It was in beautiful Lum’s Pond State Park (DE) that we made a few discoveries. First, if you wrap a sprained ankle tightly, and securely lace up your hiking boots, you can actually hobble several miles without pain; slight discomfort, but no pain. We also discovered that a 3-1/2 month old Lab has more stored energy than uranium or plutonium. We were worried about a long hike being “too much” for our pup. It turns to have been an unfounded concern. Gypsy has an endless ‘get-up-and-go’ capacity. Finally, we learned that our pup’s webbed feet are in stellar working order. She can swim with the big dogs! She found herself in-over-her-head. She thrashed around, wildly waving her front paws until she settled into a paddling motion.
If you are a dog-lover, I highly recommend checking out the Dog Park at Lum’s Pond. There are long, leash-free trails, fields and beaches for the pooches to explore. I am a huge fan because I have learned that a tired puppy is a good puppy.
After placing a very tired dog into her kennel, we ventured out to explore the C & D Canal Recreational Trail. The bike trail is paved and the scenery is unbeatable. The ride is basically flat, with very few gear changes needed. You can travel between Chesapeake City, MD and Delaware City, DE. Both are charming, waterfront towns that are worth a visit.
Kayaking Janes Island
Janes Island State Park, near Crisfield, Maryland is a kayaking heaven! There are numerous, marked, water trails and a magnificent beach that can only be reached via watercraft.
We got Gypsy fitted for a life vest and plopped her down in between us in a tandem kayak. She gave me that suspicious look, the one that let’s you know that her apprehension is in high gear. She has an intrinsic distrust where we are concerned. It is not totally unwarranted. She writhed and wiggled and let out a mournful, high-pitched howl or two. She thrashed and squirmed and tried to jump overboard. Thank goodness her life preserver came equipped with a handle.
She eventually settled in between my feet and resigned herself to the inevitable.
“What do dogs do on their day off? Can’t lie around – that’s their job.” – George Carlin
This dog romped and played and jumped waves. She tangled with tall grasses and got completely covered in sand. Lying around was not on the agenda.
Those of you who follow, or on occasion, read this blog are wondering why things are going so smoothly. Our adventures are typically tales of ill fortune. Once again, you will not be let down.
Escaping the Cicadas was something we hoped to accomplish. Our back yard is swimming in those suckers.
We did not have the incessant drone of loud locust, instead we were inundated with deer flies. They bite. It hurts. Campers that walked by our site were wildly waving and gyrating like those huge, wacky, waving, inflatable, arm-flailing tube men that you see in front of tire stores.
We bathed in DEET, which only helped a little bit.
So, we thought we would leave Janes Island State Park for the day, and would hike at nearby Pocomoke River State Park…
Welcome to the tick capital of the world.
Our brilliant idea to escape the deer flies, led us to lone star tick country. Yep, somewhere along the way, Gypsy stepped into a tick nest. We were perfectly unsuspecting until we got her back to the RV. I then saw what I thought was a tick on her face. I removed it, but then saw more on her ears, and her paws, and her belly, and her tail end. I wrestled with her, and carefully removed both adult and tiny, nymph ticks. The infestation was brutal.
I felt an urgent need to shower after that ordeal, and guess who discovered multiple embedded ticks when she disrobed? Yes! Me! No good deed goes unpunished.
Gypsy now has a new, stronger, vet recommended tick medicine and Geoff (who did not escape the tick invasion) and I are taking meds for the prevention of Lymes disease. <sigh>
Stay tuned for the next debacle…
Retired and Rambling 