Follow the Adventures of Daisy

     Much to my dismay and especially to Sharon’s we are now trying to figure out where, what, when, who, and why.  There is a trip planned for July, however, I am not disclosing where at this time and will make an announcement on that at a later date.

capitol dome, Charleston, WV

    I love the places I have been, enjoyed my canine companions, and owe thanks to Sharon and also to Rocky for some of the traveling adventures.

Arch "Gateway to the West", St Louis, MO

       I’ve been to St Louis before but never at 5pm!! The traffic wasn’t near as bad as expected.     

A few miles from Shell Knob, MO Shell Knob is in the distance but really not visable on the pic. We spent 3 days there and enjoyed every minute. It is located on Table Rock Lake and just a beautiful little area. Daisy

Soldier and Blade

Lacy, cotton and I checking out our surroundings/Daniel boone Natl forest

      On Wednesday, June 8th, in the evening, Rocky spoke with Tina, the ride organizer, who decided to call the ride off. The states are setting record highs, no rain, and the routes are not as they appear on Google. Much to everyone’s dismay the inevitable happened….postponment.  There certainly may be a chance of another ride, however, if I have anything to do with it, it won’t be coast to coast but rather historic trails, rails to trails, or National Forests and Trails. Just because the ride has stopped doesn’t mean we aren’t going to continue the awareness of the need of Mustang adoption to save them from slaughter.  Support of the ride is so much appreciated and I want to thank Rocky for all  his hard work, time and devotion. He certainly made this trip easier than I expected. I appreciate Sharon and her dedication to me, Lacy, Cotton and , of course, the horses, Blade and Soldier. She rose early for feeding, watering and the “natures calling” walks. 

He's talking on the phone and driving!!

     Well, if I could really talk I would tell Rocky to put that phone down. I can’t multitask and have no confidence in those who claim they can. Something is bound to go wrong and I don’t have a seatbelt!   

Pilot Mtn vs Mt Pilot

     Remember the Andy Griffith show? Yes, I do as they show it on TVland. We past through a place called Pilot Mtn in North Carolina and a little ways further down was a town by the name of Mt Airy. I heard Sharon say maybe “Mayberry” was named after the town of Mt Airy. Some folks think Mayberry was a real town in NC but it was fictional. Sharon researched and found that Mt. Airy is the real hometown of Andy Griffith. The town hosts Mayberry Days and many other things. The site to view is www.visitmayberry.com .

     Will post this today and write again later as there is another trip planned!!

     Happy Trails to All!

     Daisy

     Yesterday we all headed out to our new destination. We will be traveling close to Cinncinatti, Ohio to begin the American Discovery Trail (ADT) from there which will take us across the US should we decide to  stay on it or head on over to Route 66.

Rocky,with Lacy and Cotton,working on a map. Smithfield, NC

  The mountains were beautiful along the West Virginia turnpike. Lacy and I decided to nap through it all as riding can be tiresome. 

Lacy and Daisy napping

     The vistas were fabulous through the Appalachian Mts on the West Virginia turnpike.

     On Monday night, June 6, we stayed in the Daniel Boone Natl Forest at White Sulphur campgrounds. We were the only ones there so Lacy, Cotton and I had the run of the place. Once again Blade and Soldier was given the liberty to graze a while. 

White Sulphur Springs horse camp, Daniel Boone Natl Forest

         Up and at it on Tuesday morning headed out to Lawrenceburg IN to find the southern route of the American Discovery Trail. Much to our surprise the trail is mainly used for cyclists and hikers and can not accomodate horse riders except in very few areas.  Onward we go further west ending in the Hoosier Natl Forest. Hoosier has 6 campgrounds in which 5 are free to the public and one charges $4. We preferrred the deluxe accomodations for our overnight stay.. They were very nice folks at Monk’s Mule and Horse camp and allowed us doggies to roam.

       Gonna close for now but will write a little later when I find out where we are headed and the game plan. Much to my dillusion this trip isn’t taking me where I planned on going.

God Bless!

     Daisy

    A great big “woof, woof” which means “good morning” to all! Yesterday we alll had quite the rest at the stables in Smithfield, NC. It was wonderful to run and romp without being on a leash. Rocky and Sharon found a wonderful church, Hephzibah Babtist, for morning worship. They said they enjoyed it very much and was warmly welcomed by everyone.

     I received a note from Kate and I would like to say she is absolutely right! I certainly need to mention my co-canines in this journey. Lacy and Cotton, both border collies, have been great company for me. Sharon and Rocky both absolutely love all of us and call us “daughters”.  Lacy and Cotton belong to Rocky. Lacy is 2 yrs old and Cotton is about to be 10 yrs old. they both love to herd the horses and bite them on their hind legs. They are both very loving and devoted to their master. Cotton loves to guard the food and water and since she is so much bigger than I, I allow her to have it. I can throw a tantrum and she will back off at times. They both out eat me 10 to 1. As long as I get a bite I am not complaining. Sometimes Cotton will get into the bed with Sharon and I just because she loves to have her belly rubbed. Lacy always sleeps with Rocky.

     Yes, I wear a pink hat and would love to make this journey part of cancer awareness. Sharon has had a bout with it and a dear friend of hers. She and her children are quite devoted to the Susan G Komen Foundation. We all know of someone who had dealt with this dreaded cancer.  With this added to our list we are now bringing awareness to these three things: 1) Our troops. Keep them in your prayers. 2) The awareness and adoption of the Mustang. They are being slaughtered and we can do something about it. 3). The Susan G. Komen Foundation. Get your mammograms ladies and don’t forget to do your home breast exam. Support your local chapter with charity events and your needed donations, please.  

    I will have to add pics later as we are traveling and Sharon has misplaced the camera once again. The route has changed a bit. The congestion and the unavailable shoulder of the roads have made it dangerous to both the horses and the riders. The plan is to drive to Ohio where we will connect with the Discovery trail. This trail runs from the Atlantic to the Pacific ending in San Francisco. We will possibly head down to the old Route 66 once we arrive in Kansas and travel that way. I will keep everyone posted. Safety is number 1. The people of North Carolina have been absolutely wonderful and hope to return one day just to visit.

     Happy trails and God Bless!

       Daisy and her co-canines, Lacy and Cotton.

    There is a drop in the temp by ten degrees and a wonderful breeze blowing.  Along these back roads, while sitting on Sharon’s shoulders so I can see everything, I notice the wheat fields waving, corn stalks shooting upwards and the nicest folks anywhere around giving a nod or a wave as we push towards our ultimate destination. It is absolute incredible the amount of support we have received as we bring concern and honor of our troops. I want to talk about this more a little later.  Our other goal, as many know, is to bring awareness to the adoption of the Mustang. Further information concerning the American Mustang and Burro Association, Inc.  can be accessed through the website www.ambainc.net .

     Up all we were early this morning in Fremont, NC after a cool evening breeze put us all in a sound sleep. If anyone or anything stirred during the night it certainly was unbeknownst to us. Rocky had to fix the awning last night because hyper Soldier decided to trample around it. If that is all that goes wrong then we are certainly doing well. We may not have an awning the rest of the trip as the arm to it won’t slide. We headed to Pinkney via Memorial Church Road. Sharon parked at the crossroads and fed us hotdogs and, of course, that awful dry food she insists on buying. We waited a couple of hours for Rocky to arrive via horseback. Since the weather is cooperating more it was decided to press on to Pine Level and find a place to park the rig overnight. Sharon pulled into the Fleetwood Mobile Sales place and struck up a conversation with the owners, Jim and Faye. Yep, that’s Sharon, just jibber-jabbing away and not saying much of anything important. The hardest part is trying to get a word in edgewise. I’m telling you sometimes I have to howl or bark in this squeaking little voice to break her cycle. You just gotta be around her to know how to stop her.  They are probably still standing around wondering how one person can talk so much in fifteen minutes without taking a breather! Anyway, Jim and Faye gave her the address of Jymco Trailer sales just down the street. It is just down the street but with an address in Smithfield.     Sharon introduced herself to Jimmy Whitley and he offered the barn in the back for our overnight stay. Once again we have electric and water available to us! This is a family owned company and specialize in Bison, Featherlite, and Keifer horse trailers. Now I have met a few folks with these kinds of trailers and they love them. My friend Bess has a huge living quarter horse trailer that is Keifer built and let me tell you it is a doosy!!  If anyone would like to send a note to these fine folks for donating the barn, stalls, and a turn out area to us overnight please contact them at www.jymcotrailersales.com or email: jymco@earthlink.net.  The donation was in  support of our troops.  If people outside the state of North Carolina are even half as nice as everyone has been to us then we are going to have a nice journey. People are good!! People care!! People love this country and support our troops!! This trip has certainly been an adventure thusfar and I am looking forward to meeting more people of the same!

      I’m going to rest now in this cool breeze and we will chat later! Love and God Bless to all!!

     Daisy

    Anyone that know me knows I have a lot of hair and I pant quite a bit. Come on now you old folks and lets get this rig and horses going at daybreak!! Sharon made the mistake of feeding Blade before loading him this morning as Rocky was riding Soldier again today. Blade can be real troublesome when feeling his oats, or sweet feed. It didn’t take long for the temperature to rise in the 90′s again today. Folks around here are saying they are breaking records with this heat wave  here. I believe it! Only about 7 miles down the road we were all looking for a place to park. The nice officer at the city police station in Fremont, NC gave us the number of a minister outside the city limits which set us up for overnight at the back of the church. Tell folks what we are doing and they are more than willing to help. We are parked by a cornfield behind the Cornerstone Assembly of God church. We appreciate any place where we can care for the horses and especially me! They allowed us to plug into their electric. THANK YOU CORNERSTONE CHURCH!!!

Randy, the farrier, shodding Soldier

    Glen, the husband of Pastor Kem of the Heart of David church in Eureka, NC hooked us up with a farrier for Soldier. Randy did an awesome job and his work was much appreciated!

     We attended the Bible study at the church and we didn’t leave until almost 10pm or thereabouts. I was told I was a cutie! Golly, everyone is so nice and we admired their determination on the building of the church from the ground up since 2000. They had a vision and put it to work. We received prayer and they put us on their prayer lists as we continue to travel throughout the US.   They believe in praying for dogs and other animals!! Yeah! They said there is a place for me in heaven since God made everything. I know I believe it.

Shade thanks to Heart of David church in Eureka, NC

THANK YOU SO MUCH HEART OF DAVID CHURCH!!!!! The shade tree and fellowship was awesome .

The Adventure continues…….

        Daisy

     Yesterday all I wanted to do was rest as the heat was a little too much. Sharon finally settled into a place in Castoria, NC beside a fire station. Just a few minutes after she unloaded Blade here comes a guy up in a Surburban. Oops, we were on his property. As with all North Carolinians, he was nice enough to let us stay and offer water for our tanks. Good thing as I was ready to start howling about the ride and the heat. There is such a nice shade here and I needed my rest! In a short while I had visitors! Ronald and Annie from across the road came over to see Blade and to meet me. I am so tired of the horses getting all the attention. Have I ever mentioned how self-centered I am? Ronald and Annie were so sweet and very interested in our cause, the promotion of the adoption of Mustangs, plus Rocky is riding in honor of our troops. Go Rocky!

     This morning, June 1, Rocky started out early but had decided to make a short ride today as the temp is above 90. Sharon drove to the town where we were to meet up with him and guess what? No town! We did meet there on the side of the road and continue to Eureka. God is always with us as Sharon found a nice shady spot on the grounds of the Heart of David church. Such sweet people! Glen even hooked Rocky up with a farrier for Soldier. I am so glad today is going well.  After settling in we had company. Cam and Karey from team wooha. These guys are cyclists peddling from Nags Head, NC to San Franciso and they looked us up! They have a purpose that touches my heart and hope it does for you also. Please look at their website www.teamwooha.com to learn about their mission to bring clean water to the people of Ethiopia. What these guys are doing is awesome! Please donate!

Karey and Cam, cyclists traveling across the US.

Rocky filling the flask with Atlantic water

   And so it begins! The ride has officially started but first you must have some Atlantic to pour into the Pacific.  I met the nicest folks, Mark and Marge Davis from Delaware. Mark is the acting President of the American Mustang and Burro Association, Inc. They treated Rocky and Sharon to pizza last night and, of course, I got to sit in the cool hotel room and eat a little right along with them.  

Mark and Marge from Delaware.

      We met Chris and Sebrena at the starting point. Sebrena wants a horse of her own. I couldn’t beieve I wasn’t first choice.

Chris and Sebrina. Chris was fishing and Sebrina came to see Soldier.

     It was slow going across the bridge but someone needed to be in front of Soldier  for safety. Sharon went on ahead to park at our first stop on the trip. We parked (with permission) at the  Sports complex in Winterville, NC.  Let me tell you it is hot as doomsday today and there we are sitting outside on the parking lot. It’s me, Lacy, Cotton and Blade. Sharon has walked Blade three times already and many folks have stopped to say “Hello”. We enjoy visiting with the locals. Nicole and her Mom, Karen, stopped by a second time and brought apples to Blade and treats for me and the other dogs.

Karen feeding apples to Blade

Blade recieving carrots from Nicole. He gives her sugar afterwards!

      Tiera and friends also stop by and feed treats to Blade.

Tiera, Phil, and friend love Blade!

Tiera feeding Blade a treat. She used to live in Lawton, OK.

     Thanks all for stopping by and greeting us here in Winterville!

     Arrived here earlier today and I must say Rocky and Sharon have been very busy visiting with locals. I just have to upload a few of my favorite pics of our visitors! Everyone here is so nice and have welcomed us with interest and blessings!                                  

Daisy welcoming the guests!

Come back and visit again!

    I forgot to mention I recieved a visit from Kristen in Little Rock on the 26th.

Kristen and Sharon

Best Friends! Daisy, pat and Sharon

     Once again, travel was good on the 27th. We stopped in Mt Juliet, TN to visit with Sharon’s best friend, Pat. As we were parked along side a road to visit a short while, a trooper stopped to check on us and then a trucker. The trucker had been on the CB and there was concern for us so he volunteer to check and make sure all was ok. I am impressed with the kindness of Tennessee. Southern states are awesome! After our visit we tried so hard to get Pat to come with us. She promised she would when we come through Arkansas sometime in July.

     I must confess Asheville, NC is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. As we drive through the mountains on I40 I notice that the speed limits drop to 35mph for trucks. There are steep grades and coming through the mountains felt like being on a roller coaster.  You can’t really see the city of Asheville from the interstate for all the mountains and the trees. North Carolina has impressed me with their beautiful roadside parks and the landscaping along the road. I sure hope Sharon brings me back here to visit the Pisgal

Asheville, NC

National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains.

     We spent the night at The Home Depot parking lot after asking permission. A pasture was beside us so the horses could walk and graze. We were all very tired, however, Sharon and her kicking legs kept me up all night. Looks like I am sleeping in tomorrow!