door. “I was just finishing up breakfast and blogging about how cold it is out there.“

“My husband and I spotted a pod of [bottlenosed] dolphins just off the beach. If you head out now, you may be able to see them!”

And so I wrapped a scarf around my neck and clicked Evie’s leash onto her collar, and we were off!







We looked down the beach, but no dolphins.




And so we began walking the other way, up the long, windy and deserted beach toward the jetty.




I admired Evie’s luxurious coat blowing in the wind, and her perfectly groomed paws.....such a beauty!!




Yes, there were a few curiosities, but no dolphins.




Until suddenly we spotted two huge, white, fluffy Great Pyrenees pups and my friend Kathi and her husband Jim.




As one approached, Evie got down into play posture, overjoyed at seeing her friend.




Unfortunately Kathi got knocked in the knee in all of the fuss and sadly limped back home. I felt terrible.

So, we turned back toward the ocean and went a few more steps down the beach, gazing deeply at the waves...















.....when all of a sudden, there it was! What a sight to behold.

Love,
Ronda & Evie

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

Brrrr (How many of my posts I could have titled this way!)

Let’s not mince words: IT HAS BEEN LARGELY RAINY, DAMP, GRAY, AND BONE CHILLING COLD at the South Carolina coast this February! It has reduced my usual get-up-and-go into a stay-in-and-slumber.

This is from this morning. See? Evie has it too.








Am thinking about pulling up stakes and heading home to my loving husband and my warm and cozy home.

But first, I have a dinner date with two dog owning, single camping, yearly returning, sixty-something women whom I met here last year. We are going to have the best “She-Crab soup in town!” Although it is also “Marshi-Gras” at Murrell’s Inlet, we will brave it.

And tomorrow the season of Lent begins. Perhaps I shall give up my campsite at the beach! We shall see....

With love as always,
Ronda

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

Week Two-Settling In

When the mania of preparing, packing, driving, setting up, organizing, and exploring our surrounds was over, our first week at the beach was too. We had done it all and could easily decide to head back home satisfied.

But our reservation was for four weeks! What could possibly interest and occupy Evie and me for the remainder of our month at the beach?

Yesterday was full of visitors to the park because it was a mild Sunday in mid February. There were lots of people walking along the causeway that crosses between the marsh with high and low tides, and the fresh water lake which supports alligators, judging by all of the warning signs.

So while coming home to our campsite after Mass, I drove across the causeway about noon and saw a GIANT ALLIGATOR sunning himself on a little mud flat not far from shore. I decided to take Evie for a walk over there later in the afternoon. On our three mile walk around the state park, these are some of the things we saw:























Sending our love,
Ronda & Evie

Location:Huntington Beach

We’re Wearing Down !

Evie & I took our sweet time getting up this morning, ate a little breakfast, took a little stroll, chatted with the family across the way, and then plopped down in a sunny spot beside our camper for a while.

Then the call came in, “We’ll be at the dog friendly beach with [our golden retriever] Lily in about 20 minutes. Would you like to meet?!”


Well, that’s all it took...we were up and on our way to N. Litchfield Beach!





It was just after having “Release[d] the Hound!” that I noticed her paw prints: the two left feet were close and the two right feet stretched apart as she hit the ground with each gallop.





And then Evie and Lily frolicked and wrestled on the cold, windy beach...











..until it was time to return to our cozy little homes once again.






And that, my friends, is another day in the life. A little rest and relaxation is so very good for the soul. Tell me, what will you do?!

❤️R&E🐾

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

The Perfect Heel

Evie and I have been taking walks on the beach for about a week now, and it was suddenly today that we figured out how to walk together.






To help Evie understand that I want her to walk directly at my side without pulling ahead and yanking the leash, I need to *relax* inside and not let any pressure or resistance from me travel down the leash.

I had this insight after trying to photograph her as we were walking and I was admiring her gait and her luxurious coat. Each time I took out my iphone, it interrupted the “moment” we were having and changed the dynamic to make it somehow stressful. I realized that she is very intuitive and sensitive to me and everything I am doing.

So, when I began paying attention to my own “insides” and walked with her in a relaxed way without directing her or correcting her with the leash, she fell right into step beside me, just behind my knee.

It was like learning to ride a bike. You try and fail over and over again until suddenly you are just doing it!

What an incredible accomplishment that I know will enhance our relationship as we do more and more things together.

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

Superbowl Sunday

Evie and I took a long, slow stroll on the beach this morning before the onset of rain.



When I got back a few minutes ago, I saw this photo, which makes me stop and look a little more closely, and exclaim, “Oh, the wonder and power of God!”








May you be blessed with the knowledge of the nearness of God this Super Bowl Sunday and always.

❤️ R

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

The Day in Review in Pictures

The skies were layers of blue on this cold February 2nd morning.











Evie and I took a 4 mile walk down the beach.























Bob & Karen called to see if we would like to meet up at the doggie beach. It took us a good half hour to race-walk there to meet them. About a quarter mile out I “released the hound” and she sprinted all the way to her friend Lily!

Afterward they offered Evie & me a lift home in their car, for which we were BOTH grateful!















Then Bob came by to take our girls on a “hair drying” spin around the campground,















As they took off, I sprinted for my camera and tripped in my camp...hard rubber soles don’t give-way on sharp gravel.












Ouchie!










Then it was time for a well-earned rest!











Sending our love,
Ronda & Evie

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

Thanks for writing!

Dear Friends,

It is such a j😍y to hear from you as you think of Evie & me being out here in a state park campground by the sea! I want to share a few lines with you:




You enjoy your camping trip. Be safe and take care of yourself.

Aw, poor doggy. Have a great trip. You are an amazing woman!

Cold and windy here. Hope is better down there .

Thinking of you today and praying you are safe, happy and warm. Prayers for a month of spiritual peace. Take care and keep in touch. Gods Peace.

Loving Your Blog! I can't believe a hot dinner was delivered to you! What nice people. No more slobbery visitors wearing your hat and gloves? Have a wonderful day.

May God bless you on your journey!

Hope you arrived safely and are enjoying your time away!

Enjoy your time at the beach Ronda! 😘

A week ago God spoke to my heart..[and now He is] continuing His message to me through you.

Wonderful to hear about your beach retreat week...I love picturing you there with Evie in your cozy little nest.





Friends, thank again for your wonderful wishes! The last note made me want to snap a photo of Evie & me just now, and recount a little of our day:















Come to think of it, I think I’ll recount a little later! Zzzzzzzzzz



❤️ Ronda & 🐾

Location:Huntington Marsh Rd,Pawleys Island,United States

Keeping it Simple

Let’s face it: I’ve packed too much stuff. I can’t find what I need when I need it. Like warm gloves. Like a bath towel for the shower. Like the deodorizer for my portable potty. Like other stuff too.

Still, I was able to find some of it, replace some of it, and even have a warm sunny day, a doggie playdate, a reunion with old friends and their Great Pyrenees pooches Fred & CC, and a home cooked, thoughtfully delivered hot roast supper from Karen and Bob!

All in all, another great day, with some humility from “having just too much stuff to find anything” thrown in for good measure.

And evidence, once again, that our good God does lovingly provide!!!

In Joy,
Ronda