Howllow Fellow Basset Hound and Travel Log lovers…Way back when we were visiting the outer banks on this blog and it seems so long ago.  I am shocked it has taken me so much time to record a trip we took back in June and July of 2017.  What is wrong with me?  I think it becomes a bit daunting and then you get bored. Can’t imagine if I am bored howl you must feel but here we go anyway!  hahaha…

When we last left our 2017 Lily Book Tour Trip we were departing the Outer Banks – the land of dreams.  We are now on our way to Charlottesville, VA.  So glad we were not there during the riots.  I can’t believe I had to type that last sentence.  Anyway…

We stopped in Charlottesville to visit Monticello – home of Thomas Jefferson.  I just love visiting these historic sites during the summer with all of the other sun burnt families listening to tour guides. Reminds me of my childhood.

Monticello is very dog friendly as an attraction.  Dogs are not allowed in Monticello but most every where else.  When you arrive at Monticello you enter though a large staging area that includes a visitors center, theater, museum, gift shop, Farm Table Cafe, and more.  You can absolutely do Monticello in one day even if you have a slow moving basset hound family like ours.

I would get there earlish.  When you get there you buy your tickets which are timed so you kinda have to know what time to pick for your house tour.  We were told that it did not take long to walk up the hill which turned out to be a steep freaking mountain so we were a bit rushed hitting our time slot.  But again, keep in mind you have to be pretty fit to walk up to Monticello which means little mountain in Italian but believe you me it is not little.  They recommend to take the bus up and walk down.  Interestingly, they allow rioting in the streets of Charlottesville but dogs are not allowed on the bus going up to Thomas Jefferson’s home.  Whatever…

OK, so now you have your tickets.  Pop into the theater and watch the documentary on Monticello which runs on a loop.  We did not even ask, we just walked in with Daisy Lynn.  It was fine.  She slept under our seats.  I love historical documentaries in the summer.  Again, the old childhood seeping in.

Here is a portion of the video…If you are interested.

After the movie we went to the massive gift shop and enjoyed all of the unique items.  I bought a daisy magnet for my fridge and few gifts.

Plan on having lunch at the Farm Table Cafe which is dog friendly outside.  We discovered that if you walk down past that set of tables to the back there are a few tables that over look the forest and it’s just stunning.  It was already taken when we arrived so I didn’t get a picture.  The place is fantastic anyway.  They have wine as well!!!  Yipeeeee!!!  You go in and order cafeteria style and then take your stuff outside.  And then as per usual – you get swamped with people wanting to pet Daisy!

So now we are ready to walk up to the home.

They told us it would take about 20 minutes or so.  I would estimate if you like to stroll and enjoy your walk allow about an hour or more.  That gives you plenty of rest stops to enjoy this beautiful winding trail up to Monticello.

It is very dusty so make sure to where shoes you don’t care get dirty.

You can see the steep climb behind me.  Back in the 1790s James and Dolly Madison would travel this route from their home called Montpelier which is about 20 miles away from Monticello.  This 20 miles took the couple almost a day to traverse.  The “small mountain”, to Monticello was slow going for the horses at the end of the day.  You would think that Dolly and James would have collapsed into bed at night but according to our tour guide, Dolly hated the bed and made her own on the floor with covers and pillows.  OMGAWD that is too funny…

We finally made it!!!

Grandma went in to her tour first and I sat with Daisy Lynn.  I actually went around to the side after this picture was taken, (to the right of this picture) and sat on the side porch.  Tour groups were coming in and I got to listen to multiple group leaders tell their own stories.  It was fascinating.  Plus it was cool and Daisy laid on the cool stones like the many Briards that Jefferson owned and bred over the years.

“Over the years Jefferson imported more of the French herders. One pair was sent by none other than the great Revolutionary hero the Marquis de Lafayette. In 1813 an appreciative Jefferson wrote to his old friend in Paris, “The Shepherd dogs mentioned in your letter of May 20 arrived safely, have been carefully multiplied, and are spreading in this and the neighborhood states where the increase of our sheep is greatly attended to.”

Back in Jefferson’s day – Farm to table was not the trend but the only way you could eat good.  Albeit, Jefferson had a plantation full of slaves doing most if not all of the work.

Thomas Jefferson is buried at his beloved Monticello.  His graveyard is about halfway down the mountain on your way back to the visitor’s center.  No mention that he was President on his headstone.

No one knows where Sally Hemings was buried…

OK, maybe I’m wrong about only need one day!  You may need two!!!

The shadows are long and the summer nights are getting shorter.  We bid fare the well to one of the Founding Fathers.

We have dog friendly reservations at a stately VA club called Keswick Hall.

It was so pretty.  Keswick Hall is closed until 2020 for major renovations.  Hope it is still this dog friendly when it opens back up.

I think it will be because this is hunt county.  Lots of dogs and lots of horses.

First Course…all local…

Time of reflection for the past, present, and the future.  Our time was well spent in this region.  We learned so much.

Time to head back to our hotel and get ready to head out tomorrow…Look at the crescent new moon!!!

Thank goodness we all like our beds and don’t have to sleep on the floor like Dolly Madison…hahaha

Shenandoah National Park here we come…

(sunset from my room the next night)

More loving our summer vacations later…Love, Cat, Grandma, Daisy Lynn, (Chaps and Emma ATB riding in rainbow stage coaches…)

 

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Howllow Fellow Basset Hound and did ya miss me lovers…

Mayor Daisy Lynn, Grandma and I have been gone for a month on the Lily Book Tour.  Only one of many but albeit the longest tour.

We are now home – #bassethoundtown…

From the hot white beaches to the cold mountain tops we marketed the Lily Book from sand to mountain ridge.

You can see it all in the back of the basset hound hauling vehicle.

You can read it all in the upcoming weeks on this blog…

Join us on our journey please…

Much, much more later…Cat, Daisy Lynn, Grandma, (Chaps and Emma ATB and along with us in spirit the whole time…)  WOW!!!

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and drunk corn on the cob lovers!  LOL!  I thought I would share this rather lengthy and picture heavy post with the residents.  I always try to find ways to make delicious dishes that I can freeze or make ahead of time.

Today Grandma and I decided to have our Memorial Day Picnic. We have been working so hard in our yard and it was a perfect day to enjoy it.

What is better than corn on the cob to go with a picnic?  Well, maybe a glass of wine;)

This corn had 2 glasses!

The corn is ready to indulge!  Add lots of butter to a hot skillet.

Then add onions.  I keep a container of caramelized onions on hand at all times.  It takes forever to get them the way I like them so make a batch to add to lots of stuff, (you can freeze them as well).

Assemble your other treasures – Yum! OK – here is a tasty tip.  See that hot sauce? No salt!  Unheard of and it is delicious.  You can order it online.  Tejas Tears.  Don’t you just love the label?  Makes me smile every time I open the fridge.

My Krogers has fresh salsa made up in the veggie sections of the store. That is about a 1/2 cup or more.

In to the frying pan my little sweet and golden lovelies!

Cover and steam.  I kept these on simmering/steaming heat for about an hour.  About 1/2 way into it I added another glass of Chardonnay.

Who uses water?  That is so last summer!  LOL

While the corn was getting drunker and drunker I broiled some onion buns with a slice of Havarti on each side.  Extra cheese please!

Again, I like to do everything as much as possible in advance.  You can do all of this the day before or weeks before if you choose to freeze it.  Pull it out when it is time to eat and just heat up with the zap of a microwave.

Ta da!  The buttery beauty, complete with dog corn holders!  You can’t really see it in this picture but I poured the butter chardonnay sauce all over it.  Your mouth will thank you…

No picnic would be complete without Daisy napkins and the Mayor!  She is such a doll.

Grandma and I had hamburgers grilled on our tiny George Foreman.  Come on!  That thing is amazing.  French fries, deviled eggs, coleslaw and to top it off drunken corn on the cob.  Washed all down with a glass of Chard – heck, have a glass and a half when you are picnicking in your own back yard!

More…there’s no place like home later…Love, Cat, Daisy Lynn (Chaps and Emma ATB eating rainbow corn on the cob!)

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Grandma Lovers!  We are sure one of those in bassethoundtown!!!

We had a wonderful birthday lunch!  There is a really cute little fresh fish pub near by and it is so good!  If you are in the area we highly suggest it.  Pelican’s Reef!

Howl is this for a birthday moment?

Then we had to take a birthday selfie!  hehehe

More loving birthday Grandmas later…Cat, Daisy Lynn (Chaps and Emma ATB sending rainbow wishes…)

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Restaurant Review Lovers…Grandma and I made the decision to Incline!  It’s a little place that sits atop one of the many hills of Cincinnati.  Upper Price Hill to be exact.

The Incline Public House in one fashion or another has been around since 1874. Grandma remembers riding the crazy incline contraption as a kid.

Can you imagine?

The food was good but too expensive.  We are thrilled to eat here but 70 dollars for lunch is way too much.  We had an appetizer, 2 sandwiches, a mac and cheese to share and 2 glasses of wine.

Daisy Lynn had it right.  She decided to recline instead of incline!

I was getting ready to put the cover of her office bed back on after washing it. I put it up on the ottoman to reach it better.  I walked out to answer my phone and she ran by me with her favorite snake toy.

“Reclining is free Mommy and you get me!”

More reclining instead of inclining later…Cat, Daisy Lynn, (Chaps and Emma ATB eating free sandwiches….)

P.S. – This place does not seem appropriate for dogs even though they have a huge outside patio.  They might allow them but I would call first.  I know I would not take Daisy Lynn even if they did allow dogs.  Too many railings and too many people.

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Mayoral Howl-o-ween update lovers…

Yesterday Chaps had another acupuncture/chiropractic treatment.  His Grandma and I both believe the treatments are really helping.  Dr. Ron Leick treats Chaps for a variety of issues including, hip dyspepsia, arthritis, fear, anxiety, phobias, confusion, coughing, as well as gunk in his eyes.  Yes, you heard me right…gunk in his eyes.  Yesterday, Dr. Leick did acupuncture all around Chaps eyes and he looked like pin head.

I was too frightened to take a picture.  I was afraid he would move.

Anyway, this morning…not a single drop of gunk in his eyes which is just shocking to me.  I don’t want to jump the gun, but I am extremely hopeful.  Here is the proof at 6:00am this morning.

Chaps wanted to wear his anatomically correct howl-o-ween costume for Dr. Lieck to see, so off we went….

Dr. Leick loved it!

As you can see, I have his winter coat under my arm.  We took off the costume as soon as we entered the exam room and then before we left I put his coat on him.  It used to be Lily’s coat.

I wanted him to have his coat on because Grandma and I were going to stop for lunch on the way home.  It was cold outside.  As per usual we always pick a spot where we can see the car.

This place is called Newport Pizza Company.  Grandma and I are going to start doing food reviews in more detail.  Of course we will always report on the dog aspect of dining.  We are still working out some of the ruff edges but it will be around sometime this winter when I add the sub-blog.  This place will get a more in depth analysis.

NPC are known for their homemade mozzarella cheese cubes.

Don’t they look delicious?  Looks can be deceiving.  They were cold and hard.

I ordered another specialty of theirs, the Spaghetti Knob Bocce Ball!
A mound of spaghetti topped with blanched baby spinach, their almost famous pizza sauce and Aunt Ella’s half pound meatball. Served with a slice of garlic toast. $8.25

Blech…Cold, over salted, watery sauce, and the garlic bread was saturated with grease. Chaps seemed to enjoy a small portion of the meat ball I brought home.

We paid 50.00 for this lunch!!!

So, all in all our summary was – “Run, don’t walk your dog right on by the Newport Pizza Company”….

The Mayor was glad to be home….

Tonight is Howl-o-ween so be careful residents.  Keep your hounds safe and inside.  Make sure you watch them when they go out to potty.  This is not a good night for pets.  I have decided to just call it off at my house.  After Chaps has his treatments he is a bit skittish for a few days so we don’t need extra stimulation.

Yes, I color coordinated to match our Mayor.  I even got to wear my hounds tooth rain boots.  We were stylin’ and profilin’!

Hopefully there is a scary movie on tonight…(not pin head)

More loving taking care of the Mayor later…Cat, Chaps and Emma ATB handing out candy with Grandpa.

 

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