Remebering Essex and Drive Through Atlanta

Dad had a dream this morning.  In it he woke up petted me and went to the living room.  On the couch he saw Great Auntie Essex.  She looked up at him and gave him the look that said everything was okay.  He reached down to stroke her and woke up.  We both miss her a lot, but the spirit of Essex and Deacon will always be in Dad's heart.  While he was visiting Ohio, his Brudder gave him a slate with a portrait of Great Auntie Essex on it.

Great Auntie Essex's Slate

On our drive back from Ohio, we passed through Atlanta, Georgia on 15 March.  The weather was clear and sunny.  Since it was a Saturday, the traffic was light.  Dad told me that the name Sherman does not bring back good memories for Atlanta.  Perhaps, later this year we can go back in the WABAC machine and I can find out why.

Atlanta Road Sign

Atlanta From I-75

I hope everyone is having a pawsome year.  While I enjoyed the snow, I know plenty of you up North are ready for Spring to come.

Remembering Ohio Snow

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Ohio - Collie Pals

My favorite thing about my trip to Ohio was meeting Gracie Lou and Cassie.  I hit it off with Gracie Lou and Cassie right away.  Cassie told me stories about Great Auntie Essex and Uncle Deacon.  How she and her sister Hattie played with them and how they first met and Dog Dad's Pawrents house.

Gracie Lou Whispers Sweet Nothings in My Ear 

Gracie Lou Will You Take This Ball?

Me and Gracie Lou

Gracie Lou and I flirted and played a lot.  I got a little frisky several times with Gracie and our hoomans made us stop several times.  I wanted to see her before we left for home, but the weather did not cooperate.

Cassie Chilling Out

Exploring With Cassie

Dad and I had hoped to see the Collies of the Meadow, but the weather prevented that.  If we go up North next year, that will be on our list of things to do.  Well enjoy the pawtographs.

Ha-roo Gracie Lou

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Ohio Adventure - Part 2

I first encountered snow on 4 March in Kentucky.  It was getting dark outside so there are no pictures.  Both Dog Dad and I were getting pretty tired from the long drive.  I stepped in it and thought this stuff isn't to bad.  Then I took a step and it went half way up my leg.  I jumped up in surprise.  Later cousin Clyde and I went for a walk that night with Dog Dad and Dog Dad's Sister.  We walked again in the brisk air in the following morning.

06 March - Sniffing Snow

Bowsers, snow sure makes your mouth cold

We arrived in the Cleveland, Ohio area on the 5th to a temperature of 16 F.  I played some in the snow and went over to visit my collie pals Cassie and Gracie Lou that night.  Dad tells folks a tired dog is a good dog.  I went over to visit those two collies several times during our stay.  The snow melted, then came a big storm on 12 March.  The snow came down and I enjoyed playing in it.  The roads were icy and the visibility was poor.  While the weather guessers had predicted a blizzard, Dad didn't think it quite made it.  The next day cold air came rushing in and I got to experience 9 F weather.  I had fun but I could tell Dog Dad was cold.

12 March - What is Cooler Than Cool?

BOL - Ice Cold!  It is 9 F

The Wind Picks Up and It Feels Cold

We still had snow the next day and I played some more in it.  That weather resulted in our not being able to visit Cassie and Gracie Lou our last two nights on the shores of Lake Erie.  That Friday, 14 March, we left for Cincinnati, Ohio.  The following two days we were on the road again, on the long return drive to home.  We just avoided bad weather as heavy thunderstorms, wind and rain came after we left.  The entire time we drove in sunshine.  Bowsers, we were lucky.

I Have a Cold Nose for You

Dog Speed,

Sherman

PAW-S:  I got an award from our friend Chuck and the Collies of the Meadow.  I am deeply honored and appreciative of the award.  I will post about that on Friday.  Tomorrow, I'll write more about Cassie and Gracie Lou.  I have some pictures to show you too.

Ohio Adventure - Part 1

I decided to break up my adventure into to several shorter posts.

We had intended to leave on 1 March, but the weather along the travel route was going to be very bad. Snow and freezing rain, and Dog Dad says, if you don't have to drive in that stuff, stay home safe and warm. So after a two day wait, we departed on 3 March. The weather in Key West was around 79 F and as we drove through Florida, the weather was in the high 80s. We reached Valdosta, Georgia that night and the weather was cool around 52 F. Dog Dad put on the sweatshirt and blue jeans, and I just loved the cooler temperatures.

Are We There Yet?

At a Rest Stop in Georgia 

Rest Stops Were Fun

Taking in the Sights, Sounds and Smells

We left the next day about 9 AM, passed through Atlanta and made Cincinnati, Ohio on 4 March. Total drive time so far was about 22 hours. During the drive Dad at times got a little misty eyed as remembered previous trips with Essex and Deacon. It was getting dark by the time I made my first encounter with snow in Kentucky. The stuff is cold, and when I sank six inches into a drift I jumped up and Dad laughed. When we finally arrived in Cincinnati, I met Clyde. Clyde and I liked each other right away. Clyde told me about his memories of Great Auntie Essex and Uncle Deacon, and that I was a fine collie pup. The hoomans talked about them too. I could tell those memories warmed up Dad's heart.

Cousin Clyde Had Tall Tails To Tell

Clyde at Rest

The next day we drove up to the Cleveland, Ohio area. Tomorrow, I will show you some pictures of me in the snow.

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Oho Snow Storm

Well cyber-paw pals it is snowing outside right now. Yesterday the weather guessers were talking about a blizzard. I asked Dog Dad if they made peanut butter and cheddar cheese flavored. Dog Dad said it was the kind of blizzard that involved snow.

Well, there is lots of snow outside, but it is not quite a blizzard. I enjoyed the snow falling on my fur and getting my nose in the snow. Dad said we might need to shift travel plans a bit.

I have enjoyed the snow and romping around with my pals Gracie Lou and Cassie. Unfortunately, I won't get to see my pals tonight because the roads are snow covered and slippery. Sigh.

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Northern Ohio

We'll paw pals, Dog Dad and I are on vacation.  We are visiting his pack up north in Ohio.  I've gotten to meet Cousin Clyde, who told me stories about Great Auntie Essex and Uncle Deacon visiting.  Uncle Deacon used to play a lot with Cousin Clyde when he visited.  Then I met Rosie the cat.  I bark up a storm at Rosie at times, but for the most part I have been pretty calm.  I met Cassie and Gracie Lou in Northern Ohio.  Cassie told me more stories about Great Auntie Essex and Uncle Deacon.  I spent a lot of time playing with Gracie Lou, who is a tri-color collie.  Gracie Lou and I romped and ran in the snow.  It was pawsome.

The drive north seemed to take pawever.  Every time Dog Dad would slow down, I would get up and whine.  We would get out for walks about every other rest stops.  For the most part I would just lie in the back and sleep.  I got visit a lot the same rest stops that Great Auntie Essex told me about.

I did tend to bark and whine if I was left alone in the hotel room.  I was worried that Dad wasn't going to come back to me.  I don't mind at home because I that is home.  The SUV is okay, because it is my vehicle.  I saw snow for the first time in Tennessee. 

I am looking forward to spending more time romping with Gracie Lou and Cassie. I am enjoying the cooler weather and meeting new friends.  When we get back home, we'll post pawtographs.

Dog Speed,

Sherman