a day in DC

Our day began at 4:30 am, when we left the farm and headed down to meet up with Kelli and Rick. The drive south went very well, the weather was great, and we hit little traffic. For the most part, it was a straight ride threw, though we did get a little turned around as we entered Washington, but the GSP got us there (in a round about fashion). It was dark by the time we found the hotel, we were tired, so we ate at the hotel  restaurant, walked the dogs and   settled into our rooms. As you can see, these rooms were extremely nice.. the whole hotel was,  and the dogs needed to be on their very best behavior. This is not a "pet friendly" hotel, but because the puppies are "service dogs".. they were welcomed. I was a bit worried about the "lack of grass" for Rylie, and it took a bit of walking up and down the street before she got the idea that she needed to "go"... but once she understood, the "rest" went well.

In the morning, we got to see where we really were. Do you know that building??? It's the Pentagon!!! Right there at the end of the street... this began to put things into prospective...

Our room was on the sixth floor (out of 16)...so we had some pretty nice views. I am glad that we weren't any higher.. the walk outside for Rylie was "long enough":.... I can't imagine living like this all the time, especially with a puppy. But I met up with other dog walkers, so there are doggies that do live like this!!!!

We pretty much decided that we wouldn't try to drive around the city, and needed to figure out the metro. It turned out to be quite easy-- except for one thing... escalators!!! Our dogs are not allowed to ride on them.. so it was either try and find the elevators, or.. carry them. We opted the with the "carry" idea. June wasn't able to pick Vicki up..  Ed carried her down on this ride...

I looked down and saw this photo of Rylie... I thought it was kind of funny, because my first time on the metro.. I sort of felt like this...

Rylie was just a little worried on our first trip..   I had to act brave for her. I actually enjoyed the ride, and was   impressed at how clean and quiet it was. People on the "train" were quite impressed with the dogs.. and by the end of the weekend, I am sure we'll all be old pros with it.

Escalators.... we're going to just have to deal, but it's obvious.. they'll be everywhere!!!!

Rick isn't much of traveler.. and a true country boy. He was very happy to find a tree and a quick hug made him feel much better about this city thing!!!!!

We arrived on the "mall"... the day was so pretty.. almost 60 degrees (on a December day).. and our first stop was the Vietnam memorial.

It was very quiet there, and we could hear the calling of a bird. Over head sitting up in a tree was this beautiful hawk. I felt like "he" kept a careful watch over this place... almost a spiritual presence.....

We took some photos of the three service puppies together.. Rylie, Vicki and Moxie. This trip seems to have so many parts to it for me... course being there for the Wreaths Across America.. but also the opportunity to visit our nation's capital.. and of course the amazing training opportunities for the dogs...I felt a bit overwhelmed.

I was actually surprised at the number of people that were here. A Friday morning in December... but I suppose Washington is visited all the time by all sorts of folks....

Again, this is not a place where dogs are normally welcomed. But the dogs had their "service" privileges. I was so pleased at how well behaved they all were, and I was also pleased at the way people re-acted to them. Lots of smiles, and often people would ask if they could say hello to them... it was really a wonderful thing.

I took so many photos, that it's hard to choose them for this blog. Once in a while I captured just what I had hoped....

We looked up the name of a young man who was from our old home town. "Larry A. D'Entremont"... we know his family well... and though I never knew Larry... it was an honor to "locate" him and remember him and the others who gave their lives for our country.

Here we are.. together in Washington....

And our little group on the stairs of the Lincoln memorial... June with Vicki, Kelli, Rick, Moxie and Ed... (I of course, was taking the picture!!)

June and Vicki.. which, I don't know if I mentioned, but this is a very special trip for this team. Vicki will be returned to NEADS  next week we get home. So, for June, this is sort of the last "hurray" after a year of work raising this beautiful dog...

Lincoln Memorial. I have seen it before, but you forget how big it is.... quite a sight to see for sure.

Little Rylie hiked right up all those stairs, and worked perfectly beside me. Nice pose of her at the top of the stairs with the reflecting pool in the back ground.










Rick with Moxie and myself with Rylie....

We then ventured over to the Korean memorial. It's hard to say which one would be my favorite. They are all so different and so wonderful in their own way.

I did find this one a little 'creepy" which I don't mean in a bad way.. but it was so life like, you almost expected the men to take a step towards you. Certainly, much thought and respect has gone into making each memorial...

This is the World War II memorial.... it's a very pretty spot and the water has a very calm effect....

We found the pillar for our state..... Ed and Kelli pose with the pups here...

and then this young man wanted to get a photo with the pups. He was quite interested in their work....

From the mall we went onto one of the Smithsonian's... and toured threw there. We really needed another few days in this beautiful city to see it all, but we did as much as we could in this one day. Tons of walking and enjoying the sights and sound....

Just before dark, we got back on the metro with some very tired dogs. A quick stop at the motel, and then we all went out for dinner. I think the dogs were just happy to sleep under the table while we all talked and re-capped the day. We have another exciting day tomorrow in Arlington.. but what a pleasure and privilege to see our Capital....

12-12-12

Today is 12/12/12.. and not that much has happened around here, except that we are packing and getting ready to leave for Washington tomorrow... but I didn't want the day to get by without recognizing it. This is the last time of this century that we will have the "same numbers", from here on in, this won't happen again until the year 3000... which likely, I won't be here to see.....

I somehow missed blogging about these photos.. so, I guess now is as good a time to post them as any other. A few days after Thanksgiving, Kas and Nate came to the farm so that I could get the photos for our Christmas card. Ever since the girls were quite little, my cards have been photos, and I keep each year in a folder and it's fun to pull them out and see how much has changed over time. But before we got to the photos, Nate helped Ed put our door decoration up.

We picked this up one year in Colonial Williamsburg. These "fans" over the doors are quite popular there and I just wanted one for our house. Course the ones in Williamsburg are made out of real fruit.. but since I'm not about to get up there and change it every few days.. I think the "fake" one looks almost as nice.

Abbie watched the activity from the warmth of the house... but soon, everyone was bundled up and ready to do the photos...

It didn't go exactly smooth... Abbie is "three".. from the get go.. and trying to have her model and smile at the just the right time....

well.........

hummmmm.....

not working......

so, best laid plans... give up and make it an action shot.... catch the three year old running in the back ground... it works!!!!

We moved down to the barn to try a few more.. I liked this one too...

And we did try one more time to get a three year old to co-operate....

But here the giggles got the best of everyone....

But now, people were getting cold and I figured I had the shot I wanted. One good thing about this digital age... you can see the picture right away.. long cry from the old film  days were you took a whole roll of film, developed it at the store (which took up to a week sometimes) and then found out if you had a good photo or not....

This year, getting a photo of "baby" Reagan was easy enough... just ask Kas to turn sideways!!!! We like to tease Nate about "his belly too".... (he was a good sport to pose for this shot!!!) The pregnancy is going very well... and quickly, I might add.... it will be exciting to have him here next year!!!

Then a big brown dog decided enough of this picture taking business and told his Daddy it was time to take a run on the farm....









So, tomorrow... we're off, the next blogs will be of our trip... can't wait!!!!

Wreaths Across America.....

Finally, my two weeks at the post office are done!!! and now, it's time to think about our trip!!!! I don't know why I haven't posted much about it until now, it's really been in the works for months, maybe I just wanted to keep it all new... but, at the end of the week, Ed and I, along with Rylie.. and Rick and Kelli with Moxie are heading to Washington DC to take part in "Wreaths Across America".

And if you don't know what that is, here's a little history lesson. In 1992 the Worcester Wreath company of Harrington Maine found themselves with a surplus of wreaths towards the end of the Christmas season. Morrill Worcester, the owner of the company, remembered a visit he had made to Arlington National cemetery, and he thought that he could pay his respects to our fallen heroes, but taking the extra wreaths to Arlington. He contacted the state rep at the time, Olympia Snow...and arrangements were made to lay the wreaths in one of the older sections of the cemetery, where, more than likely, the grave sites were not visited often. With the help of many civic groups, this became an annual event, growing slightly each year. Once in a while I remember hearing about the wreaths going down in the news, but all in all.. it was a pretty quiet event. In 2005, a photo was taken of  Arlington with the wreaths in place, all covered in snow... it hit the Internet, and as things often do... the photo went world wide, and the project received national attention. The entire story can be read on the Wreaths Across America website, and if you get a moment I suggest you pop over there and take a look.

But back to our story. June, puppy raiser of Vicki, met up with a group while she was out on her travels, that go to Arlington each year. When she told them about NEADS and that any service dog going to a veteran is donated, they asked her if she would like to go to Arlington with them. She said yes, and extended the invitation to us. Both Rick and I said that we would love to go, and so... here it is.

Now, when the trucks leave Maine and head to Arlington, it's quite the thing. They are now escorted the entire trip and make stops along the way, honoring other cemeteries where our veterans lay. Of course they need to rest over night and many companies offer that space for them to come and rest. Cabela's being one. So, tonite, the Maine puppy raisers met at Cabela's to welcome the trucks and send them on their way with warm greetings...

This year, there are 25 trucks traveling to DC they carry over 150,000 wreaths!!!! From what I understand, it's the biggest year yet, and because of the donations and help that has come, they say every grave site will have a wreath. I can't imagine what this is all going to be like. While we waited for the trucks to arrive, the puppies played and schmoozed the crowd. It was a cold winter night, but we really enjoyed the time.

Looking at this from a personal, selfish point of view... I am so excited for this training opportunity for the puppies. I'm excited and nervous about going into the city, and all the "city things" we will do... but if this goes as well as I hope, I have a feeling this is just the first of other trips.

After we waited outside for a couple of hours, word came threw that the trucks were running late. (sort of figured that), so we headed into the store to warm up. Nice thing about the service puppies, they can go "in". Many of the crowd did the same thing, so we got a chance to talk with folks about NEADS, and our up coming trip, and just had a really fun time.

Then I heard the beautiful sound of bagpipes and coming threw the store was the Drum and Bagpipe corps. Seems they decided that since they were cold too, and warming up in the store, it would be fun to entertain the crowd.









At first Rylie was a little unsure of all that noise. Marv, as you can see, could care less. But Abbie was a good comfort for Ry and once she realized what was happening, she settled in just fine.

Personally, I was thrilled to watch and hear them play. I love the bagpipes (and yes--- KILTS) and could have just stayed here all evening. This group has played together for a long time and they are very good.....









Being so big, the sound was beautiful in the store. And the drum major was quite talented... if this is any omen of what our trip will be like... I really can hardly wait!!!!

After the performance, I asked a couple of the group if we could get a photo opt with the puppies. They were more than happy... so, great evening for me, and Rylie can put on her list of events.... "bagpipe music"

Back into the night, the trucks were arriving. Sadly my little camera couldn't make up it's mind about "how" to take photos, so I didn't get many good ones. Watching those beautiful trucks pull into the parking area, escorted by motor cycles and police.... it's hard to describe the feeling that you get.

They did a few speeches... Karen Worcester, the wife of Morrill made a little speech (guess he isn't much for talking in front of the crowds) and presented Cabela's with their wreath. They will make other stops and presentations on their week long trek south. There were several honor guards and all kinds of civic groups playing part. It was grand.

Before we headed out, another photo opt of the puppies with the wreath presented to Cabela's... this one has a little flag on it representing each branch of the services....

See you in Arlington!!!!!!!!!!