A Dog Show Trip to US - September 27, 2023 - October 3, 2023

For almost a year we have been planning to go to the Bearded Collie Club of America National Specialty in Frankenmuth, MI in October. We planned to enter both dogs in the show. For Josie this was not an issue since she was used to the show ring having acquired both her Canadian and American championships. Lyra, on the other hand, had never been in a breed show ring.

The solution, enter Lyra in a couple of shows to warm her up. Tom and Lucy were going to a show in Pennsylvania with some of their dogs so the suggested trying here there.To make the trip worth while I also entered Josie in breed and Rally Obedience. Since we were expecting some friends to drop by in early October, Rod took this trip on his own.

It turned out to be a very good trip!

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Contents

Day 1 - September 27, 2023 - Down to Phoenix, MD

I set out from home about 7:10. The temperature waa 6°C - chilly for late September. The drive down to Phoenix was uneventful. I pulled into my Stockton Road camping spot about 16:50. The temperature was 18°C - much nicer.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	899.6 KM
Average Fuel:	14.2 L/100KM
Time On Road:	9:24
📸Click for pictures from Day 1

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Day 2 - September 28, 2023 - Hanging Around Stocton Road

Today was a day of catching up, preparing dogs for showing and doing a bit of training with "the girls". They had a great time romping with their beardie family.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	Roadtrek Parked
Average Fuel:
Time On Road:
📸Click for pictures from Day 2

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Day 3 - September 29, 2023 - A First Run to Shippensburg

Today we made a day run to the show site. Lucy had some Obedience entries and we wanted to get our grooming area set up for the breed show on the weekend. I checked with the gentleman organization the on-site camping and booked a spot for Saturday night.

Leo and Winnie qualified in their obedience entries so that part of the day was a success. The overall show venue was a bit spread so we would get our exercise.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	327.6 KM
Average Fuel:	15.3 L/100KM
Time On Road:	5:16
📸Click for pictures from Day 3

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Day 4 - September 30, 2023 - Back to Shippensburg

We set out for the show site at 6:30. It was already 15°C. Once at the fairgrounds I got my camp site allocated then got "The Girls" set up in the grooming area.

The beardies entered in the show were: Lyra's dad Archie, Josie and Lyra. Lucy was handling Archie, Tom was doing Josie and I had my trainee. Predictably Archie took Best of Breed, Josie took Best of Opposite Sex and Lyra brought up the rear. The important thing is that Lyra showed well even if she did want to chase Josie a bit during the BOB judging. The judge made a point of telling me that she was a great specimen and a future champion. Archie did not place in group but did place in the owner-handled group judging.

Josie was also entered in Rally Intermediate where she skinned through to quality. Since this was her 3rd qualification, it completed her Rally Intermediate title so we can now change the RN after he name to RI.

They had a food truck selling some great BBQ sandwiches. They were so generous that mine served as most of my supper.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	163.0 KM
Average Fuel:	15.6 L/100KM
Time On Road:	1:55
📸Click for pictures from Day 4

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Day 5 - October 1, 2023 - Breed Show Day 2

Back to show grooming after a good night sharing my bed with 2 hairy girls. As soon as the show secrerary was there, I moved Josie up to Rally Advanced for the show today. No sense showing in Intermediate with the title already achieved.

The breed show results were basically the same as yesterday. Again, the judge made a point of mentioning how nice Lyra was. My consolation was that Josie got another GCH point. Again, I was pleased with Lyra's performance in the ring. We could move on to the specialty with more confidence that she would show well at the big event.

The Rally Obedience entry went well. In spite of some handler errors, we managed to qualify giving Josie 1 "leg" toward her Rally Advanced title.

We all got back to Stockton Road about 5:20 PM. One of our first priorities was to clear up some vegitation the Josie's brother Bertie collected walking around the fair grounds. Lucy started and I finished picking these "quills" out of his face and feet.

Once all was settled, we set course for Casa Mia's Restaurant at about 7 PM since nobody was in the mood to start cooking. An excellent feed to wrap up a busy weekend. Their Angry Mussels appetizer was outstanding.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	163.2 KM
Average Fuel:	15.3 L/100KM
Time On Road:	2:12
📸Click for pictures from Day 5

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Day 6 - October 2, 2023 - A Trip To See Chiropractor

While we were in the area, Lucy asked if Josie could visit her doggie chiropractor. She had managed to get us an appointment for today when she was going to be at Splashdown! Farm in Severn, MD. I was preparing to set out in the Roadtrek but Tom offered to drive us down in the Suburban since he had been there before.

It was a good thing. The basic navigation was straight forward but "short final" was a challenge. 8396 New Cut Road was largely unmarked. Some interpollation and Tom's memory got us there. The trip was otherwise uneventful.

We had a good feed of chicken legs and got an early night.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	Roadtrek Parked
Average Fuel:
Time On Road:
📸Click for pictures from Day 6

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Day 7 - October 3, 2023 - Back Home To Get Lillian

We hit the road for home about 7:30 and made our way back up I83 and I81 to the Canadian border then along to 401 to home.

We arrived back home about 5:15 PM after an uneventful drive.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	895.1 KM
Average Fuel:	14.4 L/100KM
Time On Road:	9:20
😞No pictures for Day 7

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Summary

We also had a great visit, chased a bunch of paperwork, got Josie to the chiro and did some planning. "The Girls" also had a great visit with their beardie family.

A big thank you to Lucy and Tom for making it all work!

The Numbers For The Trip