Travelog for: Struppi

I have finally arrived in Veneta, Oregon USA.  Yap Yap Yap!
The other side of the world.  Goodness---what a long way for a little puppy to travel.
It was not such a bad stay in the envelope to travel but it was dark and I was very happy to be out so I could play.

Something very hairy and very purple greeted me when arriving.  The name of this silly ape is Jelly.  My host said she is an oranutang.  I have never seen such a thing before.

Jelly was so excited she was ripping the paper off so quickly it scared me.  Then she was very nice and invited me out and said WELCOME little friend.  She gave me this puppy neck scarf to wear.  I thought it was very nice.

I was very surprised with a big hug.  I guess Jelly likes to hug everyone.  She is very nice and after talking  for a few minutes she told me I was going to have a great deal of fun while staying in Oregon.

After the long journey I was tired but more I was restless.  My host knew just what to do for me. 
My host put me in the van and we drove to a large park that runs along a lake called Fern Ridge. 

We viewed the boats in the marina and then we went over a long bridge that led us to the lake shore.

It was cloudy and windy and we could not take the sail boat out on the lake but I did get to run along the lake and play  "hide n seek" in the grass.    My host likes to play fun games with puppies and she taught me how to chase the stick.    We had a great time at this lake. 

The water was wonderful but I got very dirty playing in the sand and dirt.  My host told me that I would have to get a bath tomorrow so that I didn't smell like a dog.
Oh dear!  More adventure.  I don't think I have ever had a dog bath.  I wonder what will come of this?

The bridge was a long walk but when I got to the other side I got to play in the grass again.

After a long day at the park and playing chase the stick at the shore, I was ready for taking a big nap in the van on the way back to the home of my host.
Oh yes---and don't forget my host reminded me ----you are getting a bath.

As promised-----I did receive my bath.  It was quite pleasant actually and I had lavendar scented bubbles.  My host made my bath very pleasant and I was never afraid.

When my bath was over my host told me that she had a new puppy collar that I could wear.  It says "I love Dogs" and has the cutiest little heart on it.  Then I have my very own actual puppy paw print to wear with it.  It is very beautiful and I know everyone will like it. 
I do. yap yap yap yip yip!

Later in the day I met "sleeping kitty" and we layed down together in her cozy little kitty bed and we took a nap together.  She doesn't say much.  That's because she sleeps all the time.  But she didn't mind that I sat next to her and then fell asleep there.

When I got up from my nap there waiting for me was someone I had never met before.  His name is Nick.  He is also a traveling voyager from Germany.  Nick is the greatest guy.  We touched noses.  Nick says that is how you tell if you are a gentle puppy.  Oh I like this Nick!  I am so glad that I got to meet him.

My host told us that we were going for another long ride in the van today.  I got into the van with Nick and waited quietly until we got there.  Nick seems to sleep as much as I do on long rides.
Soon we were in Salem, Oregon.  This is the capital of the state of Oregon. 
My host provided a link for some interesting facts about Salem.  http://www.travelsalem.com/resources/SalemFAQ.html

I found it more to the liking for humans but I did like the fountain in the park.

Struppi's host mentioned going to the Scandinavian Festival next week and also to the county fair the following week.
Struppi hopes he can stay longer in America.  He is having such a good time.  http://www.scandinavianfestival.com/
I hear their Aebelskivers are wonderful!

The county fair should be great fun with all the rides and entertainment.  Struppi looks forward to these events.
All the rides?  I can't wait!
http://www.atthefair.com/

Struppi is a happy puppy when his host let's him ride in the van holding his head out the window like all American dogs get to do.  yapyapyap yipyipyip barkbark!

Today I was fortunate to meet little Beagley Sniffers who is another toyvoyager puppy who has  arrived home today from Australia.
He is a nice puppy and I am very glad that I got to meet him.

We welcomed " William the Seal" (my little pal) as well and the whole group came out for a gathering.  It's fun when all the traveling voygers can get together.  You never know who might be visiting next.  What fun!

Only 1 more day until the Scandy Fest! 

Struppi puppy was excited to go to the Scandi Fair and visit all that was going on there. 

There was a group of toyvoyagers that went to the Scandi fair and all of us only got to be in a few of the photos. 

Vince and Vinnie had just arrived from the Netherlands.  They most excited to see how Americans put on a Scandi Fair.

We walked and walked and walked with crowds of people.  There were dancers dressed in costume from countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. 
Groups of wall art placed all over the small town and plenty of places to eat abelskivers drenched in ice cream and straberry jam.  All toyvoyagers love strawberry jam.  And what better way to eat it.  YUM!

Where my host lives it is known as "Daneland".  In the earlier years of settlement for Oregon there were quite a few people from Denmark and Finland in this area and they raised goats for making wonderful soft cheeses.  Then there were craftsmen from Norway that made wonderful furniture.
The area where my host lives is rich in heratige from these countries.  The Scandi Fair has been held in Junction City, Oregon now for 47 years.

My host says there are more photos of the Scandi Fair with Vince and Nick if you would like to visit their journal pages  too.
It was such a full day with so much to do.  All of us that were visiting toyvoyagers had to share our host.  But it was also a wonderful day to be outside for a Struppi puppy.

The next day our host had planned a big party for
Vince a toyvoyager from the Netherlands.

It was to be a surprise.  All the visiting toyvoyagers were invited and all of us had to decorate and prepare a cake for Vince and his little buddy Vinnie. 
We had marshmellow cake with silly soda, jelly bellies and tiny bear cookies for sweets.
Then our host prepared tiny toys for everyone.  They are made to play with when taking a bath. We received tiny little cars too.
It was great fun with all the treats and toys and balloons.  Everyone there had a great time.

What a fun day it was!

Struppi was promised that when the new dog park opened in the city that he would get to visit such a park.
Here in America they have dog parks where others take their dogs and turn them loose to run and play ball.

Struppi did not want to get in with the dogs so he watched from the side of the fence.  The dogs are very big here in America.

Struppi was sent back to his owner.