Blogville Awesome Retreat Day Two, or When We Really Got There

Friday saw us leave the Holiday Inn Express in LeRoy, Illinois, 

and start out for Brown County State Park, in Indiana. 

Ms. Stella Rose Long was all duded up for the Blogville Awesome Retreat. 

The dress and hat lasted about 20 minutes (but it WAS cute). 

Too hot! 

She has a stroller, as you see. 

There was a scavenger hunt. 

It was designed to get a birthday girl out of the shelter so it 

could be decorated. 

Here came the Birthday Girl, Carol. 

It got mighty hot that afternoon. 

The poor pugs suffered the worst, in fact, on the way back to the hotel, Stella Rose worried us to death, she began gasping. 

There had been a LOT of visiting ... that's Zaphod, looking at you. 

Zaphod and his sister Hailey came all the way from Canada. 

Jessie and Chance the Boxers were there... 

Oreo was there. 

Murphy (l) and Stanley (r), the current Honorable Mayors of Blogville, 

were there.  Their term is almost up. 

Jes and I took a walk in the Forest Primeval. 

Really. 

There was a wonderful remembrance ceremony led by Yamini, who came all the way from Scotland.  Dogs (and cats) who had crossed the Rainbow Bridge were remembered, and I have to say, it was very moving. 

Ernie and Frankie watched from the sides.  Ernie was the original Mayor of Blogville. 

It was so much fun meeting the gentle Yamini, who has lead a fascinating life and had many adventures.  This was her first visit to the United States! 

She was kind enough to ride with us on Saturday morning so we could find the park again! 

And then the picture-taking started.. that's Stanley, Murphy, Dory and Oreo. 

Zoe and Whitney joined them. 

There were many more combinations of pictures. 

Sit still, Frankie. 

Sit still, Jessie. 

Sit still, Hailey and Zaphod. 

As I said before, Stella Rose gave us a scare going "home".  Within ten minutes of being in the cool hotel room, she was much better. 

No one had to tell Jes to sack out.  I'm telling you, he is the best traveler, he got the hang of it within 24 hours. 

They weren't the only ones pooped (don't kill me for this picture, Deb)... see Stella tucked right into her side?  As soon as she settled down, all the panting stopped.  We had Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner, they were right across the parking lot... and at 8:40, I walked over and got some 

A and W root beer floats as a treat. 

The retreat also lasted a half day on Sunday, but we had a six hour drive back to Keosauqua, across the "I" state of Illinois.... so we were not able to attend the Friendship Ceremony.  

At 7, we had a knock at the door, and for an hour, we visited with our friends there at the motel (where almost everyone stayed) carrying our chairs around to put them in the shade. 

It was a great end to the day. 

End of Day Two.