Posted on September 6, 2016 by JanetA

Hi everyone, Miss Elsie the Cat here. I finally got Janet’s permission to post to my fan club.

This little house on wheels must be a permanent thing. Janet doesn’t mention going home. This must be home. I am still adjusting to this. I miss my outdoor space. Janet tries hard to give me time out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I also have to be on a leash. What’s with that? I remember last summer I had to be on one. It really isn’t that bad, I just don’t want Janet to know it.😏

Have I told you that there is are two dogs traveling with us? They seem OK but I am keeping my eye on them both. I don’t think any cat should trust dogs too much. When they ride in the Roadtrek with me they are either in a small green thing called a Playhouse or up front. So far this has worked out. I still keep my eye on them because I have to be ready.

One morning I was outside on my leash and the dogs came by. I ran for the bushes. Thank goodness for those big green things. I blew my tail up larger than it has ever been before. I was ready to “mean business” if I had to. Thankfully Janet and Cat kept us apart.

Cat, another human, keeps coming in and out of my new home. I am not sure about her. She smells like those two dogs. She keeps trying to be friends, my eyes get big and I am not quite sure about her. I did celebrate our arrival into Oregon with the two humans. They had champagne, I took one sniff of it and decided the it wasn’t for me. Now if it had smelled like fish….

Rolling

I have done some traveling, for a little kitty. I will have to make a list sometime of all the places I have been. As long as Janet is around I am pretty good with that. I like when I go outside and smell interesting things in the grass. I think it must be like catnip because I get down and roll and roll. I also like the dirt and sand to roll in, too.

Birds fighting over fish

I am still not sure of all the water and the people and the animals around. I like watching the birds. They are quick and it makes them fun to watch. One day I saw some seagulls fighting over something in the water. Janet says it was food. They were squawking and fighting.

Janet and I seem to spend more quality time together in this small house on wheels. I like that. I like it when she sprays my scratching pad with cat nip. At night while she sleeps I play with the small super balls she bought for me. I would like to say, I hope I don’t keep her up but, I am a cat, so I really don’t care too much. Maybe if she is up, we can play.🙃

Time to get back to what is important. I think it is time for a nap under the sheepskin, after I check on those two dogs.

To the Sheepskin

Returning Home, Next trip on the Horizon.

Posted on September 21, 2015 by JanetA

It has been just over two weeks since Elsie and I came back to San Diego. I am home, I think. Living in and near my RT for the past four months makes me have to consider what is home. Elsie, on the other hand had no second thoughts about where she was. She is glad to have no leash attached to her halter.

Returning home for me is always a bit hard. I seem to feel a bit in limbo for a while after a trip. I am not home and I am not away. Where am I? I am not always sure. That is OK. And then there is the yard work…well I just won’t go there.

Miss Elsie, Rolling

I have been asked if I had a great trip this summer. I am not always sure how to answer this question. Some of it was absolutely delightful and fun. Other times were different. When everything was running as smooth as a well oiled machine the traveling was fun. Most of my days were filled with interest yet there were times that I felt lonely and sad. I missed Jim and his companionship. And…maybe he was traveling with me but it is not the same as having him there in person. Miss Elsie the Cat helped a lot with the lonely part.

Someone recently called me a road warrior. In some ways that can really describe any of us who take to the road for adventure. I see a warrior is someone who is always ready for whatever the circumstance. This is good and maybe, some times, a bit hard. I see it as vigilance, where I can never let my guard down. Does being vigilant not allow me to relax? I am not sure.

I do believe that I handled myself well in most situations. Stress since Jim has died has been a constant companion. I did’t invite it to be my companion yet for right now it seems to be. I have decided since the end of this trip that I want to handled unexpected situations a bit better. It is just hard sometimes.

There were so many wonderful places I saw. I am glad I traveled the distance I did to tour such wonderful unknown places. There were so many highlights it is hard to list them. Here are a few that stand out:

Hells A’Roaring Horse Round-up. This was so much fun. I love horses. I love the west. I love cowboys and cowgirls. For a weekend I got to be a cowgirl and it was fun, REALLY FUN.
Traveling through the Nebraska Sand Hill Country.
Discovering all kinds of campgrounds, Fairgrounds, Town Parks and parking behind the visitor center.
Visiting with my friend, Helen and her husband, Norb in Fish Lake, Indiana.
Zoe’s and Kay’s wedding.
Traveling to the Roadtrek RV mothership. I was treated so well.
Making new friends in Michigan and Penetanguishene, thanks to the Roadtrek Facebook Group.
Fourth of July at the lake in NJ. Visiting my family and long time friends.
My niece’s wedding. I am not always a fan of weddings. This one was truly fun.
Loons-can you see the baby?
Hot air ballooning and kayaking in Queechee, VT with more long time friends, Diane and Tom.
Chasing loons. It was a major photo shoot for loons. I love them.
Visiting with Missy and Dan at Moxie Lake in Maine. I got my very first Zumba lesson. Cool.
I really, really liked New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Mary, a meeting on the Cabot Trail

Meeting a long time friend unexpectedly on the Cabot Trail.
Exploring the Cabot Trail and camping on the ocean was a delight. The National Park on Cape Breton was beyond delightful.
Anything on the Cape Breton end of Nova Scotia was fun.
Biking, kayaking, walking, hiking…well you get the idea.
Driving west on the Trans-Canada Highway. Beautiful ride.
Meeting so many interesting people along the way. I hope that some of us really do stay in touch. Barbara, hopefully you are reading this.
Finally feeling brave enough to go to southwestern Colorado and camping for two nights on my land.
Colorado Land
The last week I traveled through southern Colorado from friends to friends to friends. There is nothing better than being able to get hugs and good conversation. I really love all my friends.

Now I am home. I have finally culled the photographs. If you want to view them, click on the link below.

Roadtreking Photos, 2015

Travel is healing for me. I love getting out in nature and I really like exploring places I have always wanted to see. I enjoy meeting new people and learning.

Now I am home. I was hoping that this summer might clarify life for me a little. I am not sure it did. That is OK. Sometimes I get impatient so I am learning patience and enjoying the journey.

I am grateful today for traveling there and back again, safely and mostly happily. I am grateful for everyone who continues to support me. Thank you.

My adventures will continue and you are always welcome to come along. This blog will continue.

Stay tuned for more adventures of Miss Elsie and Janet.

Elsie At Home

Posted on September 12, 2015 by JanetA

Me & My Sheepskin

Hi everyone. It took a few days to get to the computer when Janet wasn’t looking. It helps when she works 12 hour days. I am not sure what work is but she tells me that it keeps me in the lifestyle I am used to. OK, I accept that.

I now know what home is.

Home is:

where I don’t have to sleep under the sheepskin all day, although it remains close by in case of emergencies.
huge compared to the little home on wheels I have been in for the past almost 4 months.
where I can go outside during the day without a leash. Yes I do still have to wear my halter and yes I do have to come in before dark each night. I am not sure why I have to do this, but if it lets me go outside without a leash, I’m good.
filled with windows I can look out anytime I want to.
stationary.
quiet. There are not as many visitors. A lot of people want to look inside my little mobile home. Then they stay around and talk. I don’t know why they all do this yet Janet seems to like talking to all those strangers.

I have had some grand adventures on this trip. Did you know I got away twice? It was after dark and there was big woods all around. I would have really liked exploring but the first time I heard fear in Janet’s voice. Since I kind of like her when she called and clapped three whole times I ran into the RT. The second time it was really foggy and I could have gone far but a big truck drove up the road and scared me and I ran into the RV. That little home on wheels is one of my safe places.

Here are some of the highlights of my trip.

I stayed in two houses, and two hotels.
I saw lots and lots of water. Big water and little water. Some tasted kind of salty. Some had waves (that is what Janet called it). Waves scared me.
Oh No, More Horses

At the very beginning of my trip I saw horses. And…they were right behind my little house. I stayed under the sheepskin for almost four whole days!!!
I met three other kitties on this trip and three dogs.
I went to Canada where I learned to speak French, “juste un pue”.
I met a lot of wild life, birds and animals. They were all interesting and I really liked the ones that moved fast. I would have really like to have met some of them quite a bit closer but Janet said no. What a spoil sport.
On “The Land”

I liked going out on my leash. Every place we stayed was different. I really liked the quiet ones where it was just us. One of the last places we stayed was on “the land”. I am not sure what that means. We were the only ones there and the grasses were super tall and I got to explore in them with my leash. It was fun.
Watching the fish in the water at the Lake in NJ was very entertaining.
Chippies…Squirrels….Birds…….well you get the idea.
I finally got to see a coyote. Janet says I can’t go out after dark because of coyotes. This one did not look threatening. She says they are wiley. I am not sure what that means. They have big voice and yip a bunch. I guess I better stay away from that one.
Janet and I spent quality time together. I liked talking to her and snuggling up next to her on cool nights.
I liked riding on the dashboard. I got to see a lot. I tried to not be a back-seat-driver.
I was in 22 states and 4 provinces. That is a lot for a little six pound kitty like me. Just call me, Miss Elsie-Adventure Kitty.

I like both my houses but the big stationary one, is still my favorite. The little one on wheels is also kind of fun and I like being on an adventure. The more I travel in it the more fun it becomes. And I like seeing all the places and animals and “stuff”.

Janet tells me my adventures are not over yet. Hmm, I wonder what that means?

Elsie’s Animals & Birds

Posted on August 28, 2015 by JanetA

Hey everyone, Elsie the cat here. I took the computer from Janet when she was taking a shower. She says we are on our way home. I’ll believe it when I see it. She keeps finding interesting things to see and do. We keep stopping. Of course she goes off and does things and I sleep under my sheepskin. I like my idea of fun.

Janet says we are in Iowa. I am not sure what that is but when I ride on the dashboard I am now seeing lots of farms. Cows are interesting. They are big and colorful.

There is still a lot of water everywhere. The lakes have gotten smaller and the rivers are a bit bigger. I like that we try to camp in places where I can feel good about going outside. Too many people and a lot of noise does not make me happy and I have to go to the sheepskin to feel safe.

I have been seeing some animals and birds that are interesting. I wish they would get a little closer but they always seem to know where the end of the leash is. Sigh.

I have seen a lot of these birds, everywhere we have been. Janet tells me they are seagulls. I would like to get to know them better but all they do is scream and fly away. they are kind of noisy. I bet if they got too close I would go to the sheepskin.

And, speaking of getting to know someone better, several days ago I saw this little guy. I am told by the all knowing one that it is a red squirrel. I would have really like to get to know him and his buddies better. They moved fast and were often just out of my range. Why do they do that? They chirped and yelled at me and I thought they would be a lot of fun to play with. Hmmm, maybe even a snack.

Janet tells me this is a Kildeer. I don’t know the name and I guess I really don’t care. What I like is that they were just outside my little house on wheels. They ran up and down the beach really fast. I wanted to run with them but Janet said no. Sigh. She says they were fishing. What is that I wonder and would I like it?

These little birds were covering the bushes outside our RT yesterday morning. They were everywhere. they fly really fast and even soar. I would like to try that soaring thing, it looked fun. I am told by Janet that I don’t have the equipment to do that. I would love to have been right there with them. I bet I could have jumped off the ground and caught at least one of these little buggers. Janet says no and there is the leash issue as well.

I have seen a lot of these. They seem to be at every lake I have been to from New Jersey to Minnesota. They are ducks. They seem like they would be fun to play with too. But when the squawk I get scared and run away. They are loud. I wonder if ducks could be my friends.

A few days ago we were camped on one of the really big lakes. There were trees all around my campsite. these little birds were yelling at me. Why do they yell? Janet says that they must have babies close by. Mmmm, interesting. Would I like babies? I bet I would. A snack maybe? These are chickadees, I am told.

Last night we camped near the Upper Iowa River. In the middle of the night right next to the Roadtrek I heard a loud noise. A big hoot. Janet says it was an owl. It was really close and it was kind of eerie. It was followed by a howl which Janet says was a coyote. It is wild out there at night. I am glad I am safe and snuggled up next to Janet.

We are off for new adventures today. It is raining. Janet has the awning out and it makes it nice for me. I can sit outside and not get wet. The best of all worlds.

I gotta go. She is back and I must pretend I have not been on the computer. Oh look breakfast.

The Wandering Kitty Checks In

Posted on August 16, 2015 by JanetA

Elsie le Chat

Bonjour, c’est Elsie le chat. Hee hee. When in Quebec Province I try to speak like the locals. It is hard. I am just a little cat. I find meow is a universal language for us kitties.

Janet and I are on our way west. One day I see the ocean and all that wonderful sand and rock and then next day just trees. Lots and lots of trees. First there was lots and lots of water and now, trees. I wonder what will be next.

We met this woman, Barbara the other day. She was really nice. She came as a package. She had a dog named Spencer. I know Spencer wanted to come in and eat my food but he was good and stayed out. That was probably because he was being watched. When us animals are being watched we are on our best behavior.

At times like this when meeting a dog I am glad to have my little house to hide in. I feel kind of brave looking at dogs, from inside. I watched Spencer come running across the yard. I was hoping he did not see me.

Wow, I cannot believe all the places I have been. Water, any kind of water still makes me nervous. I won’t hide though but I do keep a good watch on it, just in case it does something other than what it normally looks like.

Boats waiting for water

Today Janet and I drove along a waterway called the St Laurent (St Lawrence Seaway). Now here is what I mean about water. There was no water anywhere. the only thing I saw was mud for miles. Janet said

the tide was out. I am not sure what that means but at least I had an explanation. Boats were just laying on their sides waiting for the water to return. I wonder if it does. It looked like it might be fun to walk around in the mud but there were too many people around and I would have needed a blanket to hide under.

Our trip is not over yet. Janet says we still have places to see but that we are on our way home. I thought this Roadtrek was home. I am a bit confused. Oh well I guess I will just take it one day at a time.

Here is a new place I have found to sleep

I have seen amazing things and hope to see some more. When I am not looking around I like to sleep. Us cats do that well. I sleep under the blankets, on my sheepskin (thanks Janet for bringing that) and sometime on the dashboard. It is important for me to get my A’s and D’s.

When things make me nervous hanging behind Janet’s leg is a good idea.

I am glad to have Janet around. She makes me feel safe most of the time. As caretakers go, she is pretty darn good. I get scratched and petted and played with and no matter where I travel, well that is the most important part. I really like being treated like a princess.

Well I am off to explore the campsite. I will report in soon.

Last Stop on the Eastward Journey

Posted on August 10, 2015 by JanetA

You know what is hard? It is when you have offended your pet and she is not going to let me forget it. The hardest part is that I have no idea what it is I have done. Cats!!!! Just as I think everything is OK she gives me a look with attitude and heads for the blankets. Cats!!!

I made it to Prince Edward Island yesterday. The crossing was about 70 minutes on the ferry. Now PEI has a deal. They let everyone in for free and then you have to pay to leave, either by ferry or by the Confederation Bridge. I am going to cross on the bridge and it is $45. Yow. It would have been more expensive by ferry.

Montague Harbor, PEI

This is a pretty island. It is filled with small towns and harbors and lighthouses. The first day I drove east from the ferry. It is one pretty little town after another. What is in between? Fields. Potatoes, Rye, Wheat, Corn and other grasses I did not recognize. Potatoes are big at this end of the island.

Last night I camped at a very nice RV campground right on a bay. They even offered free kayaks to use but it was raining and this morning, it was extremely windy. No kayaking today.

I ended up my day, today, with a hike in a section of Prince Edward Island National Park. It was a beautiful afternoon. This area contains an extensive and fragile coastal dune system, wetlands and different natural habitats in which numerous rare plants are found.

Parabolic Dune

The parabolic dunes (crescent shaped anchored by plants and grasses) are among the most spectacular natural features in this part of the park.

The Floating Trail

The floating walkway was one of the reasons I chose this trail to hike on. The water on one side of the dunes is fresh and the other side is the ocean, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was a wonderful hike, with plenty of photo opportunities.

Janet on the Floating Trail

Beautiful View

Doesn’t this look like a water color?

Tomorrow I plan to go and explore the other part of this national park. I have extended my departure date for a few days. I did not want to just drive in and drive back out.

As you may be able to tell, I am feeling much better and a bit less road weary. I want to thank you all for letting me vent in my last post. I want to make sure you know I am more than hanging in there. I am enjoying the peacefulness of this island.

Elsie

Now it is back to Miss Elsie and see if she and I can be friends again. Cats!!!!

Journeys of Thankfulness

Embracing Life, Traveling in my RV, Feeling Grateful

Tag Archives: Cats

Returning Home, Next trip on the Horizon.

Elsie At Home

Elsie’s Animals & Birds

The Wandering Kitty Checks In

Last Stop on the Eastward Journey

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