Fuzz Bear, The Alaska Pipeline, USA

sararingham sara.ringham@gmail.com Posted Apr 1, 2008, 7:40 am	Hello! My name is Fuzz Bear I was rescued by Michele_one_L. She then gave me to sararingham who was visiting her family at the time in Washington state. I got the pleasure of meeting some wonderful toyvoyagers while I was there... I got to meet Benni, Charity Bear, Mel and Leo Lion. I also became friends with Toothy Walrus even before he became a toyvoyager like myself. I'm extremely excited to start my journey, Sara says I'll be going to visit BunTraveler in Oregon as my first stop. So I'm pretty much going just south of where I was staying with Sara's family. But exploring alone, I'm a bit worried... but I know my hosts will keep me safe! Here's a picture of me: Sara says next week is when I'll start my traveling- so hopefully I'll get to see a lot of exciting things on my journey, I'm so excited already! See you again when I'm in Oregon. :-)
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 27, 2008, 2:52 pm	Hello Mom, I arrived in NY yesterday! It was a quick and easy trip. I've been invited to a special treat this evening, so I'll update photos soon. Hugs Fuzz Bear
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 27, 2008, 4:56 pm	When I arrived in New York this afternoon, I was hoping there would be someone to greet me. I was starting to get a little worried after being my travel envelope for what seemed like hours. Finally I heard the door opened and my envelope began to move. I heard someone say "gather round everyone." All of a sudden I saw light and faces looking at me. There were a bunch of TV's waiting for me! I met Tuffy, Nicki Bear, Honey Bear, Dirkie, Horton and Little Billy. It was a great welcome!
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 28, 2008, 9:37 pm	Michele and her husband told us that since we have been so well behaved lately they were taking us somewhere special. We have no idea where we could be going, but we are SO excited!
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 28, 2008, 9:57 pm	We all got in the car still not knowing where we were going. Finally we arrived and all we could see was a fence and a couple of parked cars. Michele and Daryl told us that the place didn't seem to be opened yet and that we had to wait. We were all getting hungry while waiting. Luckily Michele and Daryl packed dinner and snacks for everyone.
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 28, 2008, 10:42 pm	Finally after almost an hour of waiting the line started to move. Michele got to the booth and there was a lady in there. The lady told Michele, "That will be $14 and it's on the second screen." A screen? Finally Michele told us that we were at the Drive In! We were going to see "Horton Hears a Who!" We started cheering and shouting, we were so excited! We were waiting for the movie to begin and it started to rain! Michele said we weren't leaving just because it was raining. Hopefully it was going to be short. Sadly the rain didn't stop, it continued through the whole movie.  We made the best of the situation and enjoyed the movie. We loved "Horton Hears a Who!"
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 28, 2008, 11:17 pm	Honey Bear and Piggy wanted to take a bath today so we decided to watch. Michele told us not to get too close or we might fall in.
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 29, 2008, 12:36 am	We were waiting for them when their bath was over. Honey Bear came out and he looked so happy to be clean. Piggy didn't seem as happy as Honey Bear. Honey Bear couldn't wait for the dryer. He says this is his favorite part because it makes his belly fluffy.
Michele_one_L Posted Apr 29, 2008, 1:15 am	Today we had to say goodbye to Little Billy, Tuffy, Nicki Bear and Horton. It's going to be lonely around here without everyone. We said our goodbyes and wished everyone well. We hope everyone has a safe trip!
Michele_one_L Posted May 11, 2008, 9:57 pm	We were excited today because the mailman left a package at the door and we think it's a new TV! We were all wondering who it could be.... Our host opened the envelope and it was Cliff! We were happy to see a new face.  We told Cliff that he arrived just in time to go to the Tulip Festival with us. He seemed excited.
Michele_one_L Posted May 11, 2008, 10:10 pm	Today an envelope arrived! We were all very excited to see who is inside. Our host opened up the envelope and everyone (even our host) was surprised to see who was inside! It was Pebbels and HitchARideMo!  Yay!
Michele_one_L Posted May 11, 2008, 10:27 pm	After our hosts husband came home from work we all went to Walmart to pick up some groceries. We had to stay in Michele's bag but we were able to peek our heads out every once in awhile. We wanted to get home so we could get a good nights rest because tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Michele_one_L Posted May 12, 2008, 12:00 am	Later in the evening Michele asked us if we wanted to help her with her Where's George bills. We all said "Where's George, who is George?" She explained to us that she belongs to this website (www.wheresgeorge.com) and the meaning of the website is to track US paper money. She said that there is a website like it for tracking Euros too. Pebbels wanted to help put ink on the stamp and Cliff wanted to stamp the bill. It was a lot of work but it was also fun!
Michele_one_L Posted May 12, 2008, 12:13 am	After we helped stamp all of the bills Michele had she gave each of us a treat. She had a bag of candy and told us that we could each pick a piece. I picked a mini sized Mounds bar.  I really wanted an Almond Joy but Michele said she didn't have any (her husband can't have nuts).
Michele_one_L Posted May 12, 2008, 12:37 am	We woke up this morning and were so excited for what was going to happen today. We were going East to Schenectady, NY to stay with our host's sister (Jessica). Michele put us in her bag and told us to get comfortable. She said that it would be an hour and a half trip. Yay! We can't wait!
Michele_one_L Posted May 12, 2008, 3:31 pm	Finally we arrived in Schenectady! It seemed like it took longer than an hour and a half but Michele assured us that it didn't. We decided to pose for a picture in front of the house while we waited for Jessica to finish getting ready. Michele told use that her family bought this house in 1995 and that she lived in it until 2003.
Michele_one_L Posted May 12, 2008, 3:44 pm	Our first stop after picking up Jessica was to go to the mall (Colonie Center). Michele said that they needed to buy a Mother's Day gift for their mom. While at the mall they decided to get cheesecake for their mom as dessert. Michele was nice enough to let us out of her bag to help pick what kind of dessert to get.
Michele_one_L Posted May 13, 2008, 2:20 pm	After leaving the mall in Colonie we drove to Halfmoon because Michele wanted to go to a local candy store called Saratoga Sweets.  Saratoga Sweets is famous for it's peppermint pigs, we were told that they are very popular around Christmas time. Michele helped us pick out something to remember the shop by.  Once we left the candy store we went to pick up pizza and headed back to Jessica's house.
Michele_one_L Posted May 13, 2008, 2:53 pm	We were up early this morning, as we couldn't wait to get the day started. It was such a nice day that we decided to wait outside in the garden.
Michele_one_L Posted May 13, 2008, 3:06 pm	The ride to Albany was kind of long, but it was well worth it. We had a hard time finding a place to park. Luckily Michele drove around until she found one. We walked down to Washington Park (where the Tulip Festival was being held). Right away we saw the tulips, they were beautiful!
Michele_one_L Posted May 13, 2008, 3:18 pm	There were so many different types of tulips, we don't know which one was our favorite!
Michele_one_L Posted May 13, 2008, 3:31 pm	These tulips are the most beautiful tulips we have ever seen.
Michele_one_L Posted May 15, 2008, 1:07 am	Tulips weren't the only thing we saw at the Tulip festival. We also saw the Albany Police Department Bag Pipers warming up. It was great!
Michele_one_L Posted May 15, 2008, 1:19 am	It was getting late in the afternoon and we had a couple of more things we wanted to do before heading back to Rome. So we looked at a couple more tulips then left. We all really enjoyed ourselves and we were happy to be able to go.
Michele_one_L Posted May 15, 2008, 1:37 am	On the way back to Jessica's house, Michele's husband saw a car dealership with the car that he wants to buy. Michele said she was too tired to argue with him so we stopped to look at it. In the USA they call it a "Smart Car." We agreed that it's almost the right size for Toy Voyagers.
Michele_one_L Posted May 15, 2008, 1:57 am	Finally we returned to Jessica's house. Our little feet are so tired from all of the walking we did today. All we wanted to do was sit down and take a little rest. We got up on the bench in the yard and someone screamed!  There was a BIG bee sitting on the bench too. The bee was almost as big as some of us.  We ran to the nearest tree to hide! It turned out that it was a pear tree. Too bad it's too early in the season to have fruit on it. Other wise we could have had a snack too.
Michele_one_L Posted May 15, 2008, 2:12 am	While we were waiting for Michele and her husband to load the car, we got to take a closer look at Jessica's bonsai tree. She got it at the Tulip festival today and we were so jealous! We all wanted to buy a bonsai tree to send home to our mentors. Michele told us that at $25 a piece it was too expensive plus she said she couldn't ship something like that all over the world. DARN!!! While we were looking at Jessica's Bonsai tree she told us that she had found something that we might want to see. While she was playing in the grass (with Michele's dog) she found part of a Robin's egg. It was tiny and very pretty! We wanted to bring it to Michele's house but she said that we had to leave it here. We haven't been able to get our way at all this weekend!
Michele_one_L Posted May 17, 2008, 10:32 pm	We returned to Rome last night and it was a long trip! Going to Michele's families house for one over night trip isn't long enough. We rested a lot and now we are refreshed and ready for some good food. Tonight Michele's husband made cheese burgers, onion rings, tater tots and macaroni salad for dinner. What a meal!  After dinner we were really thirsty so Michele said that we could share her water. We looked at the bottle and realized there was a problem.  So we put our heads together and figured out a way to each get a drink. What a challenge!
Michele_one_L Posted May 17, 2008, 10:39 pm	Before bed our host if we wanted someone ice cream to share. Yumm....Who can say no to ice cream!
Michele_one_L Posted May 17, 2008, 10:49 pm	Today was Dirkie's last day in New York. He was heading to Spain to visit with a new host. We said our good byes and wished him well. Dirkie promised us that he was tough and that he would be just fine.  We all posed for one more picture then he was off to the post office with our host. Bye Dirkie! (waving)
Michele_one_L Posted May 17, 2008, 11:23 pm	Today was my last day in New York! I'm heading to another New England state not too far from New York. Hopefully my ride won't be too bumpy or hot. I had to say good bye to the friends I met while I was here. It was sad to be leaving but I've heard all good things must come to an end. We posed for a couple last pictures and it was off to the post office with my host. Good Bye Friends! I'll miss you!
Michele_one_L Posted May 17, 2008, 11:25 pm	I'm on a first class flight to 01545 and my flight # is; 0307 0020 0000 6184 7839
Parkdirector Posted May 19, 2008, 10:54 pm	I have arrived in central Massachusetts in record time! The ride was great and I'm enjoying relaxing. Tomorrow I'll get a tour of the house I am staying at and will post some photos.
Parkdirector Posted May 21, 2008, 1:05 am	Enjoy Shrewsbury. Today I went to the car wash! I met a new friend too...Blue Dog.
Parkdirector Posted May 25, 2008, 12:13 am	Went to Davis Farmland in Sterling, Massachusetts. I got to see lots of farm animals like goats, ducks, sheep, and pigs. No bears though. Here I am outside the farm. The barn is painted like a cow.
Parkdirector Posted May 25, 2008, 12:24 am	This is me at Davis farmland checking out the peacock.
Parkdirector Posted Jun 1, 2008, 10:33 pm	Having fun in Shrewsbury enjoying the great weather in the backyard. Getting ready to travel on vacation with my hosts in a few days. Can't wait to see the ocean! Here I am in the backyard of the house I am staying at.
Parkdirector Posted Jun 1, 2008, 10:41 pm	Enjoying the backyard flowers!
Parkdirector Posted Jun 11, 2008, 1:16 am	Enjoyed a trip to Maine. First stop was York Beach. Went to York's Wild animal kingdom. Met two baby american black bears. You can see one in the cage behind me. They were so cute and playful!
Parkdirector Posted Jun 11, 2008, 1:20 am	The next day we went to the Beach. It was a cloudy day and not many people there.
Parkdirector Posted Jun 11, 2008, 1:30 am	Took some photos on the shore of President George Bush, Sr summer home and retreat located in Kennebunkport, Maine. It's a short drive up the coast from the center of Kennebunkport to see his house.
Parkdirector Posted Jun 11, 2008, 11:38 pm	And so my adventure here in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts ends...so begins a new adventure for my new toy voyager friend Digory. I told him how much fun he'll have staying here. I am off to an Alaskan adventure. I sure hope it's cooler there as it's been in the high 90's here! So long.......
wildangel_cft Posted Jun 24, 2008, 1:04 am	Today I arrived in SUNNY and WARM Fairbanks Alaska! Who knew they had grass and sun and blue skies and no snow!!! It was a very tiring journey across the United States but I am here now and ready to begin my adventure! My host Julie had a *very* long day at work and was very happy to find a visitor on her doorstep when she returned home. I spent some time outdoors and met her husband and 4 pets! I recieved lots of attention and kisses from a huge black cat and two big crazy hyperactive dogs. They thought I was a play toy for them (can you imagine?!) so Julie decided that maybe it was time to go inside and email my family and relax while everybody gets used to me. I am the first toyvoyager to visit this family so everyone is very excited. Not to many toys (or people) travel this far to visit. Julie says this is the best time of year though and hopefully I will meet some other bears. We decided that it is time to take a nap because she went to work very early this morning and even though I had plenty of time to rest on the journey to Fairbanks it was a very long trip from Shrewsbury. I travelled a whopping 3234 miles! Now I am 7586 miles away from home. Thats a LONG way... Anyhow, here are some pictures of my first day in AK! Julies drievway PJ the cat gives me a kiss! Blogging NAPTIME! So long for now...
wildangel_cft Posted Jul 1, 2008, 4:32 am	Hi!!! It's me again. Just checking in. I have been a busy busy bear! Most of the last week was spent playing with the dogs and enjoying some quality time in the yard with a lovely lilac tree that is in bloom. We had some computer issues earlier this week but I think we have got the problem solved. We have a lot of pictures but the ones attached to this blog are of my visit to the University of Alaska Large Animal Research Station (LARS)! It is also called...THE MUSK OX FARM! Who knew such a thing existed? I saw musk oxen and reindeer. It was all very exciting. Just as we were leaving one of the musk ox started rollig around in the dirt and acting crazy. I guess it is because they get hot and itchy in the summer. Julie tried to get a picture but could not get the camera back out in time  We had a great time though. Some pictures were hard to take with me in them because the zoom lens wanted to focus on me or make me really really fuzzy and hard! I really Like Musk Ox. They are really nice gentle creatures. Julie took me to the gift shop and we read about Timbo the Itchy Musk Ox. It was a children's book but a really cute one. It was a very busy day. Later this week we are going to visit the great Alaska pipeline! I can't wait for more Alaskan adventures but it is nice to relax outside as well. It is very peaceful. Also on Friday we will  be celebrating the Fourth of July and Saturday we will be hosting a garage sale to try and make some extra money for Julie's trip to England and Scotland. She said if it was okay with my you that she would take me with her to see the Changing of the Guards even though I would be gone an extra month! Well thats all for now. Miss you! Fuzz
wildangel_cft Posted Aug 3, 2008, 5:21 am	Fuzz Bear and Dirkie reunited again!!! Dirkie arrived last week after accidently being delivered to the neighbors house and taking some time to be delivered here and boy was I happy to see him! It is so nice to be reunited with old friends. It has been raining like crazy and all the phone and power was cut off for a few days so we had to just sit around in the house while Fairbanks was flooding for the first time in almost 30 years! Nothing fair about theses banks right now!
wildangel_cft Posted Aug 3, 2008, 5:47 am	Dirkie and I visited the Great Alaska Pipeline at a rest stop south of Fairbanks, Alaska! What an amazing feat of engineering! We got to sit inside of a PIG - which is a large machne that is sent through the pipe to help clean it periodically. I also got to touch the pipeline which sits atop steel girders that allow it to move back and forth like a snake with out being damaged in case of earth quakes or other natural causes that a rigid pipe would break in like extreme cold, mudslides or avalanches. The pipeline helpe boost the Alaskan economy in the 1970's by creating a LOT of work and bringing a lot of workers to the largest state. There are still only about 600,000 people that live here. The Pipeline profits also go into a general fund where interest earned off of oil royalties provides an annual check to all Alaskans just for living here! The check has been as small as 600 dollars and as large as $2200 dollars. Even with this much oil flowing across the state the price of gas and fuel oil still tops $5.00 a gallon! This is almost the highest in the nation. Well thats all for now but here is a link to the pipelines website if you are interested. [url=null]http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/Default.asp[/url]

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