More New Train Friends

Both of these couples were my dinner partners at different times. They enjoyed my company and I enjoyed their friendliness. Taking the train gave me many opportunities to talk a lot-------Remember, I love to talk. By the end of the trip, my dad, Bobby, said, "You talked to EVERYONE in America!!" (The lady above, in the red, is a quilter. She's making me my very own quilt and will be sending it to Hawaii to keep me warm in the winter. That is so kind of her, don't you think?)

Heading Home by Way of Chicago

We caught the train out of Pittsburg the night before and made it to Chicago in about ten hours. It sure was fun sleeping on the train, but sometimes it was a little bouncy, especially when riding on the top bunk, and guess where I was riding?
We were so lucky to have arrived in Chicago in the morning. We had about four hours to explore the city before our train departed for the West Coast. By chance, there was a big feasting event going on in the town. It was called "A Taste of Chicago."
Lots of restaurants had set up booths and were selling food and drinks.
The city provided free open-air trolley service for tourists to points of interest all over Chicago, and one of them was going to this event, so we hopped aboard and had lunch there. It was close to the downtown section of the city, so lots of businessmen and women were having lunch there too.
Boy, were there lots of yummy choices! By the time we had to leave and head back to Union Station, my tummy was so full it was ready to burst!!
Can you google "Chicago" and find which Great Lake borders, or touches, the city?

What in the World?

This is a globe created by children from around the world. It was on display on the first floor of the Sears Tower in Chicago. There were many other globes there too. The purpose of the globe art was to bring awareness to the Earth's problem of becoming too warm. The project was called "Cool Globes." google: "cool globes" then go to: kids and teachers then go to: paper mache globe. Make a globe and have fun!! Think about how you could make the Earth cooler!!

The Big Band!!

When we were walking back to the Chicago train station, we heard wonderful music. There was an outdoor concert going on in the heart of the city. Four times a year, lawyers and judges play in the square across from the very tall courthouse building.
This afternoon was their summer performance. It was free. I thought it was a great idea! Can you spot the saxophone? You might have to enlarge the photograph!!

The Best Frozen Custard in the World!!

Conneaut Lake is a pretty remote, or far away, place, but if you are ever in northwestern Pennsylvania, please make sure to visit there and stop in at Hank's. This "soft ice cream" shop has been in business since 1950. It opens in the late morning in the summers and closes at 10:00 pm. It always has a line, no matter what time of the day it is. It's an incredibly popular place. Mom's favorite flavor is chocolate. Mine, too!!

Yikes----What Big Mouths!!

Now if you look very closely, you will see hundreds of fish. They all have their mouths open!! They are waiting to be fed bread. Yes, bread! People come from all over the world to feed them. This place is called the PYMATUNING SPILLWAY. It's at the most popular state park in Pennsylvania. It's famous because "the ducks walk on the fish!"
I'm glad Mom didn't drop me in the water. Yikes------I look like a loaf of bread, and I am sure I would have been gobbled up immediately!

Splitting Logs--the Easy Way!

Remember when I told you about President Abe Lincoln splitting logs with an axe as a teenager. Well, nowadays, in these modern times, it is a lot easier. This young woman is in her front yard using a machine to split logs. She had trimmed a big tree, cut the limbs into 2 foot sections with a chain saw, and was using a gas-powered log splitter. She was making firewood for the winter. Did you notice the big pile of logs behind her?

I LOVE Books!!

This is my friend, Teddy. We are reading a story on a rainy afternoon at the little library in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. Wasn't that kind of Teddy to share his book with me? I was telling him about my very favorite story, Caleb and Kate, by William Steig. Why don't you find it at your public library? Ask the children's librarian to assist you.

Kind Faces, Big Smiles

The lady in the pink pants is Betty Ecklund. She is the librarian at the Conneaut Lake Public Library in northwestern Pennsylvania near Lake Erie. She welcomed us with open arms! She had read about me the day before in the local newspaper, the Meadville Tribune, so she knew who I was. She called me a "celebrity." That means I'm famous!! She was so happy to show me around the library and tell me about the summer reading program she had set up for children in the neighborhood. The other lady standing next to her was returning books and was happy to talk with me, so we asked her to get in the picture with us, too.

The Market House, Meadville, Pennsylvania

I saw this kind of sign as we traveled across America and back . It tells the viewer that a place is special. Next to this sign is an old brick building, and inside there are things to eat made by the local farmers. There are also crafts to buy. (Mom liked that.) This structure is the oldest farmer's market in continuous operation in the state of Pennsylvania. That's old!! Outside, under a wide, wide extended roof, the farmers had their tables filled with great fruit and veggies. See what I mean in the next photograph!!

Vegetables in the Morning Sun

There were beautiful fruits and vegetables at the Market House. Mom liked the handwritten 3X5 cards showing the price. How much would I have to pay for nine zuccini squash? I have a great idea! Google "zucchini" and see what recipes you can find. I've had delicious bread made from the green ones in the photograph!

Got Milk??

This is Larry and me. He's smilin' big for me. He's just fed Mom and Dad a yummy breakfast at his grill at the Market House in Meadville, Pennsylvania. His restaurant was busy all the time. It was a great place to eat and make new friends. Did you notice the automatice milk dispensing machine behind me? Cool, huh? It's what is called an antique. Something old that has a lot of value. It's too old to work!

Wheeeee!!

Here I am on my very first boat ride!! That's Janice, my nurse friend, steering. She owns the boat!! We are on Conneaut Lake, the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania. (Two wooly mammoth skeletons were found at the bottom of this lake a few years ago.) I had fun riding around the lake in the late afternoon summer sun. It reminded me a little of my own island home!

Rocket Rides

This is an amusement ride at Conneaut Lake Park, Pennsylvania. Wouldn't you love to zoom off into Outer Space in one of these? I would!! Do you know the names of the planets inside the Astroid Belt closest to the sun? There are four. Our planet Earth is one of them. What are the other three?

I'm Getting Dizzy, Really Really Dizzy

This in another amusement ride at Conneaut Lake Park. Yikes, my head's starting to spin!!
Do you see how many light bulbs there are in this picture? How many? Count them! I think it's over fifty!

Two of My Favorite People in the World

I am betwen two of my best friends----Bandana Bob and Bobby, my dad. We are sitting on a wonderful swing in the shade of a giant oak tree.
Our view is of Conneaut Lake.
Life is very sweet for me!!

Uncle Sam and Me!!

Okay, look hard. Do you recognize this guy in the tall hat----------Uncle Sam, you say. Look again, it's Bandana Bob in costume for the 4th of July Parade. He loves to dress up, tell stories, and pass out a lot of wisdom. That's why I like him so much. I am always learning when I'm in his company. What a good friend!! I am lucky he is in my life!

A Little Friend

Now I am on the shore of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, at Conneaut Lake Park. This is my new friend, Declan. I thought he looked pretty cool in those groovy sunglasses. He likes to talk as much as I do. Did you notice how he is balancing me on his feet? I thought we were going to do one of my favorite activities, dance!!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania---Heading West

It's pretty late. The train was delayed so we didn't arrive from Harper's Ferrry into the station until just after midnight. By the time we were ready to leave, it was almost one in the morning!! I was getting sleepy!
This is a photo of John, the Amtrak station manager, and Mom and me. John was very kind and had just driven us to our hotel. We are standing outside the Omni William Penn. It was a famous, fabulous old hotel in the heart of Pittsburgh. Even though it was late, we were able to order food from the hotel's kitchen. We ate dinner, an incredible feast, at 1:30 in the morning in our room! The food was so good, Mom called back to Room Service and complimented the chef!! Best of all, the rates (cost) of staying at the hotel were very, very reasonable, and, they had Internet service in our room so I was able to update my Blog!! Hooray!

Hailing the Train

Well, here we are flagging down the Amtrak to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from West Virginia. I stayed several feet away from the tracks so I would be a safe distance from the train.

Safety is very important when "riding the rails."

I was smart and followed all the rules!

Yum, Yum, Summer Berries

There were wild mulberry trees in Harper's Ferry. It had just rained so they were clean. Mom, forever the forager, picked some to eat. They were very tasty and she knew they were safe to eat. Remember--------only eat fruit in the woods if you check with your mom and dad first!! Do you know what "forage" means? Can you guess? Look it up to make sure!! Also, what insect larvae eats mulberry leaves and weaves it into silk?

Fences Everywhere

This fence was near Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. It's called a "split rail" fence. There were lots of these kinds of fences in the area. By constructing them in this zig zag pattern, no nails are needed. President Abraham Lincoln "split rails" to earn money when he was a teenager. Read MENDING WALL by Robert Frost, a famous American poet, and see what he says about fences. (You can google "Mending Wall" to read the poem?)

New Friends at Harper's Ferry

These are two National Park Service employees. We stopped in their office to get information about Harper's Ferry. They were very helpful. Visiting national parks is an exciting way to learn about the history of our country. Just google national park service to find out more!!

"Almost Heaven, West Virginia"

Isn't this beautiful? It is a special place in American history called Harper's Ferry. Google it to find out why it's so famous.

Period Costumes

Harper's Ferry is a National Park. These two young girls work for the United States Park Service. They get paid money, a salary, to dress up in clothing worn by adults in this town in the late 1800's. They teach tourists about life there over 100 years ago. There were many young Park Service employees in Harper's Ferry who were dressed up in clothes of long ago. They also perform different tasks to show visitors what it was like to live and work in a small town on the river in West Virginia before electricity and other modern inventions. Many national parks "re-inact" what life was like during American's past so the public, you and I, can see "living history." It's such a fun way to learn. I felt like I opened a history book and the characters popped out and performed a play just for me!! And best of all, I got to ask questions of them afterwards!! You remember, I love to talk!!

Honest Abe

Here I am in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, with Abraham Lincoln. We are in the smallest state park in the United States. This town is famous for its hot springs. You can take a mineral bath and get a massage for a very reasonable fee at the Bath House. George Washington bought land here from Lord Fairfax and so did a number of other famous early Americans. Long ago Native Americans came here and "took the baths". This town has lots of history!

If you want to learn more go to:
www.berkeleysprings.com

The Perfect Temperature

George Washington was a very tall man so it's easy to see why his own special bath at Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, is big.
It was a very hot day so Mom decided to cool off with a foot bath!! It was quite pleasant in the state park under the shade of the giant oak trees
Did you notice the sign on the rock wall? How long ago was the bath built for President Washington? (If you click on the picture, it will be enlarged.)

Hooray!! Another Farmer's Market

I was so happy to find a farmer's market in Berkeley Springs. This couple had moved from New Jersey to West Virginia to a place where they could grow flowers. As you can see, they have a bounty of bouquets to sell. I didn't buy any because I was ready to hop the train later in the day!

We're in the News!!!

Mom and I are getting lots of publicity. Many people we meet are very excited about our journey. Two articles have been written about us.
Go to:
www.FrederickNewsPost.com
Then go to the July 3rd archive. Lastly, type in surf dog.

Read about our adventures! We're having a fun time!

Yikes, I'm Up Really High!!

I'm in the orchard perched on crates that hold apples in a cooler after they are picked in Fall. There are too many to sell at once, so they have to be stored for later. Did you notice my two pals, Molly and Rocky?

The Lumber Mill

This is Holly and Shannon. They are sitting in their dad's lumber mill on some big, big tree trunks he harvested off his land. He's milling the logs and making planks to build a new house. They live way back in the mountains of West Virginia at the end of a road. Their dad owns a big orchard, a garden of fruit trees. They have apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and pears. Aren't they lucky? They get to spend their days outdoors getting healthy and pitching in on the family farm. Their grandma works with them, too.

The Metro, Washington, D.C.

Here we are on the Metro. It is the subway, an underground train, that takes riders to many great places in the Capital. It's a good way to travel to the museums on the Mall and to the monuments, too. See the map behind me----the colors represent the different lines that go to different sections of Washington, D.C., and out to Maryland and Virginia, also. We took our suitcases on it!! Some people even transport their bikes on the Metro!

Karen, Mom, and Me

This is mom's best friend from high school, Karen, who lives outside of Washington, D.C. We are sitting in her fairyland garden. Later the fireflies came out and it looked magical. Karen is an interior designer and has a dancing troupe. She's pretty famous. She just wrote a dancing story for the stage and her troupe performed it. It was called The Oasis, An Arabian Fairytale.

A Very Aloof Tabby

Okay, okay, dogs aren't supposed to be that friendly with cats. I can see why. This red tabby, Kitten B., didn't even notice me. I just wanted to be friends, but he wasn't interested. Oh well, maybe he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I am sure if I was around him long enough, he would warm up to me!

Baltimore's Finest at Camden Yards

Here I am with Officer W.T. Smith, Jr. at the Orioles and Yankees game.
It was a great night, especially since the Orioles won!

Aunt Chris and Me at Camden Yards

Here I am sitting pretty watching the Orioles beat the Yankees!! Aunt Chris put us up overnight. We took the 'Light Rail" from her house to the Stadium. It was great! We didn't have to drive and find parking which would have been difficult. We just hopped the local commuter train and paid $3.50 for a roundtrip ticket. The train was full of people who loved baseball. They were wearing their favorite Orioles t-shirts and hats and showing lots of team spirit!! The train dropped and picked us up right in front of the main entrance to the ball park. Wow!! What service!!

REACH Program Director at the Ball Game

Here is Matthew Death. His last name is Gaelic and means "from Ath" in Welsh which is the language of Wales . ( Where is Wales?)
Matthew is one of the staff members of the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Team. He's the guy who set up Mom's meeting with the "Bird." He also coordinates distributing, or giving out, 150 free tickets to every Camden Yards baseball game to children in Baltimore who might otherwise not be able to attend the game.

A Big Kiss for Mom in Baltimore, Maryland

Here I am meeting the mascot for the Baltimore Oriole's Baseball Team. We are at the Camden Yards Stadium.
We went to an evening game when the "Birds" played the New York Yankees. The Orioles won!! Hooray!
They are my favorite team!

Google "Camden Yards" and find out about its history--------something about trains!!

Lucky I Live Hawaii

Oh my gosh, a tow truck, snow, ice!!
Yikes!! I don't even know how to drive!!

I'm glad I spend my winters on the North Shore.

A joke for you--What do dogs say when they are riding in ATV's?
Boy, this sure is a "Ruff, Ruff" ride!

Froo Froo Palace

This photograph was taken on a cobblestone street in the oldest section of Washington, D.C., called Georgetown. After which George do you think it was named?

It was so posh! I didn't have time to peep in the shop on this trip, but maybe the next time I'm in town I will.........maybe!!

Do you think I need a clip?

Peek-a-Boo

Outside this fabulous tea shop called Teaism in Washington, D.C., is a beautiful sculpture garden in which you can sip tea and have lunch. I'm peeking through a big piece of carved rock called granite. Do you see my dad, Bobby, in the photograph, too? Do you have a rock collection? If not, why don't you start one. There are three types of rock that are in the earth's crust-------do you know what they are? Can you find out? Go to the library and do the research. Surprise me!!

Annapolis, Maryland

I was so thrilled to meet these handsome young men called Midshipmen on the main street in Annapolis, Maryland. They are going to college at the Naval Academy in the town. They will be starting their last year, their senior year, in the Fall. They will become sailors who will eventually command ships when they graduate!

A Champ!!

Here is Heather DeYoung. She is a soap box derby winner and is going to the finals in Akron, Ohio. She's fourteen and just started racing last summer. We met her as we were visiting a tourist information center under the bridge at Kent Narrows, Maryland. (This is as far East as we will go this trip.) We had just crossed over the Bay Bridge. That's Cheaspeake Bay! Can you find it on google earth? Look for Heather in her blue go cart, No. 222, when you google DC soap box derby. Heather's sitting on crab traps!!

MomMom and Me

Here's my grandmother with my Mom. She's feeding me a little bit of sandwich. I liked her sense of humor! Didn't she know I was already stuffed?

A Great Gardener

Here is Margo, Mom, and me. We were in a Senior Citizen's Garden in Aspen Hill, Maryland. Margo knew so much about growing plants, especially tomatoes. She was so generous with her knowledge! She's been gardening in this area all her life. She inspired us to share more, too. We love talking, sharing wisdom, and making new friends.

Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.

Behind our country's capital where all the nation's laws are made, is an old farmer's market that's famous. It's called the Eastern Market. Many farmers from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia come into the city to sell their fruits and vegetables here. This is Dan Donohue (in the middle) and two of his workers with me. Find Dan at: www.earthlink.com and then type in agora farms
Mom loves to come here, too, because not only do they have fabulous produce and flowers, they have a great flea market with lots of bargains!!

Enterprise

We rented a car in Washington, D.C., for a week. The car rental agency was called Enterprise. Mike is the manager of the Wheaton, Maryland, office. He's posing with Rachel. We were given such a good deal and they were so friendly that I asked them to take a picture with me!! Look at Mike's big smile!!

Ridin' the Rails

Drake is holding me and enjoying the Amtrak ride with his Dad, Dwayne. They were on the way with Tori to sightsee in Washington, D.C. Dwayne is an engineer on the train when he's not on holiday. They live in San Antonio, Texas. They were riding in the Observation Car. The views were great!!

The Capitol Limited

We took the train called the Captiol Limited from Chicago to Washington, D.C. This is the Assistant Conductor, Lynn, and another passenger named Tori. The train was delayed so the cook made us beef stew to tide us over so we wouldn't be too hungry before we arrived. Wasn't that kind of him? Look for Washington, D.C. at google earth.