Raleigh, NC

Once the huge horse show ended, the remaining time spent at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds was quiet and peaceful. The weather was quite cooperative, as were the mosquitoes, who failed to make an appearance throughout our entire stay. By Sunday evening, the park thinned out to about ten RV's around us, which provided the opportunity to meet some of the other campers. 

Stock photo of the Outlaw.

There was one particular RV that caught our attention, first for the make and model, of which I had never seen in person, the Thor Outlaw Toy Hauler, and second, for the two cats who lazed around outside it without restraint. Seeing cats exhibiting this type of behavior was something I've never previously witnessed. They needed no leashes to keep them close to home, out of trouble or out of harm's way. 

It was interesting and fun to watch them roll in the gravel, laze in the sun and run for cover whenever a vehicle drove anywhere remotely near them. The cats, named Callie and Mango were accompanied by their owner, Denny, who was a nice fellow-full-timer who, along with his wife, work out of their RV. They also make use of a blog to document and share all of their experiences. It was nice chatting with another full-timer who has dealt with "cat" issues and who was willing to chat about travel and life on the road.

The main focus and reason for our stop in North Carolina was to visit my son, daughter-in-law and their three remarkable kids. It had been almost nine months since our last visit and the passing of time was quite evidently displayed through their growth and maturity. We spent as much time together as possible, considering their work/school schedules, and absorbed as much of them as was possible. Besides a wonderful Mother's Day, we fit in several other meals together, pedicures, lunch and shopping (for some), a nice lunch with my son, a school carnival, dinner and a movie with the kids, shopping, barbecuing, scary movie night, board games, and more. It was a whir wind 12 days.

Lucy was quite accommodating this visit by allowing herself to be petted by all three kids on two different occasions. She surprised me all the time.

Buddy and "escape artist," Tucker....check out all the locks.

A few photos below show the 4-legged grand dogs, the results of the school's annual fundraising carnival, swimming, campground time, fun days and love. 

Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Clockwise from left, Cooper (wearing the hat I knit him), Savannah and Summer.

Fun times at Moo Moo's and Pop Pop's pool and watching scary shows!!!

Girls' day out.

Hunter Elementary Gifted and Talented Magnet School where all three attend.

And the winner of the 5th Graders' Fundraising Basket was......a very happy girl!

Dining at the campground.

Poor Coop, smiling, even with a fractured foot.....

It was chilly when the sun was going down, a good reason to cuddle.

Haircut gone bad......poor "G," but I love it!

Deep thought for the day:  Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future.

Click HERE to listen to The Steve Miller Band's song, Fly Like an Eagle.