Thankful for Unplanned ArCee Fun

A couple of weeks ago, Wagonmaster Mama wanted to take Daddy on a day trip to check out a town our RV  club is visiting in July.  Do you believe they were going to leave us alone ALL DAY?! Well, I told them it might be nice for Rosy and I to go too, and it would be even nicer if we all went TOGETHER in ArCee. Of course, they agreed and so early that Saturday morning we all headed out to Raton, NM! 

It seems Mama has a new group of Duckies for ArCee. A couple of them flew all the way over to our house with her from Italy!

We had a nice ride north, through the mountains

After about three hours, we arrived at the Raton KOA! Mama took us for a walk around the park

I kept an eye on Daddy to make sure he didn't miss anything while setting up our campsite.Then Rosy and I ate dinner while Mama and Daddy went out to explore the town.

We all snuggled for a bit after they got back and then all called it a night.

After a good night's sleep, Rosy spent some time in the big bed looking out the window

(She sure is a Nosy Rosy, isn't she?)

 I had a nice morning walk after breakfast while Daddy got Arcee ready. I don't know why, but Mama likes to take me for walkies early, before any other campers are up. I didn't get to bark at anyone...sheesh!

After another short walk, we hopped back in ArCee and headed home!

Mama said the scenery was just as nice on the way home. I didn't see much of it because I was busy doing this.....

I know the pawrents were so thankful to have us along on our trip to Raton and I am so very thankful I suggested we go!

From Mama: Sunny has started to really enjoy her time in ArCee. She takes car sickness meds on Day 1 for the ride and then she is just fine. She hasn't had any problems with car sickness on the way home. This is a BIG thankful for Ed and I!

Thank you to Maxwell and Angel Brian for hosting the

Thankful Thursday Blog Hop

 

BWW - The Next Generation

 

Today we are going to take a look at some of the babies TC and the smart feeder caught on film this Spring:

Those babies sure can be needy!

We are joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the 

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop this week!

Italy Adventures - Wrapping Up Roma

For those who didn't see 

(this posted in error last week)

Happy Italy Tuesday! Thank you for joining me as I re-cap our trip to Italy. It's funny, some things I am discovering for the first time as this trip seemed to fly by so fast that I didn't have the time to appreciate all we were experiencing! 

Today, we explore the Colosseum and take a walk along some of the streets of Rome. Just to remind you, we only spent one whole day (along with the previous evening) in Roma, we could have spent so much more time soaking up all the history it has to offer.

Anyway...off to the Colosseum:

 

One can't help but be in awe, and maybe a little sad, when they come upon the Roman Colosseum. It is the largest standing elliptical colosseum and, in it's prime, could seat 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. Completed in 80 AD this travertine, granite and Roman concrete structure was used for...well, in my opinion, horrible things including "hunts", gladiator battles, and other violent shows of power.

Our guide kept reminding us that this was a different time, and Romans consisted of mainly warriors who 

thrived on these types of "entertainment".  Above, you can see the only remaining marble seating area that may have been used for some of the more elite warriors.

You can see the "seating area" on the far left of center. The "stage" would have spanned the top of the oval warehouse area (used to store everything from battle supplies to slaves and animals). I will say again, despite what the colosseum was used for,  the architecture was absolutely amazing. It has withstood major earthquakes and 2000 years of wear and tear and, although in rough shape, it is still standing.

We did get to glimpse the Circus Maximus, where you could close your eyes and imagine a Ben Hur

type chariot race being held! 

Palatine Hill overlooks Circus Maximus and is said to be one of oldest parts of Rome.

Now, let's move back to the City of Rome and see what other historic beauty we can find....

 I could gaze at these quaint cobblestone streets. earthy building colors and textures all day. The wrought iron gates and street lights just added to the ambiance!

The Palazzo Montecitorio built in the late 1600's, is now home to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Italian Parliament.

The obelisk above once held the Horologium Augusti or Sundial of Augustus. Originally built in 10 BCE, it was excavated in the 1500s. The sundial itself is said to have been destroyed, but the obelisk now stands next to the Palazzo Montecitorio

Here is the the Pantheon, an ancient Roman Temple built in the 2nd century AD.  The Pantheon has been a Catholic church called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs since the early 600s.

The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. The fountain has been featured in the movies Roman Holiday and Three Coins in a Fountain.  Unfortunately it was closed for the collection of all those coins while we were there. Then again, without the water "fountaining" you can see just how detailed the stonework is in this snap.

Trajan's Column - Thie detail on this was amazing (check out the video for more footage). The column is full of carvings depicting the victories of Emperor Trajan in the Dacian War (during the early 100s AD).

Here is the video I put together of both the Colosseum and our Rome meander:

We'll end tour visit to Rome with this snap. 

The view reminded me of a Billy Joel song from back in the day...

Scenes of an Italian Restaurant

We are joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the 

Happy Tuesday Blog Hop this week!

ArCee Aaaawws

 

We went on a surprise ArCee trip last weekend...

We'll tell you more about it Thursday!!

We're also joining Comedy Plus for the 

Awww Monday Blog Hop!

June in Our Yard

Welcome to Nature Friday where we get to meet new friends and share a picture or two of what nature looks like around Blogville. Rosy here, reporting on what nature looks like in our very own yard on this first Friday in June.

The skies are bluer than blue most days but, since rainy season is here,  the clouds sometimes move in later in the day. We have even had some of that wet stuff (aka rain) fall from the sky!

The rain has kept the fountain full....

Mama likes seeing the tiny bubbles in the fountain (she's easily entertained).

As I mentioned Monday, Larry the Lizard and all his buddies (and buddettes) have woken up...

This Summer I just know I'll get to taste one of Larry's friends....YUM!!

Anyways....our flowers are still blooming too!

We have yellow day lilies....

Chocolate Daisies (every morning when we walk outside the smell of chocolate is everywhere)!

...and a favorite of Mama' s and the butterflies, red valerian is all over the front yard!

I am standing in my favorite tree/bush, the Desert Willow. The pink blooms are everywhere! 

I hope you enjoyed this little nature tour of our yard. What kind of nature are you seeing in your yard so far this June?

We hope all our friends get to enjoy some nature this weekend!

Show us your nature! It can be flowers, your current weather, a scene out of your window, or maybe a picture from a vacation, walk or other journey! Any kind of nature picture will do! If you don't see a link below, click HERE  to go to our Hoppity Page.

 

Pillow Thankfuls

 

Today, on Thankful Thursday, I am very thankful for my yellow couch pillow. Every girl needs a pillow to rest her head while she is napping, don't you think??

Thank you to Maxwell and Angel Brian for hosting the

Thankful Thursday Blog Hop

BWW - Enjoying the Sun

 

It has been a while since we have had a Hawk stop at the watering hole.  Not that we mind too much, they scare all our other birdies. TC caught this Juvenile Cooper's Hawk when he stopped by for a short bath.....

Our favorite part of his bathtime was when he spread alllll his feathers out to dry in the warm sun. 

Such pretty feathers, don't you think??

We are joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the 

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop this week!