August 6: OUCH!

Today's post is dedicated to some of my friends at Lampson Elementary where I was first the assistant principal, then the principal. Sandra, who I actually know from California Elementary, Lindsay, Rochelle, Eva, and Rahda all made coming to work each day a pleasure. Good work ethic, passionate about the students' learning and they were all great teachers and real professionals.

"Passion is the difference between having a job and having a career." - YourTango

"Staying positive doesn't mean you have to be happy all the time. It means that even on hard days you know that there are better ones coming." - Unknown

On the way to Baltimore

Baltimore

On the way to Harpers Ferry National Park

The Downhill Hike

We don't want to go anymore. We are laying down in protest. It's hot and muggy.

Tiny waterfall

This is where I fell.

These are sharp rocks that are sticking out everywhere

All the rocks are either loose, jagged, or slippery

My left elbow

My right forearm

The traffic going into D.C.

This doesn't look like I'm driving into Washington D.C., but I am. Looks idealic, but it is a viper den of political hacks.

The street formerly known as Pennsylvania Avenue

I don't know what this building is housing, but in person it looks like it is made of wicker in this unusual shape.

Just caught my eye. I didn't know there was a spy museum here. If I'd known I would have planned to stay longer.

We left New Jersey this morning around 10:00 for Baltimore. Before getting on the highway, we went to Starbucks and to Big Lots. I needed spray bottles, mouthwash, and I picked up antibacterial wipes while I was there. Just passing through. Took some pics, but like most of the east coast cities I've been to, Baltimore was super crowded with narrow streets. The homeless were at least willing to wash car windshields for the money they wanted.

Next we headed to West Virginia to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The dogs had been in the car for along time so I decided to take a hike down to the town of Harpers Ferry. Just about halfway there on a completely downhill trail I fell and slid down a little ravine. I got a gash on my right forearm with a couple of big bruises on both arms, my right thigh and the vertebrae at the base of my neck and top of my spine is (C7) bruised because I didn't want to hit my head on a rock. So we walked back and the shuttle had already left for the town and the next didn't leave for another half hour. I don't like to get to campsites after dark, so I decided to leave. I'm glad I picked up the antibacterial wipes, they came in handy.

We're off to D.C. We drove through the city and took some pictures. The White House is soo protected, I couldn't even drive by to see it. I saw the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument, as well as the FBI Building, that's the J. Edgar Hoover Building. I would have liked to stay to see more, but it was getting late. I arrived at the Americamps RV Park at 7:30. Took the dogs for a long walk, then settled in for the night.

I've seen lots of dog trainers. I've sent my dogs to a camp for two weeks to have them trained. I've read infinite articles on dog training and watched many videos on changing dog behaviors. I've heard about putting coins in cans and using water in squirt bottles, but I had never heard of putting mouth wash in the spray bottle to stop unwanted behaviors. I have to thank my niece, Sara for this bit of information. I think I talked about the dogs upping their behaviors around other dogs. I know that they just want to smell the other dogs and interact because they really do get along with other dogs, but they can't bark their heads off and pull on the leash whenever another dog comes near them. So, I tried the mouthwash and water in a spray bottle. I have one in the trailer, one in the car, and one in my backpack. It has worked very well. They stopped barking like crazy and Bobby has stopped pulling on the leash. They both smell like mouth wash, but that isn't a bad thing. :0)