Ridgeback Specialty, Huron Ohio (October 11-October 15, 2016)
An Unexpected Good Time
I wasn't looking forward to a trip to Ohio. We were only coming up for the Specialty. And while we were excited about the Specialty, we usually like our trips to be more than just about competing at an event. Yet, in Ohio, we were worried there wouldn't be much to enjoy. However, we came to discover that this area was well worth the visit.
Where did we stay?
I picked a campground about 20 minutes away called Cedarlane RV. It was a very easy campground, and the only one staying open until the end of the Specialty. We had an easy pull-through site at the front of the campground. The back of the campground was for permanent sites. There wasn't much walking so we found a state park nearby called East Harbor State Park. The park was right on lake Erie. It was a gorgeous park with paved walking from the campground to the lake and you pass beautiful vistas of smaller lakes and marsh-like vegetation. There is also a sand/gravel trail that runs parallel to lake Erie and then takes you over a boardwalk and through woods to a harbor on the opposite side of the lake. We walked that trail once, but spent the rest of the time walking the paved trails where you have the best view of the lake.
I picked a campground about 20 minutes away called Cedarlane RV. It was a very easy campground, and the only one staying open until the end of the Specialty. We had an easy pull-through site at the front of the campground. The back of the campground was for permanent sites. There wasn't much walking so we found a state park nearby called East Harbor State Park. The park was right on lake Erie. It was a gorgeous park with paved walking from the campground to the lake and you pass beautiful vistas of smaller lakes and marsh-like vegetation. There is also a sand/gravel trail that runs parallel to lake Erie and then takes you over a boardwalk and through woods to a harbor on the opposite side of the lake. We walked that trail once, but spent the rest of the time walking the paved trails where you have the best view of the lake.
Some highlights from the park were beautiful sunsets, Cadia, Frye, and Braddock going crazy for squirrels, and Logan warming up to his stroller and by the end falling in love with it.
The Specialty
We had two events we were entered, obedience and agility. Braddock was wonderful in obedience. He was the most spunky showing great attitude. The judge, however, seemed to prefer the methodical cautious demeanor. So, when Braddock ran full tilt towards me on the recall, the judge covered his eyes and then wrote down some score. We ended up with a second place, as he faulted on the final finish, but he ad the most compliments on his positive attitude.
Sunday was agility and this was the big event for us. I had Logan entered in Novice JWW and Braddock in Masters STD and JWW. We showed on the Friday before just to get accustomed to the turf. Braddock didn't show any issues with the footing and got a double Q. I felt very solid that he was running well and we were ready to compete. It was Logan I had concerns about. He had fallen ill just before the trip and was starting to struggle again. We had to find a vet to get some anti-nausea medicine on that Friday and I was doubtful he'd be able to run at all.
But, when Sunday came, Logan was pushing to get out of his crate and kept pulling to the rings. So, I decided to run him. He qualified his run and brought tears to the crowd. I didn't know until that day that this would be his last run. He ran with a smile on his face and with the heart of a lion.
Braddock was extremely excited and the standard course was set up like a speed circle. I knew he was going to run hard. He ended up taking first place and getting high in trial, beating the next dog by 8 seconds. I was exhilarated after that run. It was a perfect run and it was intensely thrilling. Someone mentioned to me that the ridgeback competitor to follow me said, "Do I really have to follow that?"
The highlights were the first place finishes for both Logan and Braddock and the High In Trial for Braddock.
Other Highlights
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: We didn't like it as much as East Harbor State Park. However, there was a nice walk through the woods and then a trail that ran through 4 lakes. Basically it was like walking the path around a cloverleaf, where each leaf was a lake.
Getting ice-cream from Toft's. We loved the coffee chip ice-cream. I was thrilled I was able to eat there because they scooped me out some from a separate bin and were very careful regarding nut allergy.
And, spending time by the lake relaxing
After the agility on Sunday we were supposed to stay overnight as it was a 10 hour drive back in the RV. But when we came back to the hotel parking lot (where we had to stay the last night because the campgrounds all closed), the whole lot was empty. It just felt too depressing to stay another night in an empty parking lot. Plus, we were still high on adrenaline from the wins in agility. So, we left about 6pm and drove all night, making it home to Ashland about 4am in the morning.
All in all, it was one of the best Specialties we have been to. Our ranking of top Specialties are:
1) Rhode Island 2015, 2) Michigan 2009, 3) Ohio 2016, 4) Florida 2012
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