Hi, I’m Charlie Jr. I moved in and took control of the place last week. Didn’t take much as I’m a cute dude. I had guests my very first weekend. Rango, a black lab, same birthday, how cool is that. We got together several times over the weekend and we had fun. Older dogs just don’t get it.
It’s depressing to think that the summer is almost over. We’re already in the first week of August! Before long, the crisp winds of autumn will be sweeping over your body like a marching band of multi-colored spiders. Your body will tingle, but your heart will know that any opportunity to extract the resources of summer have long passed you by – and that’s always a blow to the soul. Not something that will propel you into winter. Even writing (or reading) that word gives us headaches.
Thankfully, Suwannee River Rendezvous is located in Florida, which means that we get to avoid the avalanches of cold so many of you have to struggle with. But statistics show that winter is expected to come early and more furious than in years past. You might as well enjoy the rest of the summer when you have the chance, and that includes hopping in your RV and seeing the country – it’s what all the baby boomers and adventuresome seniors are doing, which are behind the biggest resurgence in RV sales since the early 1990s.
Jackie Crosby of Fredericksburg.com writes, “The skyrocketing sales are fueled by the 10,000 or so baby boomers who are turning 65 every day, plus a large band of 50-somethings who are planning for an active or early retirement.” Basically, these people are determined to experience the romance and grandeur of America, but have no interest in camping. We can’t blame them, as camping isn’t for everyone – but since we encourage the outdoors by any means necessary, RV-ing it up is the only option for some people!
Jeff Nobbe, general manager at Shorewood RV Center in Anoka, Minnesota sums it up best: “People are retiring and living more for today than the future. They weren’t doing that before. They were buying lake places before.” This is most certainly an exciting trend to see! Experience America this summer! You don’t have much time left!
I’m Charlie and mom says that I hog most of the web site, but I have so many friends. Check them out.
I just celebrated my 12th birthday. All my friends help keep me going in my senior years. I’m not as old as mom. I may have to trade her in one day if she can’t keep up with me.
A.J.’s mom is a retired cop from NYC. She is so gentle. Not at all what you think coming from a big city.
Zebea was looking at the treats that I keep on the counter for all my friends. Her dad wanted her to look at mom so she could get a nice picture. Zebea and I know what is really important. Food!
Cocoa has quite the wardrobe. She had a jacket for every day she visited. I bet she has more at home. Girls usually don’t pack all their clothes when they go on vacation.
Cody is from Australia. Well his family was at sometime in history anyway. He has really cool blue eyes but mom’s camera kind of made them black.
Cricket and Magic came down to visit me. They have a lot of energy and completely wore me out just watching them. Doesn’t take much now a days.
Deco loved going after the ball. His dad must of been really tired after throwing the ball every day he was here.
Dixie and Hershey came to visit me. I shared some of my treats with them. I hope they come and see me every day.
Paxil and Prozac came to visit me. They are from Australia because mom said they were Australian Sheppard’s. They are both therapy dogs but they didn’t like my office treats much. I like them a lot so I just ate what they didn’t want.
This is Jake, he is A.J.’s little brother. He just came in from California and is adjusting to Florida. He sure missed his mom! He begs her to hold him. Mom says no way when I beg to be held.
Lois Clark, yes that is her name, swam the entire time she was here. She was swimming with Tina and Morgan. It wore me out just watching them swim. They wore out one ball while they were here.
This is Fiona. Isn’t she beautiful? She is also very smart. She has her dad very well trained and he does what ever she wants. It took me years to get Mom that well trained.
Goldie came and sang with mom at the sing-a-long. She has a very nice voice. She really liked the song “How Much is that Doggie in the Window”
This is the herd of Yorkies that are visiting. Neeko, Kiwi, Roo and Coco. Their mom and dad take them on walks all the time and they visit me in the lodge. Unless mom gives me a ride, I don’t get up to the new RV resort where they are staying. Their mom gave them all a bath at the dog wash station at the new bath house. They liked the warm water and the hair dryer that mom has for them. Mom better not try that hair dryer on me.
Morgan and Tina loved swimming in the spring. They don’t care if it is browned out. It wore me out just watching them fetch the ball. Mom tried throwing the ball for them and it was sad. Very sad. She sure can’t throw like she used to. I think she must be older than me.
Roy and his dad came down to play with me. I like being scratched and Roys dad is real good at it.
Rufus is and Old English sheep dog. I don’t think he is all that old. We swam together in the spring and cooled off. Well Rufus swam and I walked, I really am old.
This yellow lab is a sweet heart but my senile mom forgot her name. I don’t now what I am going to do with her.
Hi, I am Charlie and if you haven’t seen my pages you are missing all my friends that visit me. Lots of my friends come back again. Mom tries to get pictures of all of them. Come on down to the lodge to get your picture taken if mom hasn’t gotten to it yet.
This is Jimmy. He wore his neckerchief all weekend. I would have lost it ten minutes after Mom put it on me
This little guys name is Killer. He was about as violent as my cat brother Killer.
This is King. He loves the water but does not want to go in over his head. The last time King was here he was just a puppy. He is really big now and very sweet.
This is Maggie and boy can she talk. Her mom and dad have her saying all kinds of stuff. Very impressive!!
Miss Betty is such a sweet heart and so cute!! She is only 7 months old and so well behaved.
This is Missy the Cow. That’s what her mom said anyway. Some people don’t know their animals too good because even I know that Missy is a basset hound. Some humans…
Nestle loved swimming in the spring. I swam with him two years ago but I am feeling my years now. I wade in the spring cut and get my tummy wet.
Nikki is 5 months old and got kind of tired at the concert.
Odie and Bella are both Chihuahua’s. Mom wanted me to say that because she just learned how to spell it. They both had fun here. My friends come in the lodge to visit me and sometimes they stay for Karaoke.
This is Okie. He is old like me and he likes food like I do. We have a lot in common. I showed him my food bowl but he is not into the diet senior food that mom buys me.
Pearl is a Malamute. I believe she is from Alaska. Kind of hot for her in Florida but she loved swimming in the spring and that had to have cooled her down.
Pierre was a little tired. Mean Mary was really good but two hours is a long time to sit with mom and dad.
Amy, Pica and Ringo look like little teddy bears. They were so cute. Mom had a hard time with the picture so their dad sent mom this one. All proper sitting on the sofa.
Pickle’s mom wanted him to go in the spring but he was not to sure about it. The water is kind of cold and I think that Pickles prefers warm bath water.
Raffiki has been here before. He is waiting at the Cookin’ Shack for something to eat. He was hoping that someone would drop something and he would have first shot at it. No such luck on this day.
I was showing Roscoe the art of discreet begging. He is only two years old but he was getting it down. He may be a little too discreet with the laying down part.
Sam is my cousin from Minnesota. He came to visit with his mom and dad. His grandfather is the one who gave us the moose antlers that hang in the lodge. It was nice visit with family from up north.
Sun Shine liked it here. She liked the water and the food. I try to show my friends the art of begging but most of them have it down anyway.
Happy Doodle watched TV with mom. I was on the other sofa. We were watching the weather channel. I watch whatever my friends want to watch.
Zanax gave me a good scratching. First my head then my back. Oh it felt soooo good.
Alley was waiting for breakfast. She likes just about everything on the menu.
This is Bam Bam with the cool leash. It glowed with the camera, kind of spooky.
This cute little thing is Beamer. Her mom had a milk shake at the Cookin’ Shack and Beamer had some too.
This is Benz and he is from Brooksville. His mom took him to see Mean Mary sing at the fundraiser for Autism.
Mom hopes that this is Buddy. Cool handshake. Mom kind of got a couple to pictures messed up with the names. She really is getting up in years and can’t remember anything anymore. I try to help out but there is only so much I can do.
This is Buster Butter Butt. I know, really different name but who can figure out humans. Buster didn’t seem to mind and his parents were really good to him.
Callie came to see me in the lodge with her dad and he brought treats. Callie let me have some of her treats. I have a bowl of treats that I share but it is nice to have something new.
Dexter was waiting for breakfast too. I don’t think his mom dropped anything though. It is our job as a dog to clean up anything that happens to fall on the floor.
Flipper brought her ball to play with her at the Rendezvous. She is almost as old as me and still runs around after a ball. I already told mom if she throws a ball she can go get it.
Ginger was very shy and did not like to get her picture taken. I don’t know why? She is the same age as me and she looks great!
Gipsy is a Siberian Husky. That means that she is an international guest and I have heard that it is cold where she comes from. She came to listen to the band but her dad wouldn’t let her dance. I don’t dance that good anymore but I bet she is good.
Gracie is a Schipperke and her family was trained to chaise rats off the boats on the rivers in Belgium. I don’t think that Gracie has done any of that. She is pretty busy with her little sister, helping her with the leash.
Gracie and Little Buddy came to see me in the Lodge. They got to explore the resort and see lots of squirels and lizards.
Happy came to visit and boy was she happy. Mom had to take about 30 pictures to get one where she was not moving. This is a pretty good shot of her though.
Portia watched her family swim at the spring. She was very intense and did not miss anything that went on down at the spring.
Jasmine is Gingers sister and she is not camera shy. Her mom says that she is a shaved golden retriever. I don’t think so. She looks like a Shitzu to me.
Jethro is only three months old. He liked Mean Mary too.
This is Ruby and she really is a very pretty girl. Mom had a little trouble with the camera phone on this one. She sort of misplaced the real cameria on her desk. Go figure that one. Ruby liked to sleep on the porch of the river room. Just watching the water roll on by.
Here on the Suwannee River, we have found that the most popular recreational activities for our guests are both canoeing and kayaking. We see a number of folks coming in for rentals each day, as they prepare to get out onto the water. However, with these boats being so similar, we are often asked one important question: What’s the difference between canoeing and kayaking?
Well according to our friends at Canoeing.org, there seems to be three major differences that should help others determine the variances:
1. Canoes are open while kayaks have a deck
2. Canoes are paddled with a single bladed paddle, whereas kayaks use a double bladed paddle
3. The seat height on a kayak is much lower, with the occupant positioned on the ground, feet stretched out.
While we could say that the canoe is like the sport-utility vehicle of the recreational boating world, kayaks, on the other hand, are more like sports cars. (Wonderopolis)
If you’re looking to take a leisurely trip out on the water with a few friends or family members, a canoe is going to be your best choice. Canoes are built a bit sturdier and are able to carry more weight, which means more room for you, your loved ones and maybe even a picnic basket.
Kayaks are going to be a better bet for those who are looking to race or get a good workout in. The sleek design of a kayak allows them to move much faster than a canoe, which makes them perfect for competitive sports and slipping through whitewater rapids.
Regardless of whether you choose to go with a kayak or canoe, at the end of the day it’s all going to lead to one thing: a whole lot of fun! So stop in our rental facility at Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort & Campgrounds and get out on the water!
We are pretty much back to normal. The river has gone down quite a bit and we have moved back into all the buildings with no damage to anything. The springs are starting to clear up. We had a great turn out for the annual Easter Egg hunt. Lots of helpers, and lots of hunters.
I have a lot of friends and mom tries to get pictures of them all. I remember my friends but mom has a hard time so my pages help her remember. She is getting up in years so her memory is not that good.
Itcaca gave mom her good side for the picture. I think she is cute on both sides but some girls think they have a better side.
Bella was checking out the “Cookin’ Shack”. She was hoping that someone would drop something but no such luck. Maybe next time.
Precious wanted to go run around with me outside but her mom and dad said no. Even after we both gave them our best puppy dog eyes.
Sadie came in the lodge to visit for a bit. Her mom and dad walk her around the resort every day. Lots to look at and smell here at the Rendezvous. I walk around with my friends and show them stuff but mostly I let them explore by themselves.
Brody just loved the water. He would run around biting the water. He never really caught the water but he sure had fun trying. Made me tired just watching him.
Ginger said her mom knows just where to scratch. I like my back scratched by my tail.
Boomer and Holly kept their mom and dad busy exploring everything we have here to see at the Rendezvous. Lots to smell and check out. I visited them while they were here and I hope they visit again soon.
This is Harley and he was wearing his biker scarf. He looks tough but he was very friendly. I shared my dog food with him when he came to visit me at the lodge.
This is Bobo the Cute. He was waiting for his mom and dad to give him some of their food from the wagon. He likes table food as much as I do.
Akin had a great time at the Lodge. He was pretty good at Karaoke and he is not shy at all.
Abby is a black lab that stayed several days. I visited her every morning. Her mom has treats and Abby didn’t mind sharing with me.
Brady was lying low hoping her mom and dad would leave him at the lodge so we could play but no such luck.
Pepper Boy and his dad came to visit us. My mom said that he was cute as a bugs ear. I really don’t thing that bug ears are that cute. She is getting kind of wierd in her old age.
Reba and Rosie get to drive around with their dad on the Segway. Pretty cool ride. The baskets are too small for me so I just watch.
This is Pete. He was waiting for some food from Grandma Susie’s cookin’ Shack. He is a rescue and his mom makes sure he has lots of good food.
Banjo Boy came with his mom and dad for ice cream. He likes ice cream and his mom shared with him.
Walter visited for a while and we hung out. He likes to lay around like I do so we got along great.
Reba and Rosie get to drive around with their dad on the Segway. Pretty cool ride. The baskets are too small for me so I just watch.
This is Rambo. I believe he is a movie star. He sure knows how to poise for pictures.
Dixie was showing off for me. I don’t think I was ever able to do that.
Meni is not mean at all. He is really nice so I don’t know why they call him Meni. He enjoyed the river, getting all wet and stinky.
This is Duke. He and I had quite the discussion about the difference between yellow labs and golden retrievers. Some humans think we are the same but we are quite different. Duke is a very handsome guy.
This is Apple. Isn’t she beautiful.
Chewy was showing me how he shakes hands. He does a good job at it. Very professional.
Princess, Sajero, Peanut, Rash and Mary Jane were all over the place and mom had a really hard time getting a picture of them. They were really cute but hard to keep up with. Their mom and dad are going to send us a better picture so mom will change it out when we get it.
Bobby Joe’s dad was getting onion rings and he was hoping that he would share.
Trooper, Boomer and I poised for their dad. I think we look pretty good. It’s hard for Trooper to sit a long time and mom was having issues with her camera but their dad knows how to take pictures. I think mom should take some lessons from him.
Cocoa had me over for a visit at her campsite. I like to visit as many friends as I can when they come to the Rendezvous.
Kota is kind of shy but he still enjoyed himself here.
Angel was waiting to get some food at the Cookin’ shack. I think he was hoping that something would drop?
Gigi looked very stylish in her fancy pink jacket. I think her mom had other clothes for her too. Very cute. I don’t look that good in pink.
This is Daisy. She came and saw me a couple of times and we got along great. We both like to lay around and eat.
Neiko’s heritage is from Japan where they are royalty. She lets me visit her almost every day and she is not snobby at all.
This is Ms. Taelore with her new puppy Drop Shot. Mom asked her about the name and she said don’t ask. I know that the puppy is safe. I think Ms. Taelore likes weird names for her dogs.
Coley was so tiny. She was not afraid of me at all. I don’t believe that she thinks she is small.
Davie is very small and very cute. His dad carries him around. My dad refuses to carry me around at all. Something about me weighing 80 plus pounds I guess.
Justice sure is a daddy’s boy. We talked a little but he really liked his dad to hold him while he walked around. You will not see my mom carrying me around. I need to get a bigger mom.
Sam and Ginger brought their moms with to visit me. They sat so nice for their picture. I wonder if they practice poising?
I just got back from the Vet and I lost 4 lbs!!! Mom can’t believe it. She still says I should not go around begging food from people. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Killer gained ½ lb and he doesn’t even beg. Go figure that one out.
This is Gummy Girl. She liked my bone and wanted to take it home with her. I don’t mind sharing at all, but her mom said no.
Shasia was very pretty. She joined mom and me at the sing-a-long. I think she wanted to play the drums but her mom said no. Maybe next time.
Mom messed up and forgot this friends name. She put it in her phone and still messed up. I really think she is loosing it and she thinks I’m getting old.
This is Lilly and Sea Sea. Their mom is a dog trainer and boy can they do stuff. I was very impressed. She got them to sit still for the picture first try.
This is Little Bear. She was here with her mom and dad. She has two other dogs in her family. It was hard for mom to get all three in the picture.
Lucy and I visited every day she was here. She has good food. Mom buys me senior diet stuff but Lucy get the good stuff.
His name is Moose. Sure don’t look like a moose to me. I have a hard time imagining him with horns like the kind mom has in the lodge.
Morgan is a service dog. He sure looks sharp in his vest
Peanut and Toby made introductions in the lodge. Lots of friends meet and greet here at the Rendezvous.
Peety was real good as posing for his picture. Some of my friends move around a lot but Peety has it down. Good Job Peety!!!
This is Pepper. He liked the view from his camper. He really didn’t want to come out and play with me. I don’t think he wanted to get his clothes dirty.
Percy got have one of mom’s artsy shots. I think it was by mistake but Percy looks good.
I am pretty sure that this is Max. Mom did it again. She lost his name. It should be on her desk, but have you seen mom’s desk? Good luck with that one.
Fussa was asking her mom if she could play with me, pretty please?
Jasper and her mom came over. She was very pretty with all that long curly hair. I have always wanted curly hair. So has my mom.
This is Max. He is like me only a lot younger, He can play longer than me, it’s a bummer getting old.
Sadie was a very proper lady. She sat to say hello to me.
Princess, Duke and Tooties are soooo cute. Fun for dad to walk with the three leashes.
This is Mommas’s and Rebel. They really had a good time in the spring and the cut swimming. Their dad had the whole family in the water and they had fun.
This is Reef Boy. He is just a puppy but very well behaved. He enjoyed his time at the Rendezvous. Swimming and running around. I am sure he will really like the new dog park that mom and dad are putting in for all my friends.
Rogan is related to Sophie and I think that he liked the cold tile too. It was really hot on the days they were here and I even got off my sofa to lay on the floor.
This is Romeo, a very handsome chocolate lab. I think that makes us cousins.
This is Roger Daltry “from the Who”, that’s what his mom and dad said, honest. Pretty famous and he was at the Rendezvous.
Sloppy had his brother and sister come in for his picture. He didn’t want to be on camera. Some of my friends are a little camera shy but mom does her best.
Sophie really liked the cold tile on her tummy. I think she could have laid there all day.
Sophie and I were watching TV and her mom decided to join us. I made room for her. The other people had to sit on the other sofa.
This is Sugar Bear and Dulainea. Dulainea is actually a great grand dog but she has been part of the family for a while now. Their Mom and Dad are busy with these three and their leashes. Very sweet and they like to explore and sniff out stuff.
These two friends have real cool names even if mom can’t pronounce them. Taffiki and Guapo.
One more guest from Thanksgiving with the lost name. We had a lot of visitors that weekend and I was able to meet a lot of friends. I hope they all come back.
This is another guest from Thanksgiving. Mom has misplaced the name of three of my friends from that weekend. Hopefully their moms or dads will e-mail mom with the names.
This is Buster and Quigley. I got worn out waiting for mom to get the picture. She takes soooo many pictures and then she uses one. I think she needs more practice or a better camera. These guys were very patient with mom being slow and all.
Brownie was watching the chicken by the Shack. He didn’t want to chase her, just watch her, real close.
You think this makes my butt look big? I was waiting for the food. Sometimes my friends shair with me. Mom says I am not to beg and I don’t really. I sort of guard the area and protect the food.
This is Chloe. Mom tried to fix her eyes but no luck. Chloe has really pretty eyes, not the zombee ones that mom got a picture of.
This is Coco and he is just a puppy and full of energy. I can barely remember the day when I had that much energy.
This is Nick. His mom is like a professional photographer. She took this picture of Nick and she took some of me too. Nick likes to play ball and he braught his own.
This is Dink. His sister held him so mom could get his picture. His tail was going so fast I thought he was going to take off.
Foxy Lady is just beautiful. Her mom and dad must comb her every day. I am lucky if mom brushes me once a month.
Pearl and Spice came to visit for the first time. They were so gentle and sweet. Their mom and dad said that they were rescues. I visited them every day while they were here and I hope they come back again soon.