The wind rocked the trailer off and on all night. We managed to get some sleep though.
This morning we left Van Horn Texas at 9:30 am (ET). The wind was stil blowing some. It picked up as the morning went on. It hit us hard head-on as we drove on I-10 and still continues.
We bought gas at Van Horn Texas for $3.02 a gallon.
Frank's Dad called us as we were driving through the hills. We kept losing the signal. They were on I-10 in Florida on their way to Mississippi. We finally got the call through once we got through the hills.
Some dark clouds moved in and a few drops of rain came down. Traffic got heavy around El Paso Texas. Some scary times as cars/trucks cut abruptly in front of us.
There were large pecan groves along the way today in Texas and New Mexico. They look a little different than the trees back home. There were also some dairy farms. We saw different desert scenes and all were pretty.
We bought gas at Anthony Texas for $3.02 a gallon
We parked at a truck stop at the West edge of Las Cruces New Mexico for ham sandwiches in the trailer.
We arrived in Little Vineyard RV Park, Deming New Mexico at 3 pm (ET). The typical RV Park... gravel roads and few trees. We are level this time... so no boards needed under the tires. That doesn't happen often. We are in site 92. Cost is $25 with Good Sam discount.
I called Mama and it was good to talk with her.
We traveled 227 miles today.
30 April, 2010
29 April, 2010
Thursday 29 April 2010
We did not get to go bird watching last evening as we had hoped to do. At 8:30 it was still a 100 degrees. At 10 pm we went for a moonlit stroll and it cooled down to maybe 85 degrees. The sky was beautiful... I think it was one day past full moon. Some of the stars were real bright... one, probably a planet looked almost orange. There was no need for a flashlight because of the moon.
About 258 miles were traveled by us around Big Bend Park. We had a great time!!
We left Rio Grande Village RV Park at 9:45 am (ET). The drive was pretty coming out of the park. We stopped between Big Bend and Marathon Texas to take a couple of pictures. The wind started picking up in speed.
We bought gas in Alpine Texas for $3.23 a gallon. We stopped in Marfa Texas for bread and got a hamburger at Dairy Queen... of course we had to get a cone to go :-)) Along in this area the wind picked up more and we were headed into it.
Past Marfa there was an Air Force Aerodrome field. I'll do some research on it sometime.
We arrived at Van Horn KOA at 3:15 pm (ET). $35 for night here. It is a typical KOA. There are some trees, but they are small. Chickens are roaming around in the minature golf course... so that makes it a little different than norm.
Frank called his parents and I play on FaceBook.
We caught our breathes and then took a shower and Frank cooked us supper of ham slices, cheese omelets and he heated up some pancakes. It was good. I am really blessed to have him as my husband.
We traveled 220 miles today.
About 258 miles were traveled by us around Big Bend Park. We had a great time!!
We left Rio Grande Village RV Park at 9:45 am (ET). The drive was pretty coming out of the park. We stopped between Big Bend and Marathon Texas to take a couple of pictures. The wind started picking up in speed.
We bought gas in Alpine Texas for $3.23 a gallon. We stopped in Marfa Texas for bread and got a hamburger at Dairy Queen... of course we had to get a cone to go :-)) Along in this area the wind picked up more and we were headed into it.
Past Marfa there was an Air Force Aerodrome field. I'll do some research on it sometime.
We arrived at Van Horn KOA at 3:15 pm (ET). $35 for night here. It is a typical KOA. There are some trees, but they are small. Chickens are roaming around in the minature golf course... so that makes it a little different than norm.
Frank called his parents and I play on FaceBook.
We caught our breathes and then took a shower and Frank cooked us supper of ham slices, cheese omelets and he heated up some pancakes. It was good. I am really blessed to have him as my husband.
We traveled 220 miles today.
28 April, 2010
Wednesday 28 April 2010
The winds finally died down overnight. This morning we went back to Boquillas Canyon Trail and walked the trail again. We got more pictures... and I got a better one of a dragonfly. I had to lie on my stomach to get it. Boy was it rough getting up!!
Afterward we camp back to camp and cooked breakfast. Biscuits (whop-ums), sausage, grits and cheese omelets. We didn't eat until 10:45 am (CT)... I guess it was brunch that late in the morning.
I did chase Vermilion Flycatchers while Frank cooked part of breakfast... I only cooked the grits :-)) I got a couple of pictures that aren't too bad of the male. I got one of a female that shows more of her backside than anything. I got a couple of Roadrunner pictures... can't let Frank have all the fun with them.
I edited pictures this afternoon... but I didn't make it through all the pictures. I will have time another day to work on them. I'm trying just to make a good assortment for the Picas album and not edit each picture... we take too many pictures to edit each one.
Frank worked on organizing his receipts and entering them into his log. He keeps track of every penny we spend :-))
My mind was boggle after editing pictures so I took a break and we ate a chicken sandwiches and three-bean salad.
The rest of the day has been trying to write the blog. Thankfully Frank has a better memory than I do. I should have taken notes yesterday. He is a good man and wrote most of yesterday's entry.
Afterward we camp back to camp and cooked breakfast. Biscuits (whop-ums), sausage, grits and cheese omelets. We didn't eat until 10:45 am (CT)... I guess it was brunch that late in the morning.
I did chase Vermilion Flycatchers while Frank cooked part of breakfast... I only cooked the grits :-)) I got a couple of pictures that aren't too bad of the male. I got one of a female that shows more of her backside than anything. I got a couple of Roadrunner pictures... can't let Frank have all the fun with them.
I edited pictures this afternoon... but I didn't make it through all the pictures. I will have time another day to work on them. I'm trying just to make a good assortment for the Picas album and not edit each picture... we take too many pictures to edit each one.
Frank worked on organizing his receipts and entering them into his log. He keeps track of every penny we spend :-))
My mind was boggle after editing pictures so I took a break and we ate a chicken sandwiches and three-bean salad.
The rest of the day has been trying to write the blog. Thankfully Frank has a better memory than I do. I should have taken notes yesterday. He is a good man and wrote most of yesterday's entry.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Last night around 8:30 (CT) the winds started blowing fast and hard. It rocked us to sleep.
This morning we noticed the ditch near the trailer was filling with water. Off to investigate....(Frank was nervous about the possibility of another campground flooding---even in a desert)--- we drove up towards the river to the picnic area. Lots of birders were there with their binoculars and cameras chasing birds in the high winds.
The water seemed to be coming from the Rio Grande and flowing towards the camp in deep irrigation ditches. On the way back to camp we saw a coyote. He looked lost and pitiful... pretty much the demeanor of Wiley C. Coyote of cartoon fame. Got some pictures of him though :-))
Frank asked a maintenance man who was raking leaves from the ditch what was happening with the water. He told Frank that the trees liked it.. they were watering the trees. He warned Frank that our satellite dish was going to go under water, but it wouldn't happen until later in the evening. Frank relocated the dish and he had an easier time. He figured out the first time he set up that Dish Network made an error on the elevation setting.
We walked the Boquillas Canyon Trail to the summit, but did not go all the way down to the canyon floor. Along the trail we saw a lizard, millipede and dragonflies. There were handmade crafts for sale laid on rocks on the trail. Just a jar lying by the items for the money. The money is to go for school children in Boquillas Mexico. We heard donkeys braying from across the river in Mexico. A man was seen on the othe side of the river riding a horse. Of course lots of pictures were taken.
We went back to Boquillas Canyon Overlook and took more pictures. There were handmade crafts laid out there for sale too... again with a jar for the money.
Then back to camp. We cooked dinner :-)) After dinner Frank got pictures of a roadrunner with a lizard in its mouth.
We took a long drive to the west end of the park to Castolon stopping for lots and lots and lots of pictures of beautiful scenic views, the mountains and desert changes every time we go around a curve. Along the way we stopped and walked several times at overlooks, and an old home site with a working windmill (a sign saying the water was contaminated---how---with what out in the middle of a desert?).
At Castolon we checked out Cottonwood Campground. The sites would be OK for tents but not much of anything else. They had water faucets all over the place but they had signs on them warning you the water was not potable. There was a building towards the front of the campground with "filtered" potable water but no way for a trailer to get to it.
On the drive back from Castolon we took a side trip to Chisos Basin. The terrain changed again on the way up to the Basin. We saw Pine Trees of some sort and different types of cactus and plants. The road up is very steep and winding. We saw a sign warning people that trailers longer that 20 feet and RVs longer that 24 feet should not proceed because of sharp curves and steep grades. The campground itself reminded us of the one we stayed in for one night a couples of years ago in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Co. It is really made for tents. The temperature was a good 10 degrees cooler up there.
We went up to the Chisos Mountains Lodge where they also have a restaurant, visitors center and store. The lodge looked like a motel kinda. By then the visitors center was closed for the night but the store was open so we went in and bought a couple of candy bars and a keepsake bell.
Then we headed back stopping at Panther Junction for a top off of diesel and then 20 miles more to the campground. Along the way a jackrabbit ran across the road in front of us.
When we got back------Frank and Zaroga passed out..............
This morning we noticed the ditch near the trailer was filling with water. Off to investigate....(Frank was nervous about the possibility of another campground flooding---even in a desert)--- we drove up towards the river to the picnic area. Lots of birders were there with their binoculars and cameras chasing birds in the high winds.
The water seemed to be coming from the Rio Grande and flowing towards the camp in deep irrigation ditches. On the way back to camp we saw a coyote. He looked lost and pitiful... pretty much the demeanor of Wiley C. Coyote of cartoon fame. Got some pictures of him though :-))
Frank asked a maintenance man who was raking leaves from the ditch what was happening with the water. He told Frank that the trees liked it.. they were watering the trees. He warned Frank that our satellite dish was going to go under water, but it wouldn't happen until later in the evening. Frank relocated the dish and he had an easier time. He figured out the first time he set up that Dish Network made an error on the elevation setting.
We walked the Boquillas Canyon Trail to the summit, but did not go all the way down to the canyon floor. Along the trail we saw a lizard, millipede and dragonflies. There were handmade crafts for sale laid on rocks on the trail. Just a jar lying by the items for the money. The money is to go for school children in Boquillas Mexico. We heard donkeys braying from across the river in Mexico. A man was seen on the othe side of the river riding a horse. Of course lots of pictures were taken.
We went back to Boquillas Canyon Overlook and took more pictures. There were handmade crafts laid out there for sale too... again with a jar for the money.
Then back to camp. We cooked dinner :-)) After dinner Frank got pictures of a roadrunner with a lizard in its mouth.
We took a long drive to the west end of the park to Castolon stopping for lots and lots and lots of pictures of beautiful scenic views, the mountains and desert changes every time we go around a curve. Along the way we stopped and walked several times at overlooks, and an old home site with a working windmill (a sign saying the water was contaminated---how---with what out in the middle of a desert?).
At Castolon we checked out Cottonwood Campground. The sites would be OK for tents but not much of anything else. They had water faucets all over the place but they had signs on them warning you the water was not potable. There was a building towards the front of the campground with "filtered" potable water but no way for a trailer to get to it.
On the drive back from Castolon we took a side trip to Chisos Basin. The terrain changed again on the way up to the Basin. We saw Pine Trees of some sort and different types of cactus and plants. The road up is very steep and winding. We saw a sign warning people that trailers longer that 20 feet and RVs longer that 24 feet should not proceed because of sharp curves and steep grades. The campground itself reminded us of the one we stayed in for one night a couples of years ago in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Co. It is really made for tents. The temperature was a good 10 degrees cooler up there.
We went up to the Chisos Mountains Lodge where they also have a restaurant, visitors center and store. The lodge looked like a motel kinda. By then the visitors center was closed for the night but the store was open so we went in and bought a couple of candy bars and a keepsake bell.
Then we headed back stopping at Panther Junction for a top off of diesel and then 20 miles more to the campground. Along the way a jackrabbit ran across the road in front of us.
When we got back------Frank and Zaroga passed out..............
26 April, 2010
Monday 26 April 2010
Last evening we walked over to the next campground over that has no electricity or water. (RV's will bring their own water and some will bring a generator) It is nicer than here.... more like a campground should be. Frank carried my camera and got a few pictures of a Desert Cottontail. There were lots of them in that area.
This morning we drove over to Boquillas Canyon Overlook and then drove to Persimmon Gap. We took scenic pictures along the drive. I took flower pictures too. Some flowers are in more bloom there than in this area. I saw what I think is an Ash-Throated Flycatcher at Boquillas Canyon Overlook and I got pictures :-))
We ate lunch while we drove.... peanut butter always provides a little energy.
I took a short nap after we got back. Frank called his parents. We saw a vermilion flycatcher on the way back to the trailer. We didn't have a camera with us.
It is hot this afternoon and I've edited pictures and watched tv with Frank. I can multi-task :-))
This morning we drove over to Boquillas Canyon Overlook and then drove to Persimmon Gap. We took scenic pictures along the drive. I took flower pictures too. Some flowers are in more bloom there than in this area. I saw what I think is an Ash-Throated Flycatcher at Boquillas Canyon Overlook and I got pictures :-))
We ate lunch while we drove.... peanut butter always provides a little energy.
I took a short nap after we got back. Frank called his parents. We saw a vermilion flycatcher on the way back to the trailer. We didn't have a camera with us.
It is hot this afternoon and I've edited pictures and watched tv with Frank. I can multi-task :-))
Sunday 25 April 2010
We ate breakfast at the cafe at Ft. Stockton RV Park this morning. It was a good, big breakfast. We left there at 9:45 am (ET).
The ride was pretty today. The scenery seemed to change at every turn. The prickly pear cactus are blooming and many other plants that I have no idea what are blooming too. We'll get a closer look at them beginning tomorrow.
We bought gas at $3.46 a gallon in Marathon Texas.
We arrived at Big Bend at 2:00 pm (ET). Frank had bought us a to-go dinner for our dinner today at the cafe at Ft. Stockton RV Park. It was beef ribs with mashed potatoes, pole beans and a biscuit. Not bad, but Frank does ribs much better.
The RV Park is basically a parking lot. It has trees and picnic tables on the outside edges of the park. We are in site 22.
We have internet here. The lady at check-in said the wifi had only been going for a few days. We can get cell phone service in one place, but it is roaming... which means expensive calls.
Frank got the satellite dish set up. He had a little problem, but he replaced a cable and there it was. Maybe we can catch up on the news.
I have edited pictures this afternoon. They aren't the best. I was a bit shaky today.
We traveled 152 miles today.
The ride was pretty today. The scenery seemed to change at every turn. The prickly pear cactus are blooming and many other plants that I have no idea what are blooming too. We'll get a closer look at them beginning tomorrow.
We bought gas at $3.46 a gallon in Marathon Texas.
We arrived at Big Bend at 2:00 pm (ET). Frank had bought us a to-go dinner for our dinner today at the cafe at Ft. Stockton RV Park. It was beef ribs with mashed potatoes, pole beans and a biscuit. Not bad, but Frank does ribs much better.
The RV Park is basically a parking lot. It has trees and picnic tables on the outside edges of the park. We are in site 22.
We have internet here. The lady at check-in said the wifi had only been going for a few days. We can get cell phone service in one place, but it is roaming... which means expensive calls.
Frank got the satellite dish set up. He had a little problem, but he replaced a cable and there it was. Maybe we can catch up on the news.
I have edited pictures this afternoon. They aren't the best. I was a bit shaky today.
We traveled 152 miles today.
24 April, 2010
Saturday 24 April 2010
The sun did peek out, but the wind intesified. I only got one bird picture; the Curve-Billed Thrasher.
We left Florey Park at 8:52 am (ET) with the wind still blowing hard from the west and it was 49°.
We stopped in Odessa at WalMarts to restock water and snacks. We drink a lot of water in this arid climate.
The scene was more oil pumps, small trees and brush today. After a while small sand dunes appeared amongst the oil pumps. As we neared Ft. Stockton mountains appeared in the distance.
We bought gas at $3.06 in Ft. Stockton, Texas. We arrived at Ft. Stockton RV Park at 12:45 pm (ET).
We did not unhitch the trailer and Frank isn't putting up the satellite dish for one night. So no tv and the dvd player doesn't seem to be working. We have things to read.
I called Mama this evening. She and Zane had been to the family reunion in Rebecca. Everyone is like us... getting older :-))
It is still windy. We were told the wind will die down tonight.
I did get picture uploaded and this will update the blog... so I'm caught up and ready for Big Bend :-))
We traveled 122 windy miles today.
We left Florey Park at 8:52 am (ET) with the wind still blowing hard from the west and it was 49°.
We stopped in Odessa at WalMarts to restock water and snacks. We drink a lot of water in this arid climate.
The scene was more oil pumps, small trees and brush today. After a while small sand dunes appeared amongst the oil pumps. As we neared Ft. Stockton mountains appeared in the distance.
We bought gas at $3.06 in Ft. Stockton, Texas. We arrived at Ft. Stockton RV Park at 12:45 pm (ET).
We did not unhitch the trailer and Frank isn't putting up the satellite dish for one night. So no tv and the dvd player doesn't seem to be working. We have things to read.
I called Mama this evening. She and Zane had been to the family reunion in Rebecca. Everyone is like us... getting older :-))
It is still windy. We were told the wind will die down tonight.
I did get picture uploaded and this will update the blog... so I'm caught up and ready for Big Bend :-))
We traveled 122 windy miles today.
Friday 23 April 2010
Today we went into Andrews and visited the Chamber of Commerce. We took a few pictures of the free RV park behind it.
We dropped into the grocery store. We bought some fruit and a couple of other things. They were friendly there too. Everyone we met either said good morning or hello. The cashier said I looked tired.
My allergies are awful and the antihistamines make me tired. Pecan trees are blooming here too. They still have unopened pecans from last season on them. I have never seen that before. I guess the pecans are still there because there are no squirrels to eat them.
We bought gas in Andrews for $2.99 a gallon.... just topping off for the next leg of our trip.
We came home and we fixed beef stew for dinner. It was good and there is enough for tomorrow.
It is still very windy. The clouds came in and we got a few drops of rain a while ago. The birds are smart and staying out of the wind, so it doesn't look like I will get any pictures unless the wind dies down and the sun peeks out.
We dropped into the grocery store. We bought some fruit and a couple of other things. They were friendly there too. Everyone we met either said good morning or hello. The cashier said I looked tired.
My allergies are awful and the antihistamines make me tired. Pecan trees are blooming here too. They still have unopened pecans from last season on them. I have never seen that before. I guess the pecans are still there because there are no squirrels to eat them.
We bought gas in Andrews for $2.99 a gallon.... just topping off for the next leg of our trip.
We came home and we fixed beef stew for dinner. It was good and there is enough for tomorrow.
It is still very windy. The clouds came in and we got a few drops of rain a while ago. The birds are smart and staying out of the wind, so it doesn't look like I will get any pictures unless the wind dies down and the sun peeks out.
Thursday 22 April 2010
We left Carlsbad RV Park at 10:16 am (ET) and arrived at Florey Park at 1:30 pm (ET). The cost a night is $22 for full hookups. We are located 8 miles north of the city of Andrews Texas on US 385. The park is a county (Andrew) park.
We took US 176 to Andrews Texas and then got on US 385. The drive was still the desert scene, but a bit more green with shrubs/small trees. More and more oil pumps were in the scene as we went through Eunice New Mexico and the same as we neared Andrews. The area here smells of oil products.
We bought gas in Andrews for $3.09 a gallon.
The RV part of this campground looks to be new. This area has pea gravel and the road is paved. There are no trees in this area. The trees are in the other areas of the park. We are in site 17.
There is no bath house here, but there is a restroom. The restroom isn't the cleanest, but I've seen much worse. Birds have visited the restroom for the purpose of using the restroom... but unfortunately they do not know how to use the toilets.
We had to go into Seminole to WalMart for something. About a 28 mile trip one-way. The WalMart is the smallest we've ever seen. Everyone was friendly.
Frank put up the satellite dish in the afternoon. We managed to keep up with where all the thunderstorms and tornadoes where until we went to bed a little aft 10 (CT).
Wednesday night there was lightning to the w/nw of us, but only a few drops of rain hit us. Last night the lightening was to the e/se of us and we did not get any rain. We did have plenty of wind... I would say at least 40 mph.
I did edit pictures, but they are only so-so. I did get a couple of bird pictures. They were of great-tailed grackles and a western kingbird.
We traveled 122 miles today.
We took US 176 to Andrews Texas and then got on US 385. The drive was still the desert scene, but a bit more green with shrubs/small trees. More and more oil pumps were in the scene as we went through Eunice New Mexico and the same as we neared Andrews. The area here smells of oil products.
We bought gas in Andrews for $3.09 a gallon.
The RV part of this campground looks to be new. This area has pea gravel and the road is paved. There are no trees in this area. The trees are in the other areas of the park. We are in site 17.
There is no bath house here, but there is a restroom. The restroom isn't the cleanest, but I've seen much worse. Birds have visited the restroom for the purpose of using the restroom... but unfortunately they do not know how to use the toilets.
We had to go into Seminole to WalMart for something. About a 28 mile trip one-way. The WalMart is the smallest we've ever seen. Everyone was friendly.
Frank put up the satellite dish in the afternoon. We managed to keep up with where all the thunderstorms and tornadoes where until we went to bed a little aft 10 (CT).
Wednesday night there was lightning to the w/nw of us, but only a few drops of rain hit us. Last night the lightening was to the e/se of us and we did not get any rain. We did have plenty of wind... I would say at least 40 mph.
I did edit pictures, but they are only so-so. I did get a couple of bird pictures. They were of great-tailed grackles and a western kingbird.
We traveled 122 miles today.
21 April, 2010
Wednesday 21 April 2010
We took a drive into downtown Carlsbad this morning. They have a riverwalk along the Pecos River. We decided it wasn't our thing. We checked out the Flume and wasn't impressed with it either.
Oh... what to do with the day? We bought fuel in Carlsbad at $3.09 a gallon. A visit to WalMart for bread, peanut butter... you know the essentials. Then we came home and did laundry. We then fixed dinner of sauteed onions and round steak. Veggies were canned peas and frozen squash we bought while at WalMart. The squash has a thick rind and was almost orange in color. I cooked it anyway... knowing that it looked like too old squash and it was not good. So this lady sat down after dinner and wrote an email to the company. Then I straightened up the trailer some and swept, wiped the floors down and shook the dust out of the scatter rugs while Frank worked at the computer making plans for the next leg of our trip.
We took the long way to the showers and got our walk in. We've had a few drops of rain since then. As the sun is setting the clouds look pretty in their bluish and purple tones... with a few pinks in there too. The buildings spoil the view and I can't erase them in a photo, but i can in my mind :-))
I was going to edit pictures and upload them this evening, but I just wasn't in the mood...so my audience will have to wait until I am in the mood :-)) I promise they turn out better when I'm in the mood.
Oh... what to do with the day? We bought fuel in Carlsbad at $3.09 a gallon. A visit to WalMart for bread, peanut butter... you know the essentials. Then we came home and did laundry. We then fixed dinner of sauteed onions and round steak. Veggies were canned peas and frozen squash we bought while at WalMart. The squash has a thick rind and was almost orange in color. I cooked it anyway... knowing that it looked like too old squash and it was not good. So this lady sat down after dinner and wrote an email to the company. Then I straightened up the trailer some and swept, wiped the floors down and shook the dust out of the scatter rugs while Frank worked at the computer making plans for the next leg of our trip.
We took the long way to the showers and got our walk in. We've had a few drops of rain since then. As the sun is setting the clouds look pretty in their bluish and purple tones... with a few pinks in there too. The buildings spoil the view and I can't erase them in a photo, but i can in my mind :-))
I was going to edit pictures and upload them this evening, but I just wasn't in the mood...so my audience will have to wait until I am in the mood :-)) I promise they turn out better when I'm in the mood.
20 April, 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Well we were able to move today :-)) So off to Sitting Bull Falls. We enjoyed the drive there. At first we were in a cloud bank, but we eventually left it behind. Then the sky turned blue and was dotted with the puffy white clouds we like. Cows and their calves were grazing along the roadway. Some crossed in front of us.
As we arrived at the falls four school bus loads of school children... maybe 5th graders.. arrived too. The rangers had all sorts of programs set up for them. They had a good time and we had a good time watching them.
Sitting Bull Falls is a spring fed falls, so not a lot of water flows over it. It is still beautiful. The walk was easy and it only took a few minutes to walk to the falls. We took lots of pictures of the falls.
We listened a bit as one of the rangers or guest... not sure which... talked of raptors. They had three for the kids to look at; a screech owl, a barn owl and a red tail hawk (dark version). They are beautiful birds. I only got pictures of the red tail hawk.
We then drove back to Carlsbad and bought a burger and fries at Happy's. The burger was very large and so was our appetites.
We called our parents and then walked around the park and took pictures. I'm hoping I got a good grackle picture.
Then it was shower time. Frank talked for an hour or so with other campers on his way back. I declined and came inside and edited pictures and am now trying to update the blog as the pictures upload.
Tomorrow another adventure.
As we arrived at the falls four school bus loads of school children... maybe 5th graders.. arrived too. The rangers had all sorts of programs set up for them. They had a good time and we had a good time watching them.
Sitting Bull Falls is a spring fed falls, so not a lot of water flows over it. It is still beautiful. The walk was easy and it only took a few minutes to walk to the falls. We took lots of pictures of the falls.
We listened a bit as one of the rangers or guest... not sure which... talked of raptors. They had three for the kids to look at; a screech owl, a barn owl and a red tail hawk (dark version). They are beautiful birds. I only got pictures of the red tail hawk.
We then drove back to Carlsbad and bought a burger and fries at Happy's. The burger was very large and so was our appetites.
We called our parents and then walked around the park and took pictures. I'm hoping I got a good grackle picture.
Then it was shower time. Frank talked for an hour or so with other campers on his way back. I declined and came inside and edited pictures and am now trying to update the blog as the pictures upload.
Tomorrow another adventure.
19 April, 2010
Monday 19 April 2010
We decided since there was a 30% chance of rain today and 50% tonight that we would go ahead and see Carlsbad Caverns. Tomorrow should be a better day for outdoor pictures.
I forgot to mention that on Saturday it rained while we were at Ft. Stockton RV Park. There was a 30% chance of rain then too and it rained for several hours.
Our trip started out with very overcast skies. As we got closer to the caverns it became difficult to see through the mist... I think we were in a cloud on the mountains.
We were brave and took the Natural Entrance tour first. It is a self-guided tour and we paid to use the recordings ($3 each) that add a bit more to the tour. Admission is free this week in celebration of National Park Week.
The Natural Entrance tour is 99% downhill and very steep. It was enjoyable with only a few people passing us. We really took our time. Frank told me that tour was only a mile. It seemed like a lot more. We took a break at the lunchroom area and then headed on to the Big Room tour. Frank also says that tour was a mile... a very long mile it was. It was up and down with only a few really steep places. We spent over four hours touring the caverns. It was very beautiful. I love to look back to where we just walked from... it was "oh... that is so pretty" from me :-))
We tried to look for a souvenir in the gift shop, but we were just too tired. We went back to the truck and ate our peanut butter sandwiches. Then on the drive back we took a 500 yard hike up a hill and took a few pictures.
Then home we came and sat down and watched tv and ate some soup. I edited a few pictures. I haven't done the ones I took today. I just don't have the energy. I'll eventually get them up... if any of them are not blurred or too bright. Sometimes the flash seemed to be a bit too much so I tried some shots without the flash. Hopefully I got a couple of acceptable pictures. They are offering a photograph class on photographing the caverns and I would pay the money to take it if we were going to be here then.
Time to upload this and rest for another adventure.
We probably shouldn't haven't hiked such steep trails... our bodies hurt. We hope to be able to move our bodies tomorrow :-))
I forgot to mention that on Saturday it rained while we were at Ft. Stockton RV Park. There was a 30% chance of rain then too and it rained for several hours.
Our trip started out with very overcast skies. As we got closer to the caverns it became difficult to see through the mist... I think we were in a cloud on the mountains.
We were brave and took the Natural Entrance tour first. It is a self-guided tour and we paid to use the recordings ($3 each) that add a bit more to the tour. Admission is free this week in celebration of National Park Week.
The Natural Entrance tour is 99% downhill and very steep. It was enjoyable with only a few people passing us. We really took our time. Frank told me that tour was only a mile. It seemed like a lot more. We took a break at the lunchroom area and then headed on to the Big Room tour. Frank also says that tour was a mile... a very long mile it was. It was up and down with only a few really steep places. We spent over four hours touring the caverns. It was very beautiful. I love to look back to where we just walked from... it was "oh... that is so pretty" from me :-))
We tried to look for a souvenir in the gift shop, but we were just too tired. We went back to the truck and ate our peanut butter sandwiches. Then on the drive back we took a 500 yard hike up a hill and took a few pictures.
Then home we came and sat down and watched tv and ate some soup. I edited a few pictures. I haven't done the ones I took today. I just don't have the energy. I'll eventually get them up... if any of them are not blurred or too bright. Sometimes the flash seemed to be a bit too much so I tried some shots without the flash. Hopefully I got a couple of acceptable pictures. They are offering a photograph class on photographing the caverns and I would pay the money to take it if we were going to be here then.
Time to upload this and rest for another adventure.
We probably shouldn't haven't hiked such steep trails... our bodies hurt. We hope to be able to move our bodies tomorrow :-))
18 April, 2010
Sunday 18 April 2010
We left Ft. Stockton RV Park at 10:15 am (ET). The skies were pretty all our trip this morning. We went a short ways on I-10 and then got on US 285. There were a lot of scrubby looking brushes. Some had blooms and the yucca plants were blooming. They were pretty. We spotted a few cows and horses and you wonder what they find out on the ranges to eat.
We stopped in Pecos Texas for gas at $2.99 a gallon.
We arrived at Carlsbad RV and Campground at 1:15 pm (ET). We were a bit early for check-in. People were still in our spot... check-out time is 12 noon (MT). The manager made a call to the occupants of the site and told them they had 35 minutes to check-out.
The campground had graveled roads and shade. It has plenty of things for youngsters to do... pool, fooseball, game machines and playground. There is an indoor swimming pool too.
We are in site C-5. We got two nights with Passport America for $38.19 and two nights with Good Sams for $69. 11 (the amounts are for the total of two nights). After we set up camp we went out to get something to eat. We bought Subway subs and brought them back to camp to eat.
A rest was in order then. After that we went for a drive around town. We checked the price of diesel fuel and it ran around $3.31 a gallon. As we drove I spotted an Exxon station sign a couple of streets over.... sometimes I have an eagle-eye ;-) A little bit down the road we crossed over a couple of streets and eventually came upon the Exxon station. I say station, but all it was was pumps. The price of diesel there was $3.09 a gallon so we topped the tank off for tomorrow's sight-seeing.
On our way back to camp we stopped at WalMart for a few things. Then I played on Facebook. Yesterday I tried to play on Facebook but the internet connection was much like dial-up... slow. I think it was a satellite wifi connection. Frank watched tv. Then we walked around the campground and took our showers.
It is 9pm in GA and 7pm here... we had just about gotten used to central time. Time to watch a bit of tv and then go to bed.
We traveled 155 miles today.
We stopped in Pecos Texas for gas at $2.99 a gallon.
We arrived at Carlsbad RV and Campground at 1:15 pm (ET). We were a bit early for check-in. People were still in our spot... check-out time is 12 noon (MT). The manager made a call to the occupants of the site and told them they had 35 minutes to check-out.
The campground had graveled roads and shade. It has plenty of things for youngsters to do... pool, fooseball, game machines and playground. There is an indoor swimming pool too.
We are in site C-5. We got two nights with Passport America for $38.19 and two nights with Good Sams for $69. 11 (the amounts are for the total of two nights). After we set up camp we went out to get something to eat. We bought Subway subs and brought them back to camp to eat.
A rest was in order then. After that we went for a drive around town. We checked the price of diesel fuel and it ran around $3.31 a gallon. As we drove I spotted an Exxon station sign a couple of streets over.... sometimes I have an eagle-eye ;-) A little bit down the road we crossed over a couple of streets and eventually came upon the Exxon station. I say station, but all it was was pumps. The price of diesel there was $3.09 a gallon so we topped the tank off for tomorrow's sight-seeing.
On our way back to camp we stopped at WalMart for a few things. Then I played on Facebook. Yesterday I tried to play on Facebook but the internet connection was much like dial-up... slow. I think it was a satellite wifi connection. Frank watched tv. Then we walked around the campground and took our showers.
It is 9pm in GA and 7pm here... we had just about gotten used to central time. Time to watch a bit of tv and then go to bed.
We traveled 155 miles today.
17 April, 2010
Saturday 17 April 2010
We went into Ft. Stockton this morning. We bought gas at $2.99 a gallon. There really isn't anything there to see. I did get a picture of a roadrunner.. of course it is a statue and not the real thing. I don't think a roadrunner would pose for me.
We came back to the trailer and I cooked us a good dinner. I cooked us pork chop a piece in the non-stick frypan with a couple tablespoons of oil. I seasoned them with a bit of seasoned salt and pepper before cooking. I didn't dry them out like I tend to do sometimes. The side dishes were blackeye peas simmered with a little onion, chopped stewed tomatoes, some chopped pickled peppers and seasoned with seasoned pepper and served with rice. The peas tomato mixture had a kick to it and Frank swears he didn't put any hot sauce in the pot when I had to leave the kitchen for a few minutes. The pickled peppers weren't hot. Despite not having a piece of cornbread to go with it... It was Good Eats!
We came back to the trailer and I cooked us a good dinner. I cooked us pork chop a piece in the non-stick frypan with a couple tablespoons of oil. I seasoned them with a bit of seasoned salt and pepper before cooking. I didn't dry them out like I tend to do sometimes. The side dishes were blackeye peas simmered with a little onion, chopped stewed tomatoes, some chopped pickled peppers and seasoned with seasoned pepper and served with rice. The peas tomato mixture had a kick to it and Frank swears he didn't put any hot sauce in the pot when I had to leave the kitchen for a few minutes. The pickled peppers weren't hot. Despite not having a piece of cornbread to go with it... It was Good Eats!
Friday 16 April 2010
We left the WalMart parking lot at 9:30 am (ET).
There was some beautiful scenery once we got past the black cloud we were under. There were beautiful white clouds and blue sky that we had not seen in a couple of days.
We stopped twice at rest stops... the second we ate our dinner at.
We arrived at Ft. Stockton RV Park in Ft. Stockton Texas at 3:00 pm. A nice campground. The roads and sites are paved with tar/gravel. We are in site 19.
There are trees and lots of birds here. Of course it became overcast not long after we arrived. When there are birds around... it just seems the weather is not going to cooperate with me.
The rest of the day was just rest.
We traveled 246 miles today.
There was some beautiful scenery once we got past the black cloud we were under. There were beautiful white clouds and blue sky that we had not seen in a couple of days.
We stopped twice at rest stops... the second we ate our dinner at.
We arrived at Ft. Stockton RV Park in Ft. Stockton Texas at 3:00 pm. A nice campground. The roads and sites are paved with tar/gravel. We are in site 19.
There are trees and lots of birds here. Of course it became overcast not long after we arrived. When there are birds around... it just seems the weather is not going to cooperate with me.
The rest of the day was just rest.
We traveled 246 miles today.
Thursday 15 April 2010
We did our laundry today at a laundromat in town. Then we went over to WalMart to walk around. Then back to camp and lunch. The rest of the day was pretty much watch tv. It rained and rained. We seem to luck out that whenever we needed to go to the truck for the town trips or up to the bath house the rain would let up... as soon as we would get back inside it would be a downpour again.
We stayed up and watched Bones and Fringe on tv. That put us going to bed at a few minutes after 10 pm (CT). A few minutes before 11 pm (CT) there was a knock on the trailer door. It was one of the campground owners and she said that we needed to hook up our trailer ready to leave or if we wanted to we could leave and park in the church parking lot up the hill.
I take a muscle relaxer, Zanaflex, along with Lyrica at night so I might be pain free and sleep. By the time the knock came at the door I was pretty much under the influence of drugs and groggy... well pretty much dopey :-)) Frank was patient and answered my stupid questions and pointed me to the things I needed to be doing.
Frank then went outside and found out from a lady fireman, by now the campground was full of firemen and policemen, that the river was rising quickly and showed him with her flashlight how high the river had risen. She said they were getting everyone out of the campground. So police and firemen were directing RVs out of the campground. One helped Frank to hook the trailer up... this lady was too much of a dope head to do it. That bright street lamp we were under came in handy. We broke camp and hooked up the trailer in record time.
The church parking lot was very crowded. We went to WalMart instead and parked in their lot for the night. The first time we have spent the night in one of their parking lots :-) It wasn't bad. It really wasn't too hot in the trailer with the windows closed.... pouring rain kept us from opening a window ( we did open the bathroom vent). We would have slept better with a little air circulating.
We stayed up and watched Bones and Fringe on tv. That put us going to bed at a few minutes after 10 pm (CT). A few minutes before 11 pm (CT) there was a knock on the trailer door. It was one of the campground owners and she said that we needed to hook up our trailer ready to leave or if we wanted to we could leave and park in the church parking lot up the hill.
I take a muscle relaxer, Zanaflex, along with Lyrica at night so I might be pain free and sleep. By the time the knock came at the door I was pretty much under the influence of drugs and groggy... well pretty much dopey :-)) Frank was patient and answered my stupid questions and pointed me to the things I needed to be doing.
Frank then went outside and found out from a lady fireman, by now the campground was full of firemen and policemen, that the river was rising quickly and showed him with her flashlight how high the river had risen. She said they were getting everyone out of the campground. So police and firemen were directing RVs out of the campground. One helped Frank to hook the trailer up... this lady was too much of a dope head to do it. That bright street lamp we were under came in handy. We broke camp and hooked up the trailer in record time.
The church parking lot was very crowded. We went to WalMart instead and parked in their lot for the night. The first time we have spent the night in one of their parking lots :-) It wasn't bad. It really wasn't too hot in the trailer with the windows closed.... pouring rain kept us from opening a window ( we did open the bathroom vent). We would have slept better with a little air circulating.
15 April, 2010
Wednesday 14 April 2010
We broke camp in misty rain and were on our way by 8:30 am (ET). We bought gas at the service station by the campground, Columbus Mini Mart. Diesel was $2.97 a gallon.
It misted off and all during our travel today. The wildflowers were beautiful along the medium and roadside. The flowers varied in colors from pinks to reds and yellows and blue.
We stopped at Valero Corner Store for gas in Boerne Texas at $2.89 a gallon.
We stopped at a rest stop near Seguin on I-10. There were grackles all around and they were very noisy.... nesting time I believe. I don't know what type of grackles they were and the weather was not good for pictures.
We arrived at By The River Campground in Kerrville Texas at 1:25 pm (ET) . The sites are downhill from the office and bathhouse. The road is single vehicle wide and the sites are back in onto a grassy area. We are in site 53. Soon after we set up it poured rain. We watched a bit of tv... even caught an episode of In Plain Sight that we had not seen.
Then we went out in the misty rain to an rv supply place. We bought some covers to go over the door windows. We cannot open the awning here because we are so close to the next trailer. Guess where a light is... right next to our trailer and close our bedroom. We put foil on the door window and over the bathroom skylight. We'll put the window covers on when there is no rain.
We went to Radio Shack and bought a signal locator for the satellite dish. We have cable here and aren't hooking the satellite up.
Then an adventure began. We went into a Gibson's Discount Store. It has been forever since we have seen one. We needed to walk and this was a good place to do so. The store is a fraction of the size of the one that was in Albany years ago. It still had various items that you probably couldn't find in another discount store. The people were friendly in the store. We were told that there are only two Gibson stores left. The other is in Weatherford Texas .
After walking we came back to the trailer and drove up to the bath house to get a shower. Soon after we got back to the trailer it poured rain again.
We watched Criminal Minds and In Plain Sight and went to bed.
I didn't open the computer up after we arrived here.... Frank was aghast :-))
We traveled 197 miles today.
It misted off and all during our travel today. The wildflowers were beautiful along the medium and roadside. The flowers varied in colors from pinks to reds and yellows and blue.
We stopped at Valero Corner Store for gas in Boerne Texas at $2.89 a gallon.
We stopped at a rest stop near Seguin on I-10. There were grackles all around and they were very noisy.... nesting time I believe. I don't know what type of grackles they were and the weather was not good for pictures.
We arrived at By The River Campground in Kerrville Texas at 1:25 pm (ET) . The sites are downhill from the office and bathhouse. The road is single vehicle wide and the sites are back in onto a grassy area. We are in site 53. Soon after we set up it poured rain. We watched a bit of tv... even caught an episode of In Plain Sight that we had not seen.
Then we went out in the misty rain to an rv supply place. We bought some covers to go over the door windows. We cannot open the awning here because we are so close to the next trailer. Guess where a light is... right next to our trailer and close our bedroom. We put foil on the door window and over the bathroom skylight. We'll put the window covers on when there is no rain.
We went to Radio Shack and bought a signal locator for the satellite dish. We have cable here and aren't hooking the satellite up.
Then an adventure began. We went into a Gibson's Discount Store. It has been forever since we have seen one. We needed to walk and this was a good place to do so. The store is a fraction of the size of the one that was in Albany years ago. It still had various items that you probably couldn't find in another discount store. The people were friendly in the store. We were told that there are only two Gibson stores left. The other is in Weatherford Texas .
After walking we came back to the trailer and drove up to the bath house to get a shower. Soon after we got back to the trailer it poured rain again.
We watched Criminal Minds and In Plain Sight and went to bed.
I didn't open the computer up after we arrived here.... Frank was aghast :-))
We traveled 197 miles today.
13 April, 2010
Tuesday 13 April 2010
We left Gulf Coast RV Resort at 8:30 am (ET) after eating breakfast in their dining hall. We both had a bagel... a small thin bagel and I was still hungry and grabbed an apple danish. Frank took a bear claw to go, but did not eat it.
We bought gas in Winnie Texas at $2.96 a gallon.
We traveled I-10 again. For a while there were rice fields and crawfish farms... but that soon disappeared. At Houston there was road construction and traffic went down to one lane for a while.. so slow going there. It seemed like it took forever to get through the Houston area.
We stopped at a Flying J truck stop to stretch our legs and calm our nerves :-)) Then went on our way to our next stop.
We arrived at Columbus RV Park and Campground in Columbus Texas at noon (ET). It is a shaded campground with graveled roads and sites. It is a bit away from the road. It seems to be a nice park for the price of $22.50 with Good Sam's discount.
We had sandwiches for lunch today.
I called Mama today and we talked for over an hour. It was nice to talk to her and to tell her that I love her.
It is a little windy still... so it will be another night of my hair will almost dry by the time I get from the bath house to the trailer. I'm going to take a short walk before taking my shower.
Frank called Big Ben and could not get reservations until the 25th... so we will do some wandering around and look at the countryside this week.
We traveled 153 miles today.
We bought gas in Winnie Texas at $2.96 a gallon.
We traveled I-10 again. For a while there were rice fields and crawfish farms... but that soon disappeared. At Houston there was road construction and traffic went down to one lane for a while.. so slow going there. It seemed like it took forever to get through the Houston area.
We stopped at a Flying J truck stop to stretch our legs and calm our nerves :-)) Then went on our way to our next stop.
We arrived at Columbus RV Park and Campground in Columbus Texas at noon (ET). It is a shaded campground with graveled roads and sites. It is a bit away from the road. It seems to be a nice park for the price of $22.50 with Good Sam's discount.
We had sandwiches for lunch today.
I called Mama today and we talked for over an hour. It was nice to talk to her and to tell her that I love her.
It is a little windy still... so it will be another night of my hair will almost dry by the time I get from the bath house to the trailer. I'm going to take a short walk before taking my shower.
Frank called Big Ben and could not get reservations until the 25th... so we will do some wandering around and look at the countryside this week.
We traveled 153 miles today.
12 April, 2010
Monday 12 April 2010
We left Maxie's Campground at 8 am (ET).
We traveled down LA 90 to LA 14 and then to 101 up to I-10. We saw rice fields along the way. Some were filled with water and crawfish were being raised.
We stopped at the Texas Welcome Center. We got some brochures and a map and went for a walk on a boardwalk along the Blue Elbow Swamp. I wish I had taken my camera and long lens on that walk, but I didn't even know there was a swamp walk there. We saw red-eared sliders (turtles), two broad banded snakes and a prothonotary warbler. It was too far to walk back to the truck and get the cameras.... our legs were too sore from the 100 miles we walked yesterday.
We arrived at Gulf Coast RV Resort, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:00 pm (ET). It is the typical resort... cement drive-thru sites with full hookups and no shade. We are in site #14. The cost for the site is $17.50 with Passport America... that is half price. A continental breakfast is included in our stay.
Frank worked on where we will stay tomorrow while I heated up some dinner. We had meat loaf, green beans with potatoes, the rest of the boudin and whole wheat bread from the bakery at WalMart.
Frank finished plans while I washed the dishes and got some tea steeping for ice tea. Then my time for the computer. I've edited pictures and am in the process of uploading them... seems to take forever. I downloaded th Picasa editing program so I can upload more pictures at once.
When I get the pictures finished I will upload to the blog and then I will take a walk and then shower. It is very windy here so my hair will be dry by the time I get back to the trailer from the bath house.
Well... my hair was almost dry by time we got back to the trailer. Frank is talking to his folks and I've finally finished the pictures and have upload the blog entries except this one.
Time to rest... we have cable tv :-))
We traveled 181 miles today.
We traveled down LA 90 to LA 14 and then to 101 up to I-10. We saw rice fields along the way. Some were filled with water and crawfish were being raised.
We stopped at the Texas Welcome Center. We got some brochures and a map and went for a walk on a boardwalk along the Blue Elbow Swamp. I wish I had taken my camera and long lens on that walk, but I didn't even know there was a swamp walk there. We saw red-eared sliders (turtles), two broad banded snakes and a prothonotary warbler. It was too far to walk back to the truck and get the cameras.... our legs were too sore from the 100 miles we walked yesterday.
We arrived at Gulf Coast RV Resort, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:00 pm (ET). It is the typical resort... cement drive-thru sites with full hookups and no shade. We are in site #14. The cost for the site is $17.50 with Passport America... that is half price. A continental breakfast is included in our stay.
Frank worked on where we will stay tomorrow while I heated up some dinner. We had meat loaf, green beans with potatoes, the rest of the boudin and whole wheat bread from the bakery at WalMart.
Frank finished plans while I washed the dishes and got some tea steeping for ice tea. Then my time for the computer. I've edited pictures and am in the process of uploading them... seems to take forever. I downloaded th Picasa editing program so I can upload more pictures at once.
When I get the pictures finished I will upload to the blog and then I will take a walk and then shower. It is very windy here so my hair will be dry by the time I get back to the trailer from the bath house.
Well... my hair was almost dry by time we got back to the trailer. Frank is talking to his folks and I've finally finished the pictures and have upload the blog entries except this one.
Time to rest... we have cable tv :-))
We traveled 181 miles today.
Sunday 11 April 2010
We started off the day by going to WalMart.... always something we need it seems.
We were planning to visit Acadian Cultural Center, but we wound up at Vermilion Ville a Cajun/Creole Heritage & Folklore Park. It is a village depicting life in the area between the years of 1765 and 1890.
We met a man, Cliff Mire, who is a carver. He was carving ducks and he was carving them from scrap pieces of wood that he had glued together and then cut a block from to carve the ducks. The patterns were beautiful! He explained to us how different patterns in pecan wood are formed when the wood is cut (with bark left in tack) then left in the weather for at least a year. In this process spores develop in the wood and different patterns would form as the different spores set up their territory from each other. He carves many different things including puzzle boxes (boxes with a hidden compartment). We bought a carving of his at the gift shop "Ducks in Flight". It is two ducks in flight carved of cypress and mounted on cypress.
We also met a woman named Daphne J. Moore who was doing some hand sewing. She was patching an apron with some quilt squares. It was beautiful. She also makes corn husk dolls and baskets woven from pine straw. Daphne was great to talk with. I regret I walked away and didn't get a picture of her.
There was also a lady at the church and a man ran a ferry over a short distance of water. The people were friendly and a good time was had. Well worth the $8 each for the tour.
We ate the Sunday buffet at the restaurant there. About $11 each. The menu included pork chops. I'm not really sure how they were cooked... perhaps broiled or seared in a frying pan and then simmered in a sauce. They were good with just a little bit of a bite to them. There was also rice, navy beans, corn, green beans and dinner rolls... and a sausage and chicken gumbo that was seasoned to perfection. For dessert there was blackberry cobbler and bread pudding. That sure was good eats!
We then went to the music hall where Cajun music was being played. There were people dancing, but this decrepit couple decided to just watch. It was a lot of fun to listen to the music and watch the people dance.
We spent more than four hours at Vermilion Ville. Our feet and legs really felt it. Hopefully all the walking made up for all the food we ate.
I edited a few of the pictures I took this afternoon. There were a lot of quilts on display in the village and I took a few pictures of them. The hand-stitching was superb on them. I could never stitch that evenly. Quilts are such beautiful artwork and I love looking at them.
I also took a lot of pictures in the music hall... I will probably only upload a three or four of them :-))
Maybe tomorrow I will get the rest of the pictures edited and maybe there will be free wifi and I can get them uploaded.
We bought gas at a Shop Rite at $2.95 a gallon.
Time to do a bit of straightening and then rest for the trip tomorrow.
We walked at least 100 miles today :-))
We were planning to visit Acadian Cultural Center, but we wound up at Vermilion Ville a Cajun/Creole Heritage & Folklore Park. It is a village depicting life in the area between the years of 1765 and 1890.
We met a man, Cliff Mire, who is a carver. He was carving ducks and he was carving them from scrap pieces of wood that he had glued together and then cut a block from to carve the ducks. The patterns were beautiful! He explained to us how different patterns in pecan wood are formed when the wood is cut (with bark left in tack) then left in the weather for at least a year. In this process spores develop in the wood and different patterns would form as the different spores set up their territory from each other. He carves many different things including puzzle boxes (boxes with a hidden compartment). We bought a carving of his at the gift shop "Ducks in Flight". It is two ducks in flight carved of cypress and mounted on cypress.
We also met a woman named Daphne J. Moore who was doing some hand sewing. She was patching an apron with some quilt squares. It was beautiful. She also makes corn husk dolls and baskets woven from pine straw. Daphne was great to talk with. I regret I walked away and didn't get a picture of her.
There was also a lady at the church and a man ran a ferry over a short distance of water. The people were friendly and a good time was had. Well worth the $8 each for the tour.
We ate the Sunday buffet at the restaurant there. About $11 each. The menu included pork chops. I'm not really sure how they were cooked... perhaps broiled or seared in a frying pan and then simmered in a sauce. They were good with just a little bit of a bite to them. There was also rice, navy beans, corn, green beans and dinner rolls... and a sausage and chicken gumbo that was seasoned to perfection. For dessert there was blackberry cobbler and bread pudding. That sure was good eats!
We then went to the music hall where Cajun music was being played. There were people dancing, but this decrepit couple decided to just watch. It was a lot of fun to listen to the music and watch the people dance.
We spent more than four hours at Vermilion Ville. Our feet and legs really felt it. Hopefully all the walking made up for all the food we ate.
I edited a few of the pictures I took this afternoon. There were a lot of quilts on display in the village and I took a few pictures of them. The hand-stitching was superb on them. I could never stitch that evenly. Quilts are such beautiful artwork and I love looking at them.
I also took a lot of pictures in the music hall... I will probably only upload a three or four of them :-))
Maybe tomorrow I will get the rest of the pictures edited and maybe there will be free wifi and I can get them uploaded.
We bought gas at a Shop Rite at $2.95 a gallon.
Time to do a bit of straightening and then rest for the trip tomorrow.
We walked at least 100 miles today :-))
Saturday 10 April 2010
We watched Ghost Whisperer and Medium last night and went to bed to the sound of loud traffic... but I was too tired to hear it until early morning.
This morning we took a tour of the Tabasco factory in New Iberia. Interesting process of making Tabasco Sauce. We received free samples of their products. In their gift store more samples to taste. They had chili and sauces to taste with chips. There were also samples of Sweet & Spicy ice cream and Jalapeno ice cream. We both really like the Jalapeno ice cream. We bought some bottles of hot sauce and a souvenir of salt & pepper shakers.
After our tour we went across the road and went through Jungle Gardens. Not really worth the $8 each admission. We took pictures of snowy egrets and hopefully we got a good picture or two. White is so hard for me to get right in pictures.
We stopped at a Raceway service station and bought gas at $2.85 a gallon.
On the way back to the campground we stopped at Albertson's (grocery store) and bought some steamed shrimp, crawfish and crabcakes. Frank asked the cashier if there was anywhere we could buy some good boudin. So we stopped by the mom & pop grocery store she recommended and bought some boudin. It was all good... well I didn't eat any of the crawfish.. too much work :-))
I watched a little tv and edited pictures while Frank talked to neighbors.
I walked around a bit ago and there are only 3 sites left in the campground. The road in the campground is wide enough for two vehicles to pass with a bit of space to spare. The sites are square to the road and all back-ins. A big bus motor home parked next to us. The man cursed a bit when he couldn't open one of his storage compartments and had to move the bus some so he could access it.
We are going to watch a little tv and go to bed.
This morning we took a tour of the Tabasco factory in New Iberia. Interesting process of making Tabasco Sauce. We received free samples of their products. In their gift store more samples to taste. They had chili and sauces to taste with chips. There were also samples of Sweet & Spicy ice cream and Jalapeno ice cream. We both really like the Jalapeno ice cream. We bought some bottles of hot sauce and a souvenir of salt & pepper shakers.
After our tour we went across the road and went through Jungle Gardens. Not really worth the $8 each admission. We took pictures of snowy egrets and hopefully we got a good picture or two. White is so hard for me to get right in pictures.
We stopped at a Raceway service station and bought gas at $2.85 a gallon.
On the way back to the campground we stopped at Albertson's (grocery store) and bought some steamed shrimp, crawfish and crabcakes. Frank asked the cashier if there was anywhere we could buy some good boudin. So we stopped by the mom & pop grocery store she recommended and bought some boudin. It was all good... well I didn't eat any of the crawfish.. too much work :-))
I watched a little tv and edited pictures while Frank talked to neighbors.
I walked around a bit ago and there are only 3 sites left in the campground. The road in the campground is wide enough for two vehicles to pass with a bit of space to spare. The sites are square to the road and all back-ins. A big bus motor home parked next to us. The man cursed a bit when he couldn't open one of his storage compartments and had to move the bus some so he could access it.
We are going to watch a little tv and go to bed.
Friday 09 April 2010
We had Shredded Wheat for breakfast :-))
We left Bay Hide Away Campground at around 8:50 (ET) this morning.
As usual interstate travel was boring. There were what looked to be rambling roses growing amongst the pine trees. They were pretty climbing the shrubs and pines.
We traveled I-10 then I-12 where we stopped at a rest stop and got a Louisiana map. Then back to I-10. I-10 W was closed at Baton Rouge and our GPS and the I-10 detour signs got us back where we got off of I-10. We did make our way back to 190 again.. the I-10 alternate. With all the interstate traffic detoured onto 190 the traffic jams in the small towns we came to were bad. The traffic was stopped for a couple of miles at the one or two traffic lights each little town had. There were some pretty pastures along the route with cows and horses grazing amongst yellow low-growing wildflowers. Unfortunately no way to pull over for pictures. Finally we made it to our exit at (future I-49) / 90.
We stopped at Opelousas Louisiana sometime close to 1:30 pm (ET). We found a strip shopping center to park in. We walked over to Burger King and had a Whopper meal. Frank was getting shaky, we probably should have stopped sooner to eat something.
It was entertaining listening to the local's accents. I thought perhaps I was listening to Justin Wilson, renown Cajun cook.
We arrived at Maxie's Campground, Broussard Louisiana at 2:45 (ET). The campground is right next to the interstate. The roads and sites are graveled and close to together. We are in site 14. $11 a night is our cost with Passport America. We have tv with the antenna :-))
Wifi internet is costly here and I will not pay their high price. I'm a tightwad like Jack Benny :-)) Maybe we will find free wifi at a eatery somewhere.
We took a short stroll not long after we arrived and then later in the evening took a long walk... probably over a mile.
The roads were not great today so we feel like we have been beat up. I asked Frank if we road that mechanical bull on slow or high setting and he said it might have been a real bull instead.
Showers were taken in the trailer... there is only one shower on each side of the bath house. My shower was warm :-))
We traveled 213 miles today.
We left Bay Hide Away Campground at around 8:50 (ET) this morning.
As usual interstate travel was boring. There were what looked to be rambling roses growing amongst the pine trees. They were pretty climbing the shrubs and pines.
We traveled I-10 then I-12 where we stopped at a rest stop and got a Louisiana map. Then back to I-10. I-10 W was closed at Baton Rouge and our GPS and the I-10 detour signs got us back where we got off of I-10. We did make our way back to 190 again.. the I-10 alternate. With all the interstate traffic detoured onto 190 the traffic jams in the small towns we came to were bad. The traffic was stopped for a couple of miles at the one or two traffic lights each little town had. There were some pretty pastures along the route with cows and horses grazing amongst yellow low-growing wildflowers. Unfortunately no way to pull over for pictures. Finally we made it to our exit at (future I-49) / 90.
We stopped at Opelousas Louisiana sometime close to 1:30 pm (ET). We found a strip shopping center to park in. We walked over to Burger King and had a Whopper meal. Frank was getting shaky, we probably should have stopped sooner to eat something.
It was entertaining listening to the local's accents. I thought perhaps I was listening to Justin Wilson, renown Cajun cook.
We arrived at Maxie's Campground, Broussard Louisiana at 2:45 (ET). The campground is right next to the interstate. The roads and sites are graveled and close to together. We are in site 14. $11 a night is our cost with Passport America. We have tv with the antenna :-))
Wifi internet is costly here and I will not pay their high price. I'm a tightwad like Jack Benny :-)) Maybe we will find free wifi at a eatery somewhere.
We took a short stroll not long after we arrived and then later in the evening took a long walk... probably over a mile.
The roads were not great today so we feel like we have been beat up. I asked Frank if we road that mechanical bull on slow or high setting and he said it might have been a real bull instead.
Showers were taken in the trailer... there is only one shower on each side of the bath house. My shower was warm :-))
We traveled 213 miles today.
Thursday 08 April 2010
We started the day off with rain. We got wet hooking the trailer up. We left Escatawpa Hollow Campground at 8:15 am (ET). The rain lasted a couple of hours.
We traveled a ways on highway 90, but decided to get back on I 10. There were just too many red lights and traffic... and besides the GPS just insisted we get back on I 10 :-)) We stopped at a WalMart at Ocean Springs Mississippi to stretch our legs around 10 am (ET).
Our arrival time was around 11:45 am (ET) at Bay Hide Away Campground at Bay ST. Louis Mississippi. It has graveled roads and graveled sites. We had to put one board height under the wheels of the trailer to level. We are in site 10. Full hookups for $32.10 a night.
We had a lunch of barbecue. Then we went rode around a while. We drove along the beach area. It is sad to see so many empty lots were houses once stood. In some lots the support beams still stand of the houses. There are many post standing in the water where piers used to be fished from. There are new homes and houses that have been restored, but still the destruction of hurricane Katrina is still visible.
On our way back to the trailer we stopped at WalMart for gas. It was $2.82 a gallon with the 3¢
discount.
This afternoon we watched the rest of an old movie that we began to fall asleep watching last night. We were able to get a few channels on the tv. The picture and sound goes in and out though and makes it hard to enjoy. For one night Frank isn't going to set the satellite dish up.
It took us a while to get an internet connection here, but it finally happened and I got a few blog entries and pictures uploaded.
We got a message from Sonja which is always great and I caught up some with my friend Didi.
I took a shower at the bathhouse here, which is a very nice bathhouse. I ran and ran the water before getting in the shower and the water temperature barely made it up to my body temperature. I felt like I was at girl's camp where there was no hot water. Frank said his shower experience was on the cold side too to begin with and he finally had to turn the knob towards cool.
Time to get this uploaded and relax.... Well lost the internet connection :-((
We watched Bones and Fringe and went to bed.
We traveled 123 miles today.
We traveled a ways on highway 90, but decided to get back on I 10. There were just too many red lights and traffic... and besides the GPS just insisted we get back on I 10 :-)) We stopped at a WalMart at Ocean Springs Mississippi to stretch our legs around 10 am (ET).
Our arrival time was around 11:45 am (ET) at Bay Hide Away Campground at Bay ST. Louis Mississippi. It has graveled roads and graveled sites. We had to put one board height under the wheels of the trailer to level. We are in site 10. Full hookups for $32.10 a night.
We had a lunch of barbecue. Then we went rode around a while. We drove along the beach area. It is sad to see so many empty lots were houses once stood. In some lots the support beams still stand of the houses. There are many post standing in the water where piers used to be fished from. There are new homes and houses that have been restored, but still the destruction of hurricane Katrina is still visible.
On our way back to the trailer we stopped at WalMart for gas. It was $2.82 a gallon with the 3¢
discount.
This afternoon we watched the rest of an old movie that we began to fall asleep watching last night. We were able to get a few channels on the tv. The picture and sound goes in and out though and makes it hard to enjoy. For one night Frank isn't going to set the satellite dish up.
It took us a while to get an internet connection here, but it finally happened and I got a few blog entries and pictures uploaded.
We got a message from Sonja which is always great and I caught up some with my friend Didi.
I took a shower at the bathhouse here, which is a very nice bathhouse. I ran and ran the water before getting in the shower and the water temperature barely made it up to my body temperature. I felt like I was at girl's camp where there was no hot water. Frank said his shower experience was on the cold side too to begin with and he finally had to turn the knob towards cool.
Time to get this uploaded and relax.... Well lost the internet connection :-((
We watched Bones and Fringe and went to bed.
We traveled 123 miles today.
08 April, 2010
Wednesday 07 April 2010
This morning it is warm and humid and the birds are hiding in the trees singing... singing very lovely songs. I wish that I could see them.
We met Frank's parents for breakfast (at Hardee's of course) and then went to the courthouse in Lucedale and did a little research on a land deed. A nice time was had. We then went our seperate ways.
When we got back to the campground Frank worked on plans as to where we will stay the next few days.
We then ate dinner of grilled chicken, baked potato and green beans. A biscuit would have been nice, but whole wheat bread was substituted. Now that is eating better :-))
Frank met his parents at his Uncle Henry's and Aunt Zell's home and they had a good visit. Uncle Henry even did a bit of talking.
I stayed in the campground while Frank did his visiting. I walked around and took a few pictures. It is really very pretty along the river bank. I was hoping to get pictures of a the bluebirds, but they were not out. All the birds seemed to be hiding in the highest branches of the trees or in the thickest brush. I did get a picture of one bird... a wooden carving.
I edited a few of the pictures I took today and will upload them when we get a connection. Frank worked more on our travel plans. I have had my shower at 7 pm (ET) and Frank is taking his now. We took them at the bath house. There is a hornet in the ladies side... that made me a bit nervous being that I'm allergic.
Rhonda and Hannah stopped by to say hello. Hannah sure is a sweet girl.
Time to say so long for today and rest for tomorrow's adventure.
We met Frank's parents for breakfast (at Hardee's of course) and then went to the courthouse in Lucedale and did a little research on a land deed. A nice time was had. We then went our seperate ways.
When we got back to the campground Frank worked on plans as to where we will stay the next few days.
We then ate dinner of grilled chicken, baked potato and green beans. A biscuit would have been nice, but whole wheat bread was substituted. Now that is eating better :-))
Frank met his parents at his Uncle Henry's and Aunt Zell's home and they had a good visit. Uncle Henry even did a bit of talking.
I stayed in the campground while Frank did his visiting. I walked around and took a few pictures. It is really very pretty along the river bank. I was hoping to get pictures of a the bluebirds, but they were not out. All the birds seemed to be hiding in the highest branches of the trees or in the thickest brush. I did get a picture of one bird... a wooden carving.
I edited a few of the pictures I took today and will upload them when we get a connection. Frank worked more on our travel plans. I have had my shower at 7 pm (ET) and Frank is taking his now. We took them at the bath house. There is a hornet in the ladies side... that made me a bit nervous being that I'm allergic.
Rhonda and Hannah stopped by to say hello. Hannah sure is a sweet girl.
Time to say so long for today and rest for tomorrow's adventure.
Tuesday 06 April 2010
We left River's Edge Campground at 8:15 am (ET). We started off with thick fog which lifted as we reached Pensacola FL.
The scenery was pretty along the way this morning. The wisteria hanging from the trees varied in color from white to different shades of purple and blue. In towns the azaleas, dogwoods and a shrub with long white blooms decorated yards.
We arrived at Escatawpa Hollow Campground at Wilmer AL at about 10:35 am. I saw bluebirds as we entered the park. The park has graveled roads and the sites are dirt, but fairly level. It is expensive at $25 a night. The park has oak and pine trees. Beautiful wisteria is hanging in the trees. There is a tree blooming that we cannot identify.
Soon after we had setup Frank's parents stopped by to say hello. They went on to their motel room. We heated pizza up for our lunch. Then received a call from Frank's parents saying that it was okay to come and visit Uncle Henry and Aunt Zell.
Uncle Henry did not have a good night and his day was not any better. He did manage to talk a little to us. Uncle Henry and Aunt Zell's son, Darrell and a couple of the grandkids, Landon and Hannah, were there along with Uncle Henry and Frank's Dad's sister, Oralee and her daughter Carrie. We had a nice visit with them. We will try and visit again tomorrow.
We then went over to Frank's parent's motel room and visited with them a bit. Then off to WalMart for bread and gas. Gas was $2.78 after the 3¢ discount. We stopped at Hardee's on the way back for a hamburger and a coke. Umm.. we really DO NEED to work on our eating habits. Did I mention we had a turkey and cheese sandwich.. with whole wheat bread... for breakfast :-))
We brought the burgers back to the trailer to eat and watched a tv show Frank had recorded. Then Frank tried unsuccessfully to set up the satellite dish.... there just is not a big enough opening among the trees for him to find the signal. The tv antenna booster seems not be working. Frank will check it out another day.
Then it was off for a walk along the white beach of the Escatawpa River. The water was clear and pretty. The mild scent of wisteria was in the air.
Then showers were taken and now I'm trying to put something down in this journal that won't be so boring and Frank is reading.
I haven't taken any pictures yet. Maybe tomorrow I won't be too exhausted to snap a few shots.
We traveled 122 miles today.
The scenery was pretty along the way this morning. The wisteria hanging from the trees varied in color from white to different shades of purple and blue. In towns the azaleas, dogwoods and a shrub with long white blooms decorated yards.
We arrived at Escatawpa Hollow Campground at Wilmer AL at about 10:35 am. I saw bluebirds as we entered the park. The park has graveled roads and the sites are dirt, but fairly level. It is expensive at $25 a night. The park has oak and pine trees. Beautiful wisteria is hanging in the trees. There is a tree blooming that we cannot identify.
Soon after we had setup Frank's parents stopped by to say hello. They went on to their motel room. We heated pizza up for our lunch. Then received a call from Frank's parents saying that it was okay to come and visit Uncle Henry and Aunt Zell.
Uncle Henry did not have a good night and his day was not any better. He did manage to talk a little to us. Uncle Henry and Aunt Zell's son, Darrell and a couple of the grandkids, Landon and Hannah, were there along with Uncle Henry and Frank's Dad's sister, Oralee and her daughter Carrie. We had a nice visit with them. We will try and visit again tomorrow.
We then went over to Frank's parent's motel room and visited with them a bit. Then off to WalMart for bread and gas. Gas was $2.78 after the 3¢ discount. We stopped at Hardee's on the way back for a hamburger and a coke. Umm.. we really DO NEED to work on our eating habits. Did I mention we had a turkey and cheese sandwich.. with whole wheat bread... for breakfast :-))
We brought the burgers back to the trailer to eat and watched a tv show Frank had recorded. Then Frank tried unsuccessfully to set up the satellite dish.... there just is not a big enough opening among the trees for him to find the signal. The tv antenna booster seems not be working. Frank will check it out another day.
Then it was off for a walk along the white beach of the Escatawpa River. The water was clear and pretty. The mild scent of wisteria was in the air.
Then showers were taken and now I'm trying to put something down in this journal that won't be so boring and Frank is reading.
I haven't taken any pictures yet. Maybe tomorrow I won't be too exhausted to snap a few shots.
We traveled 122 miles today.
Monday 05 April 2010
We left Albany at 8:40 am (ET) this morning and stopped to get breakfast of sausage biscuit at Burger King.
A lunch was eaten at Hardee's in Chipley Florida of hamburgers & fries at 11:30 am (ET) Our eating habits need to get better :-))
We stopped in Mossy Head Florida for gas... diesel was $3.09 a gallon. It was cheaper a few miles earlier at $2.89 a gallon, but that service station was so busy we could not get into it. We had to go a few miles out of the way to turn around and get back up on I 10.
Our arrival at River's Edge Campground in Holt Florida was at 1:40 pm (ET). We are in site #54 and with our Passport America discount our camp site cost $12.50 for full hookups... that is not bad. The campground is pretty big. The campsites are fairly level even though they are dirt... the roads are dirt too.
We took a little walk after we got here. It looked a bit like fall with all the oak leaves falling and swirling in the light warm breeze. The Yellow River is very pretty and there is probably good fishing along it.
We rested this afternoon and had sandwiches for our supper. The last few days of getting ready were pretty hectic.... little things went haywire. The electric jack on the tongue of the trailer stopped working, so Frank had to put the hand crank back on after the attempts to fix the electric jack failed. I washed the scatter rugs in the trailer and the bathroom one fell apart... so another rug had to be bought... the little things that get on one's nerves :-))
Of course there were the forgotten things like our therma cups and the loaf of bread in the freezer. I'm sure we will find others things that were forgotten.
This campground has wifi, but I could only get it to work for a few seconds a few times.
We have had our showers (at 7 pm ET) and are ready to relax more so we will be ready for the next leg of our trip.
We traveled 206 miles today.
A lunch was eaten at Hardee's in Chipley Florida of hamburgers & fries at 11:30 am (ET) Our eating habits need to get better :-))
We stopped in Mossy Head Florida for gas... diesel was $3.09 a gallon. It was cheaper a few miles earlier at $2.89 a gallon, but that service station was so busy we could not get into it. We had to go a few miles out of the way to turn around and get back up on I 10.
Our arrival at River's Edge Campground in Holt Florida was at 1:40 pm (ET). We are in site #54 and with our Passport America discount our camp site cost $12.50 for full hookups... that is not bad. The campground is pretty big. The campsites are fairly level even though they are dirt... the roads are dirt too.
We took a little walk after we got here. It looked a bit like fall with all the oak leaves falling and swirling in the light warm breeze. The Yellow River is very pretty and there is probably good fishing along it.
We rested this afternoon and had sandwiches for our supper. The last few days of getting ready were pretty hectic.... little things went haywire. The electric jack on the tongue of the trailer stopped working, so Frank had to put the hand crank back on after the attempts to fix the electric jack failed. I washed the scatter rugs in the trailer and the bathroom one fell apart... so another rug had to be bought... the little things that get on one's nerves :-))
Of course there were the forgotten things like our therma cups and the loaf of bread in the freezer. I'm sure we will find others things that were forgotten.
This campground has wifi, but I could only get it to work for a few seconds a few times.
We have had our showers (at 7 pm ET) and are ready to relax more so we will be ready for the next leg of our trip.
We traveled 206 miles today.
