Visitors

Along with the usual Canada geese we have also had some other visitors to the lake where we are currently camping. Below are some photos I took this week. The duck with the red face appears to be a variation of a Muscovy. I couldn't find anything that looks like the gray and white duck that seems to be the mate of the Muscovy. As for the small black ducks, I have not been able to find anything like them anywhere either. They are small, black with white beaks and a small white spot on their tail. There were about 30 or so of them in the lake when I took the photo.

Right Place, Right Time

There are times in our lives when we just know we were in the right place at the right time. Today was one of those moments for me. I decided to go to Hobby Lobby today to look for some Christmas decorations and on my way I came upon two adorable little white puppies. They were not quite as large as Millenni and I am pretty sure they were either Bichon Frise, Havanese or Maltese puppies. They were solid white and very fluffy. Unfortunately they were right in the middle of a busy road. Cars were whizzing by them and no one was stopping. As I approached I came to a full stop right in the road and the cars behind me had to stop too. One of the puppies ran across the road and then turned to run back across that lane as a car drove by. The other puppy decided to stop right in my lane and wouldn’t move. I blew my horn and drove around the puppy and pulled into the parking lot of the pet store there. I knew the puppies must have escaped from there as they are not the sort of puppies you would see out in the road alone. As I got out of the truck both puppies came running up to me and I ran inside the store and asked if these were their puppies. They were but the young lady working there didn’t seem to be too concerned. She said she had them in a pen outside with a fence around it and they somehow got out. She picked one up and said you can’t be out here any more now. I told her they were running all in the road and I was so afraid a car would hit them. She took them inside and I left. I knew I had saved their lives and felt so good that I had been in the right place at the right time. They were both so cute and after I saw the attitude of the girl at the pet store I was wishing I had picked them both up and brought them home with me! Of course Millenni wouldn’t stand for that but the girl didn’t seem to care much about the welfare of the puppies and I felt sorry for them. I do hope they will be OK and not get out again. Below are photos I found online of the 3 different types, they could have been any of these breeds but looked most like the photo of the Havanese here. Aren't they just adorable?

Bichon Frise

Havanese

Maltese

A Chance Meeting

David and I left Wilmington yesterday morning for our trip back home. Along the way I commented that Mom and Buddy were also traveling from their trip to Myrtle Beach, SC back to their home and for a while we would be traveling on the same interstate. I decided to call them and found out they were only 8 miles behind us. We decided to stop off at a seafood restaurant for a late lunch and they joined us there. We spent about an hour together. It was a nice stop and great to visit with them. We said our goodbyes and continued on our drive home. We arrived back at the RV park around 4:00pm to a very cold, blustery wind and drizzle. BRRRRRR.... We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Wilmington, visiting with Jordan and Elizabeth!!!

NC Holiday Flotilla

This was our first time to go see a flotilla. Wrightsville Beach is the location of the NC Holiday Flotilla and everyone goes to see the boats adorned with lights and holiday magic. We arrived at 4:00pm to get a parking spot among the throngs of people. We arrived just in time because not long after we had our spot the cars started coming one behind another and before we knew it the entire place was packed with people. The flotilla started at 6:00pm and boat after boat paraded down and made a turn at the bridge and continued on the loop for all to see. It was so cold as we stood outside to watch. It was well worth going to see once but I don't think I would do that every year. Some of the boats were decorated better than others and it was a contest with prizes given to the best. Below are photos of some of my favorites of the night. There were approximately 50 boats total and 50,000 spectators.

UPDATE: the mermaid boat was the grand prize winner!

a classy looking boat with a bell

the mermaid seemed to be the crowds favorite. Her tail fin waved as did her arm

the blue whale was another crowd favorite

I liked the gingerbread house, it looked better in person than in this photo

I believe this little guy was my favorite of all, it was the last boat in the flotilla and was just a small boat that looked like a little fish... so cute!