This will hopefully make it easier to keep track of attendees, timing, location, and any other misc. facts.

Mia and I (Sarah) will be there, with maybe Mark depending on work schedule.

Count Riley and I in....and possibly Tom and Kasey.

Went ahead and made this a sticky for you guys. Have a great outing on 7/17!! :D

Hi guys - We'll be camping in Norwich (Preston City) July 16th to
the 25th. Where is Bluff Point, CT???? Zach & Sadie will be at
Camp Kennel in Harrisville, RI so they'll have to miss it! But I may attempt to try to find you guys. Father's Day at Meg's Point didn't work :floor:

Let me know!
SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3fbc1970000007610

Bluff Point is in Groton, CT.

The directions read (straight from the website):

Off I-91S take Route 9S Exit to the end. Take I-95N to Groton, Exit 88. Turn right and go to the end. Take a right turn onto Route 1. Take a left at the light onto Depot Road. Go to the end.

It would be great to have you and your dh there Smitty, even though it will be sans-Labbies!

Sarah - just did a mapquest from the campground to
Bluff Pt and it is a 40 minute ride from where we'll be!

I'm not r.s.v.p ing definitely, but it may happen. Who knows,
I just may pop in & surprise everyone that day. I'll keep ya posted!
My DH will have to drag me away from you guys if we go:
you know what my real knick name is - both with our friends AND here at work? MOTOR MOUTH! You would all have a headace by the end of the day with me :floor: :floor:

We'll see - maybe maybe not!

SMITTY aka Motor Mouth


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3fbc1970000007610

Smitty,
Even though it says a 40 min drive it is just due to the traffic. You can get there a better way from the camp ground. I can give you directions if you want to go since I'm so close.

We are a maybe. Both of us have a long weekend and we might be on the cape or in New Hampshire. We will let you know when we finalize plans.

Bailey and I will be there. And I have a weid question I've been meaning to ask. What exactly does DH mean? And what the origin of that phrase? I kinda get it from the usage- but I'm dying to know for sure.

Dear Husband is what it means when I use it. God know what other people mean ;):D

GusJack:
Whooo-hoooo - fill me in on an easier way! Don't laugh, but
I get a little nervous driving on highways that I'm not familiar with
(NO - I don't get lost out of my driveway) but where I am not familiar I do tend to get nervous.
DH said he passes - first day of actual R&R at campground and he's a little JOINER of all the activities that go on! I'll have more fun w/o him, I'm sure yackity, yack motor mouth!! :floor:
Besides, you guys are MY friends and he is clueless about this forum and everyone on it - except for bits & pieces I tell him.
If it's craftsman, or Nascar or that stuff his ears perk up like a pixie's!
Let me know the easy directions!

SMITTY

Originally posted by Debbie Smith
GusJack:
Whooo-hoooo - fill me in on an easier way! Don't laugh, but
I get a little nervous driving on highways that I'm not familiar with
(NO - I don't get lost out of my driveway) but where I am not familiar I do tend to get nervous.
DH said he passes - first day of actual R&R at campground and he's a little JOINER of all the activities that go on! I'll have more fun w/o him, I'm sure yackity, yack motor mouth!! :floor:
Besides, you guys are MY friends and he is clueless about this forum and everyone on it - except for bits & pieces I tell him.
If it's craftsman, or Nascar or that stuff his ears perk up like a pixie's!
Let me know the easy directions!

SMITTY

Smitty,
You are going to be at Strawberry Fields campground correct? Well, if we don't plan to meet until 10 or so at Bluff Point, I can come pick you up..no problem. I'm sure my dh would rather ride his new Craftsman Tractor than join a bunch of gossiping Lab Board members :D Plus I can bring both Riley and Kasey and you can walk one of them (probably Riley since Kasey is a bit more difficult) so they can both go!!!

Better yet :D your dh can go over to my house and take turns with my dh on the Craftsman haha!

GusJack - I just almost choked on my lunch reading your response! Oh my - I think this is going to work! Are you
that close to STrawberry Park Campground????

As time gets closer I'll give you my home e-mail address,
so that I can let you know my cell # for that morning!

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it .......
:dance: :dance: :dance:

PS: I think I'm going to do something special for EVERYONE who is attending. Maybe party favors - if I start now!
OK with everyone else????
SMITTY

Yes, I am that close to Strawberry Park. At the most, it would take me 20-30 minutes to get there, but that is because 165 is only two lanes..but you know that!

I will give you my cell # as well when it gets closer!!! :D

Who knows WE might have to stop at Buttonwood Farms on the way back for ice cream :D

Party favors sound great...we'll also bring (lots of) cameras, water, treats, and human food too!

That's the spirit!

I'm getting very excited myself. We should maybe get an idea as to what we are all bringing so that I don't bring lets say pasta salad when we already have about 5lbs of it!

Originally posted by SarahandMark
That's the spirit!

I'm getting very excited myself. We should maybe get an idea as to what we are all bringing so that I don't bring lets say pasta salad when we already have about 5lbs of it!

Good Idea Sarah....I was thinking that I would bring my usual backpack with both the dog's food/bowl and we could do picnic stuff (sandwiches, etc). They don't provide any type of bbq pits and if we walk to the beach we can bring a blanket (I have a neat sheet but haven't used it yet) to sit on. Knowing my girls, I'll be eating standing up :D

Keep in mind we can either eat on the beach - which means not walking in w/ a ton of stuff (hence the picnic finger food stuff)- or eat on the way out at the picnic tables, but then our furkids will probably get restless and act up :D

If anyone has a kids wagon we could always put our bags, stuff, food in that and wheel it through the trail..which is all dirt/sand.

Hey Gusjack - how is the trail going out to the beach, an easy mile or a harder type one? I'll be 5 months prego at that point and would love to go, but don't know if its a great idea. It sure does sound like fun!

Originally posted by HeatherA
Hey Gusjack - how is the trail going out to the beach, an easy mile or a harder type one? I'll be 5 months prego at that point and would love to go, but don't know if its a great idea. It sure does sound like fun!

Heather,
The trail is pretty flat and about a good one car lane wide. It is mostly harder dirt/sand...there is one area that has a hill and I'm not too sure it if it is a mile...could be shorter (but not longer). I can understand if you can't make it...though, I would rather be in your shoes..we are hoping for next year :D

Thanks for the info. I guess we will see how I am feeling at that point, not that it should be that different than now.

and Good Luck Gusjack!

Originally posted by HeatherA
Thanks for the info. I guess we will see how I am feeling at that point, not that it should be that different than now.

and Good Luck Gusjack!

We could throw you a labby shower :D down the road!!! Do you know the sex?!!! My coworker is due 10/30 with her first; a boy!

I Just had a brainstorm: How about I make fancy name tags
(peel & stick) so we'll know who's who??? Everyone can write
than own names (or Board names) on them!!

Just a thought!

SMITTY

THIS IS KILLING ME!!!!! I WANT TO GO!!!!

Okay, I'm going to risk the incredulous and What A Bad Mommy You Are stares tomorrow at the vet and say: Yo, if he can plunge through an open window and a screen, and then vault over a 5' fence TWICE, can't we go to a nice little shindig with some reallllly mellow fellow labs 17 whole days from now????

Seriously, I will pose the question to the vet, and accept without grudge whatever they think is wisest... but...

I WANT TO GO TOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WAAAAAHHHHHH! :cry2:

Just in case, can I have exact location (i.e. road, zip code, so I can mapquest? If I remember correctly, Groton is about 2 hrs for me).

Zen!

Please try to come, it would be great to have you and Grip there!

I don't know so much about the directions, I just wrote what was on the website, so I'm not even 100% confident I know how to get there!

Maybe someone can help us?

Got the directions myself!

I promise I will if the vet gives the Ok. But YOUCH! 104 miles!

104 miles with Grip is like 2099 miles in dog years. Though I've done in excess of 300 with him on his trip here to live with us, and we survived ;)

Ok here's an update (please let me know if I messed up or missed someone):

Definites:
SarahandMark- Sarah and Mia

GusJack- GusJack with both Kasey and Riley (one Labbie for Smitty in absence of her own)

Smitty- Smitty and one of GusJack's pups

JenQuinn- Jen and Bailey

Maybes:

ZenCat and Grip- pending vet visit

Malweth and Toby

HeatherA plus the bun in her oven ;) Heather would you be bringing your Lab?

I have a question, how far is this place from NJ? I'm just outside of Philadelphia but I'm always up for an adventure. I happen to have that weekend off from work, too, and I'm sure I can get my hubby to take an extra day off.

One more important question, before I even get my hopes up that this could be a possibility, does anyone object to my wild woman Olive going? She's pretty hyper and her obedience still lacks from time to time...although she usually does really well. Oh, and she thinks every other dog she meets wants to wrestle in the mud with her.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Black Olive
I have a question, how far is this place from NJ? I'm just outside of Philadelphia but I'm always up for an adventure. I happen to have that weekend off from work, too, and I'm sure I can get my hubby to take an extra day off.

One more important question, before I even get my hopes up that this could be a possibility, does anyone object to my wild woman Olive going? She's pretty hyper and her obedience still lacks from time to time...although she usually does really well. Oh, and she thinks every other dog she meets wants to wrestle in the mud with her.:rolleyes:

OMG we would LOVE to have you visit. From my house (which is also 20-25 min from Bluff Point) to my dads in Philadelphia is about 4 1/2 hours. If you want to come, let me know and I'll talk up the dh about you guys, Olive included, camping at our house...if you want. I have a 3 bedroom ranch..one bedroom has bunk beds and the other has a pull out twin size sleeper. If Olive sleeps in a crate at night, I have three crates (2 lg and 1 xlg) and a pen. Jack can always sleep in our room and/or Olive with you guys. If you aren't comfy w/ staying at someone's house, there is a nice hotel right outside my neighborhood...Olive can always camp out with us as well..I'm pretty sure they don't allow dogs. Let us know! :D

Oh Kasey and Riley are not the most well behaved. They are still jumping up on ppl when they first meet and Olive would fit right in running around the back yard with the girls. (Our yard is a little less than 1/2 acre...all fenced in). They are dirty every morning and love to wrestle.

Originally posted by Debbie Smith
I Just had a brainstorm: How about I make fancy name tags
(peel & stick) so we'll know who's who??? Everyone can write
than own names (or Board names) on them!!

Just a thought!

SMITTY

I think that is a great idea.

Actual address for the Bluff is:
Bluff Point State Park
c/o Fort Trumbull State Park
90 Walbach Street
New London, CT

If traveling 95 North, you take exit 88, take a right at the end of the ramp (Route 1), travel 3-4 miles and take a right onto Depot Road. There is a Dairy Queen on your left, school on the right, and it is at a stop light. You follow Depot Road through a neighborhood (not a very nice/clean one) to the end, go down a small hill, you will pass under a rail road trestle and start traveling on a bumpy, dirt road. There is water on your right..once in the parking lot is a huge, dirty lot (no trees) very open. I can always "drive" the directions and post more landmarks, better milage, etc.

Oh do come!!! (This is me hoping I'm part of the party myself!). We'd love to meet you and Olive!!

Excellent directions, GusJack! Those are better than the mapquest set I got, though I'm going to see if I can figure out if it makes sense to take I84 up there somehow (I hate I95 through Fairfield County!).

Originally posted by ZenCat
Oh do come!!! (This is me hoping I'm part of the party myself!). We'd love to meet you and Olive!!

Excellent directions, GusJack! Those are better than the mapquest set I got, though I'm going to see if I can figure out if it makes sense to take I84 up there somehow (I hate I95 through Fairfield County!).

I adopted Jack and Gusty out of New Fairfield..so I know the drive. It might be easier to take I84 to I91 and pick up Route 9. Then you can take Route 9 to I95..that puts you at Old Saybrook...around exit 69?! Hey, if you want to really come and can't bring your furkid, I can also bring Gusty, for you, :D she is so great off leash and loves to swim. She is my BEST dog. I'll just farm all my dogs out :D

Here's a question, since I am coming from the north, would I just take the same directions, but go I-95 South?

Sorry for the edit, I forgot to add, THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!!!!

Mia is only a little over a year, so she is rowdy herself with the jumping and whatnot. Plus, bottom line is, they are dogs! Dogs get dirty and they wrestle, and I love watching them have a good time. So bring em' all I say!

Frankie and Ellie are staying home though, they are too little (good thing they didn't hear that, they have major Napoleon complex) and will get trampled. Plus they are fast as all get out and are not to be trusted off leash!

Originally posted by SarahandMark
Here's a question, since I am coming from the north, would I just take the same directions, but go I-95 South?

Sorry for the edit, I forgot to add, THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!!!!

Mia is only a little over a year, so she is rowdy herself with the jumping and whatnot. Plus, bottom line is, they are dogs! Dogs get dirty and they wrestle, and I love watching them have a good time. So bring em' all I say!

Frankie and Ellie are staying home though, they are too little (good thing they didn't hear that, they have major Napoleon complex) and will get trampled. Plus they are fast as all get out and are not to be trusted off leash!

From I95 South, you would take: Take the CT-117 exit- exit number 88- toward DOWNTOWN GROTON. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto CT-117/NORTH RD. Continue to follow CT-117.Turn RIGHT onto FORT HILL RD/US-1.Turn LEFT onto DEPOT RD.

Tell you what everyone, I WILL get directions off I-95 both North and South. I think the park address I posted is the office address because the park is NOT in New London, it is in Groton,CT. So I will do the drive and get better directions.

Oh man, I wish I could be there (maybe I should cancel my trip to Italy for this??).

Kris - good thing you've got 4 furkids - enough to pass a few around!!

I sure hope this can be done again - I would love to meet everyone & their kids.

Another Lab get-together I can be jealous of!

WOW - GUSJACK - what an offer!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just talking to my husband about it on IM and he's up for it! So, it looks like you can add me, my hubby and Olive to the list!

So what is Bluff Point?

Gosh...I'm so excited! You guys this just made my day! How am I ever going to concentrate at work tonight, I'm just going to be thinking of meeting everyone! Yipee!

Originally posted by Black Olive
WOW - GUSJACK - what an offer!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just talking to my husband about it on IM and he's up for it! So, it looks like you can add me, my hubby and Olive to the list!

So what is Bluff Point?

Gosh...I'm so excited! You guys this just made my day! How am I ever going to concentrate at work tonight, I'm just going to be thinking of meeting everyone! Yipee!


Go to: http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/bluffpoint.htm and it will tell you about it.

Now will you stay with us or a hotel?

Vet says Grip has no exercise restrictions so WE'RE IN!!!!

WHOOP! WHOOP! *happydance*

Originally posted by ZenCat
Vet says Grip has no exercise restrictions so WE'RE IN!!!!

WHOOP! WHOOP! *happydance*

Yeah...glad I didn't tell Gusty she could come :D...then again, my dh might join us if he doesn't have school.

I am doing the butt-tuck and happy wiggle at work!!!!!!

Ok so:
Definites:
SarahandMark- Sarah and Mia

GusJack- GusJack with both Kasey and Riley (one Labbie for Smitty in absence of her own)

Smitty- Smitty and one of GusJack's pups

JenQuinn- Jen and Bailey

ZenCat- Zen and Grip (minus the stitches!!!!)

Black Olive- Black Olive and Olive

Maybe:
Malweth and Toby

HeatherA plus the bun in her oven ;) Heather would you be bringing your Lab?

GusJack, since we only have one Labby, if Gusty is easy to handle, my DH could take "charge" of her if she wants to go!

I was checking out the State Park site for camping, are any of the pet friendly areas near Bluff Point? We love to camp so that would be an option for us, too. Are there any Red Roof Inn's near by? They are normally pet friendly...or, if you're really serious about your offer for us to bunk w/ you for a night, we could do that, too! We're pretty laid back and pretty much just go w/ the flow.
http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/camping/#rockyneck

Bailey, Greg (my fiance) and I are in!!!

I am so excited!

No worries Black Olive... Sounds like Bailey and Olive will totally tire each other out!!

I cant wait to meet you all!!

Originally posted by Black Olive
GusJack, since we only have one Labby, if Gusty is easy to handle, my DH could take "charge" of her if she wants to go!

I was checking out the State Park site for camping, are any of the pet friendly areas near Bluff Point? We love to camp so that would be an option for us, too. Are there any Red Roof Inn's near by? They are normally pet friendly...or, if you're really serious about your offer for us to bunk w/ you for a night, we could do that, too! We're pretty laid back and pretty much just go w/ the flow.
http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/camping/#rockyneck

There is a Red Roof Inn located in New London,CT which is right near the park and only 20 min from my house...there is also a camp ground at wwww.odetah.com which is 10 miles from us as well.

Gusty doesn't even need a leash, she is so good, I just might take you up on that offer :D

What a fun thread to follow!!! Sounds like you folks are going to have a great time! Kris, I think it is great that you are matching up Labs & people - awesome!

Oh my gosh you guys - you will have sooo much fun. CO was a blast.
What a great way to meet fellow board/lab lovers and for the dogs to meet each other and tire each other out.

I can't wait to hear all about it and see all the pictures.

OMG = If I could do a cartwheel I would = right here in my office!

And Wait til you all see your name tags!

HELP NEEDED:
If Heather B and Jenquin would post a sig picture of their Lab's - I'd appreciate it. I somehow have scrolled around in the different threads and can't seem to find these two furbabes!
Daaaa - they're probably right in front of me somewhere!
ALSO:
I just had a brainstorm for Festival Favors - whooohooo you guys are gonna love them!

I wish it was this Saturday - I'm so excited!

SMITTY

HUBBY put a damper on my excitement! :frown:
Get this: I've been babbling on and on and on about this get together on the 17th while we are camping. Then I told him how wonderful Kris has been offering to meet me so I can go with her to Bluff Pt.

Here is his thoughts (I THOUGH I'D KILL HIM FOR THIS!)
"HUN, I don't know if I like that idea. You don't know this people from Adam - you've got to be very careful about meeting people you meet on line!"

AND YOU'RE POINT - sweetheart?????????? I'm going to be abducted????????

:floor: :floor: :floor: :floor:

I told him - you have no idea how great this people are: they're my friends and they're FAMILY people! Good god, how could anyone who has a love for labs, some with 3 to 4 labs in a family, be kooks?

MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN! Well, I'm going anyway!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Yea - after 21 years of marriage I think my husband is a little too protective - ya think? I think he's worried he'll have to "fend" for himself and my 11 y/o for waitressing: food, drink, etc. etc.
HEY - I'm on vacation too AND this is one of the things I want to do on MY vacation.

Screw him! See ya 17th with bells on! :clap:

SMITTY

I am not crafty but can bake :D

We can't have more fun food for the labbies than us :D

Smitty, Too funny!! Greg thought I lost my mind about a year and a half ago when i started letting this board consume my life! They just dont get it do they!??

Tell him to suck it up and get his butt there to keep Greg company... They can talk fantasy sports or something while we all play with the pooches and gossip!!

Let me know what you want me to bring. Unlike Smitty, Creativity is not my strong point!!

Originally posted by Debbie Smith
HUBBY put a damper on my excitement! :frown:
Get this: I've been babbling on and on and on about this get together on the 17th while we are camping. Then I told him how wonderful Kris has been offering to meet me so I can go with her to Bluff Pt.

Here is his thoughts (I THOUGH I'D KILL HIM FOR THIS!)
"HUN, I don't know if I like that idea. You don't know this people from Adam - you've got to be very careful about meeting people you meet on line!"

AND YOU'RE POINT - sweetheart?????????? I'm going to be abducted????????

:floor: :floor: :floor: :floor:

I told him - you have no idea how great this people are: they're my friends and they're FAMILY people! Good god, how could anyone who has a love for labs, some with 3 to 4 labs in a family, be kooks?

MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN! Well, I'm going anyway!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Yea - after 21 years of marriage I think my husband is a little too protective - ya think? I think he's worried he'll have to "fend" for himself and my 11 y/o for waitressing: food, drink, etc. etc.
HEY - I'm on vacation too AND this is one of the things I want to do on MY vacation.

Screw him! See ya 17th with bells on! :clap:

SMITTY

My husband is the same way!!!

Originally posted by Debbie Smith
HUBBY put a damper on my excitement!
Here is his thoughts (I THOUGH I'D KILL HIM FOR THIS!)
"HUN, I don't know if I like that idea. You don't know this people from Adam - you've got to be very careful about meeting people you meet on line!"

John here -
Not all men are that way. Certainly Mike, Scott, Dave, Aaron and I (all the guys at the CO Lab Fest) are not of that mindset. Tell him that we just had about 20 of these "online weirdos" that we had never "met" before spend the night at our place and everything was fine. Didn't lock up anything. You are right - nobody in the Lab Chat Board family is going to go through the hassle of going to a meet-up just to . . . I don't even know what terrible thing he has in mind. And there will be others there too.
We were very careful when we went to meet Stacey (HuntersMom) and Trakker at the park that we went to her store first so she knew who we were and that she had our work numbers and home numbers and that it was cool with her Mom, etc. We also have the same dog trainer, so she could use him as a reference too. We didn't want her to think we had a different agenda going on, y'know? It's gonna be FINE!

I have to say I totally agree.. Of course, some people had their opinions about me driving 800 miles to sleep in some STRANGERS house.. but you know what.. those "strangers" are two of the NICEST people I have ever met & felt like I had known them for ever - and I am SO glad I didn't listen to them. I mean if I got there and had that bad vibe, nothing would have stopped me from turning around and going to a motel. I wouldn't worry, people who have the time to sit and dedicate all this effort for their LABS..and its a ONE time thing.. (So far) don't have other agendas. They would be hanging out on OTHER sites being a lot more adament about making sure people came and wouldn't be offering to make it somewhere so public.--- ya know what I am saying.. Sorry to ramble..I just wanted to clarify that people of course had their doubts too (About CO)- but it was probably the best risk I have ever taken.

I totally agree with Calley's Familey and Miss Lisa. In fact it never even crossed my mind that these people on line might be "weirdos". The first time in my life I met up with people from just knowing them on line was in 98 and I went ALL the way to Ireland!!!! Now one of the people I met because of that is my best best friend (she lives in CO Springs). We "talk" to all the people here daily - we know their love of their labs and "who" they are. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. I can't believe how nice everyone was in CO and I am so glad to have actually met them in person. It's just because you're hubby isn't on the board - but assure him - it's okay!

Hey Smitty...I fogot one thing...tell your hubby that I really am a weirdo because my dh and I met on line....love@aol, July 1999! :D

Okay now WE know how cool it will be to meet up...let's get back to our party talk :D

You wanna REALLY scare him Smitty? Take him to the "Let's See You!" thread and show him pics of me and my hubby and our beautiful son.

We met online almost 9 years ago, he in England, me in CT. We fell in love sight-unseen (this was in the days before "dating" sites hit the 'net) in an ordinary chatroom quite by accident. He dropped everything and flew to the states, and we eloped within a month, had our gorgeous child, and have been ardently married soulmates ever since.

Or... maybe don't tell him that ;)

LOL! When I posted my last I didn't see anything past Smitty's rant about her dh's concerns. I see I'm in good company!!!

I know at least one question was asked to me -

Yes, If I come my dog Theo will be coming with me, and my husband would also be coming.

And Debbie Smith Wrote - Heather B needs a pic, is that me or is there a Heather B? Let me know.

Thanks!!!

Wow - 2 online couples! Great stories.

My husband and I actually met in a bar, Yikkes! but we were seeing Merl Saunders, so we knew we had something in common.

Incidentally, I am the Hostess with the Leastest... tell me what to bring!!!!!

Oh, I wish I could come. I just checked mapquest and it's a 12 hour drive.

Add me to the list for finding love on line! That's how my DH and I met!

GusJack, I will check out that camping site and the local hotels in that area and then get back to you. You're so kind to offer your home to us! :)

I have to say- what i'm excited about the most- is being able to share my great passion for my lab- with people who know exactly how I feel- with people who- dare I guess- feel the same way. Yes, my friends think my Bailey is great- but I see the weird looks they give me. Okay, I'm OBSESSED, I admit it. Sue me.

I hear you, JenQuinn.

Don't know what I'd do without this place where I can go to talk about Grip, Grip and oh, did I mention Grip? without faces going all glazed and polite.

Check out these camp sites:
http://www.odetah.com/images/facilities/waterfront_1.jpg
http://www.odetah.com/images/facilities/woodedSite_2.jpg

I think I might see if we can get a waterfront site for the weekend! It's beautiful! Even the wooded sites are real nice! We're thinking about driving up Friday morning and staying through Sunday. With "Labfest East" on Saturday that's a picture perfect weekend get away!

Thank you, GusJack, for posting that site!

Is there a plan in place in case it rains on the 17th? Also, is there an "agenda" for Bluff Point? Like, are we having a picnic, just hanging out or something? What can I bring?

More questions...(sorry!) what kind of area is there for the dogs to play at Bluff Point? Is it a leash only area? Water available to splash in? If this was posted somewhere before, I apologize for all the questions. :o:

OK, I'm hundreds of miles away from you guys but I couldn't help reading this thread and enjoying your excitement! You're going to have a great time... and we'll LOVE hearing the stories and seeing all of the pictures!

Black Olive what campsite is that???

If it rains, we could trek back to our house. Our basement is not yet completed and a decent size for the labs to run around in (once I reorganize) I don't have a garage.

Bluff Point is set up where you walk (on leash) for a little bit (I said a mile but could be less). While you walk, on your right, there is acces to the water...though not a lot of standing room for the human. Once you walk out to the beach, it is on the Long Island Sound and if we walk out to the beach and then back towards the way we walk in, we can have a pretty private area off the beach. It is not a long walk down the beach. At the very end there is the beach/water and almost a gully area. So the labbies can romp in the sand and splash in the water. They can be off leash once on the beach and out of site of people.

If you three stay the weekend, we can plan a cookout Sat night at our house if you'd like! (any one can come as well, we'll just need a head count for food)

I would think we could all bring in food with us...too hard to arrange a "cook out" on the beach. Any ideas?

Are there benches or a table or anything at the off-leash part? Otherwise I can't imagine how we'd picnic!

Can I just remind you all... 15 MORE DAYS!!!!

I think we should bring our own food so we don't end up with too much or too little of anything. Plus, people have food allergies, likes and dislikes, you know?

I will bring my beach chair with me, if there are no benches. Also a beach cooler to keep my food and drinks in. A backpack with Mia's stuff, a couple of towels, baggies, treats, film camera, digital camera, etc.

I will update the who's coming list in a couple of days. In the meantime we should get the word out to other people on the board about this gathering, especially the new members on the Welcome Wagon who may not have found this thread yet.

:party: :party: :party:

There are a few picnic tables when you first walk in. There are not any tables on the beach area....hence we can sit on blankets.

Sarah...just keep in mind that the bigger beach area for us to have privacy and safety for the labs to romp on in a bit of a walk.

There are some beach areas along the way, but if we have a labby who is not that great off leash he/she might run through the weeds and wind up back on the walking trail.

OMG you guys I am so dumb :D Here are pictures of Gusty and Jack at Bluff Point last year, fall time. This is the more private beach area, that is far enough off the trail so our furkids can be off leash and play. The hike/walk through the park leads up the the beach. There are NOT a ton of waves..this is the LI Sound not the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is long enough for horse riders to walk up and down.

p.s. if you do not feel as though you are a good "hiker" please don't be concerned, this place will not kill us and is pretty much flat! Hiking gear not needed :D just comy clothes (and a swim suit for those who dare), sneakers, water, snacks :D, possibly bug spray and sunblock.


1. Gus/Jack taking a dip! (that's the back of my dh...gotta love the flannel :D)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d923b3127cceb13735a911de0000001610

2. Jack...If you look towards the end of the beach where it curves, that is the area where water is basically on three sides of you...a neat gulley area
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d923b3127cceb13735f9118e0000001610

3. Gust's butt and Jack running
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d923b3127cceb13730a8d0750000001610

4. Gus/Jack again http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d923b3127cceb13730ed51000000001610

5. http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d923b3127cceb13730f551180000001610

Yep, Olive is one that's not good off leash. We're just now starting to do off leash work in her agility class so it's a whole new thing to her, which as you know, can be VERY exciting to a Labby. That said, I think that if she's w/ a group of other dogs romping and playing, there won't be a problem w/ her running off. Especially if I use some very magic words like "DO YOU WANT A STICK???" LOL

GusJack - That camp site is from the web site that you posted for me. A cook out Saturday night would be fun! Let me know what we can do to help! We'll have coolers, so we can bring food, too.

Originally posted by Black Olive
Yep, Olive is one that's not good off leash. We're just now starting to do off leash work in her agility class so it's a whole new thing to her, which as you know, can be VERY exciting to a Labby. That said, I think that if she's w/ a group of other dogs romping and playing, there won't be a problem w/ her running off. Especially if I use some very magic words like "DO YOU WANT A STICK???" LOL

GusJack - That camp site is from the web site that you posted for me. A cook out Saturday night would be fun! Let me know what we can do to help! We'll have coolers, so we can bring food, too.

Wow so you are planning on staying at Odetah?? That is pretty cool. There are plenty of food stores up here so we can worry about cook out details later, plus I have a BJ's card. :D

Kasey is not good off leash either, she likes to "explore" but I won't worry about her on the beach either. We'll have plenty of eyes to help out.

Dern. I should've known better. Odetah is booked solid so we won't be camping there. After reading through this web site (http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/bluffpoint.htm) it doesn't look like any other pet friendly caming is close by. GusJack, we may be holding you up to that offer to crash at your house Saturday night!

Sure gets busy up this way I guess.
There is Strawberry Park (CT) where DebbieSmith is going to be, along with Hammonasset and Rocky Neck. I'm not sure what type of camping they offer...just some more things to look at IF you really want to camp.

It's looking more and more like we might be taking you up on that offer, GusJack. We really want to camp, but I haven't found a place that allows dogs. I might do some more looking around tonight.

Although, I haven't checked out any of the hotels yet. We'd just prefer to camp as compared to stay in a hotel. (Our families don't get it...they'd prefer to stay in 4 star hotel rooms LOL)

I'll be back online this evening. If anyone ever wants to chat, my AIM screen name is MrsNewstat.

Black Olive...a Jersey girl is always welcome here :D

I'm not up on all the dog friendly places around here either...I'm guessing the Red Roof Inn is dog friendly?! Either way..it will be a fun time!

EVERYONE: ATTENTION PLEASE!
I'm doing a butt tuck like you wouldn't believe! My hubby, Smitty, said in conversation today: he's coming to Bluff Pt for the fun AND our 11 y/o son is coming too! Oh my god - I am soooo excited I could do more the butt tucks!
Because other men are attending - he's in whoooo hooo - see why we've been married 21 years??? Wanna know where we met? In a bar - I slipt off a bar stool after getting stood up by Smitty's friend (hahahah) That was 25 years ago!

OK - here's scoop:
Black Olive: Call strawberry park - they are pet friendly as long as you don't walk the dog (big no no) AND they have to be tied on your site. Are you tent camping? Or are you towing a trailer (pop up) or something??? If you come in on Friday, leave on Sunday you may get a spot somewhere! OR they may be booked!
We booked in January!

Heather A = I'm not a very good secretary uh? I meant A not B
so could you post a sig pic n ext time?? Wait til you see name tags.

I'll need names & hubby names sometime next week OK?

OK - so I'm going to give hubby any thing he wants - he's a great guy = to do this for me. Actually -he's kind of looking forward to this outting. I'll bring a sand chair (love the sun, ocean & bottle of Banana boat oil for tanning).

Oh god, I just love you guys BIG TIME (I don't even know ya and I love ya) isn't that weired???

SMITTY
Go to go T-storm #3 today approaching!

Smitty, I'd be tent camping. By the looks of the web site for Strawberry, they don't do tent campers. Actually, it looked like a mini resort but you bring your own hotel room! :eek:

Smitty...that is great that your dh is coming. Guess he gets a new craftsman tool now huh!

Guess what??? Mine is too. He doesn't have school that weekend. My 11 yr old nephew will be back from his vaca with the grandparents so I can see if wants to come with!!!

BTW Smitty..do NOT feel like you have to take one of my dogs. We will bring Riley and Kasey and the other adults can enjoy a marrow bone at :D If you want, I can give you and the dh directions to my house and then we can caravan over..probably easier.

It would be me Kris (aka GusJack) and Tom...perhaps Eric too!

We're gonna have a good time...at least the labs will too :D

Let's make a deal that we, as a group, get the labs in a "fun in the sun shot" and try to win July's photo contest!! :D

I would post a sig pic, but I don't know how to....I can't figure it out. Duh. Can someone help me? I have only figured out how to attach pictures, not a sig pic. Here is a pic if this will work.

Nice picture! What kind of award is your Lab wearing?? If it's for obedience, maybe Olive will learn a thing or two LOL

Thanks Black Olive. Theo actually won it at a dog day for an event called Super Catch. He was the best tennis ball catcher in the group. We were so proud of him. If you meet him you'll see that he is soooo obsessed with tennis balls. we went to a dog park today and he barely played with the other dogs, all he wanted to do was fetch.

Originally posted by HeatherA
Thanks Black Olive. Theo actually won it at a dog day for an event called Super Catch. He was the best tennis ball catcher in the group. We were so proud of him. If you meet him you'll see that he is soooo obsessed with tennis balls. we went to a dog park today and he barely played with the other dogs, all he wanted to do was fetch.

Sounds like he and Riley will get along great, though Riley will be fanactical over the water and a bumper. She is such a ball hog, if Kasey gets it, she takes it out of her mouth :D

Just wanted to send my wishes to you all and hope you have a great time. I am leaving for San Francisco on July 18th and will be there until July 30th on business.

I am hoping that you guys will do this again some time, and I can be there.

Okay, I have this vision in my head. Bailey is still very very excited when he's around other dogs (at least for around 30 minutes) He weighs about 70 lbs. How am I ever going to get all the stuff I need for a day at the beach. Cooler, towels, water, dog stuff, etc, etc. He'll be bouncing off the walls and I almost bet I end up on my butt at least once on the walk to the beach. Do I know anyone who has a wagon? I'll have to look into it.
Another question like Heather's. Is a sig picture different from just posting a pictue? Can you get a pic to come up automatically whenever you post?

Black Olive - they have an area JUST for tent campers - kind of ahike to bathroom though. But they put tent campers all over that place - yea it's a resort alright! We've been going there the same week in July for over 13 years now. There are 4 families who camp with each other, right next to each other in one row, for years. My son wasn't even born when I met some of them. Two are from NJ, and one is from Startford, CT and us. We have been great friends for years and years. 2 families dropped out: 1 from Martha's Vineyard the other Long Island - but we still keep in contact via emails, phone & cards.

It's worth checking out the park for tents!

HeatherA= thanks for posting the picture (real cute too!)
JenQuinn - you too, thanks for picture (can't believe another real cutie lives in RI - probably real close to me too if you use the park on branch Ave - just a stone throw up the street!!)

I sure wish HunterBoozer were coming to the party! Let's hope
Melweth's plans for N.H. fail (sorry melweth) and he comes with Toby!

I wish my 2 furballs could come - I don't think it would be pretty with them. Zach is very possessive of Sadie - he might be nasty.
Anyway, they do go to kennel camp so maybe another time.
Zach is awful (and embarrassing) on a leash!

GusJack: Caravan sounds like a great idea too!
Talk with you soon
SMITTY

Jen,
Mia is the same way on a leash as your Bailey. She weighs 88lbs, so pretty much, I already know I'll be on my butt at least twice. I think our plan of attack should be to walk the dogs maybe 2 by 2 or 3 by 3 depending on how wide the trail is so that they won't get overly excited and want to run ahead to be with another dog.

I am bringing all those things too, and I think we'll be just fine. I'll look around for a wagon also and we can all pile stuff in there.

Another thing that is making me breath a little easier is that some people's husbands will be there (maybe my own also) so that if one of our dogs gets too pully and knocks us over, I am sure one of them will gladly help out. I am considering purchasing this harness thing that Mia wears at training class that really helps to control her when she is on leash.

So far this sounds like a well planned event. Don't forget to keep spreading the word!

Madison's Mom have a safe flight and we'll see you when you return. I think it's safe to say that Labfest isn't a one time deal :)

Sarah and Mark,

Thanks for your good wishes. I hope I get to meet everyone some day. Have a blast and don't forget to take lots of pics.

Mad's Mom

Hi Everyone, I'm somewhat new so I don't really how to post here that well yet. Anyway, I wanted to know what time this get together at Bluff Point is on the 17th. I have two Labs that love to play and would probably be glad to check this out.

Thanks

dogjustice,

We haven't quite decided on a time yet, we are still trying to get a head count. I think we'll decide on a time soon, so stay tuned!
Would you like to come to the get-together? If so, what is your Labbie's name?

Also, welcome to the board!

Hope to see you on the 17th of July,
Sarah

I have a yellow and a black. Their names are Hank & Zues. They are both two.. We would love to attend the meeting. I will keep an eye out for updates.


Thanks
James

Here's our headcount:

Me (Lisa)
Dh (Tom)
Son (Brude) age 7
Grip
Drum (who I suspect is going to feel REALLY tall)

Zen! I can't wait to meet the whole clan! I've got Mark 98% convinced (his chef might be off that Saturday, but he is doing what he can), this is going to be great!

Seems like we are getting quite the group together. I'm going to look back and do a quick headcount. I'll post in a few.

Happy 4th everyone.

Here's goes the latest head count:

Definites:

SarahandMark- Sarah, Mark, and Mia

GusJack- Kris (GusJack), Husband, Kasey and Riley. Kris, are you bringing Gusty and Jack also?

Smitty- Smitty, Mr. Smitty, and 11yr. old (son or grandson or nephew?)

JenQuinn- Jen and Bailey

ZenCat- Lisa (Zen), Tom (dh), Brude (son), Drum, and Grip (minus the stitches!!!!)

Black Olive- Black Olive and Olive

JP- JP, Greg (fiance), and Bailey

Maybe:

Malweth and Toby

HeatherA, Mr. HeatherA, and Theo

dogjustice (James) with Hank and Zeus

Mickey's Mom- I'm putting Mickey's Mom here because she had said yes in the last thread. I just sent her a PM to confirm if yes or maybe.

Awesome!!! We can't possibly miss each other in a parking lot with this crowd!

Can we move Heather's post (pretty sure it was Heather) about the Southbury Dog Park over to this thread for future consideration/planning for Lab Fest East 2004 No. 2? The park sounds great.

Oh, I'm going to NH the 23rd and flying into Hartford - to bad it wasn't a few days later - I wouldn't have Bartley with me but at least I'd get to meet some of you.

I guess maybe next time - bummer!

Mickey and I are in!!! My personal computer is being fixed (virus) so I haven't been able to connect. I'm not sure if I'll be able to connect again this week, but count us in!

Woo0ooT!

Wow, things are really coming together!! Sounds great. Thanks for all the hard work organizing! Can't wait to meet everyone!!


Julie

My hubby will be there, too! So in my "group" there will be 2 humans and 1 dog. LOL

Greg just found out that he has to go to his parents' house next weekend.... So we are OUT now....

I'm so bummed. I was really looking forward to it. I guess next time. :(

Sorry you and Greg won't be able to make it, Julie.

Do not fear. We will have another get-together sooner than you know. I am sure there are a bunch of people out there that can't make this one also. For example, HunterBoozer, Smitty's dogs (even though Smitty will be there!), Madison's Mom, etc.

Try not to be too mad ;)
We'll miss you!

Question: Do we have any other intact males on the guest list? Drum is intact. He's well socialized, and it's rarely an issue, but tonight we met an intact lab who didn't like Drum at ALL. My dh is happy to keep Drum on-leash if a problem arises (and Drum is fine on leash, even in a group) but I just wondered.

Oh this is going to be so much fun.

Our headcount will be:
Me (Kris aka GusJack)
Tom (hubby)
Riley & Kasey
Eric (11 yr old nephew)

I am not sure if I am bringing Gusty and Jack.....because walking 4 is impossible.

You, who are worrying, are so funny because I am thinking to myself that my two will probably act all excited...or Kasey will get snippy at someone (she tends to do this sometimes) ...but I think we all know that are labs will be fine and they may not be perfect at first, but once they relax it'll be a fun romp on the beach. Oh, let's pray for nice weather!!!

I will ask around for a wagon to use...also the girls have done great on the prong collar for walking, I highly suggest it.

Hey Zencat my girls are not fixed yet (7/27 I HAD to wait until after the gathering :D)....I'm not worried about Drum we'll just have to keep an eye on the three of them :D

Haven't been on-line since Saturday morning - what a weekend!

My hubby (Billy) is really starting to look forward to this event - especially because there are other MEN attending. My 11 y/o Son, AJ, doesn't know it yet. Will spring this on him just before!
You know how kids are!

GusJack: any chance you can give me directions to this place from 165??

By the way - did I miss it or just plain daaaa: what time are we gathering on the 17th at Bluff Pt?????


SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

We Drum *does* have a thing for blondes, but he's not particularly "randy". We have to discourage that till he's done showing so he knows he's not allowed to Try To Marry girls.

Glad to hear you say that about letting them all work it out. It took me a long time to understand that at the doggie park, but dh kept reminding me "They aren't people honey, they have their own way of socializing".

Can't wait can't wait can't wait! And really hoping we can have mini-get-togethers at Southbury soon!

Originally posted by Debbie Smith
Haven't been on-line since Saturday morning - what a weekend!

My hubby (Billy) is really starting to look forward to this event - especially because there are other MEN attending. My 11 y/o Son, AJ, doesn't know it yet. Will spring this on him just before!
You know how kids are!

GusJack: any chance you can give me directions to this place from 165??

By the way - did I miss it or just plain daaaa: what time are we gathering on the 17th at Bluff Pt?????


SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

We didn't come up with a time yet..so you didn't miss it.
I can give you directions for sure. You'd pass by my house basically, that's why I asked if you wanted to follow...if not, no big deal :D

Originally posted by ZenCat
We Drum *does* have a thing for blondes, but he's not particularly "randy". We have to discourage that till he's done showing so he knows he's not allowed to Try To Marry girls.

Glad to hear you say that about letting them all work it out. It took me a long time to understand that at the doggie park, but dh kept reminding me "They aren't people honey, they have their own way of socializing".

Can't wait can't wait can't wait! And really hoping we can have mini-get-togethers at Southbury soon!

Is Drum a showdog? I wasn't sure if I missed that...he is great looking, I have always loves the look of the greyhound..so graceful. He is so tall!

Time! I was thinking how about 11 a.m.?
That way, those traveling (sarahmark) won't have to rush, etc.

If not, I don't mind. But getting up a hubby & son to get moving first day of vacation may be tuff!

Me - I'm so excited about this labparty - I'll be up at crack of dawn!


SMITTY

Okay, after some serious whining and complaining... I got greg to at least consider the possibility of going to his parents AFTER we go labbing...

So put me down as a maybe!!! Sorry for the lack of decision making - men are so LAST MINUTE!!

11 a.m. sound great over here! Thanks for the consideration Smitty!

JP, you are on the maybe list.

Mark can't come :( You would think that him being the boss he'd be able to take whatever day he wants, guess that policy applies to every industry, except restaurant! :( So looks like it will be a girls day out for Mia and I!

I'm also looking for a wagon.

Will update the RSVP list soon.

Mia isn't getting fixed until July 27th, so tell Drum that she's not ready to be married either ;):D

Re: Dogs socializing. I am not a freak about them wrestling and getting rough, I think they'll work it all out and have a blast. Plus there will be plenty of us there to calm things down if they get out of hand.

10 more days!!!!

Hi Everyone:

I need your help = I'm making name tags and need first names

Board Name:

Debbie Smith (SMITTY) - Debbie
Hubby: Billy
Son: Andrew
Labs: Zach & Sadie
State: RI

SarahMark - Sarah
Hubby: Mark
Children:
Labs: Mia
State: MA

GUSJACK - Kris
Hubby:
Nephew:
Labs: Kalsey, Riley, Gus, Jack, etc. etc.
State: CT

Black Olive - ??? (first name)
Hubby:
Labs: Olive
State: PA

Please list as I have done to make it easy for me to do up name tags! Oh, Wait til you see what I've got cooking up in the creativity department!

Thanks,
SMITTY

Re: Dogs socializing. I am not a freak about them wrestling and getting rough, I think they'll work it all out and have a blast. Plus there will be plenty of us there to calm things down if they get out of hand.

Do you mean you're okay w/ dogs wrestling and rough playing? I hope so because that's Olive's *favorite* thing in the world. If another dog is interested in wrestling, she's all for it. Forget about fetch - that's so not Olive's thing.

My name is Melissa and hubby is Dave. And Olive is, Olive! LOL (Yeah, I'm a dork.)

We haven't forgotten....just still trying to finalize our plans. NH is out but we are going to the in-laws on the cape. We planned on coming back friday night or saturday morning but when the in-laws found out why we weren't staying the whole weekend, we got the "you don't even know those people." So we have a week to convince them we are leaving on friday.

Toby is still in-tact (until September) but I think he is too young for it to matter ???? Although with all those young ladies around who knows ;)

Smitty,

Assuming we are going: (it would be the 3 of us)

Malweth- Christy (technically it is his name, I just post under it)
Hubby- Zeke
Children- no human
Lab- Toby
State- RI

[

GUSJACK - Kris
Hubby: Tom
Nephew: Eric
Labs: Kalsey, Riley, Gus, Jack, etc. etc.
State: CT

Ha ha about the names!
Looking forward to the fun :D

Melissa,
Have you made up your mind regarding a place....let me know where you are gonna crash :D?!

Melissa:
What about your camping places - any luck???

Like I said earlier post - Strawberry is dog friendly (only on site) and they do have lots of "Tenters".

Clinton, CT - Riverdale Campground (we were there Father's Day) about 10 min from Hamonosett (they have cmping too)
Riverdale is dog friendly - lots of people had dogs - walking around on leashes too!
Very Tent oriented place!

I'd offer you guys to pitch your tent on our site, but the sites are one next to another (on top of each actuallY) and not enough room to double up! Sorry!

Are you guys in NJ or PA??

SMITTY

Melweth: I know how you feel about the "in-laws" thing "you don't even know these people!!"" :brow:

Well, I heard it too from family and my reply was:
Well, hubby & i will be together and we are grown-ups and can go and do what we want in life W/O having to ask parental permission". :floor: :floor:

Just tell them "the cape will be there another weekend - these folks won't"

WORK ON THEM! Hope your next post is YES we're coming and get yourself off the "maybe" list: :clap:

SMITTY

Smitty:
I forgot to add that Kasey was mispelled just in case your working on our cool name tags :D
My family won't think meeting up is weird since that is how I met the dh!

Hi Debbie!

SarahMark - Sarah
Hubby: Mark (he won't be coming)
Children: none (married only 1yr. we have time ;) )
Labs: Mia
State: MA


Melissa (Black Olive), I don't mind my dog wrestling with your dog. I always just figured it was something dogs do...Does anyone have a problem with that? I'm pretty laid back about this kind of stuff, as long as Drum isn't trying to be polygamous, we are cool in my book! :D ;)

Originally posted by SarahandMark
Hi Debbie!

SarahMark - Sarah
Hubby: Mark (he won't be coming)
Children: none (married only 1yr. we have time ;) )
Labs: Mia
State: MA


Melissa (Black Olive), I don't mind my dog wrestling with your dog. I always just figured it was something dogs do...Does anyone have a problem with that? I'm pretty laid back about this kind of stuff, as long as Drum isn't trying to be polygamous, we are cool in my book! :D ;)

Kasey and Riley love to wrestle but I have only seen it between the two of them. Give Riley a bumper and water and any human will be her best friend. I am hoping Kasey gets along with everyone. Twice I have seen her not be nice to other dogs. She gets really growly and barky. I guess I never realized that all dogs don't really like each other. I guess we can all agree that if one of our dogs is not getting along with another then we just take them aside. Oh, my girls might jump up on all the happy people they see so I'll say it now "watch out, they might jump and I'm sorry" :D
I know we are all owners and hate it when ours jump, so if anyone's jump we can correct as needed!

I'm getting crafty here!

I'm going to attempt to make us all calendars, lofty goal, but I will try my best. Is this a good idea, or a waste of time?

For those of you who are coming, could you post or email (Sarah_02026@yahoo.com) some pictures of your Labs so that I can assign them to a month? It would be great to get some winter, fall, spring, and summer shots, so this can be a true calendar!

Also, send over your Lab's birth date and your birth date (no year necessary).

I'm not making any promises, but I will do my best!

ZenCat = Lisa
Hubby = Tom
Son (age 7) = Brude
Dogs = Drum & Grip
From = CT

GusJack: Drum is an AKC Greyhound - different breed than the racers - is a show dog, 1 point to go till he's a CHAMPION! and we can be done with the nightmare of showing.

Drum has NO idea how to wrestle. Or fetch. What Drum does know how to do is RUN. He can run behind other dogs, or in front of them (most typical), next to them, or cutting horizontally in their path, bumping them in the process. He's pretty much a One Trick Pony. Don't worry about the chastity belts for the girls, though, he's very well behaved about that. It was just the Alpha Male question I wondered about.

11 sounds good to me too; I'm guessing it'll be about a 2 hr trip, possibly more if there's holiday traffic going that way.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Mom- Jen b 01/25
Lab- Bailey
State- RI

Oops, wasn't finished

Bailey- b 04/14

Sarah, great idea with the calendars! I love all the artsy stuff. Even if you can't get it done in time- maybe for the next get together. You want pictures of labs, Huh? Well, my spoiled boy goes running when he sees the camera- "Come on Ma, would you stop already" I'll try to resize a few of Bailey and send them over. (I take all my pictures at the highest quality setting and the files are huge)

To all, about the whole wrestling thing... At the obience school we go to, the instructors get pretty freaked by it. I say- as long as no one is getting mean and nasty- let them go for it.

I am not crafty as I said before, but may bake some dog goodies using my Three Dog Bakery Cookbook. Also, I purchased a tank top and tshirt from the lab board..anyone else have one?! You'll be able to identify me and the dh.

I ordered a lab board tshirt awhile back, but haven't received it yet. I was planning to wear mine too!

But I think you'll recognize me anyway... I'll be the one with the scotsman holding the big white giraffe ;)

Originally posted by ZenCat
I ordered a lab board tshirt awhile back, but haven't received it yet. I was planning to wear mine too!

Jeez, I sure hope it doesn't take too long to get here, hmmm..I'll need to check my order.

For some reason, I don't think we'll miss eachother!!!

I do think that we should plan some sort of meeting spot for those who maybe get stuck in traffic and don't make it right at 11am.

Maybe, if we aren't all at the parking lot when someone gets there past 11am, meet at.... (wish I could input info here, but I've never been there. Maybe Kris can help?)

Originally posted by SarahandMark
Maybe, if we aren't all at the parking lot when someone gets there past 11am, meet at.... (wish I could input info here, but I've never been there. Maybe Kris can help?)

I will work on the directions. Maybe everyone can email me their personal email address and perhaps a cell phone...I will do a word document and list everyone's # on there with the directions. The place has a huge parking lot and we can meet at the grassy area where there are a few picnic tables...You can't miss the grass and there is also a big sign once you start walking into the trail. You'll be surprised as to how open the lot is. IF someone doesn't make it, I can always have my hubby walk to the beach with whomever is there and then I can stay behind for stragglers until, say, 11:30??

Email me who you are, your email address, cell phone (if applicable) to kstevens@cga.uscg.mil.

Smitty, I checked w/ Strawberry Park and they're booked solid, as was everyone else. I started checking out hotels and just wasn't thrilled with that idea. Finally, I found Hidden Acres Campground, not far from Strawberry, and they had a tent site available AND they allow dogs, so I snatched it up!

Kris, thank you SO much for the offer to stay with you. You are so kind to open your house up to us like that. We haven't been camping in ages and this was a great opportunity to make a little mini camping trip. Now it's time to pull the tent down from the attic and weather proof it!

Melissa,
You are pretty close to Smitty, when are you driving up? How long are you staying?


Melissa and SMITTY,
If you look at this map, the "star" is where Black Olive will be (near 164 and 165). SMITTY, you are off 165....if you look over to the left, and see I395 and exit 80 in the lower left corner..I am one exit up from there..

I can actually meet you both to caravan to the place if you'd like, if not I will have to give you good directions. You guys are approx. 20 minutes from me and my house is 20-25 min to Bluff Point.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d926b3127cceb1e703486b740000001610

I have only gotten pictures from GusJack....
We are going to have quite the personalized calendar if I don't get some more!!!! Hint hint hint....

We'll arrive some time on Friday afternoon and we're checking out on Sunday. A caravan is not a bad idea. We'll also have a GPS unit with us w/ the coordinates plugged in

Weather so far looks like partly cloudy, high 80, low 66

S&M what pictures are you talking about? (I'm starting to feel like I've neglected to do something, worrywort that I am).

Originally posted by ZenCat
S&M what pictures are you talking about? (I'm starting to feel like I've neglected to do something, worrywort that I am).


Sarah posted a thread asking for pics of labbies you own..see page 8 of this thread.

Billy & I will have on matching Labrador T-Shirts:
Mine is a black lab and his is a chocolate lab!

I just scanned a picture of the two of us taken 3 years ago!
He still looks the same - me, I'm 40 lbs lighter now and
REDDISH hair - not BLONDISH!
(Red covers the gray much better than the blonde!) ha ha

This is what we look like - minus the furbabies!

SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d926b3127cceb1ec134e0bac0000002610

Ah okay, doggie pics. Then you've got those ;) Here's a very silly picture of Tom, Brude and I just in case (only my hair now is very long):

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p07103c27cdc3edca1fd387f7b03373dc/f83b85f1.jpg

Latest Head Count (Please send your pics to Sarah_02026@yahoo.com (there's an underscore between the Sarah and the numbers so a _ )as soon as possible so I can make the calendar, seasonal pics, human pics, whatever):

Definites:
SarahandMark- Sarah and Mia

GusJack- Kris (GusJack), Tom (husband), Eric (nephew), Kasey and Riley. Kris, are you bringing Gusty and Jack also? HAVE PICTURES

Smitty- Debbie, Billy (husband), and AJ (son) HAVE HUMAN PICS NO DOGGIE PICS

JenQuinn- Jen and Bailey DO NOT HAVE PICS

ZenCat- Lisa (Zen), Tom (dh), Brude (son), Drum, and Grip (minus the stitches!!!!) HAVE HUMAN PICS NO DOGGIE PICS

Mickey's Mom- Mickey’s Mom and Mickey DO NOT HAVE PICS

Black Olive- Melissa, Dave (husband), and Olive DO NOT HAVE PICS


Maybe:

JP- Julie, Greg (fiance), and Bailey

Malweth- Christy, Zeke (husband), and Toby

HeatherA, Mr. HeatherA, and Theo

dogjustice (James) with Hank and Zeus

This is Tom and I last Thanksgiving. My hair is shorter now! (and he is not fat, he had to borrow one of my dad's shirts for dinner :D)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d926b3127cceb1edcbca2b080000002610

Originally posted by SarahandMark


GusJack- Kris (GusJack), Tom (husband), Eric (nephew), Kasey and Riley. Kris, are you bringing Gusty and Jack also? HAVE PICTURES


As it stands we won't be bringing Gusty and Jack.
I will consider bringing Gusty if Smitty or Billy would walk her. She is really good (pulls just a bit) but listens very well.
Jack can't be counted on to go too far right now with the "suspected" cancer!

Okay, I just read through this WHOLE thing.. now I want to come.. how far is it ... hmm.. well I made a 14 hour drive to CO.. it could only be double that.. I could swing it.. ya think?? LOL ;) Everyone is going to have a BLAST! Can't wait to see pictures!

I can't help checking this thread regularly... it sounds like your LabFest is going to be SO much fun!

Lisa... go for it! CT in July must be wonderful!

Lisa...if you travel across the country, you are more than welcome to stay at out house with your girls!!!:D :D

Ooooohhh Christy, don't tempt me.. You know I'm a sucker for Toby - I would love to meet him...

C'Mon Miss Lisa and the girls!!!! Take the WHOLE country by storm. If you leave now, you might get here in time ;)

Oh, please do! Brude was looking at the photo gallery with me today and said "I know them! They're the Variety Pack!"

Miss Lisa I am updating the RSVP list in a few days...you've got time ;)

C'mon guys - don't even tease me with Miss Lisa taking the country by storm! Lisa - come to the second one - we'll be at that one and then you can meet Brandie up front and personal!! :D

I hate to keep reading this thread, I want to go SO bad! Everyone had better make the second go round for this!

Okay this time for real!! Greg promised :) We are going to go to the lab fest and then head directly to his parents (they are in CT so it should be perfect!!)

Here's our info..

JP: Julie
Hubby to be as of aug 2005: Greg
Children: nope!
Lab: Bailey (1.5 yrs)
State: MA

I'm off to email gusjack and sarahandmark with the other information - as requested!

I cant wait for the 17th!!!

WOOHOO! Julie is in!

Thanks for the pictures Zen, Julie, GusJack, and JenQuinn!

Kris, don't forget, my hubby is willing to walk Gusty if she wants to go. He's real good w/ my moms Lab...it's Olive that he can't handle. :o:

Sarah, I just sent you Olive's picture.

Originally posted by Black Olive
Kris, don't forget, my hubby is willing to walk Gusty if she wants to go. He's real good w/ my moms Lab...it's Olive that he can't handle. :o:

Sarah, I just sent you Olive's picture.

Oh that would be great...she is a good girl and loves to be able to run and swim for her old age :D Funny how the men leave the hard work up to us!! My dh thinks we are all nuts right now!

JP - I knew you & hubby would make it so I made name tags for you both! ha ha ha

Miss Lisa: I made a name tag for you too! :floor: :floor:
by the way, I love your new picture! ooooo they are so cute!

Melweth: I got your name tags made too!

GusJack: Billy Boy thinks we're nuts too! We went out to dinner last night (Chilli's) and I said I needed to go to Michael's to get an idea of a favor for the LabFest Party! He wouldn't bite - instead we had to go to Target for new underwear! MEN!

Ok - I'm starting to really want to do butt tucks!

Hunter Boozer - cancel Italy trip - meet me for lunch on Federal Hill "little Italy" and call it your Italian vacation. Tell Hubby an emergency has come up and you're needed at Bluff Pt - because there's an emergency meeting of your fellow addicts! :brow:

SMITTY

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

I'm going to AC Moore to get small bags and some stickers so I can make dog cookie party bags!

Oooh I love Federal Hill...ever eaten at the Blue Grotto. My dh and I ate there or first REAL date then walked up to Firewater. So nice!

Mark and I just went to Firewater a couple of weeks ago. It was our first time in Providence, we ate at Capital Grille and then strolled along the water. So nice! We are new to the Attleboro area, so we are just getting our feet wet. I'll have to talk to you girls and get some recommendations! Can you believe how close to eachother we live!?

Originally posted by SarahandMark
Mark and I just went to Firewater a couple of weeks ago. It was our first time in Providence, we ate at Capital Grille and then strolled along the water. So nice! We are new to the Attleboro area, so we are just getting our feet wet. I'll have to talk to you girls and get some recommendations! Can you believe how close to eachother we live!?

I know....are you two originally from MA?!

I'm not originally from CT and other then my work friends...we are friendless :D I know, pathetic :D we always look forward to an adult get together w/o the labs...

Do you all realize that if this works out well, we can have lab bday gatherings and holidays too?! Ugh, our dh's will certainly have us certified as being crazy...but who cares, they have to love us now don't they!

I am so ready to do a butt tuck too...I hate waiting!

Miss Lisa: Your furballs just FAXED me this and asked me to post it a.s.a.p.!
I couldn't say NO to their sweet faces!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d929b3127cceb1925c1e85690000001610


(I CRACK ME UP!)

ROFL all of you!!! I had a grim morning paying bills online before I came here to see what was up. You all cheered me RIGHT up!!

Regarding LabFestEast The 2nd, has everyone seen the post HeatherA did in General Chat about the fabulous-sounding dog park in Southbury, CT? We should see if Calley's Family can move that thread over here. I think it's just been HeatherA, Mickey's Mommy and I drooling over that one.

If Miss Lisa gets stuck in traffic on her way to Bluff Point, we can just divert her to Southbury for the 2nd event! If the girls can fax, surely they can take turns driving too?? ;)

Also, we're going to be on Cape Cod in August for a week, anybody close enough to meet there TOO?

:funny: :funny: :funny: :funny: :funny: :funny: :funny:

You guys are too funny!

We are originally from MA, just new to the Attleboro area.

The calendar is coming along great....

Oh yes, move that Southbury thread over here so HunterBoozer knows we are serious about a LFE 2 going! Maybe Sandy's dad will join us to (i'm just giving you a hard time)

Regarding LabFestEast The 2nd, has everyone seen the post HeatherA did in General Chat about the fabulous-sounding dog park in Southbury, CT? We should see if Calley's Family can move that thread over here. I think it's just been HeatherA, Mickey's Mommy and I drooling over that one.
:stupid:

Duh! There's been a whole GANG of us over at the Southbury thread. I suspect "The Change" is stalking me :( Anyway, I'll PM Calley's Family and ask her if she can move that thread over here.

Ok...I can't stand it anymore. I keep reading this thread saying I want to go, so we are going! We will still get to see the in-laws, just not for the whole weekend.

Sarah, I emailed you Toby pictures (I had to use another email address since they were too big for my hotmail account so I hope you got them.)

Anything I can do? Or bring? I'll see if my family still has their wagon.

:clap: :dance: :clap:

ok - Melweth you got me doing a butt tuck now - You are really coming!!!

Here are my Name tags so far:
ZenCat: Lisa, Tom & Brude from CT
Black Olive: Melissa, Dave - from PA
SarahMark: Sarah (I made one for hubby Mark too just in case
he calls in sick that day!) :brow:
From MA
MelWeth: Christy & Zeke - RI
HeatherA: Heather (no hubby coming, right? Or is there a possibility he'll call in sick too???) from CT
JenQuinn: Jen - from RI
JP: Julie and Greg from MA
Smitty: Debbie, Bill and Andrew - RI

WHO AM I MISSING?? MickeysMommy - are you in????

daaaa
I'm missing GusJack!
Kris, Tom, Eric - from CT

Sorry Kris!

SMITTY

:floor :floor :floor :floor :floor


OH MY GOODNESS.. you guys are SO funny.. now I have EVEN MORE peer pressure.. at first it was just Toby's sweet face tempting me, but now I got Grip too!! LOL.. HAHA about that fax Debbie.. HAHAHA, that is something my girls would do if they could.. seriously... Hmm.. lets see.. if I call in "sick for about a week and a half, I think I could make it... now what kind of sickness could I fake?? LOL.. Why do I gotta live so farrrrrr.... :(

Originally posted by HunterBoozer
Lisa - come to the second one - we'll be at that one and then you can meet Brandie up front and personal!! :D


Ahhh.. I can't handle it!!! :o: Thats it.. pack the truck, girls, we're heading back East!! :drive

Thanks Debbie.. I love that picture too, I even love YOUR edited version of it!! :)


LOL Lisa.. he KNEW my girls?? I feel so honored.. now I really gotta make an apperance!! :)

Originally posted by ZenCat
Regarding LabFestEast The 2nd, has everyone seen the post HeatherA did in General Chat about the fabulous-sounding dog park in Southbury, CT? We should see if Calley's Family can move that thread over here.

Done like dinner. Thanks for the PM ZenCat!

Real quick before I butt tuck out the door for work...Black Olive's family is from NJ, not PA.

Originally posted by malweth


Anything I can do? Or bring? I'll see if my family still has their wagon.

Email me at kstevens@cga.uscg.mil and send me your email address and cell phone. I will send directions with a list of all our #'s on it for that day.


I invited my coworker, her dh, and her "sister" (yellow lab) Daisy to join us. Erica is 5 months prego but wants to come with her mom's dog. And I invited my boss, his 3 yr old daughter and their lab (not sure of name). Don't worry about a name tag Smitty...they haven't given me a definite yet!

I feel like dancing on a table!!!

:rave:

I can not WAIT to meet you all, and Yay Malweth!

Seriously Miss Lisa, you've gotta come now! Then you and the girls can pin a big map up on the Lab Room Wall with pegs for all the states you've stormed!!

And thanks so much for moving the thread, Calley's Family... any chance you guys can make it too? And can we get the shark on another plane? And everybody! Everybody come! (somebody slap me!)

Oh yeah it is going to be fun.

I have email addresses and cell phone numbers for:

ME
SarahandMark
Mickey's Mommy
SMITTY
ZenCat
Black Olive
JP

So...if anyone else wants directions emailed to them and a list of our cell numbers, kindly email me at kstevens@cga.uscg.mil by next Wednesday. Oh...we only have 8 days and counting.
Weather forcast shows - but we shall not be scared off by a scattered showers!

High:
78°F
Scattered Showers
Wind:
From the South Southeast at 8 mph

Precip: 50 %

Max. Humidity: 78 %

UV Index: 9 Very High

LOL! Thats a great idea ZenCat!! LOL.. You think people would REALLY think I'm insane/addicted if I drove that far for my LABBIES :) LOL.. (Not like I'm am knocking it.. cause ya'll know I would.. :rolleyes: )

We appreciate the invite more than we can say! :) Unfortunately, as much as we would like to say, "hang it all, ROAD TRIP!!!," we choose not to blow off our responsibilities to work, etc. right now. We can assure you of this: these Lab Chat Board Lab Fests are just getting started and we feel very confident in saying that we will meet face to face someday. You guys are going to have a great Fest!! :D

Remember to post all the pics you want when you get a chance. Make sure to do an official Lab Fest East picture thread and we'll sticky it. :tup:

Oh Ouch. Grip hurt my thumb and my feelings today :(

You know the first cookie was just recently, and I attributed his snatching it from me then because I made him wait while taking his picture. I guess I've tossed his treats to him since then so didn't realize. Today I went to hand him one, and he nearly took my hand off. Tried twice more with the same results.

This is the first thing that's happened between us that I could possibly construe as Bad Manners and I've never faced it before (Drum has treated our hands with the utmost respect since he was a little guy). Except for leash walking, but that only hurts because I'm a wimp.

I've posted a thread in Training Tips asking advice on how to correct this rather frightening imitation of a bear trap he's got going with treat-taking, but until I get it resolved, I would advise anyone at the gathering to beware of handing Grip treats unless you think opposable thumbs are too highly rated.:hmm:

I'm sure you'll get lots of good responses in the training thread. We're still working with Olive on taking it nicely.

Olive has a "pet peeve" that you all should be aware of. She does *NOT* like belly rubs. If she's laying down and you approach her to pet her, she'll sometimes show her belly. Believe me when I say she's not asking for belly rubs like most people would think! She won't bite but she puts on a nice show (a doggy hissy fit). It's a behavior issue we've been dealing with since we got her. It rarely happens now but it's better for you all to be aware that she just doesn't like her belly rubbed.

Her FAVORITE place to be pet is on her side and back when she's standing. She also LOOOOOOOOOOVES to get puppy massages. ;) She also loves to give kisses, so if you don't like doggy kisses you won't like my Olive! LOL

She also loves to give kisses, so if you don't like doggy kisses you won't like my Olive!

Same goes for Toby. He'll give you a bath with his kisses.

I would advise anyone at the gathering to beware of handing Grip treats

Toby nips a little too...but not as bad as he used to.

good to know about the things that our dogs don't like..

note to self "no belly rubs for olive" and "no hand fed treats to grip" :D

we, too, are working on being "nice" or "easy" when it comes to taking treats

the girls, especially kasey, like to do this ritual..when they get super excited and the butt is going side to side they can't wait to greet you...but they have this thing with going between your legs. so if you happen to get poked in the crotch area..sorry :D...kasey is trying to tell you to "let me through". our dogs are so weird aren't they. riley also has this thing with putting her mouth on your arm..she isn't planning on biting you she holds on...

LESS THAN 7 DAYS!!!!!!

Is everyone as excited as I am!?

GusJack, how are the directions coming along?

Smitty, where have you been? We haven't been hearing from you lately!

Did anyone hear from Mickey's Mom if she's coming or no?

Have fun everyone - I'll be thinking of you all. PLEASE take LOTS and LOTS of pictures for me to see when I get back. In approx. 12 hours, I'll be heading to the airport. I'm going to have board withdrawal, lab withdrawal etc........... No internet access for me for 10 days. I am taking pictures of my kids with me so I can at least look at them while I'm away.

PS - I have been watching the thread for the 2nd Lab Fest East - I WILL NOT miss that one!!!!!

Kathy, have a wonderful time in Italy. We'll miss you, but will definitly see you at the next one. Can't wait to hear your stories and see your pictures when you come home!

Have a safe flight!!!

Thanks Sarah!!

Less than a week to go. Can't wait to meet everyone!

Latest forecast... could we BE so lucky to have temps in the 70's in mid July for this event????

Jul 17 Partly Cloudy 79°/64° 30% Chance of Rain

Grip looks fantastic in your new sig picture! <Wew wew> that's a wolf whistle from Olive! LOL

I basically have the directions and will email them by Wednesday, I was just waiting to see who else would send me their cell phone #'s. Mickey's Mommy emailed me her # last week..she was having computer problems, but is coming. I will call her to confirm.

Can't wait.....I am so excited and the temps look great!

(the girls will be lucky to live until then so they can go...they have been sooooooo bad....ugh! just like kids, they misbehave right before you are taking them on a trip :D)

I can hear them, GusJack...

"Mom! Arewethereyet?arewethereyet?arewethereyet?arewethe reyet?arewethereyet?arewethereyet?arewethereyet?ar ewethereyet?"

Thanks, Black Olive. I must confess I gaze at him with starry eyes myself... when he isn't standing on my throat to give Daddy kisses in the morning... then I've got an entirely DIFFERENT look in my eyes. That look says:

"Get off my NECK you buffalo!!!!"

So has anyone figured out how they're going to cart all their "stuff" from the parking lot to the beach and back?

I have a bag that I use to lug my scuba equipment in. It's a big duffle, with wheels and a handle. Hopefully that will work for me.

Question? How much fresh water should I bring?

I'm going to bring a bunch of ice. Some will melt to use for drinking some some will be eaten. Olive won't drink much water when she's hot, but she'll eat ice. So, that's our best way of keeping her hydrated. I'm also going to bring some fresh water, and I think I'll bring at least a gallon. It probably sounds like a lot, but there have been too many times that we've run out of water because it gets spilled etc.

Melissa I love your sig picture!

I'm looking into borrowing a wagon from the across the street neighbor. If not, I'm brining a backpack with my beach chair. I can see it being a challenge with the water and food, etc. though, so I'm looking hard.

So far the weather looks pretty great for Saturday. Could we be so lucky!?

Our boys won't drink from bowls outside the house, so we'll be bringing water bottles for them. A chair sounds like a good idea! I think I'm going to backpack some stuff (my son and I have dietary restrictions :( ), and a couple of those fold up into a bag chairs, and the dogs, and that's that! Frankly I don't care if I eat or drink or even sit, I'm just so excited about meeting all of you!!

We will probably use our official hikers back pack, you know the $150 kind, that we've only used once!! :D
The girls dont drink much when we are out hiking or playing either, but I will bring at least a gallon for all of us...I found this great travel bowl for them and I also found a neat picnic blanket at Wal-Mart. It rolls up and velcros w/ a handle on it, when you open it the outside is a fabric that can get wet and the inside a nice cotton to sit on. I may bring a chair as well, like Zencat.

Melissa, I, too, Love your new pics....Olive looks ready to go.

I am not working today, so I will finish the directions tomorrow at work and send them out.

No matter what...dogs, food, kids, confusion..we'll have a blast. I'm already looking forward to the second meet up!

I know we have blacks and yellows and other breeds...do we have a chocolate attending?!

Yes, Toby and Bailey are chocolates!!!!

Hi everyone - I'm back! Don't get a second of time on weekends to go online at home! Too busy (that doesn't say too much about being on line at work all day, uh??)

OK - So mickey's mom is coming too??? whooo hooo: :clap: :dance:

We will bring a shoulder cooler and our fold up chairs in a bag - they go everywhere with us!

Wait til you see what I have for LabFest 2004!!

What is the info on Mickey'smom:
First Name:
Hubby????:
Kids:????
Lab: Mickey - right?
State: CT

I'm such a dunce sometimes! Can't remember for poop-ola!

I can't wait to meet everyone - it's going to be nice Saturday: I said so!

Sure wish Zachery (CHOCOLATE!!) and my Sadie could come!
Oh well, maybe next time!
SMITTY

So, who's been keeping track? How many "groups" do we have coming? Also, how many kids are in those groups? I'm not just being nosey, I'm working on my "Project". LOL

RSVP as of 7/12:

Definites:

SarahandMark- Sarah and Mia

GusJack- Kris (GusJack), Tom (husband), Eric (nephew), Kasey and Riley. Kris, are you bringing Gusty and Jack also?

Smitty- Debbie, Billy (husband), and AJ (son)

JenQuinn- Jen and Bailey

ZenCat- Lisa (Zen), Tom (dh), Brude (son), Drum, and Grip

Mickey's Mom- Mickey’s Mom and Mickey

Black Olive- Melissa, Dave (husband), and Olive

Malweth- Christy, Zeke (husband), and Toby

JP- Julie, Greg (fiance), and Bailey


Maybe:

HeatherA, Mr. HeatherA, and Theo

dogjustice (James) with Hank and Zeus

awww man - HeatherA is now a maybe???
Heather - are you ok???

dogjustice - has anyone heard from him lately? Is there a
picture of Zeus that I may have missed along the way?

Black Olive - what's up your creative sleeve????

I've got favors - I'm doing a butt tuck cause I can't wait to
give 'em to you guys!

SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

I've always been a maybe, I realllllly want to go, but my husband is being stubborn and being 5 months prego alone with the dog at this type of thing kind of overwhelms me (being its so far from home). I'm still bugging him, he justs keeps coming up with more stuff he needs to get done to our house. Hopefully I will win!! :brow:

:brow: Wouldn't you like to know, Debbie! HA! Guess you'll have to wait and see! (I just hope our creative minds didn't come up with the same thing! LOL)

Does anyone know Mickey'sMom's first name?
I found a picture of Mickey but can't figure out what
Mom's first name is????
Any ideas there?

Black Olive - you're too funny!

HeatherA - men are all the same, uh? They say they have
a list of things needed to be done, then end up not getting
anything done but a drained six pack and naps!

Keep hounding and hounding that man, ok????

SMITTY

I couldn't resist doing to this! Sometime I just crack myself
up. Guess I'm ready for a long vacation!
SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d933b3127cceb25be01ee8c90000001610

Hehehe...maybe we'll spring Zachery and Sadie from the kennel on our way!!

5 days to go!

I'm getting creative to...but it contains things that fills a labs belly :D
Mickey's Mom is Adrienne...that is all I know other than Mickey is the lab.

I am brining Gusty, but not Jack - he has not been cleared by the vet to go for long walks (see gen chat for update).

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been very attentive to this board. My wife Terri, Hank, Zues, and myself are looking forward to meeting all of you Saturday. I've been going over some of the posts here and I'm still not sure what time everyone has decided on. So if someone could let me know I would appreciate it.
Also, please forgive me in advance for any shinannagons that my dogs may inflict during this time. They are such nice boys in my eyes, but I can tell they just drive some people (mostly non dog people) crazy. Hank, are yellow boy loves to steal anything he can get his mouth on. He's such a crook. I'm sure there might be some other outcasts their as well.

Thanks
James

dogjustice: 11 am!

GusJack... are you bringing POKEBALLS??????

James,
11AM parking lot at Bluff Point, CT. GusJack said she'd email us all directions by Wednesday. Probably a good idea to post them here as well just in case.

I'm making calendars and will bring you one, even though Hank and Zeus won't be in them (sorry, I didn't hear from you in time to put them in!)

Can't wait to see you, Terri, and the furkids! Don't forget your camera!!!!

P.S. Don't worry about your dogs, we are all being appologetic and nothing has even happened yet. We are all dog owners, I think we are all open-minded to the shenanigans of other dogs and understand that they behave far better at home than they do in public! I'm looking forward to quite the few laughs at how rowdy they will all be together!

Do you all realize how many of us are actually going to be there?! This is going to be better than great!

I'm still without a computer...it's just horrible.
Anyhoo, Mickey's our lil'black labby, the hubby's name is Bill, we have a 2.5 yr old tiny human, and a house that is in a constant state of chaos. :)

We are still on for Saturday! Do we have a meeting time yet?
Woo0ooT!

Originally posted by Debbie Smith
Hi everyone - I'm back! Don't get a second of time on weekends to go online at home! Too busy (that doesn't say too much about being on line at work all day, uh??)

OK - So mickey's mom is coming too??? whooo hooo: :clap: :dance:

We will bring a shoulder cooler and our fold up chairs in a bag - they go everywhere with us!

Wait til you see what I have for LabFest 2004!!

What is the info on Mickey'smom:
First Name:
Hubby????:
Kids:????
Lab: Mickey - right?
State: CT

I'm such a dunce sometimes! Can't remember for poop-ola!

I can't wait to meet everyone - it's going to be nice Saturday: I said so!

Sure wish Zachery (CHOCOLATE!!) and my Sadie could come!
Oh well, maybe next time!
SMITTY

Mickey's Mom (Adrienne?) see my post above. 11am Bluff Point Parking Lot. See you there!!!!! Are you coming with the whole family?

I'm pretty sure my car is destroyed by the flood water. I do know that it floated away. So!, unless my car is in workable order by Friday, or unless I have a rental or new car, I'm just not sure if we're going to make the GTG this weekend. I'm crushed. Seriously crushed.

Originally posted by ZenCat
dogjustice: 11 am!

GusJack... are you bringing POKEBALLS??????

NO. some cookie recipe I found in the 3 Dog Bakery cookbook!

dogjustice..if you email me at kstevens@cga.uscg.mil today I will send you the directions. I also asked for a cell # for everyone to put on the list.

All-
I will post the directions when I also email them to you, the ones posted will be without your cell #'s...don't want to publicy share that info. So if you haven't sent me your personal email, make sure you do!

Originally posted by Black Olive
I'm pretty sure my car is destroyed by the flood water. I do know that it floated away. So!, unless my car is in workable order by Friday, or unless I have a rental or new car, I'm just not sure if we're going to make the GTG this weekend. I'm crushed. Seriously crushed.

OMG OMG OMG what happened down there? I spoke with my stepmom yesterday in Philly and she said the rain was awful. Oh please, please, please, we pray for a rental...we so want to see you! :D

Black Olive - First I thank God you and family are ok. I know it's devastating right now, but a car can be replaced - but not you guys! Last night on the Weather Channel I heard about floods in N.J. and I thought about you and our two friends hauling big trailers up on Friday as well.

Please know that you are in my prayers and that everything will work out for you - I know it will!

keep us posted, Melissa! And just say a prayer that you guys are fine!

dogjustice: Whoo-Hooo - you are coming with the entire family!
Ohhhh I'm sooo happy! Now - I need a picture of Zeus! Hurry!
post one or tell me where here I can find one!! :dance:

I think hubby & I will meet everyone at Bluff Pt! But I'm just not sure yet! But I do have cell phone #'s!

Sarah - can't wait to see calendar!
I can't wait to give you guys my tokens of East Coast LabFest 2004!
Butt Tuckin out of Rhode Island for 10 days (two more to go :dance: :clap:

SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

OK - here's who I have coming to East Coast LabFest 2004

Please let me know if there are additions, corrections, etc.:

Zencat - CT Lisa, Tom, Brude (grip / drum)
Saramark - MA Sarah, ? Mark, (mia)
Melweth - RI Christy, Zeke (toby)
JenQuinn - RI Jen (bailey)
JP - MA Julie, Greg (bailey)
SMITTY - RI Debbie, Bill, Andrew (zachery/sadie - not coming!)
gusjack - CT Kris, Tom, Eric (kasey, riley, ?gus, Jack (not coming)
Blackolive - NJ Melissa, Dave (olive) PRAYERS FOR RECOVERY!
mickey'smom - CT Adrienne, Billy (mickey)
dogjustice - CT Jim, Terri (hank & zues)

MAYBE - HOPEFULLY: HeatherA - Heather, ? hubby (theo)

Labrador colors:
We have 2 chocolate owners: melweth's & JenQuinn's
We have 5 black owners: zencat, heatherA, blackolive, mickey'smom, dogjustice
We have 4 yellow owners: sarahmark, JP, gusjack, dogjustice

(dogjustice and I could go either way: chocolate & black
and Yellow & black)

SMITTY

Smitty,

It will just be Sarah and Mia. Mark can't come :(
Thanks!

Sarah - can't wait to me you & Mia. Sorry Mark won't be able to come along. I just wanted to be sure to have "nametags" for everyone - wait til you see them - a real hoot!

Counting down the days til my 10-day vacation & LabFest 2004!

SMITTY

Black Olive!!! OMG! I am so glad YOU'RE ok and were not in the car when it began it's voyage. Hope something makes itself available so that you can be with us Saturday.

I have been in a bubble the past 2 days. Locked in with a restless 7 year old boy in the rain. Playing board games and video games and listening to babble. Charming babble, but babble nonetheless. MommyCabinFever. I'm sure it's a legitimate form of mental illness. I didn't even realize that the natural disasters were occurring around me or what was going on here.

Counting the minutes till Saturday!

Hello:
I sent everyone except Melissa (Black Olive) and Adrienne (Mickey's Mommy) an email today with directions and cell phone numbers. I didn't have a personal email for you!
Here are the directions again...if you need me to email you the cell phone numbers too, send me a PM or email me at kstevens@cga.uscg.mil.
We hope you all make it!

EAST COAST MEMBERS
FIRST ANNUAL LAB FEST GATHERING
When: Saturday, July 17th
Where: Bluff Point, CT
Time: 11:00 am
Rally Point: Main entrance to trails by large park sign/grass area
What to bring:
Food and water for you and furkids
Balls, bumpers, frisbees….beloved toys!
Blanket/chair/camera/towels/swim gear (* there are NO lifeguards on duty)
Sunblock/bugspray
Wear comfy clothes/shoes

Directions from the North (I-95)
- Follow I-95 South towards Connecticut.
- Follow to the CT-117 exit – exit number 88 toward DOWNTOWN GROTON
- Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto CT-117/NORTH RD. Continue to follow CT-117 (1.24 miles)
- At STOP LIGHT turn RIGHT onto FORT HILL RD/US-1 (0.27 miles)
- Turn LEFT onto DEPOT RD (0.02 miles) – (you will see a Dairy Queen on the right, a school on your left and you should be at a stop light)
- Follow STRAIGHT through neighborhood to STOP SIGN. Follow STRAIGHT (you will see a railroad overpass, that you will go under at the beginning of a dirt road) under overpass onto dirt road
- Follow road AROUND to large parking lot – keep STRAIGHT – park and meet the gang



Directions from the South (I-95)
- Follow I-95 North towards Connecticut/Rhode Island
- Follow to the CT-117 exit – exit number 88 toward NOANK/GROTON LONG POINT
- Turn RIGHT onto CT-117/NORTH RD. Continue to follow CT-117 (1.01 miles)
- At STOP LIGHT turn RIGHT onto FORT HILL RD/US-1 (0.27 miles)
- Turn LEFT onto DEPOT RD (0.02 miles) –(you will see a Dairy Queen on the right, a school on your left and you should be at a stop light)
- Follow STRAIGHT through neighborhood to STOP SIGN. Follow STRAIGHT (you will see a railroad overpass, that you will go under and the beginning of a dirt road) under overpass onto dirt road
- Follow road AROUND to large parking lot – keep STRAIGHT – park and meet the gang.

Originally posted by ZenCat

I have been in a bubble the past 2 days. Locked in with a restless 7 year old boy in the rain. Playing board games and video games and listening to babble. Charming babble, but babble nonetheless. MommyCabinFever. I'm sure it's a legitimate form of mental illness. I didn't even realize that the natural disasters were occurring around me or what was going on here.



I hate rain...the dogs go nutso because, like children, they can not go out and play....last night before stepping out to a dinner/dance for work, I just let the girls go out and play in the rain until we left. They could care less...

Kris,
Great job pulling all this together. Thanks for the hard work!

Zen,
I was wondering where you were last night! The boards were quiet.

Melissa,
Hope today is looking better than your past few days.

The calendars are finished! Can't wait for you all to see them. They aren't pro or anything, but I certainly can't wait to hang it on my wall...

See you all soon!

Smitty- I better not be wearing a printed out mask with my dogs face on it! ;) :D

Kris,
I just opened my directions. You went all out! Nice graphics, good layout, WOW! If this is how you type up directions, I can't wait to see those dog cookies! :D
Thanks again!

He said yes!!!!!What do I need to do? Anything, or just show up. Do I need to get crafty? Yikkes, I am not very good at that.

Sarah,
All I can do is bake a cookie :D nothing fancy!!!

HeatherA,
Who said yes, the hubby?!!!! :D yeah. If you want directions w/ the cell phone numbers email me, 'kay!? You don't need to bring a thing..other than what you, and yours needs. No need to get crafty on us...you just keep that baby of yours busy and safe.

Heather!

Great news. Can't wait to see you, your belly, the dh, and Theo!! You are bringing Theo or not this time?

Please don't get crafty, just bring your camera and etc. of stuff and have a great time with all of us!

See you there,
Sarah

HeatherA - Now I'm doing a butt tuck 'cause you are really, truly coming! :dance: :clap:

As far as the "creativitiy" thing: I've been into crafts as long as I can remember. I have business cards "create-a-craft". I love to sit and paint - it's my form of relaxation. I don't do T.V. at night!
I love to crochet, knit, paint, create crafts! As I said, I'm making favors (1 for each family) because it's what I like to do! They're not spectacular just a little something I came up with.
As far as name tags are concerned: wait til you see them! They're a hoot! It's very easy for me to do "creative" stuff on the computer: it's what I do all day long here at work - believe it or not! Actually, the joke around work is my nickname: Name Badge Queen! We have a lot of conferences, etc. and the need for name tags is a must!

Has anyone heard from BlackOlive? I've been thinking and praying for them!

Gosh, I can't wait to meet you all on Saturday! Remember, CAMERAS are a BIG, BIG MUST HAVE for everyone, OK?

SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

Smitty,
I hear Martha Stewart's position may be opening up...you thinking of applying? ;) Then we can call you Deeeehbbie.

You crack me up Name Badge Queen.

Yeah HeatherA! Good pestering!! I did the same thing - we always win dont we???

I'm so so so excited to see everyone. I'm plannning on making that carrot cake recipe. I noticed BlackOlive asked a question about the wheat germ. Are there any allergies I should know about/foods I should avoid for your babies! let me know! I want to go grocery shopping today/tomorrow!

Here's the ingredients:
Carrot Apple Birthday Cake

1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. wheat germ
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. grated carrots
1/2 c. unsweetened apple sauce
1 egg
1/4 c. honey, molasses or maple syrup
3 tbsp. oil
1 c. liquid (water, milk or powdered milk mixed with water)

I'm planning on using maple syrup and water (not milk) for the "choice options"

Let me know if there is anything you want me to avoid!

See you all soon!

My girls eat anything! Sounds yummy!

I don't think Mia has any allergies, but we've only had her for a little over a month. We'll try it, and if anything, lets keep in mind where the closest Vet would be!

Julie, that cake sounds delish!

Oops, and the frosting is cream cheese - i forgot to add that...


I'm no julia child,, so lets just say I am glad that my critics are labs - they'll eat anything right??? :D

You guys, I'm still not sure if I'm going to be able to make it. Yesterday was spent on the phone making arrangements for everything (insurance claims etc.). Today we start the major clean up. My car is being towed today and I'm waiting to hear back from the insurance person to find out how much I will be allowed for a rental car. (We can't make a 4 - 5 hr road trip w/ Olive in my husbands itty bitty pick up truck!) We're also going to be having people come in to repair damage etc. I'll keep you all posted...and if there's one thing I'm upset about this disaster, it's the fact that I might miss the East Coast Lab Fest.

Thanks Guys - I have seen you guys posting about a few things, so I will fill in info about Theo.

1) Yes - Theo will be coming.

2) He's ok about taking treats, not great - so beware. BUT - he is horrible about taking balls. We've been training him at home to not take them from our hands, but twice at the dog park he has grabbed it out of peoples hands - SO BEWARE OF YOUR FINGERS.

3) Theo is good with other dogs - he will bark at any dogs that try to "hump" him - he doesn't like that. However - he will be antisocial. He will be focused on the ball only - it's unbelievable, he's nuts.

4) No allergies, he'll eat anything.

5) Hubby's name is Peter.

6) Kris- I will email you to get the directions this afternoon.

7) :D :D :D :D :D :D

JP - just a warning: my hubby will eat anything too! :brow:
The cake recipe sounds delicious enough that hubby may think it's open for human consumption - oh by the way - he loves carrot cake! :floor: :floor:

HeatherA - I got an e-mail this morning about MEN ARE LIKE:
Here's a few excerpts:
Men are Like...Vacations...they never seem to be long enough
Men are Like...Blenders...you need One, but not quite sure why
Men are Like..Commercials...You can't believe a word they say.
Men are Like..Gvt. Bonds...They take soooo long to mature.
Men are Like..Mascara...they usually run at the first sign of emotion.
Men are Like...Lava Lamps...fun to look at, but not very bright.
Men are Like...Parking Spots...all the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

So - I'm proud of you, girlfriend, for pouting, growling, and pestering your hubby to get him to give in and say, YES, Darling, let's go to Labfest 2004! :dance: way to go! I did it - it worked wonders! :brow: Foxy aren't we???

So Peter gets a Name Tag - whoooohoooo!

SMITTY

Originally posted by HeatherA

3) Theo is good with other dogs - he will bark at any dogs that try to "hump" him - he doesn't like that. However - he will be antisocial. He will be focused on the ball only - it's unbelievable, he's nuts.



Riley is like this too, regarding antisocialism, if you have a ball or bumper and are willing to through it, she does NOT care if other dogs are around. If another dog beats her to the ball, she will take it from them (she is a ball hog at home), and she hates to be petted when her focus in on waiting for the ball to be thrown. She'll swim like a fish!

OH I just wanted to give all you chocolate owners a warning

IF YOU SEE A MAN WITH A GOATEE AND GLASSES NEAR YOUR CHOCOLATE LAB...RUN THE OTHER WAY....MAKE SURE YOU COUNT ALL YOUR LABS BEFORE YOU LEAVE IF YOU OWN A CHOCOLATE LAB!

Do not fear, I am talking about my dear husband, Tom. While you all know I don't need another dog, he would LOVE a chocolate to join us...so hold those reigns tight and stay away :D :D :D

From what I know - there are two chocolates attending the
Labfest: Toby & Jenquinn's Bailey

so Melweth & Jenquinn: beware of this strange dude with a goatee stalking the chocolates! :floor:

I was sitting painting last night at the kitchen table & Zach just layed there looking at me with a pitiful, pathetic look on his face and Sadie was sleeping next to my feet with this deep, satisfying groan she does. I felt so bad because they can't come!

They know, however, that we are up to something - they get very loveable and "don't leave my sight" cuddly when the trailer is in our drive and we go back and forth in and out of it. Yea - dogs are too smart sometimes.

SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

I hate to even bring this up but what are the plans in case of rain? The weather channel is saying 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Never fear, Malweth.

I'm doing my never-fails ZenCatAntiRainDance right now.

Kinda looks like you have to go to the bathroom really bad, only with the occasional "WHOOP!"s and "AAARRRGGGH"s and lots of fist-shaking at the sky with a pleading look in your eye.

You MUST show us all that dance on Saturday! :D

I'll bet you think I won't! I was known to dance on tables in my youth. I actually nearly got kicked out of preschool for dancing on a table in my white go-go boots for my non-english speaking 4 year old italian boyfriend.

I've mellowed with age, though.

You guys are so funny- I love it. As for chances of rain- It seems every time Bailey gets near water, I end up soaked too. So we may all be wet anyway.

I am pretty sure we'll be fine, even with the chance of rain or scatter thunderstorms. I don't think we have a backup plan since everything is outdoors.

I will do a dance as well :D

Here's what I've found:

Yahoo Weather- Saturday: Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 60s.

Weatherbug.com- Saturday: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

I say we chance it, and worse comes to worse we hang out a couple of hours and then go home.

I'm not too worried about the weather. This is New England after all; it could snow ;) :D

I'm doing what we call a Butt Tuck Rain Dance! I demand every year on vacation for a mostly rain-free 10 days. Key word: mostly! I'm watching the weather too. Possible showers, possible T-storms is all the weathermen say all summer long. So if by chance there is one, then they were correct. If it doesn't happen, then they say "we said a chance!". At the 10 news last night, they said t-storms were headed our way - around 3 a.m.
NOTHING! So, let's just go with the 'STUPID WEATHERMEN" Syndrome and plan on a good day together!
Last week they said an 80% chance of rain: nothing. Then another day they said 20% chance: it poured! Go figure!
I'd say let's just keep thinking positive thoughts, prayers will help too, and we'll meet rain, snow, sleet, sun on Saturday!

SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

9:30a.m. - just went to www.weather.com for forecast for
Groton CT. Calling for mostly cloudy (with some sun) high 79
for Saturday. The rest of the week Sun on looks disgusting.
I truly think the rain dances are working to our good!

Keep dancing!

SMITTY

Looks good to me!!!

I thought I was in crisis mode..our Jeep broke down last night, turns out the oil pump gear broke off and that needs to be replaced along with new oil and filter...not a big deal, but of course costs me $$$! I thought I was going to have to get Smitty to haul us all :D!!!

Kris - We have 3 rows of seats in the SUV - wouldn't be a problem. The furballs would be squisshed a little but
we could manage!
Things always happen when You have something planned, uh??

Wonder how Black Oliver is doing?? Have you heard anything?

I feel so bad for Zach & Sadie: They really understand (aren't dog's smart?) that we are going away. They are more moochy than ever. When they see me starting to pack up stuff for vacations they get more loveable than usual. Guess they know they're going to Kennel Camp. It breaks my heart to look at their sad eyes stearing at me!
SMITTY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da09b3127ccebde4f3f1c19d0000006610

Ah, I bet it pulls at your heart strings looking at the babies!? Huh!
My jeep will be ready today at noon...only costing me $280 bucks...ah, just when you get ahead in life something brings you back to middle class life! Oh well, it could have been worse.

I'm ready to party!

Well, my friends, I can get a car rental at 1pm tomorrow. I'm still up in the air if we're coming or not. I really, really want to...and as long as everything is set here, I don't see a reason not to. Although I kind of feel guilty taking off and not offering my time to assist and volunteer with the disaster recovery. The national guard is here now, so... I dunno. I might call and cancel our camping reservations because I think that's just going to be too much effort right now. We might drive down early Saturday morning or late Friday night. There's a Red Roof Inn that we can crash at for a night.

What do you guys think? I didn't get to finish my project or anything. I mean, I keep telling myself "This was already planned"...KWIM? I could always spend 1/2 of tomorrow volunteering and then some time on Sunday...hmm.