Picture Highlights - Part 1

We are HOME!  We got home last night around 2am. MAN were we tired!  We actually started getting too tired to drive and wanted to stop for the night but all the hotels were sold out! I mean at every stop - we called ....and no rooms!  I have no idea why on a random Thursday, hotels RIGHT on the interstate with no views and no beautiful scenery were ALL sold out - but they were!  We had to keep on driving! We made it though and are so happy to be back home at Yesteryear Acres.  The puppies all grew so much!!!  We missed everyone and all the doggies. I think the best moment might have been crawling into our own beds! There is no place like home! We have so many awesome pictures from our trip.......Here are some highlights (look for part 2 tomorrow!  There are too many to post in one blog!)

Who doesn't like to feed camels in the rain?  We stopped at a small zoo in the most torrential downpour. We can't go a whole week without animal time!

This is as close as we got to The Natural Bridge.  The entire pathway was flooded and closed to everyone. The park officer was nice enough to let us walk this far to get a glimpse of the bridge. George Washington carved his initials under the bridge. We settled for imagining what that would look like.  

VMI - A film crew was filming the movie "Field of Lost Shoes" while we were there.  Maybe there will be a Navy and Gold striped polo somewhere in the scene!

Look at the most scenic view point of the Shenandoah Valley! You can see for ......inches!

We got very used to our "scenic" picnics....in the back of our car! Ahhhh the sweet sound of rain pouring down!

We have an entire collection of pictures like this from every stop.  We are soaked all the way through.  We are the rain makers!

As we were leaving Shenandoah National Park...the rain stopped!  We could not BELIEVE what it really looked like!

Taking advantage of the break in the rain and walking the Appalachian Trail.

We saw several deer friends on our walk!

We climbed the entire mountain!

NEW YORK CITY!  This is as close as we got to the Big Apple.  We did get a looooooooong look at it though.  Who knew the George Washington Bridge would take an hour to cross...by car!!!

Submarine Museum - Standing on top of the USS Nautilus.

We are actually dry in this picture!  On the coal fired Steamboat ride!

Coast Guard Academy!

Norwich University!

And last but certainly not least ....my sister and I at the top of the "flagpole mountain climb".  We are wet - but happy!

Tomorrow...Part 2.  I know you can't wait!  

Best for Last

Today we visited West Point and it was incredible.  It has to be the most beautiful campus I have ever seen.  I know. I know.  My older daughter went to the Naval Academy and believe me - a piece of my heart will ALWAYS belong to the Naval Academy. BUT now I think a piece of my heart might just lie at The United States Military Academy.  The setting amid the mountains and the Hudson River Valley is just breathtaking.  It is really beautiful.  The buildings remind me of medieval castles. It was like being transported back in time.  Huge stone granite buildings - just architectural masterpieces! Really - it was just beautiful. My son had a smile plastered on his face during the entire tour.  He now knows that he would be happy at either The United States Naval Academy or The United States Military Academy. His passion is to serve his country.  He knows that he will be instructed by the best at either institution and in the end he will be an Officer in the Military ready to serve, protect, and defend our country.  Our college trip will be something I will always treasure.  We spent the entire week together talking about dreams and desires and what the future might hold.  We narrowed down his choices as to where he would like to go when he graduates high school. We had a whole week of exploring, adventures, talking, laughing and.....RAIN.  I think we will never forget the wettest week we have ever had!  We have a long long long drive home today...in the rain of course! With any luck by 2am tonight - we will be back home at Yesteryear Acres! Homeward Bound!!!!!

Heading South

This morning we started our day with a very soggy hike up a mountain in Vermont.  When I say very soggy, I mean there were literally ponds and rivers all along the hiking path and everytime you stepped on the squishy gushy muddy trail, your shoes filled up with muddy water and squished between your toes. About halfway through the hike, I kind of wanted to turn around and go back to my sister's house and put on dry socks and dry clothes. The gushy mushy trail full of mud and decaying leaves wasn't exactly the adventure I was hoping for. Of course I didn't give up and my son and sister and I made it to the top of the mountain in record time. The view at the top made the soaked trail all worth it.  Despite the rain and fog - the mountain vista was still beautiful.  After we got back to my sister's house and dried off, my son and I packed up the car and headed south. It was sad to say goodbye as our visit was so short but The United States Military Academy was waiting for us in West Point, New York.  Out of all the colleges on our college road trip, this is the one we are most excited for.  We decided to save the best for last.  Tomorrow morning my son has an interview scheduled for first thing in the morning and we can't wait.  West Point - HERE WE COME!

The College Adventures Continue

Our college road trip adventures continue to be awesome! My son and I visited the United States Coast Guard Academy yesterday.  We both loved it.  The admission office did an excellent job of providing all the important college information and the campus is just beautiful.  We were there for hours and definitely gave it high marks. It is a fantastic institution.  Of course it RAINED our entire time there and yes.....it is still raining.  We are both thinking that perhaps we are the rain makers. Everywhere we go.....RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN!  Last night we made it to my sister's house in Vermont and she also believes that we brought the rain.  Thankfully she let us use her washer and dryer and we were finally able to get clean DRY clothes! Yea!  Dry pants feel WONDERFUL!!!!! This morning we left early and toured Norwich University.  They had a lovely day scheduled for us and we were there for over 6 hours.  Norwich is the birthplace of ROTC and it is well steeped in military traditions.  The scenery isn't too bad either.  Who doesn't love endless mountains???!!!  Tonight we are being treated to a traditional full Irish Dinner prepared by my dear brother-in-law. We are SO hungry and ready for the big treat! We leave first thing tomorrow morning so we are going to make the most of it tonight.  Bring on the dinner!

Surprise!!! Puppy Picture Monday!

Greetings from Yesteryear Acres! I know you are thinking "how can this be so?! You are on the East Coast visiting colleges with your son!!" Surprise!! This is Mrs. Yesteryear Acres' younger daughter filling in as the guest blogger today to bring you all Monday puppy happiness! Since I just adore our sweet puppies and look forward to puppy picture Monday's when I am away at school, I decided no one should go without it! Short story short here I am with your puppy happiness!

Sweet Pea's puppies loved the break in the rain to romp around in the sun

Ahhh laying out to soak up some sun

Don't worry Mr. Yesteryear Acres! I'll Fetch it!!!

Not if I get there first!!!

I think I will just wait here until the toy comes back...

Uhh Mr. Yesteryear Acres?! Can you throw the toy again please?

Shhhh...Don't tell! I'm going to pounce on my sister!! I just love to play!

Blossom's babies stayed all snugly warm  

We like to cuddle all day!

And Juneau's babies love snuggling too!

Now that's what I call a dog pile! Happy puppy Monday! 

SUNday

When my son and I woke up this morning, we couldn't believe our eyes......WE SAW THE SUN!  We haven't seen the sun since we left Ohio!  We were so glad we made the long drive to Connecticut last night.  It was a very smart move.  The rain is definitely coming back as the next week has RAIN RAIN and more RAIN forecasted for every single day but for today....SUN!  We went outside into the beautiful sunshine as soon as we could.  It felt great to finally dry out!  We have been a wet soggy mess!  The back of our car proves it.  We have piles of wet clothes and newspapers shoved into our shoes so that maybe just maybe they MIGHT dry out.  First on our list today was the Submarine Museum in Groton.  We drove right by the US Submarine Base where many of my daughter's friends are stationed.  It was nice to see where they all live.  The museum was great and very informative.  We toured the USS Nautilus and spent time at all the exhibits. After the museum we spent the rest of the day at the "Museum of America and the Sea".  We honestly didn't expect much when we walked through the gates but we were so wrong! It was awesome!  I now have new respect for all the old time mariners.  Just to make the ropes for the ships was quite the job!  We visited the shipsmith, sail maker, cordage, cooperage and lumberyard/sawmill.  We also got to see an 1841 Whaling ship being restored.  We ended the day with a trip on the last of the coal-fired steamboats.  I have to say our SUNday was a GREAT day! Tomorrow we are off to the Coast Guard Academy!  Can't wait!

Appalachian Trail

My son and I woke up this morning around 6am and headed outside.  It was cold and rainy and everything was still blanketed in a heavy fog. We almost started out on a hike but then at the last minute we both ran back into our beds and pulled the covers up and went back to sleep.  We never do that.  It was heavenly.  We woke up 2 hours later and the rain was just slowing down.  We made it to breakfast and back to our room before the skies opened back up.  We barely made it.  We decided to hit the road and start out on our long haul to Connecticut.  As we were leaving the Shenandoah National Park, the sun actually came out!  We stopped the car and hiked part of the Appalachian Trail. It was awesome!  We saw deer, a mountain bluebird, finches and beautiful vistas all along our walk.  We walked a little over 6 miles. It was just perfect.  The rest of the day has been spent in the car.  We are now in the 11th hour of straight driving.  One more hour to go until we get to our next stop.  Connecticut...here we come!!!

VMI

This morning my son and I visited The Virginia Military Institute. The drive to the school was quite soggy and although we know the road we traveled on was designated a scenic route - the only thing we saw was fog.  A LOT of fog! And rain! And more rain!  I didn't quite plan on a tropical storm/early hurricane/torrential downpour when I packed my suitcase for our college road trip.  How I miss my rain pants!  How I miss my rain boots!!! My shoes are so soggy they bubble and squish when I walk.  I believe I may just have the most wrinkly toes on the planet!  Still - my son and I aren't deterred.  We walked the entire campus.  We met with the admissions team. We got the most of our tour and enjoyed it immensely.  We left VMI early this afternoon and then headed north towards the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park. The beautiful scenic drive has over 100 miles of scenic vistas with 75 scenic viewpoints! Well.........we made it but.........we can't see a thing!  I mean NOTHING. You can barely see your hand in front of your face the fog is so thick.  Everything is blanketed in the heaviest fog I have ever seen and the rain is just pouring nonstop.  What could we do?  We stopped of course! And hiked! We hiked down a slippery, I can NOT see a thing mountain alllllll the way to a "I can't see it at all waterfall" and then hiked back up the mountain.  The waterfall sounded AMAZING - but it was covered in fog.  We were rewarded for our 4+ mile trek with a LOT of steps.  The trip back up the mountain was equivalent to 120 flights of stairs. Yes.  Rain and Fog won't stop us!  Now we just need to find some hand dryers or hair dryers or something so we can dry out! We are two soaked to the bone hikers! If we are lucky we just might dry out in time to get wet again tomorrow!

College Road Trip

My son and I are off on a college road trip adventure!  Mr. Yesteryear Acres and my younger daughter are taking care of all the new puppies at home so they will definitely have their hands full.  I am grateful that the doodle doggies have Mr. Yesteryear Acres!  He and my daughter will take awesome care of Yesteryear Acres and all our sweet creatures while my son and I are away. We have had this college road trip planned for almost half of a year and today is the day!  We are heading to Virginia today.  When I packed for my trip, I envisioned sunshine.  I envisioned warm weather. I envisioned dry tennis shoes! It has been raining, I mean REALLY raining since we left our door.  My son has been doing a great job driving.  We have been stopping at several points of interest along the way and MAN are we wet! Our shoes are SOAKED all the way through. My rain coat is wet ... on the INSIDE! I hope it all dries out before tomorrow.  Our first college interview appointment is tomorrow at 9am. Virginia Military Institute....Here we come!

It's a TIE!

Blossom and Juneau decided they would have their puppies together! Blossom has 9 beautiful new baby Goldendoodle puppies. She had 6 girls and 3 boys. Juneau said......"Oh yea?"  So Juneau has 9 beautiful new baby labradoodle puppies.  She had 6 girls and 3 boys! It's a tie!!!  I don't think we have ever had 2 litters together with the exact same number of puppies and the exact same number of boys and girls! They are all so cute!

Juneau's Caramel Babies are just adorable

I love their caramel coloring

And little crinkle coats

Blossom's Goldendoodle babies are so beautiful

Blossom is a GREAT mom

Her puppies are well fed and sooooo loved!

Mr. Red collar boy from Sweet Pea's litter says,

"Growing up at Yesteryear Acres means nothing but cuddles and love!"

Sweet Lovable Blossom

Our sweet lovable Blossom is having her babies! Blossom is just the sweetest, adorable most loving goldendoodle doggie buddy.  She is a best friend doggie.  We are so excited to have her babies to love!

Blossom always has the "I love you" look in her eyes

If you ever want someone to play fetch - Blossom says, "Pick me!"

The undeniable Blossom Smile

She will always keep you company on your walks

Or wait for you to finish your work

Blossom says, "Whatever you do - I am right there to help you!"

She is going to be a GREAT Mommy!

Happy First Monday of June

Can you believe June is here already!  Summer time is here! I love summer days so much.  The kids are home, the weather is warm and the outdoor activities are awesome! We spend every minute of our free time outside. Actually we spend almost all our time outside!  Between the doodle doggies and doodle puppies and horsies and pond and the big garden - there is enough to keep us busy outside until the sun sets! We wouldn't have it any other way. The puppies all say Happy June too!

Nothing beats playing outside for hours in the lovely green grass

Dreaming of a tree house

How we spend our free time

Can I join in?

Now that's a bundle of furry love!

Posing for pictures

Puppy Smiles for our first Monday of June!

Happy Monday!

Stinker Doodle

We had a little visitor here at Yesteryear Acres today.  Was it a Doodle?  Well - not really.  My son was first to spot our little striped guest

Oh no!  I said, "Leave it alone!"

My daughter said

"Can we keep it?"

Mr. Yesteryear Acres said, "Stinker loves Peanut Butter!"

and....."OH Stinker loves to be snuggled in my shirt"

See?

He's such a good little Stinker Doodle

He won't take up much room

He can just snuggle with me all day!

And even with all that coaxing

and naming

and loving

Stinker went back to the wild after his little adventure here.  He had a delightful snack and a little nap while my son found his nest.  We are not sure where the mama skunk went but there were 2 other babies in the nest so Stinker was able to be reunited with his Stinker siblings. Even though my daughter really really really  really wanted to keep him....she was glad he was back with his family. And do you know who else was really really really glad? ME!  Goodbye Stinker Doodle!

Happy 80th Birthday!

Today we celebrated Mr. Yesteryear Acres Dad's 80th Birthday.  The big party day has been on the calendar for 6 months.  We have kept today highlighted and marked in BIG BOLD LETTERS..."BIRTHDAY PARTY!"  Our biggest hope was that we could all go to the party together.  We often have to split up our special occasion celebrations as someone always needs to be here at Yesteryear Acres to take care of the doodle doggies and puppies.  We have someone working here this summer and we told him weeks in advance that TODAY was THE most important day of the entire summer.  If he were to only work ONE day - this would be THE day.  And do you know what?! He was scheduled to be here at 10:00am sharp this morning and..................HE CAME!  At 10:00am!  This has never happened to us before!  Even when we planned a YEAR in advance for our our older daughter's graduation from the Naval Academy - it didn't work out.  But today! YES!  Our helper arrived! We loaded the car full of yummy goodness and headed out to the big celebration.  Our older daughter of course couldn't join us (I guess the Marine Corps didn't have the big 80th birthday party on their calendar) but Mr. Yesteryear Acres, my son and my younger daughter and I were all able to go.  We were so happy to celebrate the big day with Mr. Yesteryear Acres family.  After such a hard few months with both his parents hospitalized, today's celebration meant so much to all of us.  I got a little teary singing "Happy Birthday".  I was so happy to be surrounded by so much love.

We had endless smiles all day long 

And so much love to go around

And what did he wish for on his 80th Birthday??????

MORE ICE CREAM!

Wish granted!

Happy 80th!

We love you SO much!