Painting the Skoolie

It took a while (and some gentle cajoling from my sister), but we finally managed to transfer the skoolie out of my sister's driveway and drive it down to Galena, where it is sitting in a secure location so we can work on it. After spending Thanksgiving Day with Terry's family in PA, we returned to Maryland and spent the rest of the weekend power washing and priming the bus. Believe it or not, it took longer to wash and clean than it did to paint, even though we used primitive rollers and brushes to apply the primer. The weather could not have been more cooperative, with blue skies and spring-like temperatures. The power washer took the dirt right off, and although we were a bit sloppy with the paint, it is now a reasonable shade of white. Admittedly, it looks a little rough around the edges, but we just had to get the color changed from school bus yellow in order to get the bus inspected.

Our new power washer did the trick

A girl with a gun!

I'm bored...

Not perfect, but pretty sharp!

Philadelphia Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon

George and I spent the weekend of September 18 in the City of Brotherly Love participating in the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon. We "power walked" the 13.1 miles in a respectable three hours and fifteen minutes, a personal best for us. We marched past all of the historic locations in the city, including the art museum, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Boathouse Row, etc. A variety of enthusiastic bands played and cheered us on every couple of miles. The night before the race, we stayed at a very quaint hotel in the middle of the city and were able to walk everywhere -- suffice it to say that we could barely move by the end of the weekend, our walking muscles were so sore! All in all, we spent a fun weekend feeling like athletes!

Sore but satisfied

Falco Meets the Skoolie

Today George, Falco, and I drove up to my brother-in-law's house in Telford, PA, to take measurements on our new skoolie, Greyhound I. Dave had already removed most of the seats -- there is so much room inside! We will eventually have a bedroom with a queen-size bed, a full bathroom with a shower, a kitchen with table and benches, and ample space in the front for driver and passenger (and Falco of course). Over the next several weeks, we'll be cleaning and painting inside and out, installing a Pergo floor, and deciding where to place electrical outlets, water fixtures, cabinets, etc. It seems like a huge job, but we have nothing but time, so we're gonna do it right!

Falco was leary at first of the big yellow thing in the driveway. He was a trooper though, bravely climbing inside when we coaxed him. Once the door was closed, however, he became a little jumpy and tried to exit back down the stairs when the door was still closed. This of course left him trapped with his front legs on the bottom step and his back legs stuck on the top. He was too big and too long to simply turn around, so we had to help him step backwards up the steps. He finally made it to the back of the bus where he tentatively explored, even chowing down on a years-old scooby snack (yuck)! Falco's final straw was when George started the engine -- he didn't like the noise or the vibrations, and that's when we opened the door and let him escape. We're pretty sure that once Greyhound I is all decked out in luxury, Falco will change his tune and won't want to get off.

Greyhound I at Dave's house

He's the driver??!! Oh no!!!

Falco's not so sure about this skoolie thing...

Get me outta here!

Falco's Day at the Dentist

Today George and I took off work, loaded up Falco, and headed to northeast Philadelphia and NGAP (National Greyhound Adoption Program) to have his teeth and ears cleaned and his nails clipped. It was damp, cold, and raining, and maneuvering through the morning rush was awful. We made it there in one piece, however, and the staff made us feel welcome -- and of course they all remembered Falco. He was on his best behavior as they poked and prodded and coaxed him onto the scale (78.4 pounds, right where he needs to be). Then they led him away, giving us a couple of hours to ourselves. We spent about forty-five minutes hiking through the woods behind the facility in search of a lost Italian greyhound that had run away the day before. Unfortunately, we saw no signs of her and decided to head to the closest Starbucks to get out of the rain and do some work (free wi-fi). While we were gulping down the last of our skinny lattes, the vet called saying that all had gone well and Falco was recuperating.

Falco was none the worse for wear, although he was somewhat unsteady on his feet from the anesthesia and acted like he was drunk! The vet said that his teeth were in very good shape and to continue brushing them every day (yes, I have a doggie toothbrush and chicken-flavored doggie toothpaste that I use diligently on his choppers every day). His ears were so clean that she didn't need to do anything at all. And his manicure was the best I'd ever seen on him. They gave him a clean bill of health, and we headed back to Galena in the rain.

The return trip was uneventful, and we were happy to pull into our driveway. Falco went straight to his bed. We're all happy to be home.

Greyhound Racing Starting Gates

A sleepy Falco with his pearly whites

National Greyhound Adoption Program, Philadelphia

Falco's new Skoolie!

I never thought I would say this, but we just bought a school bus! George got it into his head that buying a "retired" school bus and converting it into an RV (known as a "skoolie") would be an interesting and economical way to see the country! So here it is, a 1999 flat-front pusher that we just purchased from Hagey's Bus Company in Souderton, PA!

Bob, a manager from Hagey's who showed us the bus, even took us for a little test run. It's a cream-puff -- diesel, 144K miles, new transmission, cruise control, tinted windows, heated mirrors, and pristine for being 12 years old! Hagey's couldn't have been nicer -- the facility is clean and neat, their buses are incredibly well-maintained, and they offered this bus at a price we simply couldn't refuse! Stay tuned for the amazing transformation of "Greyhound One!"

I gotta learn to drive this thing??!!??

Exploring Terrapin Park

This morning George, Falco, and I drove to Terrapin Park on Kent Island to take a walk in the woods and on the beach. It was a cool and gloomy day, but we had the place to ourselves, and it was refreshing to spend time outside after a long, cold winter. After Falco explored the beach, we found a nearby Geocache and headed home.

Are we going or what??

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is in the background.

I love my Daddy!

Falco romps on the beach.

Terrapin Park Trail

Sleepin' Through the Snow

There's no other way I can put it: Falco hates the snow. Although nothing like last winter, we've had our share of snow and ice this year so far, and we've had to majorly curtail Falco's outside time. He just wants to go out, do his business, and come back in where he can kick back and warm up! Come on, Spring!