July 4, 2017.   Happy Birthday, America!  Still in South Carolina, still hot and muggy, but having a great time.   Took Baxter to the vet yesterday to get heart worm treatment pills - it is very prevalent here.   He does not have heart worm, but wanted to get the pills for him.   After a "negative" test, we were good to go with pills in hand.  Baxter attracted a blog follower at the vet's office - they had never seen a Black Russian Terrier, and he made quite a stir.  Also stocked up on dog food - he eats a 35 pound bag each month!

Then back to the house, and Mike and Casey constructed the "mother of all mailbox posts" at the end of the driveway.  Good job, numbers are clearly marked (after this picture was taken), and it's high enough for Casey to get the mail while still in his work truck.   Not sure how the poor mail carrier is going to reach that high, though - will wait and see if they get any mail tomorrow, or just a nasty note!

Chicken enchiladas and fresh corn salad for dinner (Faith had been asking for them), then watched Patriot's Day - good movie about the Boston Marathon bombings.  

Up this morning for Swedish pancakes and strawberries for breakfast.  Saw a snapping turtle crossing the driveway as we left the motor home this morning - it was a big one.  Didn't let Baxter get too close - it was not afraid and not happy to be bothered.  Mike took a picture with my phone, but forgot to save it, so no photographic evidence.

We are going to a favorite spot of Casey and Sabrina's for dinner (the City Tavern in Waxhaw, North Carolina - I told you they have strange place names here!) for prime rib special, and then headed to watch fireworks.

Wishing you all a joyful and safe 4th!

Mike and Glennis

Things we have learned:

• Baxter is SO smart - he quickly learned the house is air-conditioned, and doesn't want to be anywhere else!
• We finally broke the "wake up at 6 AM" setting in our brains, and can actually sleep in a little bit now.
• Snapping turtles are NOT friendly and not afraid of you - watch out for the business end.  And they can move very fast when they want to.