Adventures of Normandillo: August

In August, Normand joined us on a trip to Point Lookout State park. Everything was fine until we passed a house we’d seen the previous year, and as luck would have it, their curious display was still there: Dopey and Tigger tied to posts on either side of the driveway as a warning to any other plushy that they were not welcomed there.

Needless to say, Normand was a little sensitive to the image (Poor little ‘dillo!).

(And for the sake of Normand and any sensitive readers, we are not including that photo.)

Point Lookout State Park is a beautiful stretch of historic woods and waterfront, containing the remains of a civil war prison camp. We've been going with friends for a few years now.

Normand took to camping like a fish to water, or a crab to chicken necks... more on that later....

He even found himself a perfect front row seat!

At the beach, Normand met some unusual new wildlife.

With a name like the "Cowkiller Ant,"
even Normand steered clear of this  1 1/2" long  wingless wasp!

Point Lookout State Park is on a peninsula where the Potomac empties into the Chesapeake Bay. We all enjoyed the view.

 Later, off of a dock in the small brackish marsh, Normand met some of the Maryland State crabs....

S' my chicken neck!! You let it go!!

You got a problem with me??

I am not coming over for dinners!!!

Figuring that the better part of valor was retreat, Normand joined us back at the campsite for a dinner that didn't bite back: hot dogs and s'mores.

So... are the marshmallows supposed to burn like that?

 And on the way home, we took a little side trip off the beaten track to see a piece of American history:

Until next time and the County Fair.....

Tales of Normandillo: July, Part 2

So, we last left the story of our adventuresome 'dillo as we were taking our leave from the lovely wilds of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain.

What followed were hours in the car with the Navidillo to lead the way:

Luckily, we have an intrepid little friend to help us navigate the wilds:

- Look! A Windmill Pylon!
- Where's Monty Python??

We go THEESE way!!
... I drive?

 We took a detour to show Normand my Alma Mater:

Nestling 'neath the purple shadows/ of the Adirondack hills/ Lies our noble alma mater,/ thoughts of whom our memory fills....

Herring Cole Hall -- Gorgeous and equally as scary to a wee 'dillo as to me.

Yes... the bookstore, where we're both at home.

 And then we were back on the road:

The original home of Life Savers is only a few miles away.

 But soon enough, we were finally there in the great lakes at the 1795 Acorn Inn:

Normand really loved the swanky digs.

 We spent the next day tooling around the area, looking at wineries and lakes.
 

This is a nifty stone in Canandaigua

We were all wondering where this road was....

I wonder where this road goes?

At the end of the day, though, Normand made a new friend: Ruby the Carfox.

Until next time. And Point Lookout State Park.

-OA

Adventures of Normandillo: July, Part 1

Hello Mrs. B.,

Normand reminded me I'm still very behind in telling you about his adventures this summer.

In July, Normand joined my SO and I on a trip northward to visit my family for the 4th of July. Immediately, Normand found the best seat possible.

As we found out, he isn't just an armadillo, he's a navidillo and he insisted on charting our course from the cushy seat of the Garmin's pillow. .

He seemed really excited to go that far north -- within sight of the Canadian border -- as he'd never been. Apparently, he thought there would be snow. He was disappointed, but only briefly. There were too many friends to make, things to see, and exciting things for him to do.

He spent several lovely evenings along Lake Champlain.

Point Au Fer, New York, Lake Champlain

Cumberland Head, New York, Lake Champlain

 With ducks,

Normand with Bill the Duck

New Friend!

 Having drinks,

It's a big glass for a small armadillo.

A tea party

He even saw a small seamonster:

Not Champy. Actually, I think it was a baby otter...

It being the 4th, he got to see how a small town does Independence Day. 

Parades:

Parties:

and Fireworks:

But even with all of this, Normand was still up for more, so he came with us to the Finger Lakes....

To be continued....

The Tail of Normandillo - Part 1

Hi Mrs. B,

I'm interrupting our usual programming to introduce you to a new friend of mine.

His name is -- I think -- Normand. Normandillo.

He speaks with something of a Cajun accent despite being from Texas, so it was a little hard at first to understand who was Normand and who was Armand but after several iterations and perhaps a leeetle bit of alcohol, we seem to have come to an understanding. And perhaps a theme song.

Yes, a theme song, which I will attempt to post here at a later time. ;)

This is Genn. She told me, "You have to bring this guy home, Odd.
He looks like he could use a friend."

Normand came to find me on the trip I took in June to NYC. Friends of mine were in the area for a limited time only, having just made a swing through Texas. We got together, had a great couple of days, and spent the last few hours basking in the glory of the Met, when up truddles this wee little armadillo.

"I could take over Manhattan, but I have a feeling you might be up for an adventure...."

Imagine my surprise when he says he wants to come home with me.

"Hurray! The train! I wonder what wonders we'll see from here...?"

More on the Normandillo adventures soon.....