August 12, 2024 – Kayaking at Dunn State Park – Massachusetts

Today Gus and I Adventured to Dunn State Park in Gardner, Massachusetts for some kayaking. Dunn State Park is a 132-acre park that surrounds a 20-acre pond. It is popular for swimming, hiking, fishing, and boating. There is a 1.3 loop trail around the pond, and other trails throughout.

We had a peaceful Adventure to Dunn State Park. I have never been kayaking at this park but often visited it with Shadow and Buster as we lived closer to the area years ago. It is a small but lovely park and we used to love taking several loops around the pond. This was Gus’ first Adventure to Dunn State Park and we decided to focus on kayaking today.

We arrived at about 8:30 am and the park was almost empty. We were able to drive down to the pond to launch, park, and then walk back to the kayak to start our Adventure. For some reason Gus appeared nervous upon arrival but soon after we began paddling, he became at ease. It was a beautiful day, probably only about 70 when we arrived. We went around the pond trying to find different colors and textures along the route. On this Adventure we found yellow and white lilies, endless lily pads, small purple flowers, and spotted a turtle from afar. It was just what we needed to start a gorgeous day. There was one little island, but no easy way to land the kayak so I decided to skip that idea and make it a day in the boat. Gus appeared to enjoy the smells and let out a couple big yawns – just adorable. It was one of those days the sun is just absolutely refreshing. We will have to be back for a walk around the pond next time (Rating: 4).

August 8, 2024 – Watermelon

Today I thought I would let Wilma and Gus try some watermelon on the rind. I was extra curious to see how they would handle this unique experience. If you follow my blog or know me personally you likely are aware that I am quite the crazy dog lady and easily entertained by these types of activities (haha!)

So who do you think the adventurous one was – if you guessed Wilma you were right! I think Gus might just did not know what to do with the task and just gave up. And I can promise that I was quite entertained as expected 😁. Here are some photos and videos of this activity – yummy!

Weekly Video/Photo

The weekly Video/Photo section highlights an Adventure, while I might also sneak in some that are humorous, adorable, or just other fun dog moments. If you have followed my blog from the beginning you know that I adopted Shadow as a puppy, and about a year later adopted Buster as a puppy. We had many wonderful years together before experiencing the devastating loss of Buster at just seven. It took a long time for our hearts to heal, but almost a year after his passing we welcomed little Wilma into our world. We were devastated to lose Shadow on April 3, 2020.These two precious boys will be furever in our hearts! We were recently thrilled to add another amazing rescue, Gus, to our home on June 28, 2021! This Weekly Video/Photo section will allow me to share photos from all four of my rescues, whether it be a precious memory, or a current moment.

Today’s photograph is a selfie of Shadow and I when he was eleven. Shadow probably was my best selfie poser although I’ve been lucky to capture some good ones of all of my best buds. So thankful he had a long and happy life filled with endless adventures. Here he is:

August 5, 2024 – Dairy Queen – Masachusetts

Today, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to Dairy Queen in Natick, Massachusetts. Dairy Queen is an international franchise that serves items, including ice cream, burgers, and shakes. Some of the Dairy Queen’s including this one in Natick have drive-throughs.

We had an ice cream filled Adventure to Dairy Queen. The recent weather has been steamy, and we have not been up to any NEW Adventures, so figured it would be a good day for ice cream. As you may expect Dairy Queen tends to be very simple, and does not have decorative features, however this one provided a covered area with picnic benches for guests.

We ordered our ice cream through the drive-through, two dog ice creams, and I ordered a cookie dough blizzard. There was a lot going on around the car, with people closely passing by, and not providing much space. Both Wilma and Gus were a little overstimulated, and between that and the heat, I found a nearby location for them to devour their treats. I was hoping to find a park, or something more scenic, but did not see anything so figured we would make sure the ice cream did not melt. Both Wilma and Gus loved their ice cream and did not miss licking up each drop. I was actually a little disappointed at my blizzard, not sure quite what it was, but I of course still ate it all up (haha). So glad we could enjoy a summer treat (Rating: 3).

I realized after I had started the blog that we have actually been to this Dairy Queen before – oops – they really all look the same! However, decided to still post this Adventure as who does not like an ice cream Adventure in the summer!

Weekly Video/Photo

Today’s photograph is of Wilma in Camden, Maine back in 2020. I absolutely love this photograph! She is posing gracefully, and the scenery is just right. Here she is:

July 26, 2024 – A Day in Vermont

Today, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to Vermont for the Day. Our destinations included some of our favorite places like Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Historic Park, and some new locations like the Mosely Covered Bridge. You will find besides this blog I also posted a blog for the Moseley Covered Bridge to include in my Covered Bridge section of the blog.

Today was a gorgeous day, not too hot or humid, and a nice breeze. Wilma and Gus enjoyed walking through the woods, smelling the scents of nature, and rolling in the grass. Wilma especially relished laying in the shade, while Gus appeared to be searching for some creature in the grass, which made his adorable little tail wag as fast as can be. It was a relaxing day with some of everything. The colors were brilliant! I loved spending the time with these two and appreciating the great outdoors. Life has been challenging recently, and this was just what the soul needed. So glad we could Adventure to Vermont today, below you will find a photo collage of our Adventures.

July 26, 2024 – Stony Brook/Moseley Covered Bridge – Vermont

Today, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to the Stony Brook/Moseley Covered Bridge in Northfield, Vermont. This bridge is a wooden bridge that crosses Stony Brook. It was built in 1899 and is one of two remaining 19th century King post trus bridges in Vermont.

We had a peaceful Adventure to the Stony Brook/Moseley Covered Bridge. I had some difficulty locating it, and then surprisingly found it accidentally. The bridge was in a quiet and peaceful area, and had little traffic passing through. I took photographs from each end and down the river and of course made sure the pups posed for their expected bridge photograph. The bridge was falling apart on one side, but yet the red, and simplicity of the bridge still made a nice scene. So glad we could visit the Stony Brook/Moseley Covered Bridge today (Rating: 3).

Weekly Video/Photo

Today’s photograph is of Gus when he was a wee little puppy at the Stone Arch Bridge in Westford, Massachusetts. The Stone Arch Bridge is pretty fancy for the little town of Westford. The trail includes wildflowers, wood trails, and of course this lovely stone bridge. Gus was posing just perfectly – he sure is a cutie! Here he is:

July 19, 2024 – A Day In Rhode Island

Today, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to a beach, and three parks in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is one of the states in New England and is the smallest state in the country. Rhode Island is known for various things including the beaches and seafood. Rhode Island has twenty-two parks in the formal Rhode Island Park system.

We had a coastal day in Rhode Island today. I was pleased that the temperature and humidity had dropped so today was a perfect day for an Adventure. We began our day at East Ferry Beach, and also explored Brenton Point State Park, Colt State Park, Beavertail State Park, and took a couple photographs at other locations. You will see a separate blog on East Ferry Beach as we have not been there before, but I could not resist also posting a collage of the rest of the day as well. It was a gorgeous day to explore these three State Parks, all which we thoroughly have explored in the past. We walked around, photographed the scenery, relaxed in the grass, rolled (well not me -haha), and enjoyed the scenes of the shoreline. There was often a nice breeze, and the rocks were brilliant, many times defined by crashing waves. Wilma definitely does not seem to enjoy the summer temperatures, so we made sure to take it easy, and rest in the shade just in case she was feeling too hot. It was just what we needed, a beautiful day in Rhode Island (this blog will not be rated).

PS – I will have to admit we returned to Rita’s in Walpole on the way home to get pup cups and a gelati – so tasty!

July 19, 2024 – East Ferry Beach – Rhode Island

Today, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to East Ferry Beach in Jamestown, Rhode Island. East Ferry Beach has views of the Newport Bridge and is next to Veterans Memorial Park. There is a boat ramp available in between the Beach and the Park.

We had a sun-rising Adventure to East Ferry Beach. I actually found this little beach last weekend when I went to Rose Island per the nearby Ferry. Sadly, dogs were not allowed on the Ferry, or most of the year at Rose Island, but I was happy to find this beach that I knew I could return with the dogs. We arrived bright and early, around 7am, and it was a gorgeous morning. This Beach is very simple, and small, but avoids the crowds and costs of some of the other nearby beaches. We were pleased to find no other dogs visiting the beach, although observed dogs being walked above the beach and nearby. We trotted along the beach, and also above, to ensure we observed all angles. Neither Wilma nor Gus wanted to get anywhere near the water, but I did my best to get them to wade. There were colorful boats along the shore, and spectacular views of boats bobbing in the sea. Unfortunately, the sun coming up made photographs a little hazy, but I did my best to capture this simple little area. A great way to start today’s Adventure in Rhode Island (This blog will not be rated).