DP TOUR 2011 - Niagara Falls

[kriswak]

I created a site on shutterfly with all my Niagara photos. If anyone has a shutterfly account or wished to make one. I can add you as a member to the site. That way you can upload your photos as well. You can also download any of mine that your want. You can order prints right from the site.... If anyone is interested just pm me your email address and I will add you as a contributing member.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Linda, I had entirely forgotten about the "bathroom chat"!!! I'm so glad you remembered. What a fun time we all had.

I am still in awe of how many of us were able to make it and actually do this! That gives me tremendous hope for the future DP meet-ups.

Kian, you don't look half asleep with Sadie. I think you look wonderful, never mind how much travel you had endured. It certainly does NOT show.

I loved how we all knew who each other were the moment we saw one another (for those of us who had yet to meet). My adrenaline was certainly pumping as Elliot and I entered the Bar at the Best Western! I saw a group and noticed the HO immediately. He had the first hug, whether he wanted to or not! Sweet Paul said "I know who you are". I love reliving it all on so many levels.

I don't know if Niagara Falls, Ontario was the perfect destination, but it seemed to work for many of us in terms of it's location, as well as attractions. We'll not talk about the added tax everywhere, which was not mentioned in anything I read!

Had it not been for Linda and Kian talking about going to Niagara Falls, this adventure would never have happened. It simply snowballed from there, and what a lovely snowball it made.

[Phyrie]

I can't remember if I've posted a "We're Home!" post or not, but "We're Home!"
We got in on Tuesday night, and all we did was unload the car and play with Kiba. Despite Paul's worries, he remembered us just fine, and was quite happy to see us. "Quite" may be the understatement of the summer!

Yesterday was spent cleaning up the mess poor Spyder left in the house. Apparently she HAD been locked in for the whole three weeks, and incredibly, she was able to get into the bathroom to drink toilet water, or we wouldn't have her today. She certainly didn't starve, though! She discovered the bag of cat food on the floor and cut a neat slice out of the foil bag and helped herself. I almost wish she hadn't, as she left an enormous amount of feces on the bathroom mat! Our cat-sitter's dad had picked all the poop up and bagged it (leaving it on the porch) but he didn't take out the soaked mat. It was... well, let's just say it's not longer in the house, and never will be again. Spyder did her best to be neat, though, although we did find very concentrated pee in Kiba's breakfast bowl in the little hallway outside the bathroom door (purposeful, accidental, or just Freudian?), and some sprayed on the kitchen floor. It seems she really did try to keep it in the bathroom, but I think perhaps it just became too "full" in there, and she was forced to make do with other areas. How can a cat pee in a bowl? I don't know either, but I do know we were more than a little impressed with the manoeuvre, despite the "ick" factor. We will keep a close eye on her, but she seems just fine, in spite of her ordeal.

As I am last to return from our great adventure, I know that everyone else has regaled you all with our exploits, so I am reluctant to add any stories, for fear of redundancy. But I will concur with all of the rest of the gang, WHAT A GREAT FRIGGIN' TIME!! Niagara Falls itself was no great shakes (for a town completely based in the tourist trade, they are surprisingly unfriendly to tourists!), but the people of the Daily Puppy more than fulfilled my fantasies of wonderful people. Some were a given (Rox, Deb and Ashley come to mind) and some were such a delightful surprise (Hi, Margie!! LOL!). Margie's friend Kim is one of the funniest, cutest people I've ever met, and I wish she lived here so I could listen to her every day. I even told her I wished she was on TV, so I could watch her all the time! I think we finally agreed that I would be her opening act (or vice-versa, I can't really remember). I am having a bit of a tear just thinking about how much fun we had, and how close we all became so quickly. Paul says we may not be able to make such a trip again, but he will make sure that I can meet The Posse next time, even if I have to fly there alone! He was totally impressed with all of you, and even Mom says she was pleasantly surprised and thought we all were a great group. She was a little worried that all we would talk about was dogs and poop, but she loved every minute of it! She tells all of her friends about her trip, and she really liked her afternoon with Paul and Elliot on the Maid of the Mist. She's not a "kid" person, and I'll tell you, for a teen to impress my mother is really something! Elliot, you were a superstar, and I'm very glad to have met you.

Paul is waiting for me to watch a movie with him, so I will leave this for now. I know there are a few who were wondering if we were home yet, so I wanted to get a quick post in. Well, quick for me! LOL! I have yet to go through my pics, but I don't think I have any better than the ones already posted.

I will post to MICC tomorrow (or maybe later, depending on how "Rango" goes).

[kriswak]

Welcome Home Phyrie

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I have been waiting to hear from you angel. I'm so glad you are home, safe and sound and that despite Spyder's ordeal, which thankfully ended well, the trip went well.

I am dying to see your pictures and hear your "stories". They can't possibly be redundant as no one has told them from your perspective! You are so sweet about Elliot. He thoroughly enjoyed your Mum, and of course Paul. Elliot thinks he and Paul (as well as the HO) are all "buds" now.

We love our "Theatre Margie" and Kimmi is fantastic. She has joined us on the Forums and posted in the MICC thread, I believe, with a Poem of the debacle at the Conservatory. It's a beautiful Poem.

I can only imagine how happy Kiba was to see you both! I'm sure he still is...following each of you everywhere, and I know Paul is loving that, as are you! You are right about Niagara Falls as tourist town, but the Falls are gorgeous and we were there for the company, not the scenery (at least I was). I miss being able to pick up the telephone and know you are less than 5 minutes away.

Welcome Home angel!

[Sadie G]

Welcome home Phyrie!!! I mean home and the DP, because they are both home .

I'm adding my 2 cents worth. I want to see your photos too. Don't worry about repeats!!! All of the photos posted so far are from someone's perspective so it makes them all unique. Yours are unique!! Please post away.

[RubyJeansMom]

WELCOME HOME PHYRIE!
I'm happy to hear that Kiba remembered you and Paul.
I'm so happy to hear that Spyder has access to water AND food, despite the mess that was made.

I would love to see your pictures from NF. And the stories, well nobody can tell one quite like you. Even if it's already been told, coming from your perspective would be worth hearing, or in this case, reading.

I'm so ready for the next meet-up. It's going to seem like forever to get here, once we decide where it will be.
I miss all of you and it's only been three weeks.

[Deerie me]

Welcome home Phy. Glad you had a good time. I'm so relieved Spyder is ok. Bless her for being as clean as she could manage.

[Nileska]

Welcome home Phyrie.I believe you passed within 7 miles of my townn on the way home.Yellow Springs OH (the tourist destination of the midwest) is just south of Springfield on rt 70 and 50 miles west of Columbus..Of course we were in the midst of that really nasty heatwave at the time and you were no doubt hankering for the cool breezes of the islands.

Sorry I couldnt make it to Niagra,,It used to be an annual August trip to Toronto for 4 shows at Richmond Hill and 4 more shows the next week at Leamington.We also did 6 OB trials near Niagra [went to the falls at night]..I cant travel like that far anymore but the OH lets me go to the grocery store by myself...WHOOPEEE!

Richard

[kian]

Welcome Home Phyrie!!! It's great to hear you are home and despite the mess, all is well.

Richard I went with Linda and her OH, we went near Columbus on our way to Canada, I didn't realize we were that close to you. I would have waved at you!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Linda, somehow I totally missed all of the photos you had posted while we were still away.

I started reading the beginning of this thread, as it's rather exciting to see how we all came together, and after flipping through, I stumbled upon your pictures. How I missed them, I don't know.

I enjoyed the "surprise".

By the way, reading the first few pages of this thread is fun and then skip to the part where we're all about a day or two from leaving. It still amazes me. Sheesh, I sure thought I would bring my two fluff-meisters, but further investigation made that less desirable. I think that occurred around the time this was no longer an afternoon meet-up in a dog park, and moved on to a possible entire weekend away.

Lynners is in there from jump, and the HO wasn't! It's a fun read.

It's no wonder I come off as crazy sometimes.

[Sadie G]

Its ok Deb. This thread moved so fast for a while! I probably need to do the same thing, start from the beginning. I'm sure there are things or photos I missed too!

[RubyJeansMom]

Okay, here is my first poem...ever! You've all inspired me...LOL!

Recollections of the Falls

We took a trip to the Falls,
The HO, Gizz and Me
To meet up with the Posse, from DP

The first ones to catch our eye,
Were Paul, Phyrie and Marie
From across the parking lot
"PUPPIES! PUPPIES!" shouted we

Next we met Kwak,
With her beautiful, long hair
All the way from Cali, so happy she was there


Theater Margie, au pair Kimmi,
And our sweet Jose
The Butter Boys bromance, still going strong today


All the way from out West,
Kian came to Indy
Then on to a road trip, along with Del and Lindy


Angie, Chris and Madi,
What a special treat
Those Southern Belles were so very sweet

Deb-Raw and Elliot,
Had many tales to tell
The one about a shoe buffer rings a bell

Lynners showed up earlier than planned,
What a great surprise
Our little Ashley, so funny, sweet and wise

Elizabeth and Cowboy Bob
Were the last to show
Mini-Anderson Cooper was also in tow

Through the wonder of technology
Others were briefly there
Tracy, Kris and Cyndy, with a few laughs to share


Our laughter, hugs and some tears
Ended all too soon
The time I spent with each of you,
I wouldn't trade for the moon

I love you all, my DP friends
And hold you all so dear
For now the forum will have to do
Until next year

[kriswak]

That is perfect. Good job on your very first poem. It really brought me back.

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

I said this on your email thru FB, but this is so sweet! And I'm laughing that Deb's descriptive of me is now my new nickname!

I love that it has a Dr. Seuss rhythm to it. I just read it out loud again...and my voice caught. I miss you all so much...