Saturday, May 23, 2009

Mother's Day

May 10, 2009
Sandy Creek Park, GA

Gimme Shelter

May 7, 2009
Sandy Creek Park, GA

Faithful Companion

April 28, 2009
Mt. Zion Church
Hancock County, GA


Homeward Bound

April 28, 2009
Washington County, GA

The Nose

April 27, 2009
North Pier
Fort Pulaski National Monument

North Pier

April 27, 2009
Battery Hambright, North Pier
Fort Pulaski National Monument

Not many people seem to know that Fort Pulaski is not just about the fort - there are several nature trails leading through the marshes, maritime forests and along a small beach by the Savannah River. It's my favorite place to walk the dog, and I have made it a point to go here everytime I arrive in Savannah. [Note: The dog is off leash in a very controlled sit-stay for photo ops only and leashed all other times.]


Fort Pulaski NM

April 27, 2009
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Savannah, GA

The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 marked a turning point in military history when the Union Army used accurate, long-range rifle cannons and successfully shattered the fort's walls from over a mile away. After 30 hours of bombardment, the fort, constructed from 25 million bricks and deemed indestructable, surrendered. The battle surprised military strategists worldwide and signaled the end of masonry fortifications.

Tessa, you're fighting a losing battle!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Anything That Flies

April 26, 2009
Hunting Island, SC

"What a strange looking bird!"

Tessa is fascinated by the Coast Guard helicopter that flies by wearing the same colors she does.

"I don't know where it went but I want to go there and get it!"

"...to go there and get it."

Tessa Goes Coastal

April 26, 2009
Hunting Island, SC

My generous friends gave me the keys to their F150 pick-up truck so that we could salvage some of the planned trip. I took Tessa to Hunting Island, SC, as promised, to play in the ocean one more time at least. This time we had some waves, and Tessa had a blast throwing herself into the surf. Afterwards, we walked the beach until we were alone.


Bath Inspection

April 25, 2009
Savannah, GA

She does this everywhere...gotta check the bathroom for cleanliness! This one was very clean but what does it matter to her? I shall never know...

Overall, she was terribly misbehaved. All manners are out the door when she is visiting other people's houses and this one was no different. She had to be closely supervised or crated the entire time. In a few rare moments she ate toilet paper, grabbed a whole block of cheese from the table and almost stuck her nose into the open flame of the stove.

Trip, Interrupted

April 25, 2009
Savannah, GA

Well, we never got to our next destination, Hunting Island, SC. Not on this day anyway. In Hardeeville, SC, the car stalled out and we had to abort the trip. We were able to limp it back to Savannah, stalling five times in the process, and then were lucky enough to be able to stay with friends until Volvo of Savannah could look things over.

So instead of a walk on the beach and swim in the ocean, Tessa had to make do with a walk in Daffin Park and a gaze at the fountain.


Harris Neck

April 25, 2009
Harris Neck, GA

I had to take Tessa to the birds of Harris Neck NWR. Of course, not to hunt, just to see, as they are protected. Harris Neck has an interesting history. Settled in 1750 and once a lucrative farming area especially known for prime quality Sea Island Cotton, Harris Neck became a predominantly African-American community when the Civil War brought an end to the plantation culture of the South. At the beginning of WWII however, the U.S. government gave this land to the U.S. Army for use as an Army airfield, displacing its residents. In 1962, the area was designated a 3,000-acre refuge for migratory birds. Herons, egrets, osprey - they're here in abundance, and other wildlife thrives as well.

The old landing strips of the Army airfield are still visible, and here is Tessa sitting on one.

The Mighty Butler

April 25, 2009
Butler River, GA

We slept in and left Brunswick at around 9 a.m. The plan was to drive up the coast and camp on a different island in South Carolina every night. Here we are about 30 minutes into the day on the Butler River near Darien, GA (McIntosh County).

The Butler River

The Butler Plantation

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Motel Inspection

April 24, 2009
Brunswick, GA
Microtel Inn

Tessa's first stay in a motel. It only took her 2 minutes to sniff out a baby bottle from under the bed, and judging from its contents, it's been there a while, but other than that, the room was very clean. Tessa behaved well, but I knew that she would.

Driftwood Beach

April 24, 2009
Jekyll Island, GA

Turning her head after a speed boat going by...anything that moves!


Clockwise: Milka (2004-2008), Yogi (1990-2004), Tessa, Nestle.

Beach Baby

April 24, 2009
Jekyll Island, GA

Tessa's first visit with the beach, and she loved it. The wide open land and sea scape and the water were much to her liking. I had to keep her on the check cord most of the time because she was bird crazy, even running after bird shadows gliding across the beach.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Waycross, GA

April 24, 2009
Waycross, GA

We spotted some big birds on a sidewalk in Waycross. They threw Tessa for a loop, because they had that funny plastic smell.