Strange things that can be seen on the road

The other day, someone asked me “besides all the beautiful places, what were the most funny (or strange) things you saw so far?”

Well, i’ve seen a lot!  You cannot imagine all the crazy things people will place on the side of the road!  Here is an overview of the funniest - and weirdest/saddest - things i saw in the USA...

Something new!

2013 is almost over, so i've decided that it was time for me to make some changes on the blog.

To be honest with you, i was a little bit bored with this simple look and i needed to spruce things up!  And since i really like all things vintage and old school, i told mum that this was the new look i wanted for my blog.

My book is out!

This is such an exciting day for me!

Today, i officially launch my new ebook, Lulu on the road, on Amazon!  Isn't it amazing?! This book contains short stories on my road trip in USA with my parents, with lots of pictures for you to enjoy.  I really hope that you'll like it!

I'm still here!

Hi everybody!

Wow, a lot has been going on in my doggie life!  Let me tell you all about it!

Some of you might know this, but my parents and i just finished the first part of our road trip around the world.  We still have a few states to visit and by all means, we will visit them!

Grabbing technology by the paws!

Oh dear...  Whenever i sit at the computer with mum, i always wonder if i’m doing the right thing.  I mean, i love to chat with my friends on Twitter - and because of Twitter, i let down my friends on FB.  So i went back on FB a few days ago and, you guessed it, i started to let down my friends on Twitter.  Of course, being on Twitter - and on the road - made it difficult for me to write.  So i let down my readers on my blog.

I'm back!

And i'm in Amarillo, Texas.

It's been such an adventure so far that yes, i didn't really had the time - nor the energy to be honest with you - to update my blog before today.  Sorry about that pals!

But here i am now!

First, i made this little map of where i've been so far.  Can you imagine that i've visited 17 states?  Amazing!

Just click on the map and you'll see the white line, symbolizing our trip from Maine to Texas.

Although the trip is fabulous, one thing makes me sad.  It's almost over...  We'll be traveling east from Texas and then, back home... unless our new project comes to life!

Yes my friends, we are planning our next adventure and it might take me where no dog had gone before!  Picture this.  Dad and mum on a motorcycle and me in... a sidecar!  Wouldn't that be pawsome?!  Of course, we would need all the help we could get from you my friends around the world!  But enough said, we've got a lot to do before jumping in the sidecar!

Speaking of project, my mum is also working on my 2014 calendar, featuring my best pics during our road trip.  I think it will be really cool!

Since i do have connexion for the next 36 hours ar so, i will try to post some articles showing you what i've done and where i've been during the last few weeks.

See you soon!
Lulu
xoxo

My first ghost town

I never thought i would see a real ghost town but here i am, in Old Trail Town, Wyoming!  Actually, one person still lives here, his name is Ray and he takes care of all the buildings in town.  These buildings are quite valuable, since one of them was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hiding place!  They call this house the “Hole in the Wall” hideout.

This ghost town is the early settlement of Cody City, the town established by Buffalo Bill Cody himself in 1895!  Isn’t it cool?!

Let’s take a walk in town...

I think mum did a pretty good job with the pics!  Hope you enjoyed it!

p.s. Today, we went up to 9 666 feet in altitude, in the Bighorn National Forest.  The view was amazing but i must say, i had a hard time dealing with this altitude... I was anxious, i had to drink a lot of water, ...  So here is a tip for you doggies on the road.  Tell your parents to stop along the way to get use to the change in altitude.  It’s very important, for humans and for us too.  And don’t over exercise!

Badlands, South Dakota

Oh.  My.  Dog.  This place is out of this world!  Really, i can’t describe how beautiful and surreal this place is.  Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a must see!

Words are not enough so, here are a few pictures mum took during our stay there.  Hope you ‘ll enjoy them as much as i enjoyed my visit.  Oh, by the way, dogs can go to the Badlands and yes, they can walk in the park, as long as we don’t leave any traces...  And yes, there are snakes...  And mountain goats, and prairie dogs!  No wonder we must be kept on leash at all time!

Next stop, Custer State Park, with the largest Buffalo herd in South Dakota!


------

UPDATE!


We are on our way to Wyoming.  But first, let me talk a little bit about Custer State Park.

It’s not worth the 15$ fee.

I agree, the Black Hills are beautiful but why pay that much to see, well, nothing.  We were told that we would see the largest herd of buffalos, right?  Wrong.  We saw 3 buffalos.  All we saw during this 30 plus miles drive were those 3 buffalos, a few animals with weird horns and prairie dogs.

Am i disappointed?  Of course i am!  Mum and i waited so long for buffalos!  Like dad said, it won’t be the last time we’ll be disappointed on our road trip...

Anyway, we’ll be on the road again tomorrow.  Next stop, Gillette, Wyoming and then, we yet have to decide.  Yellowstone Park or straight to Utah and the Great Salt Lake?  I bet you all the treats in my bowl that we’ll skip the park...

See you soon!
xoxo

Wild wild west

3 provinces - Quebec, New-Brunswick and Ontario - and 10 states - Maine, New-York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska (who goes to Nebraska?) and now, South Dakota - in 3 months!

I’m in Mitchell, South Dakota.  The mythic gate to the west, as mum said to me.  South Dakota is really a beautiful state.  The sky is amazing and the sunset is beyond georgous!  I liked Iowa - even if it’s flat as a pancake and the only thing i saw was corn and soy.  I did meet a fly there.  She got in our RV in Iowa City and got off in Yankton, South Dakota.  I guess she needed a ride...

For the first time since i’m on the road, i had a cultural “awakening”.  See, where i come from, no body carries a gun, except for hunting season, which lasts about 1 month in fall.  We don’t even see people with their riffles as they hide them as far away from others as possible.  But here, everybody seems to have one!  I mean, some stores even have a front desk where you can leave your gun while you shop for another one!!!  This particular store even has an exterior kennel/corral where people put their dogs/horses before heading to the restaurant!  Isn’t it the craziest thing ever??!!

This is the wild wild west my friend...  I just hope my parents won’t leave me in one of those cages...

Like i said, we spent our first night in Mitchell and i think i saw a baby cougar (or maybe a mountain lion?) - or it might have been a cat on steroids, i’m not sure.  It was very muscular, it had a long tail, short ears and its fur was beige.  I also saw a real american eagle!

I’m very excited because tomorrow, we’ll be heading to the Badlands and Mt Rushmore.  After that, we’ll be in Wyoming and then, Utah.  It’s been really great so far, i never thought our road trip accross the US would be so cool!  (I know, i was supposed to meet some friends in Chicago but i’m not the one driving the RV!)

Now, paws crossed, i hope i’ll have an internet access to show you some of the pictures mum will take on the road.

Talk to you soon! Love you all!
xoxo

A little bit of everything...

Morning workout...

I was listening to a conversation between mum and dad last night and it made me think that i’ve been on the road for 2 ½ months now.  Wow...

I know how wonderful my life is and i am very thankful.  I’ve seen many things, some beautiful and unbelievable, others less interesting, but i always make sure to get the most of everything.

You’ve all heard about this incredible night when two (or three?) drunk dudes scared us by rocking the RV.  Let’s just say that it was a bump on the road...  We knew that we might get into trouble on the road, but that’s part of the dream.  We are facing our fears every day.

I wish i could talk to you all more often but as you all know by now, i don’t always have the freedom to use the web as often as i’d like to...  Right now, if we are lucky, we have 5 minutes of internet every other day.

Our next stop will be South Dakota and then, we’ll drive all the way to Wyoming, Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado.  I’m a little scared because mum told me that i might see a rattle snake or even a grizzly bear!  Hope she will put lots of bells on my legs!!  If i’m not mistaking, i think my parents said that we’ll spend the winter months in Florida or Texas...

My health is good, my fur on my belly started to grow again, finally!

I miss you all very much and i can’t wait to talk to you again!
Love
Lulu
xoxo

Niagara Falls...

... Or Niagara Vice, like mum said about this place!

I spent a week there and i enjoyed it, even if it's not the most dog-friendly place on earth.  If you're a doggie and you want to visit the city and see the falls, you have to do it very early in the morning or after dinner, around 8 p.m.  So i woke up my parents one morning at 6 am because i really wanted to see the falls!  Dad wasn't so happy about it but hey, a dog has to be the leader sometimes...

So, i went to the falls, i took a walk downtown, i went for a hot-dog, i saw dinosaurs and met a nice lady and a little girl who gave me lots of cuddles!

The highlight of the week?  We got to meet with Rae Ann, one of my Twitter friends who lives near by (@ragell)!  Mum and Dad were so happy to meet her! She is so sweet and funny and smart and she gave me cuddles!  She spent the night with us in the rv and we had a lot of fun!  Thanks so much for this great evening!

Here is the story of my week in Niagara Falls...

The Skylon behind me... 

Dad, i think someone is watching me...

Can i have one of those, please?

My favorite place downtown!

Mum took this pic from the Skywheel!

I'm in big trouble...

Dad played a game and he won me this snake! I love it!

I don't know where we're going next, so i guess this will be a susprise for all of us!

Take care! Love you!
xoxo

This place is crazy!

Guys, if you’ve never been to Niagara Falls, let me tell you how it is.  Lots of human legs and i mean, lots of them!  Never seen so many legs in one place!  And i’ve never been so stimulated in my whole life by all the colors, the sounds, the odors!  Wow!

During the first five minutes, i got to smell pretzels, hot dogs, pizza, sweat, ice cream, fudge, coconut tanning lotion, pop corn, ...  It was crazy!  My nose still hurts from all that smelling!

We arrived yesterday and last night, i went for a walkie with my parents and guess what?  A dinosaur almost caught me in its mouth!!  When in Niagara Falls, don’t just watch for the falls, watch for the dinosaurs!!

We are very lucky because dad knows the manager of the Great Canadian Midway on Clifton Hill, where all the action is, and he allowed us to stay in a quiet parking lot near the falls.  From my window, i can see the big Skywheel!

I also met a nice lady and 2 little girls who played with me, and some people from India took a pic with me!  Everybody  was wondering why they had their pic taken with me and dad said that’s because i was a famous doggie...

Tomorrow, i’m gonna see the falls.  Can’t wait to show you some pics!  Don’t worry guys, i won’t fall, i promise!  Let’s just hope the weather will cooperate because it’s been a little windy here...

Talk to you soon!

From a dog's point of view...

No, the burgers are not for me...

There are multiple of websites giving you advices on how to travel with a dog.  I know, mu mum read them all.  But i’ve never seen/read a website talking about that specific topic from the dog’s point of view.

I mean, if you’re about to travel with your humans, you should get all the dirt about what it’s really like.  Take it from a pal who traveled across 2 canadian provinces and 7 states.

It ain’t all fun.

Here are the facts my friends...

- don’t believe your humans when they tell you how comfy a harness is...

- you really think you’re gonna be able to drink and eat whenever you want?  Think again.

- peeing and pooping in a Walmart parking lot is a challenge, especially is you prefer grass...

- playing ball will be a thing you USED TO do a long time ago

- no, you’re not allowed to chase squirrels.  It seems like squirrel hunting is prohibited in a lot of states

- you will sleep a lot

- “Not now...” (need i say more?)

- when your humans will pack, don’t expect them to leave room for treats.  

- you will be blame for every fart in public places

- you don’t need all the fancy doggie stuff to travel because, well, you just don’t

- medication?  For what?  You sleep most of the time, how in the world would you injure yourself?!

- think you’re gonna be able to see and do everything with your humans?  That’s what they told you, right?  In your dreams!

- they will take your pic in the most unusual places (don’t ask...)

The greatest thing about traveling with your humans?  

You’ll be with them 24/7.  I’m no Martha Stewart but “that’s a good thing”!

Flight 93 Memorial

Mum said that even if i wasn’t allowed to walk in the Memorial, i should post something about it because it was an important stop on our road trip.  So here, a tribute for those who died that day...

May you all rest in peace...

Where do i start?

Wow, it's been quite a ride so far my friends!

Really, i don't know where to begin!  Already talked about the Amish in Lancaster but now, i'm spending a couple of days in a small campground owned by an Amish family in Ohio, in Millersburg to be exact.  Yes, they own a business and they have wifi! Not in their home, of course, but for us to use! Isn't it great?!

But let's talk about the real thing here.

We went to 2 great places filled with history, Gettysburg and Flight 93 Memorial.  What can i say... i think that for once, i'll let the pictures talk for themselves...  and i'll talk about the Memorial later...

Where i've been so far

View Larger Map

Just a little post before i go to bed (mum is sleeping with me tonight on the couch, yay!), to let you know where i've been so far.

On the map, you'll see where i have pooped rested my paws on the road.  Some places where really great, others a little bit scary - like this small town in New York where a stranger checked to see if there was anybody in the RV!!  I scared him away of course!!

Favorite places so far?  Caraquet in New-Brunswick, Bar Harbor in Maine and Intercourse in Pennsylvania.  Didn't really have the chance to see Lake Placid in New York, although it looked nice.  So many people there, it was the annual triathlon!

I'm leaving you with this picture.  A sampler of the famous goddies made by the Amish.  Streusel, sticky bun with nuts, whoopie pie, shoo fly pie and chocolate shoo fly pie.  Delicious!!

Relaxing in PA Dutch County

Sometimes we do need a break from the road.  I do!  So my parents and i decided to spend a few days in Pennsylvania Dutch County.

We crossed New York State in a rush, taking just a few minutes here and there to enjoy the scenery.  The highlight of the day was when Mum and Dad had lunch with 3 players from the New York Jets!  We were at Wendy's - well, they were, i was locked in the RV... - and the players were there, so they talked and took some pics with them.  See, the Jets training camp is in Cortland NY, and we just happened to be there!  That was really cool!

So, we drove to Lancaster, PA, and finally arrived in a Walmart parking lot around midnight.  A lil bit of drama here...  Dad and Mum missed a turn so dad, who was driving, had to turn around in another parking lot and he drove over a big bump! All the doors in the RV opened and everything broke! There were cans and glass pieces all over the floor, i even received a bottle of water on the head!  Needless to say that they were both angry, frustrated, tired, stressed out, ...  They cleaned their mess - for once, i didn't do anything - and we went to bed at one in the morning.

Thank dog, our first day in Amish land was peaceful and quiet.  We drove around on small country roads, took pictures, talked with the locals and went to a nice little campground in Intercourse, just beside an Amish farm.

I must say that the Amish people are very friendly.  They wave at us and smile when we cross their path.  The children are always giggling when they see me!  And the best part is that i can smell their horses all the time!  I was also very surprised to learn that there are 2 "kinds" of Amish.  The ones using non-electrical machineries and living off the land are Amish.  The ones using some electrical devices and doing more business with the tourists are Mennonites.  Well, that's what a lady told mum.

There is so much to say about this wonderful place they call Farmland, that i'll post another story in a few days!

Take care!