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January 10, 2005
We had been looking forward to the Georgia campsite which was advertised as having both indoor and outdoor
agility facilities, a lake for dogs to swim in, and a nature trail. Although it is an RV Park, the host assured us there
were sites that were fine for tent camping. Well, the review is mixed... The people who ran the place were wonderfully friendly,
the place is definitely dog-friendly, and there was a place where Stamp could swim (he adores swimming) but the agility equipment
was not regulation, all the contact obstacles had slats that were very high (1 1/2" or more by my guess), and the weave
poles had spring bases. Needless to say, we did not practice. The nature hike was very short but nice enough.
The campsite itself was not really great for the tent, being on gravel, and we could not drive the stakes into the ground.
January 11th, 2005
We went to the Okeefenokee swamp to see alligators. The nature hike is on wooden decks above the
swamp so it was safe for the dogs to come with us (on leash, of course). We walked to the end of the deck/dock and back
without seeing any gators, although we did see a lot of really huge turtles sunning themselves on logs. On our way back
to the parking lot we finally saw an alligator - creepy, he was just sunning himself on the boat ramp and we could have just
walked right up to him, but we aren't that dumb. We picked up the dogs and went as close as we dared for a photo.
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| in the swamp... |
| THE GATOR! |
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January 11th, 2005
We stayed at a KOA in Lake City Florida. Seemed like a nice enough place until we saw the
following sign:
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| The God Father's real estate agency?? |
We actually had a great time, for once the wood was not too damp to light
so we were able to toast marshmallows.
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January 12th, 2005
We've arrived in Tampa! Hard to believe it's January, it was around 80 degrees when we
got here.
We had arranged to use the agility facility at Bon Jon Shepherd Ranch in Tampa and
boy were we pleasantly surprised. Two full-sized rings with excellent courses already set up, lots of room for
the dogs to just run and play, and the best part - the facility is right smack in the middle of an orange grove and we were
encouraged to pick as many oranges as we wanted!
None of us had ever even seen oranges on the tree before...
| check out the orange grove in the background |
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| Stamp posing on the A Frame |
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| The kids picking and eating |
| Fleet on the A Frame |
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| he just keeps showing more and more talent! |
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January 13th, 2005
We spent the morning exploring Tampa, then got in line for our crating space at the trial.
A longish wait, but almost everyone was in a good mood, so it wasn't too bad.
After sign-in there was a reception sponsored by J and J for all the exhibitors.
Now we're back at the motel relaxing.
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| waiting patiently for the doors to open |
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| outdoors, about to go to the reception |
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