Puppy Kindergarten...

One of the requirements for adopting Chip from the rescue event in Orlando was that we enroll him in puppy training (which is more about training humans than it is puppies), not realizing that puppy training programs generally take place over 6-8 weeks.  While we don't mind finding random places to boondock (camp for free), we didn't want to live in a parking lot for an extended period of time so we focused our search on finding an RV Park near an AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized training program that was near a larger city and close to a coast.

After visiting Todd's Uncle Art near Titusville, FL, we happened to meet John and Greg who are residents of a nearby Golf and RV resort called The Great Outdoors.  With incredible amenities such as a long list of daily activities, multiple swimming pools, fitness room, tennis and pickleball courts, yoga, golf, on-site restaurant, nature trail and a pretty cool doggie park, Shonah called around and secured an affordable private rental space to match the 7 week training program we found at the Brevard County Dog Training Club (BCDTC) on Merritt Island.

Staying at The Great Outdoors was not only a treat from life on the road, but also allowed more time to visit with Todd's Uncle Art and Aunt Linda.  Uncle Art and his friend Indrani treated us to lunch at one of their favorite restaurants in Port Canaveral (Thanks!) and Uncle Art taught us to play the up and coming sport of pickleball.  Aunt Linda was able to join us for two wonderful evenings of food, wine and conversation, including a celebration in honor of Chip's graduation from puppy kindergarten!

Now that Chip has passed kindergarten with flying colors (such a smart little guy!), we are back on the road and slowly heading North along the East Coast to explore new places and to visit with friends and family.

Shonah, Todd, Chip, Indrani, and Uncle Art near Fish Lips Restaurant at Port Canaveral.

Todd and Shonah having lunch at the nostalgic Dixie Crossroads.  Todd has fond memories of being treated by his Grandparents at this local Titusville eatery.

STEV in our 'camping' spot at The Great Outdoors RV and Golf Resort.

Chip loves his raised bed with canopy.

 

These two Great Horned Owlets were fun to watch grow up just across the street during our visit to The Great Outdoors.

Once the Owlets left the nest, we were treated with nightly visits on the neighboring Welcome Center at The Great Outdoors.

 

Great Blue Heron on the Nature Trail at The Great Outdoors.

Anhinga on the lake next to our RV spot at The Great Outdoors.

Red Shouldered Hawk on a power line at The Great Outdoors.



Wild Turkey on the Nature Trail at The Great Outdoors.

 

An unwanted guest on our RV pad at The Great Outdoors.

 

Daring Jumping Spider (Phidippus Audax) encountered on the road while taking Chip for a walk.

Peninsula Cooter turtle found walking thru our yard at The Great Outdoors.  Shonah picked him up and placed him at the edge of the lake to help him get back into the water faster.

Brown Watersnake in a small lake on the Nature Trail at The Great Outdoors.

This young alligator was hanging out near on a sandbar in the Addison Canal at The Great Outdoors.

This proud mama and her 5 baby alligators were hanging out in a lake at Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, part of the nearby Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.



A flying Pelican near the Manatee Observation Area in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Manatees near the Manatee Observation Area in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Some of you may be familiar with a brand of car called SMART, similar in design to this one...

This one, however, is aptly branded for the rest of us, STUPID...

Todd and Shonah visiting the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.

The Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.

A crawler used to transport spacecraft from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building to the Launch Complexes at Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.

Vehicle Assembly Building (or VAB) at Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.  The VAB was first used to assemble the massive American Saturn V launch vehicles beginning in 1967.  By volume, the VAB is one of the largest buildings in the world and is the largest single-story building in the world.

A full-scale, upright replica of a space shuttle stack, including an external tank and two solid rocket boosters adorn the entrance to the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit entrance at Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.

Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.  Atlantis flew 33 missions for a total of 306 days and more than 125 million miles in space.  Isn't she beautiful?

 

There were multiple Cape Canaveral rocket launches visible from our "home" at The Great Outdoors in Titusville, FL.

This SpaceX Dragon rocket was carrying tons of supplies to the International Space Station.  Most notably was the ISSpresso machine sent up to allow the astronauts a fresh cup of espresso.

 

Chip, Shonah, Todd's Aunt Linda and Todd celebrating Chip's graduation from Puppy Kindergarten with a jumping picture.

Just because we travel full time doesn't mean we no longer entertain...  Todd's Aunt Linda gave us an excuse to cook some food, enjoy some wine and engage in thoughtful conversation.

Ginger (one of Chip's best friends) and Chip playing around at Doggie World in The Great Outdoors.  Doggie World was a great off-leash dog play area.

Ginger was so great with Chip.  She allowed him to pin her down many times.

Chip enjoying some running time at Doggie World in The Great Outdoors.

Chip and Shonah posing for a picture at Doggie World at The Great Outdoors.

Chip showing off on some of the agility equipment in Doggie World at The Great Outdoors.

At first Chip was not a fan of the teeter-totter, but quickly warmed up to it, even completing it without any help from Todd or Shonah.

Chip going over the dog ramp in the Doggie World at The Great Outdoors.

At last, we finally have kayaks.  When we took off on this adventure, we gifted our kayaks to Todd's Niece and Nephew for Christmas as we were unable to find a home either in or on STEV.  After contemplating various kayak styles, sizes, and storage locations, we finally solved the riddle.  We found kayaks that were just about the length equal to the width of STEV, identified the storage spot, and designed and built the storage racks.  After a few days of hard work including relocating the bike rack, ladder, and generator Jerry can, we had our new setup.

Our first kayak with the new equipment and Chip's first kayaking experience.  We found a great lake near The Great Outdoors and headed off to Fay Lake Wilderness Park in Port St. John.

Chip's first swimming experience with his new PFD.  Let's just say that the first experience in the kayak, the new PFD, and his first swim will not be his fondest memory with us.

Chip was a natural.  He began doggie paddling even before Todd dropped him in the water.  He did great even if he did not enjoy it.  Oh by the way, did we mention that there were alligators in the lake?

 

Todd, family friend Liz, Shonah and Chip spent some time catching up and having lunch near Liz's home in Edgewater, FL.

 

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse on Ponce Inlet near St. Augustine, Florida.

A pelican in the marina at Ponce Inlet.

Snowy Egret at the marina in Ponce Inlet.

Fort Matanzas National Monument near St. Augustine, Florida.

We stopped near Jacksonville, FL to visit Todd's cousin Becky, her husband Richard and their kids Ethan and Kate.  After touring their recently rehabbed (and architecturally published) home, Richard cooked a delicious stuffed pork loin for dinner and we enjoyed hanging out at the family's favorite coffee shop playing Scrabble the next morning.

Becky's best jump...

 

Ethan's coolest jump...

I think we were making Richard late for work...

Kate's crazy jump...

 

Shonah's working hard to get Chip to enjoy the jumping pictures...