Trip to Georgia

Last week, I was in Perry, Georgia for the American Shetland Sheepdog Association national dog show. This show draws 600 plus Shelties from around the world, but primarily North America. It is held every year, and is rotated among east, west and central U.S. locations. The club that hosted this year's show did an outstanding job, and the weather could not have been better. The dogs were generally quite lovely, the peach cobbler absolutely wonderful, and it's always such a treat to see old friends and to make new ones.

The show site was the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, an 1100 acre multifunctional complex, with ponds, fountains, buildings and landscaping, a real pleasure to wander for a much appreciated break from the metal bleachers at ringside.

Here is the view part way down the driveway onto the fairgrounds.

There were a number of azalea bushes in full bloom, as well as roses and various other flowering trees and shrubs.

This is a statue of Governor Joe Frank Harris, an imposing bronze figure towering close to 10 feet tall from a rostrum positioned at one of the park's gateways.

At one of the ponds, I discovered a good number of baby catfish and (I think)perch. They obviously were accustomed to people feeding them from the water's edge, as they patiently waited for some crumbs of my peach cobbler.

And then they followed me in the other direction, too.

This is another statue, so incredibly life-like in it's detail. It's called the "Mule and Tenant Farmer", a tribute to men and beasts alike who drove the Georgian economy after the Civil War.

Inside the grooming building on the last day, nearly empty as most are watching the final competition.

One last look at the vendors.

The judge making his final selections.The closing moments and nearly over for another year.