My RV adventures

The Good Luck Duck: What has Annie been up to? Eh, nothing much (Annie)

2011-04-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Good Luck Duck: What has Annie been up to? Eh, nothing much (Annie)

Still In Tucson

2011-02-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

I ams still camping at my relatives house in Tucson, I don't know for how long. I have a meeting to attend on the 6th of March so I will leave before then for sure.
The weather here has been beautiful dry sunny and not to hot. The best time of the year for Tucson.

My Blog is moving

2011-01-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

I have decided to move to word press and give it a try so cut and past this http://kayjulia.wordpress.com/

Plans for the trip to Tucson and Yuma AZ

2011-01-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

I am planing my next trip to Arizona. I have promised myself to take it easy driving and try not to drive all day and end up tired and stressed. So, this is the plan to drive from Wills Point, TX to Abilene, TX the first day. The second day drive to Pecos, TX remain over night. The following day drive to Deming NM and stay at the LOWs park there. If I feel like staying there for a day or two I will then drive on to Tucson.

View Larger Map

I hope to spend a few days with my son and his wife in Tucson and then drive to Yuma for the Gypsy Gathering in March. The trip to Tucson is a little less than 1000 miles and I could do it in two days if traffic cooperated, however why wear myself out driving all day and getting stressed ?

This is my first time posting a map to my blog it has been a learning experience.

Of course all plans are written in Jello :)

East Texas Snow Storm

2011-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Here we are waiting for a snow storm to pass us here in East Texas. Most folks don't equate Texas with snow storms, but we have 'em and sometimes they raise havoc with travel because there isn't enough snow removal equipment to handle the snow.
Not a good day to be on the roads in anything including an RV!!!

Note the dogs out for a walk and a sniff in the snow they were eager to get in where it was warm and dry after the walk :)

Got Goodies For my Rig

2011-01-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

I went shopping today at Camper's World in Denton Tx and had a great time spending money on my Rig. I found the staff there most helpful and friendly. That is note worthy because it hasn't always been so in other Camper's Worlds that I have shopped at. I also found some things cheaper this year than last year-that is not to say that everything was cheaper just a few things were cheaper. Anyhow I came away a happy camper and that is what matters. It was a long trip there and back we stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch and had a lovely lunch. I looked over their store of goodies and didn't buy a thing which is amazing in its self :)

So tomorrow I go for an eye check up at Key-Whitman Eye Center in Dallas (another lunch out!) another trip into Dallas traffic two in one week Arrrrg :(, I don't like big city traffic to many nut cases out there taking their life and yours into their crazy hands.....
I don't expect any problems with the eye check up things seem to be okay to me.

The following day I will be working on the RV getting things put away and set up the way I like it for the next trip.This past weekend I vacuumed the rig real good and shampooed the rug and got the rear view camera to work I am looking forward to being on the road again. Yahoo!!! On The Road Again To Places I have Never Been!!!!! Yippeee!

I have noticed, my chagrin, that a lot of bloggers use My RV Adventures for their blog title. Gee i thought I was being original...
HA! I am thinking of starting a blog on another platform WordPress so I have to come up with a new title for my new blog. I wonder what it will be? Kay's Caravan ? Julia's Journeys ? Wandering Wanda ? Lost Lilly? Dear me this is going to be another mind twister....eheh

Plans

2010-12-29T07:01:00.000-08:00

I called my Son's home last night to ask a question and talked to his wife for about a half an hour. We covered a lot of territory in the conversation. One of the things we covered was my pending visit there this winter. I have given some thought thought to visiting them this winter when I go to the Gypsy Journal meeting in Yuma AZ this March. I visited them last Winter for about five days and had a great time. The plans are to visit with them on my way to the Gypsy gathering and on my way back from the gathering. I am looking forward to spending sometime with them. This is a photo of where i camped while visiting them last year.

Now I have to firm up my reservations with the Gypsy Journal people, I am thinking of arriving early so will be settled in and know the lectures I want to be at and the venders where they are located. I am hoping that the Elks will be there too so I can join this year. I also want to get more information about Coast to Coast Camping Club seems complicated to me as to what to buy into and what it all means and the most important thing what are the costs! I don't want to get in over my head with these things.

Rained hard here last night I could hear the rain drops pounding on the roof it even disturbed my Lab Shelby for a little bit. Seems that there is one storm after another passing through. So far nothing as serious as the blizzard that hit the northeast this week, thank goodness. When I see people on TV shoveling snow and pushing cars I feel sorry for them and happy for me that I don't have to do that any more-I don't think I could do that anymore not with this tricky ticker (heart) of mine. Nope no more snow shoveling and car pushing for me.

I got a email informing me of a retired co-worker of mine had died, seems to me my circle of friends and co-workers is getting smaller as time goes by.

I got a package in the mail yesterday with my new curtains for the windshield in the RV. I'll try to put them up today. The curtains didn't come with tie backs, darn it. I'll just have to figure something out to hold the curtains open while driving.

Drats!

2010-12-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

I was out in the RV today checking things out and I tried out the water heater and I found that now matter which position I put the switch in on the RV or on the water heater the gas comes on to heat the water. Darn it I guess I will have to bring it back to the shop and have them check the switches out... Darn it I thought the water heater problems were over.

Christmas was quiet, pets had their stockings hung on the mantel and we watched some holiday programs on TV. It was cold and windy with some rain as a storm front moved through heading to the east where it raised havoc with the folks in both the Ohio valley and the Northeast. I am sure glad I am not there dealing with the snow and ice. It gets cold enough here in East Texas for me and would rather be somewhere else snuggling up to a bit of warm sunshine than hearing my teeth chatter here in North Eastern Texas.

Samantha bought here own RV and is fitting it out now and will try it out later at an RV park nearby. She is having fun buying goodies for her new (to Her) RV.

Season's Greetings

2010-12-25T07:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all my family and friends may all your wishes come true and may the new year find you healthy, happy and prosperous.

Repairs update

2010-12-24T04:21:00.000-08:00

I took the rig back to the repair shop the other day to have the heating element for the water heater replaced. Ya know sometimes fate moves in strange ways. The young man was taking the gas heating element off to get to the electric heating element and I was watching him and said to myself "damn I could have done that my self and saved a bunch of money" . I watched him install the new element and reassemble the unit. He asked me to go inside and try out the electric element I did and it worked and then (thank goodness) he said try the gas element...... all of sudden I hear yelling to turn it off ! Turn it off !!! Seem flames were shooting out of the unit and almost burned the guy. Several times he thought he had it fixed but still it flamed it wasn't till he moved one of his tools on the ground that he found a piece that hadn't been installed in the end of the gas line that restricts the gas flow that was the problem, once it was back in place the gas operation worked normally. I then thought to myself if I had done that I would have burned the rig to the ground-thank goodness I DID SPEND THE MONEY AND HAVE A TECH DO THE JOB! I felt I missed the bullet on that one in several ways. One if I did it I wouldn't have seen the flames till it was to late, and even if I had done it myself would I have even known what the little device was for or where it went?

After paying the bill we went to a near by town Mabank TX and stopped at a local restaurant called the Victorian Lady's Tea Room and had a lovely lunch I had a chicken salad sandwich that was delicious and Samantha had a crab salad that was just as good. Then we drove on to Canton TX and did some shopping at Wally World the parking lot wasn't full but the store was busy. Samantha has bought her own rig and is fitting it out so there is a lot of stuff for her to buy and of course I just had to get something for my rig.

I have been looking into the possibility of pulling up the old carpet in my rig and putting down some sort of smooth flooring, either pergo or some sort of tile. I think it would be easier to clean and look better then carpet. carpet in a rig just doesn't get clean after a while no matter what you use to clean it, IMO.

Repairs

2010-12-16T05:55:00.000-08:00

I got the Rig over to the RV repair place and when they got to doing the work they found that
the brake problem wasn't as terrible as it felt; seems that a pivot point for the brake near the engine was rusty and some WD40 and rust penetrator spray loosened up the device and it appears to be working. Although I am still leery of it working properly. My problem with the heater was in the thermostat control, the contacts were corroded, The water heater wouldn't work on electric and it turns out the heating element is kaput and needs to be replaced, it is on order. The generator was not sounding right and it needed an oil change. The carburetor was adjusted the oil and filter changed and it runs smooth now able to power the AC without sounding like it is going to die. When I drove it home the brake pedal worked fine releasing the brakes as it should. Now to put fuel treatment into the fuel tank and run it through the generator and engine to clean the carburetor on the generator. A lot got done in just a few hours, sure makes a difference when you know what to do and have the right tools.

No Brake Job today

2010-12-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

I took the RV in to the mechanic shop this morning but the mechanic that fixes brakes is still in the hospital and they guys at the shop don't know when he will be back, he is in the hospital with an infection. So, I think I'll look for another source to fix the RV.
While in town I got the Rig inspected, seeing as we are a rural community the emissions test wasn't necessary. I also got new wiper blades put on while there. Those blades wear out fast. Baby has her new inspection sticker so she's legal now.

I looked on line and found an RV repair shop that was not attached to a big sales outfit and I went and had a look at the place. They had some very expensive looking rigs they were working on, but were friendly and we talked about the work my rig needed and they seemed positive about getting things done. I'll be taking the rig there to get the brakes looked after, the generator serviced, the furnace repaired, and a couple of other little things checked. So I'll be a light in the purse when they are through fixing "HER" up.

I went by Home Depot today and got blinds cut to fit the RV, Wally World doesn't do that sort of thing. While there I was talking with the lady waiting on me and she told me that I could use my Military ID and get 10 percent of my purchase, all these years I never knew this about Home Depot. I guess I didn't get the memo :(

One of the less intelligent things I have done lately is leave my cell phone in my jeans and wash the jeans ...... Good Bye Phone,
Hello New Phone.....sigh :/

RV project

2010-12-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

I was checking out my RV and to my surprise the blinds in the living area have deteriorated and need replacing. The problem with that is figuring out how to get them down without damaging the wall. I went on the internet to ask how it is done and sure enough someone else has done it already and they filled me in with the details, seems there are clips that can be maneuvered opened to release the blinds. I got the first one down with only a little struggle the other will be worked on tomorrow, then I will buy new blinds to replace the old ones. Then the hope is that the clips will go back into place holding the new blinds into place.

Tomorrow the rig goes into the shop to have the brakes looked at and after paying a ransom to get that up to standard I'll take the old girl in to be inspected. RVs and boats they all need constant looking after with maintenance/repairs and modifications. The next project is to get a back-up camera for the rig installed, it has one now but I cannot get it to work, it flickered once and never came back on again. I have backed into so many things over the years that having a back-up camera is a must for me, especially since I will be towing a car behind the rig in the future.

Shivering in Texas

2010-12-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

The eye operation went well I think and then BAM I got sick with an infection and have been miserable for weeks. I think I am on the correct medication now and should be over this in a week.

The house hasn't sold yet and I am getting cabin fever being around here all the time. It is cold here in East Texas and that doesn't make me a happy camper. If I wasn't house sitting here I could be where it is warm instead of shivering in Dallas.

I need to get some repairs on the RV and get a new inspection sticker so the old gal goes into the shop this Monday morning seems that the brake pedal doesn't return sometimes. I sure hope it isn't the brake master cylinder that's expensive.....

Update Oct 18, 2010

2010-10-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Been back from Deming for quite some time now. Spent the first two weeks cutting grass and
trimming the weeds around the house. Since then I have been trying to keep the place neat
and clean for prospective buyers. Almost had a deal, but it fell through because they couldn't
get financing. There have been other looky-lews but no offers. We have lowered the price once
still no offers.

In the mean time I had to take care of a medical problem. My eyesight was getting worse especially
at night, I was afraid to drive after dark. So I made an appointment at the Key-Whitman Eye Clinic
in Dallas and as I thought I had cataracts in both eyes. So I agreed to have them taken out and
replaced with artificial lenses. So far I have had the right eye done and I am about to have the left
eye operated on. The right eye seems to be doing well. When I compare the vision between the left
and right the difference is dramatic. looking only through my left eye electric lights look like yellow
bug lights. No wonder I had problems seeing things at night. Of course there are short comings to
the procedure; there is a possibility that the lens will cloud over and I will have to have a procedure
to clear it up, I will need Lasik done on the left eye to correct the vision because of astigmatism. I
did my research and there is no other cure for cataracts; surgery or slowly lose one's vision, that's
the way it is, so now I am the proud owner of expensive implanted plastic lenses in my eyes.

Still In Deming NM

2010-07-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

Waiting for my 'puter to be repaired. Sometimes things take longer than you expected...
I'll fill in all the gory details later...

So here are the details; I got the computer back and at first I was upset cause when I booted it up (isn't that a strange phrase?) the computer came up but not the sound. I down loaded a Microsoft update and rebooted the 'puter and what do you know? The sound came back on! So I am pleased that I have sound now on my 'puter. However this episode has firmed my resolve to go Mac the next time I buy a computer, I hear they have less problems and the features are more intuitive.

So what have I been doing since I have been here in Deming NM? Well, I have been busy meeting people, I joined another RV club called LOWs loners on Wheels, they seem to be a nice group of folks. I have gone to lunch in Mexico with them and tonight met them at the local winery for wine and cheese and Thursday I am going with them to a brewery. I have gone out to dinner with the folks at this RV club called the Escapees, I've had brunch twice at the Holiday Inn and had lunch out almost every other day with a friend and escorted this friend to the hospital to get him scheduled for surgery, visited with a member of LOWs who is in a rehab facility with other members of LOW's. Been to Las Cruces to Sam's club for shopping and lunch and Wally World several times. And of course taking the fur kids for walks and play time at the dog park here at the RV Park. That and the usual household chores keep me busy.

I am staying here until my friend has his surgery to make sure he is alright so I should be here next Thursday for the brewery trip the LOW's group is making :)

Deming NM

2010-07-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

I am here in Deming NM at the Dream Catcher RV Park. It is summer and the park has only a few rigs with an occasional traveler spending the night. The weather has been hot (DUH) with occasional thunder storms and wind storms. I have to be careful not to leave my awing deployed as the wind and storms are unpredictable.

The local Holiday in is next door to the RV park and they have a nice brunch also they allow members staying at the park to use their pool, that is so nice of them. The park has a nice dog park for the fur kids to play in and they head right for it as soon as they get out of the rig. We visit the dog park three or more times a day to give the fur kids a chance to take care of business and play on the grass.

So far I have done the usual shopping at Wally World and Sam's club, having brunch at the Holiday Inn and lunch at Denny's. I also visited Hi-Lo ranch an RV Park that is run by a singles RV Club. Other than an occasional thunder storm things are quiet here in Deming NM.

Sometimes ya gotta go....

2010-07-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

It is never easy to leave family the heart wants to stay, but you know when it is time to go.

I left Idaho Falls Wednesday and drove south on I-15 till about exit 261 where I stopped for fuel at a Flying J. I had dinner there; I felt I needed some veggies and ordered the Cobb salad. I was going to stay at the Flying J but the area was crowded with truckers in to small a parking lot and there was no room for RVs. I planned on staying over night on the street next to the truck stop but it didn't give me the warm fuzzys so I went searching for some where more comfy than that place. I saw a sign for another Flying J so I followed its directions, when I got there the truck stop was closed, however there were lots of truckers there about forty of them spending the night. There was an empty parking area between the closed Flying J and the Motel next door so I pulled in and set up for a night camp. I was kept amused by the coming and going of people pulling in and finding the Flying J closed and the trucks coming and going at all hours. I slept pretty good and was ready to continue the journey in the AM.
It was a long ride to my next camp at the Sleeping Ute Casino in CO. I had stayed there before and knew what to expect. I got to use their laundry and shower walked the fur kids several times and got some good rest. Glad I got the rest I would need it as the next day's journey was long as I don't travel fast, just poke along. I finally made it to Dream Catcher RV park in Demming NM just as the sun went down and the lights came on. I met a friend here I have known for a couple of years and we had a quick reunion in the fading light and approaching darkness. We even took the fur kids for their first walk to the dog park in the dark and caught up on what we have both been doing since the last time we saw each other.

So this is Deming NM in the summer about 100 degrees in the shade and one looks for shade and there isn't enough to go around, let me tell ya. However the park is quiet and the company good,the fur kids like the grassy dog park and the A/C works, so I will be here for a few days checking the area out. There is another RV park here with another organisation that I want to have a look at since I am in the area.

Idaho

2010-07-12T09:09:00.001-07:00

I staid with family just outside Idaho Falls ID. Camped in their driveway; used their washer and dryer had wonderful family meals, watched my granddaughter play softball and enjoyed my grandkids to the max. We went out to dinner several times had BBQs and sat by the fire and told stories, watched the kids make somemores and in general had a good time. Life is good :-)

I got some repairs done on the Rig; awning repaired, new twirly vents for the waste tanks installed, new lens cover for the front turn signal, new vent cranks installed on the vents, defrosted the fridge. It is great to get all that stuff done.

If you have an RV awning that has some holes or tares take it to a place that repairs canvas. I took ours to the one and only Canvas Shop here in Idaho Falls and they did a great job; cut off the warn vinyl weather cover and sewed a new one on in under two hours for a very reasonable price, way better than getting a whole new awning installed.

Washington

2010-07-08T07:16:00.001-07:00

Washington is a nice place we explored Port Townsend and had a great time even though it rained off and on all the time we were there. Great food and excellent coffee, you know how I like my coffee and how disappointed I have been in the coffee on the road. A lot of folks don't know how to make coffee worth a damn anymore nore do they know how to clean a coffee pot. What's more they don't care and act surprised when someone complains about the taste of their coffee. Not in Washington they like their coffee and have the good stuff.

I loved seeing the boats on the water and it brought up longing for another boat. I even started looking at boats for sale ads. It's tough when your nautically infected your not happy unless your on a boat with wind and saltwater in your face braced at an angle splashing over the waves. Gads! I miss sailing.

The SKP park there, Evergreen Coho SKP Park, didn't light my fire. The park is a co-op park which means they own their lots and run the place themselves. This place was typical; they like the income from casual visitors, but don't go out of their way to make you feel welcome or improve the facilities for the casual visitor; like no showers, no cable TV, no tables or fire rings but you do get three pages of rules for free :-( Yup makes feel as welcome as a hair in a biscuit. Also the attitude of the owners towards visiters is rather odd-cold, chilly, distant, don't want to be bothered... well I won't bother them.

We spent our last night in Port Townsend instead of at the park even though I had paid for the night at the park. We enjoyed the town park there and so did our dogs and it all was for free and folks we met where happy to see us and our dogs.

Oregon

2010-07-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

Oregon beautiful and green great scenery and lots of water. We spent a couple of nights at an SKP park Timber Valley Park a Co-op park that takes casual visitors. We rented someone's space there for two nights. Most folks we met were nice a few didn't seem to care for us. The one thing that ticked me off was that there was no mention of a dog park in the literiture they gave us but there was a dog park. Sort of a secret thing for themselves. Also no showers for visitors but a host of rules and regs. The deer and jack rabbits loved the place and had fun trying to eat all the flowers and trees.

Update 8/7/10 part 2

2010-07-08T06:57:00.001-07:00

The difference from one state to another can be dramatic. From the dry and dusty flats of Utah and Nevada to the lush green of northern California, Oregon, and Washington is a feast for the eyes. The Pioneers that crossed the plains must of thought they had endured a terrible journey to be rewarded with green abundance. Of course most were hoping to gain wealth of one kind or another. Except for the Mormons who were escaping persicution.

Update 7/8/10

2010-07-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

We crossed Utah on the I-80 what a boring trip that was; we skirted the Great Salt Lake and proceeded to Nevada where after a very long day we camped in a Casino Parking lot with the eighteen wheelers. We thought we would have dinner at the Casino, but dinner there would have been too expensive so we had a salad at Micky "D's". We went to sleep listening to the roar of the big trucks. In the AM we got back on the highway and headed to California.
In California we found a small Casino and camped over night in their parking lot. The parking lot at this Casino slopped in such a way we couldn't get the Rig level. It was a quiet night at this Casino, so we slept good. Back on the highway in the morning we stopped at a restaurant called Little Bit of Heaven, we were their first customers of the day. The food was very good and listening to other customer's conversations was entertaining.

Update

2010-06-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a while since I have made a blog entry. Since last blog we tried going to Glacier National Park, but the weather didn't look good and the forecast was for it to get worse so we turned around and headed back to Wyoming to escape the cold and rain with its high winds that makes driving a high profile vehicle rather challanging. While in Wyoming we stopped at a small town looking to use our Passport America card to save money and could only stay one night as the town was unveiling a statue of a hometown hero that had been a Champion Rodeo Cowboy. There was a town park we could have stayed at, but I wanted to move on.

We headed to Utah and camped at a rest area we camped at before last year when we made a trip to Idaho. Then we crossed Utah. I tell you I-80 is either up and down or flat as an ironing board. Once we passed Salt Lake City the highway was flat and boring it wasn't that far to Nevada, but it seemed to take forever to get there. We dry camped at a Casino parking lot. We went over to the Casino to have dinner but their prices for the buffet was out our comfort zone. Se we had dinner at Mikky's and got on the road first thing in the morning. A lot of Nevada I-80 is boring. We stopped for the nigh at a small Casino that was hard to find with a slopping parking lot that I couldn't get the RV level using all my blocks under the wheels. Quiet night though.
We then drove on to California the gas prices where out of sight the scenery was beautiful Moutn Shasta is gorgous when the sun shines on it. The national forest is so green and inviting after driving in the desert. We drove on to Washington and dry camped at a rest area for the night. In the morning we headed out and on the way stoped for breakfast at a restarant and shared a breakfast platter it was so big.

We are now camped at an RV Park that is part of our Club we belong to. This park is a Co-op park so all the residents own the park and run it themselves. There is a five and a half year waiting list to buy in to the park. They rent spaces also, so we have a space for two nights and will head out tomorrow for Washington State to visit another park in the SKP park system.

Reed point to Fort Benton Montana

2010-06-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

We spent two days in Reed Point MT it was cold and rainy with enough wind to make things uncomfortable. We did get our laundry done and took several walks about the town and took a few photos when it wasn't raining. We did sleep well though. There was one bar/restaurant we passed on that experience.

Now we are in Fort Benton MT for a couple of days nice little town with lots of history and several good restaurants. We are at a small RV camp using Passport America which does same you money. We are staying with full hook ups for two days for $30 plus tax and the site is nice and the town quiet. We are withing walking distance of downtown and it is a level walk, very picturesque along the river with its lovely tree shaded park.
The drive here was interesting got to see lots of wildlife; deer, antelope and birds thankfully everyone behaved themselves and didn't run in front of the rig :)

Bowman SD to Miles City MT

2010-06-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

We packed up early this morning and headed out to Bowman SD; we were really out in the boonies took a long time to get to Bowman. We had breakfast at a local restaurant there. Then took route 12 to Miles City MT. The drive was through misty rain with little sunshine. At first the land looked much like SD rolling hills with lots of grass and few trees. The closer we got to Montana the more dramatic the landscap became. We started climbing hills and the local terrain got more rocky and steep. We had a few steep grades to negotiate then we were in Miles City area and found the campsite right away. After registration we went shopping at Walmart to get some food and other stuff. Seems to me that the prices aren't as good as they used to be at Wally World and the selection is less also.

I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and got a new battery cable and some tape to fix the turn signal lens lens. When we got back to the RV park I accomplished both tasks with only a little bit of sparks flying, LOL.

I get lucky, no not that kind ...sheesh

2010-06-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

We spent seven days at French Creek RV Park in Custer SD. I liked the town very much real small and one can walk from one end to the other on the main street. It doesn't take long for folks to get to recognize you even with the short time we were there. The reason for the seven days is we were tired and needed a rest from being on the road, time to catch up on rest and laundry shopping etc.

The manager was very nice he and his wife held a pot luck BBQ and asked everyone to bring something and they provided the meat and potatoes. His french fries are delicious and with all the dishes there to sample no one went hungry. We brought two pies one apple and the other peanut butter, I like them both and had my share.
One day I realized that I had run out of one of my medications and told the manager I would have to leave early so I could get my prescription filled and then later he said he and his wife were going to Rapid City and they would pick up my prescription for me. Gee that was nice of them.

We left on the 9th and went to Rapid City to shop at Wal-mart on the way there I had a fender bender with a car as we made a left hand turn. I heard the vehicle as we collided and we pulled into a parking lot and I feared the worst. When we all looked at the vehicles the car was an older car with lots of rust and dings the lady said she wasn't hurt and the car was fine couldn't tell where it was hit and she wanted to leave no questions asked. The RV sustained a few scratches and a broken turn signal lens that's it. So now to find a new turn signal lens for an old RV ... good luck on that...I guess I got lucky colliding with someone who didn't care.

We found our destination in Bowman North Dakota; Bowman-Haley Recreation Area a small lake formed by an Army Corps of Engineers Dam. We have a site with a view of the lake with electric for $10 a nite not much else here; there is a restaurant sort of and a ramp for boats and camp sites that's it. Good enough for a couple of nights, way out of town.

On to Montana tomorrow!

Wall Drug SD

2010-06-03T20:06:00.001-07:00

Nice view on our way to Wall SD

The wild west view one thinks of when thinking of the West

Interesting photo

Nice little ranch close to the road

Two antiques, me and a mail box

Want to ride a rabbit?

The street in front of Wall Drug is full all day

The RV lot is full all day too

The Wall Drug story is interesting look it up on Google the place employs hundreds of people directly and indirectly a great business story. Inside the store are a couple of dozen stores and they have a mall too.

Mount Rushmore SD

2010-06-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

View out the window of the restaurant

The entrance to the monument (temple)

My impressions of Mount Rushmore are odd I know, but here they are anyway; It feels like the Presidents have been deified and that your supposed to be awed by their presence. I don't think any of the men who's faces are carved there would want to be deified or even overly romanticised. They are just men who held high office and did some good things, they had their faults like everyone Else.

The entrance reminded me of some of the modernistic monuments erected by the twentieth century dictators. So in short I was not pleased. The fee of $10 to park your vehicle didn't please me either.

Tonight's camp National Forest Nebraska

2010-06-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day for travel overcast with occasional light drizle, not enough to cause worry enough to keep things cool. Once off the interstate traffic was light. We followed 81,I-80, NE183, state road 2 past Halsey to the National Forrest. We got skunked by our book on cheap campsites three times today that is how we got to the National Forest. Where I got to use my America the beautiful pass which got me 50% off the fee for camping here (yea ). So for $5.50 I have a lovely campsite in the trees with electric free dump and fresh water in the morning

We are camped at the National Forest Camp Ground Nebraska National Forest near Halsey NE. We got in and set up camp just before a thunder storm arrived with thunder, lighting and hail. Gee nice welcome.

We had a lovely dinner; salmon, peas, and potatoes tasted great. We've taken the dogs for their walk and everyone is happily full in the tummy. In the morning we will break camp and head for Wall SD should be there tomorrow afternoon.

We are in Kansas But

2010-05-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

The unit that is located at the Armory in Concordia KS

Tower at the airfield in Concordia Ks

The lots at the town RV park next to the airfield and Armory

across from Wal-Mart

Our rig

No sign of Dorothy or Toto :) We got an early start to the day and left camp at 7am this morning. We made good time and passed Wichita KS and headed north toward Concordia KS. This town has a town park with RV sites that have 30amp electric and some have water for a donation. It is up to you how much to donate. The sites are level to almost level cement and the park is very neat and tidy. One can stay seven days in a row or in an emergency and with permission up to thirty days. Gee that's nice!

There is a Walmart across the highway from the park, one cannot see the Walmart because of the trees. Very quiet location near a National Guard Armory and small airport. We may stay an extra day so I can get a refill on one of my prescriptions. We shall see. We are not to far from the Nebraska border.

Saturday update 052910 North of OK City

2010-05-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

All alone with free electric tsk tsk

Kind of spooky not having fellow RV'rs around or for that matter anyone else
on a holiday no less.

We are camped at the Kaw South Wind Casino about 85 miles north of Oklahoma City; a Little casino out in farm country. The major feature for us is that it has free electricity, don't have to sign up or nut'n.

We left Galveston yesterday early turned in the rental car and were on the road by 8am. We took I-45 north through Houston and on into Dallas and picked up the I-35 and kept going north. We had planned on staying at an RV park listed in Passport America, but when we found the park it was closed and looked like it had been closed for quite some time. Just a few miles away Samantha spotted a sign for another RV park that said $19 for over night so we went to have a look at the place. There was no name just RV Park, it was one of those small no frills RV parks were there are a some older rigs that haven't moved in quite a while and a few newer rigs and some junk around the units. We found the manger who was pleased as punch to get $19 in cash he even gave us a key to the shower, yes there was only one shower. That was okay it was clean and there was plenty of hot water.

We were tired, very tired, and hot from driving all day and even with the roof AC going it took a long time to cool the rig down. Just after sunset the AC gained on the heat and cooled the rig. We each had a salad went to bed early to the sound of the train whistles every few minutes. The park its self was quiet even though many units had several dogs. In the morning we broke camp early and were on the road again by 8am. We made a fuel stop at flying J on I-35 and found their prices higher much higher than other stations we saw later in the day on the same highway.

Getting to the Casino was a bit confusing as there are few signs and the GPS wanted to take us down a road that was closed; also the map and directions seemed faulty and didn't match up with the roads. With a little help from a local lady we located the right road and began to see signs for the Casino. When we pulled in we drove over to the east lot like the directions said and there wasn't another RV around. A man in a golf cart came by and confirmed this was the spot and no, one didn't have to register or do anything just hook up and enjoy :) We went inside the casino to see if they had a restaurant there but all they had was fast food so bought some chicken for a snack and looked the place over we may play later. So far we have the place to ourselves nice electric 30amp pedestle on a level cement parking lot with lots of security lighting.

On the road again :)

2010-05-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

The moon reflecting on the water as we looked ou the door of our rig camped at Seawall Blvd Galveston TX.

Sun rise on the Gulf of Mexico from our rig.

Our rig, as you can see we are camped on the street beside the seawall.

I am on the road again left Wills Point Texas the day before yesterday and drove to Livingston Texas to the Escapees Park there and stayed over night, picked up our mail said hello to some folks and left the next day for Galveston Texas. I met my sister Samantha in Galveston and we spent the night at a motel that accepted pets. She had already paid for the room so there was no sense in wasting the money. I parked the RV in back of the motel for the night.

The following morning we checked out of the motel and drove the RV up Seawall Blvd. and picked a spot to park next to the walkway beside the water. We have seen several other RVs parked there and Samantha said she had seen them stay there for several days. There are no signs saying you can't park overnight so that is what we are going to do unless someone tells us we have to leave. We are right on the main road next to the beach so when cars and trucks go by you can feel the coach move. I'm running the generator to run the A/C as it is very hot and humid here. I haven't run the generator much so it was a bit hard starting, seems to be running okay now ... l hope it keeps running smoothly.

We took a ride around the Island and over to another island to see the sights. Hurricane Ike tore this place apart and the devastation was huge, lots of homes were destroyed, or damaged, many businesses were destroyed also. Now there are many new homes and lots of work has been done to bring the area back to what it was before Ike. We have seen lots of fish jumping in the water and Dolphins breaching just of the beach. We had a cool beer at a Tiki bar and eat some good sea food. The sea food here in Texas is fine, the fishing is good as the oil spill hasn't effected the Texas coast ...yet!

Tomorrow the plan is is to head north, hopefully we will be north of Dallas by tomorrow night, if not "oh well" :-) We will night camp somewhere and continue our journey north the following day. Oh! We are headed to the South Dakota in case you wanted to know ....

Home again

2010-04-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

We got home about 3pm local time and found that the grass was high and nothing was awry with the house which was a great relief. We started mowing right off and got a lot of the front yard mowed. I decided to unroll the awning on the RV to let it dry out and see how bad it needed cleaning-we hadn't used it since we got the RV. It was wet so I decided, seeing as the sky was clear and the stars were coming out, to leave it deployed for the night.

We didn't want to eat in so we went to the local Chinese Buffet for dinner. When we got home it was still clear and calm and I didn't feel that it was necessary to roll up the awning so I took a shower and went to bed. Later that night I was awakened by rain on the roof of the RV so I thought I better slant the awing down so the rain would run off the awning and not make a bag of water that would stretch the material. I went back to bed and to sleep. Later I was awakened with the crash and boom of lightening and thunder and the awning was flapping and shaking the RV. I went out to roll it up the awning, but the roller and the arms were stuck in the extended position and the awning wouldn't roll back up. The wind picked up and the became quite fierce Samantha tried to help me but there was little we could do other than to hold the awning down and not let it bend the arms. We held on to add our weight to the arms to keep it from ripping its self apart the wind and rain pounded us and just when we thought it couldn't get any worse we got hit with hail the size of dimes and we both were soaked through shivering and hanging on not daring to let the awning arms go and tear the RV apart. The lightening was fierce and close, the lights went out and we were wondering if we were going to get blown away with the damn awning. Several times we thought we were at the last of the storm, but we got blasted with more rain and wind accented with lightening. It seemed like an hour our more passed until the storm quieted down enough for us to get some tools and get the damn awning rolled up. One strut didn't get folded up right but the thing us back against the RV and we called it quits.

When we got inside we both were tired, wet, cold and shivering; we were outside in out pajamas through all this and we were close to having a case of hypothermia. We got out of our wet clothes and dried off as quickly as possible and had some hot tea to drink. Then climbed into bed and tried to warm up. I didn't warm up right away even though I was using a sleeping bag and had a sweat shirt on.

In the morning we took measure of the awning and the RV. The awning was torn and needs to be replaced one arm that extends has a device to hold it at a particular height needs to be repaired or replace. The good news is that there was no damage to the RV and no leaks.

I think that if we hadn't held on to the awning we would have lost the frame and the frame would have torn off the RV causing damage to the siding and maybe the awing being ripped off causing the roof to be torn and serious damage to the RV costing a lot of money to repair.

All this could have been avoided by not leaving the awning deployed in the first place....my error that could have caused a lot of grief, but luckily we escaped without injury.

I am now of the opinion that awnings are a pain in the Pah-toot and not worth the money and expense.

So after 2000 miles on this trip our biggest adventure was in our own front yard.... go figure!

East on I-40 through Texas to OK.

2010-04-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

We headed east on I-40 from Tucomcari, after we got into OK we started seeing signs for a Route 66 museum so when we got to the exit we decided to visit the museum. It had a small Route 66 section and it was done well; however the museum was actually about the local area history and all the rest of the buildings were about local folks who were well known or had settled the area. So the National Route 66 Museum isn't so much RT 66 as local history.

We left there and proceeded to find the Starlight Casino that took some doing as it is not on or near I-40 but in a small community several miles away. This casino was nice as we got free hookups and we got a $10 voucher for joining the players club and we had a good meal in the dinning room. It helped that I won tickets to a concert and Samantha won some money at the slot machines.

That night we had a storm come in and it rocked the old RV back and forth a few times making the big dog nervous and waking us up to the wind and rain. The following morning was clear and we headed to Dallas and home via I-35. Driving through Dallas as always is a nerve wracking event, but we made it home without further incident.

Tucumcari NM

2010-04-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

We departed Dodge city and headed southeast and into New Mexico's northeast corner. To tell the truth it isn't that much different than Kansas or the Oklahoma pan handle; flat with some rolling hills very small towns even more spread out than KS and OK. Very boring drive we came to a spot called wagon mound supposedly the folks using the Santa Fe trail came to this rock and made a decision to take the mountain route or the a cut off route. My question is where the heck were they going? Did they know what laid ahead in Arizona and California desserts?

So now we are in Tucumcari NM; this place celebrates the Route 66 theme which was "the" highway of fame forty or fifty years ago before the interstate system built I-40 which bypassed all the businesses on Rt 66. Many of the businesses closed up a few remain open hanging on to past glory and hoping enough tourists stop by and spend a little money.

Dodge City KS

2010-04-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

We did the Dodge City Kansas thing this morning and took the tour of the museum and Boot Hill and saw lots of old artifacts from the hay day of Dodge City. Doing the tour was interesting most of the displays were done well except for the section on women's clothing which was not well lit. There were photos of actors and other folks associated with TV and films about Dodge City and seeing these photos stirred memories of the enjoyable times watching them. Almost all of these character actors are dead and gone and only a few photos and movies remain of their work. The actors in the series of Gunsmoke James Arness still living his brother actor Peter Graves just died, Dennis Weaver died at 81, Amanda Blake at 60, Milburn Stone died at 75 others are still alive.

The photos from that era(1860's) were quite interesting and showed how those folks looked, at least for having their photo taken which I am sure was a big occasion. I wanted to have my photo taken in period costume but the photo studio wasn't open.

We had lunch at a local restaurant and enjoyed it very much afterwards we drove over to the local Walmart for some shopping the RV needed a few things. Now we are located for the night at Hugoton KS at an RV park. Not a notable place it does have water, electricity and sewer hook ups and the site is level for only $15.00.

Ford lake outside of Dodge City KS

2010-04-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

We left Flagler lake and thought we could use the wifi at a local diner only to find out that it was closed because they need a cook! We went into the town of Flagler and didn't find anything so we turned around and on the way out spotted a restaurant next to a motel. We had a nice breakfast and saved our meat for the puppies :-)

After breakfast we headed east on I-70 and when we crossed the state line with Kansas we stopped by the visitor's center and got some information about places to visit in Kansas. This is were we decided to visit Dodge City KS. We drove and drove and all there was to see were fields of cropland hardly any buildings. We passed through a few small towns and they sure looked quiet.

We had a hard time finding Ford lake (free campsite) because there was no sign saying that, this lake (?) was Ford lake. It did have a sign saying it there was a Boy Scout Training Center there and that threw me off. With help of a local we got to the camp at Ford lake. Turns out that it is a popular place for locals to visit as well. Just after we parked a large group of folks moved in next to us with go carts, kids and cars a plenty. They also had a very large Doberman Pincher tied to a tree that was not pleased about the situation. We kept our pets inside as to not start a dog battle. About sunset this group of folks started packing up and moved out just as the sun was going down. The dogs got a short walk that night. The night there was quiet and in the morning the dogs had a nice walk and we headed into Dodge City.

Just on the City line there is a Flying J truck plaza we stopped there for coffee and information. The locals working the desk only knew of one RV park and didn't know if it was open. The local tourist office was closed Saturday and Sunday so no help there. We decided to drive through Dodge and get the lay of the land. We continued through after finding the tourist office and found another RV park not listed in any of our books as they don't give discounts, but they have all services and large pull through lots, their name is Gunsmoke RV Park. We got busy and got our showers, and laundry done; we also got a project done which was to replace the lower screen on the screen door and install protective grill on the same door so the dogs won't damage the screen again. The project came out looking good.

On to Flagler CO

2010-04-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

We finally broke camp at Colorado springs and headed east to Flagler Colorado. A rather easy drive for the day, we found Flagler but the road to the State Wild life Area eluded us until we turned around and saw the sign for the SWLA Flagler Lake.

The black top road that leads to the lake turns into hard packed dirt. We found the lake with its five camp sites. The camp sites are not labeled and do not have facilities except for a picnic table. Trash has to be packed out. We found a lakeside camp site and leveled the rig the best we could; I need more blocks to cover more uneven campsites. We had no neighbors only the sky and wind. We had a nice dinner in the rig and turned in early after walking the dogs enough to make them tired.

What the??? Was that noise???

2010-04-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

PIA Cat was not amused

Where we went to get the RV repaired

This is where the trouble was

The old RV with its nose stuck in a service bay

Another view of the engine 454 Chevy

As we left the RV park this morning and began to climb up a hill I heard the RV make a noise like or shudder just like it was having problems shifting or misfiring a cylinder. THEN on the next hill it backfired !!! "YIKES this isn't good" I said to Samantha "we better find a mechanic soon".

We drove to Camper's World just off the I 25 and got a recommendation for a repair facility and drove over there/here to find out what was the problem. This place is crowded with RVs trucks and cars being repaired it took them a few hours to get to our rig and figure out what the problem was.

Seems the dear old RV has never, ever had a tune up at 41 thousand miles it still had the original plugs and wires the rotor cap was corroded inside and the rotor was burnt. The plug wires were in terrible shape coming apart so we had all this replaced along with an injector cleaning and a few other minor things. This all costs $$$ and dear readers you know how I hate to spend the green stuff so I was distracted and tense all day.

We are camped in the Repair facility's yard with an extension cord into the shop for power. Tonight's dinner was in house; we had pasta shells with a delightful spicy red sauce and a choice of cookies or ice cream for dessert. Considering the lack of ambiance it was a nice dinner. We should be good to roll on tomorrow after a few other things are taken care of, SIGH :-(

Colorado Springs

2010-04-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

We drove north on I 25 and made few stops on the way looking for a place stay for the night. One place had a big sign on the highway but when we checked them out they were closed for renovation. Kind of ticks me off when they do that. We continued on and tried another RV place and it didn't look like and RV camp more like a mobile home place and it didn't look friendly. The man that asked us what we wanted looked like he played in a hard rock band and did this gig on the side he wanted $29 for a night and there were no amenities or wifi or nothing - we passed on his offer.

We found ourselves still looking when we came across a Wal-mart and decided we had enough driving for the day and pulled in beside the other RVs and trucks and like any other red blooded American women went shopping.

In the morning we tried to find the Visitor's Bureau in Colorado Springs seems they only like people with small cars no RV parking available near their office and darn little car parking also; guess they don't care that folks don't have a convenient place to park and come in and get information about their city.

We went back to the highway and found a Denny's and had brunch and looked up an RV camp recommended by Escapees, Plugged it in to the GPS and followed it to Mountaindale Cabins and RV Resort. I usually avoid resorts like they had the plague, but I was tired of driving and I think the altitude was/is getting to me so I paid the $30 and we settled in for the night. We had a fire and found they had a dog walk trail and other than being short of breath (we are at 6500') we are doing fine and plan to be 0n our way tomorrow after some household chores like laundry. You can go any where in the world you still do laundry :-(

Great Sand Dunes National Park

2010-04-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

We stopped by the Great Sand Dunes National Park it is off RT 160 and is an interesting thing to see. Hardly anyone was there and the Ranger at the entrance was nice ...extra nice maybe a bit lonely and cold too.

Thw wind was blowing forty to fifty miles an hour and it was cold, the dogs didn't mind it they had fun running in the sand.

On the road to Colorado Springs

2010-04-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

Some of the great mountain views we have seen

One of the many snow covered places in the pass

This is the snow level in April

Sure looks cold

We suprised a duck on our walk by the river

Deer herd

More deer

We packed up and headed to Colorado Springs via rt 160. This route took us over some mountain passes that where around 11,000 feet. I was a bit concerned the old RV would have problems with the grade going up the passes and with the down grade as in some places the grade was in excess of 6%.

It didn't take us long before we were surrounded by snow and ice; thankfully the roads were clear and for the most part dry. One spot had me worried; just before we got to a tunnel there was a big electric sign that said "Use Caution Tunnel May be Icy" well it may have been but my visions of us swerving on ice and causing a wreck were unfounded and we made it through without incident. The old RV took the moutian roads very well.

After the passes we began looking for an RV camp but everything we checked was closed or so crummy we didn't want to stay in it. By chance we came across one that was in our Passport America book and miracles never cease it was open. We staid at the River and Woods RV park owned by a nice couple who had opened early this year for some out of town workers. We had a lovely spot under some big trees and settled in for the night.

In the morning we got up and got dressed and took the dogs for a walk and just as we got to the tree line in front of the river we came across a herd of deer. Thankfully our dogs didn't start barking and we got some nice photos of the deer.

We broke camp later and made a note of the little camp ground that was so pleasant just in case we should pass by there again.

Went to Mesa Verde today

2010-04-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

One of the views from the top

The road going looking down

Nice brunch today at the Casino then a trip to town for information about what to see in the area. The suggestion from the folks at the tourist information place was to see Mesa Verde. We went shopping at Wal-Mart first and then went on the hunt for the National Park called Mesa Verde.

The park entrance is off Rt. 160 about 15 miles outside of town then the fun begins the road is up all the way with hairpin turns to make switch backs to climb the mountains to the top. The road even has a tunnel an unlit tunnel and coming to the dark after bright sunlight it is very dark. Fortunately it is a short tunnel and one can see the end from the beginning and it is tall enough for RVs. There are portions of the road without guard rails and the drop off of the roadway is very impressive one would go miles before coming to a complete stop in some areas.

The view from the top and on the way to the top is impressive. If one has the stamina the walking tour of the archaeological sites is equally impressive.

This was our lucky day we didn't drop off, we didn't have to pay a fee to enter and this was the first day the information center was open. Great day!

On the road again !

2010-04-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Left son's home and headed to Phoenix AZ to visit a friend who is recovering from a broken hip. She is doing well as can be expected and is as feisty as ever ... a very good sign.

After the visit traveled north on I-17 to Camp Verde. Couldn't find the RV place listed in Passport America's book, third time that has happened. Seems the information in that book is either out of date inaccurate or incomplete. Getting a little ticked that I haven't been able to use it yet. Went down the road looking for an RV camp and found one called Zane Grey. They seemed reluctant to take us with pets, but quoted a price of $37.00 a night that was after the ten percent discount. Errrr, I balked at that offer I was only staying one night and they didn't have any amenities there I would use like a nice restaurant or something, just dirt lots no pads or something to make it worth that much. Soooo we went back up the road and stayed at the Casino for Nadda, zip, nothing and had dinner there. The Casino has a nice shuttle service from the RV lot to the front door of the casino and the dinning room was nice, service excellent and the food was ample and good. I think we made a good choice. Note; the RV parking area is very well lit at night, shades are a good idea.

In the morning we packed up and drove to Flagstaff. I was looking for an RV dump site and didn't find a public one and couldn't find the Tourist office although there was one sign coming into town for a Tourist Office. There is a lot of that where a sign is put up and no other signs are posted to help find the place. The local RV parks charged outrageous prices to dump one wanted $15 and the other $10. I would have waited if I could but the smell was getting to me so I paid the $10... just about killed me to do it but sometimes you gotta take care of business. Fuel price was $2.99 for unleaded all over town, I guess they are getting ready for tourist season.

Left Flagstaff on the I-40 and followed it to Gallop NM and followed 610 north to CO. Where we are staying at the Ute Casino RV park. Note: lots not level. Seems like they have a nice operation here and have a fuel station like a truck stop, RV park, restaurant, convenience store, motel and of course the casino. It is a good thing too, the drive from Gallop NM to here is scenic but there ain't noth'n but a few maybe two or three small gas stations and that is it until Ship Rock NM, then more scenic mountain desert and blowing sand until you get here at the Casino.
The price of a space with electric and water with an Old Fart's discount is $20 not great but reasonable.

Four Days Camped At Son's Home

2010-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

We camped at my Son's house in Tucson AZ for four days and traveled about visiting with friends and family. Stayed busy just doing that. Found a nice RV repair place and hope to return there to do some mods on this RV.

Lots of sunshine and fair winds-this is April and it is 80 degrees during the day. You can just imagine how hot it will get later in the Summer !

We are now packing up and going to the airport to turn in a car rental then on to Phoenix to visit with another friend and then head to Flagstaff. Most likely camp somewhere in between Phoenix and Flagstaff AZ.

Day 2 and 3

2010-04-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Got up early, but not early enough to see our neighbors off-they were gone before we got out of our Rig. We took the dogs for a walk and then walked to a restaurant recommended by the office of the RV park. Nice place nice food good service. I couldn't finish my breakfast so we combined our scraps to take back to the dogs.

When we go back to the Rig I started to un-hook and noticed that water was coming out of the city water fitting, I think that it was because other campers had departed letting the water pressure go higher. We rolled up and out there by nine and on the road we went. By our 300 mile mark it was still early so we decided to go on in to Fort Stockton. When we got there we had a hard time finding an RV camp we liked. Walmart was full and small no one seemed to know where the camp was that I was looking for and all the cheap ones looked rough. Finally I found someone who knew where it was. When we got there the office was closed and no one was around. A sign said pick a spot come back fill out an envelope, put in the fee and put the envelope in the letter box. The camp was flat, gravel with pedestals for power and water and sewer connections. The place seemed to have a few abandoned vehicles/campers that made it look sad. There were no amenities; no picnic tables, no shade, no decoration, the place looked like it was forgotten. One other place in town had the same look, the look of no care.

The following day we fueled up at the local truck stop $2.99 a gallon ! Well better than the $3.19 a gallon on the highway outside of Fort Stockton. Then we were back on the road again

to El Paso TX and beyond. We got through El Paso fine with only one scare when some little car pulled out of line right in front of us and put on his brakes causing us to brake hard. We stopped at Flying J for lunch and fuel then headed to N.M. We stopped at an RV park called Coachlight not bad, looks well kept has a mixture of short stays, long stays, and permanent residents. The advertised restaurant was closed for the day and doesn't open on Sunday. There is a TA truck stop down the street we paid $18.60 for the night full hook up.

Tomorrow Tucson?

The trip log Day 1

2010-04-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Wow sounds impressive trip log! Gotta call it something so here goes.
Got up early because the dogs wanted to go for their morning constitutional so There I was head lamp on , in a hoodie, picking up doggy poo before day break. Quite the sight I tell ya!
When the business was taken care of I walked to the office and made some phone calls and tried to get a hold of my insurance agent. My agent didn't call me back but I got my house insurance paid over the phone. When I got back to the Rig (that's RV talk for RV) I started to un-hook the electric cable and as it came out of the circuit box the plug fell apart in pieces. Great another thing to fix. I got everything put away and drove over to the office and checked out.

I drove over to Joel West RV to pick up a new electric plug and city water connector as mine wouldn't hold the hose under pressure. Seems there are two kinds of water connectors male and female and you have to know which to get. To do that you have to unscrew the city connector from the rig and see what it is. Of course when I went to do that I found that the screws were square heads needing a special tool after talking the manager into undoing it for me we found that on my unit you cant pull the city connector far enough out to see what it type it is or to undo the connector. So I had the shop do it and they did it in record time. I put the new electric plug on myself later in the day.

I headed down route 59, and pulled into my favorite Valero fuel stop and got fuel. I thought I had filled it up but later I when driving I noticed that the fuel gauge read less than full. This threw my mpg calculations into a cocked hat. When I got to the road leading to Houston Airport (Bush) I pulled in and topped off the tank taking care to complete the job this time. Now I am really confused as to how much fuel the Rig is using. We'll see later I guess.

I picked up Samantha as planned and we hit the road. Traffic coming and leaving the city was heavy and confusing when coming up to the toll plazas lots of lane changes to get into the right lane for our Rig and to pay cash. Seems most locals us an EZ pass system, they just drive right through and the fee is electronically tallied. Cash payers have only a few places to use and it isn't apparent which lane to use until your almost upon it.

We drove west on I-10 and stopped for dinner at a nice restaurant. I had the Jeager Schnitzel and Samantha the fried chicken. After dinner we tried to look up a campground in our books, but the books were not of great help this time. Some places had poor directions and no phone numbers. Frustrating when some tells you that reservations are requested and they don't give a phone number.

We picked a camp out of the next exit book and although it is expensive and crowded it is comforting to be off the road with hook ups for the night to keep us in relative comfort, so to speak.

Gee only 990 more miles to go .... more or less.

Wills Point to Livingston Texas

2010-03-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

AS usual it took longer to get going in the morning than expected. There always seems to be one more thing to do and then another thing to do. We didn't get on the road until almost 9am. The trip to Livingston always seems to take a long time. I guess it is the state highways that go through so many towns and the lower speed limits when in those towns, also the traffic lights.

When we got to Livingston we stopped at Walmart to buy some fresh produce and other necessities and then went on to the Escapees Park. Sign in was simple and we are parked on the same street as the one we spent a winter on the winter before this one.

The tradition here is to attend the daily meeting at four o'clock. All new arrivals introduce themselves and give a little about their trip plans. I know some folks here and there were hugs all around. Seems like we just started up the conversation where we left off. Tonight was movie night where they play a DVD of a movie and serve popcorn and snacks that folks bring to share. I stayed a while and felt tired from the drive so I left early and went back to the rig.

When I got back to the rig the fur kids wanted a walk so I got my hoodie on and took them for a short walk to let them take care of business. Nice night with folks out walking and all the rigs with little glimpses of light peeking out looked nice.

I found a problem with the city water connection the threads on the coupling on the rig are worn and won't hold the water supply hose, therefor it has to be replaced. I tried the valves on the waste water dump pipe. The valves are stiff and hard to move, maybe with use they will loosen up a bit.

I don't think my mileage was to good today then again I am guessing my mileage cause I made some small trips to get the oil changed and to get the LP tank filled. So when I fill the fuel tank tomorrow we'll see if I am crying the blues. I also kept the highway speed down to 55 maybe that isn't the best speed for this beast. Also as noted we had a lot of stop and go traffic and speed limits restricted because of going through towns. We'll know soon enough what the cost is going to be on this trip. The space tonight costs $15.00 that included the $2.00 nominal fee for electric. I also got to pick up our mail at the mail service facility here and as usual there was a bill I wasn't expecting-darn adult stuff always catches up with you.

Packing up Revised

2010-03-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

Packing up the RV for the trip. Seems to be going on to long; I keep thinking of more stuff to take with me. In the back of my mind I keep thinking some of this stuff is not necessary and will just add weight and take up space. On the other hand I always forget something. Sigh.

I don't think the designers of RVs ever spent much time in them. The storage spaces are awkward and the wrong size for standard packages. Also, the catches on the doors of cabinets are not very strong and it is possible that they could come open and dump the contents of the cabinet while driving down the road, especially a bumpy one.

There are still some systems I haven't checked out yet; one is the dump system that's where you attach a hose to the waste tank pipe and put the hose in a dump station and then open the valves letting the waste water go down into the waste water system. The other system is the city water system were a hose is connected from a water bib to the RV to have city water and pressure without using the on board electrical pump. I'll have to just have faith that these systems work if not ...... we're in trouble....

Okay back to work packing the RV

This is Monday night and most of the "stuff" is on board now I need to stow the loose stuff for the trip to Livingston TX, where I will spend the night and then go on to Houston to pick up Samantha when she gets off the plane. Hopefully I have packed everything we need and haven't forgotten anything important. Stopped by the DMV office here in town to get a copy of the registration, but it doesn't look like a registration just hope I don't need it. I also stopped by my Cardiologist's office to get my B/P checked and get a refill on an Rx. Went to the Post Office to change the address to the Escapees Mail Service. It seems that one cannot change one's address to a unique ZIP code on line, Escapees Mail Service is such a Zip Code, so one has to go to the Post Office to do it. They don't do anything special because it is a unique Zip they just put in the way the change of address card is filled out.

So tomorrow is the big day I pull out of here and head to Livingston TX.

Spring? In Texas?

2010-03-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

The back pasture

Our barn

The front gate

We got blessed with snow last night and this morning. It looks cold and is cold out there. The dogs went out and had their pee and wanted right back in, they're no fools better to spend the day in their doggie beds than getting their paws wet and cold.

Looking forward to next week it should be in the sixties, it is hard to believe that it will be that warm in just a few days.

I would rather be camped on the beach in Mexico, walking the dogs along the shore listening to the waves and birds than shivering at my door looking at this stuff.

Update;

I went out to check on the RV and noticed that one of the vent covers was wide open and flapping in the wind.... CRAP! I went inside to figure out why it was flapping away and found that the arm that extends the vent cover was off the guide. I found some wire to poke through the screen to catch the vent cover only to find that the vent cover its self had moved and wasn't aligned with the vent so it wouldn't shut. This caused a dilemma I don't care for heights and when I climbed up the ladder and looked at the ice and snow on the roof I chickened out and climbed back down. Now what do I do ? I figured that I could get the screen off from the inside I could reach up and adjust and close the vent cover. No such luck, no screw heads inside. Damn ! So I figured I better get this flapping cover under control quick or it is going to break and then I am in a pickle; if it breaks I am left with a hole for rain and snow to get in and heat to get out. I bravely cut the screen and got the cover wiggled back into alignment and closed. I got the arm attached and for safety sake wired it shut. Now I have a project to get the screen replaced or repaired.

Another job is to figure out the hot water heater I tried turning it on but I smelled gas and turned it off. I think the pilot light is out. The water heater is supposed to work on electric also

but when I turn it on to what I think is electric the function light goes out and then in a few seconds comes back on so I shut the darn thing off. I'll work on that problem later, to darn cold and windy outside to try and fix this now. Like the old lady in the shoe said "If it isn't one darn thing it's another". :-)

Still in Texas

2010-03-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

Shelby looks like she is ready to go RV'ng, happy dog :-)

We are still in Texas. There was a problem with the water pipes under the house, during a storm while we were away in Mexico the pipes froze and burst. I called a local plumbing company and their price was outrageous $130 an hour is way out of my range. I decided to do the repair work myself. I didn't get it all done, I got battered and bruised crawling under the house not to mention hypothermia crawling in the mud, cold water and crud that was under there. Finally after three days of fixing breaks I gave the job to a local man to finish and he even he had some trouble crawling under the house and replacing pipe after pipe. He did get everything to work and now hot showers and laundry can be done. Houses are a pain in the ass, from the day they are built they are trying to fall down or fall apart. Home maintenance is at least a part-time job. Fixing/repairing, mowing, painting, cleaning, replacing just keeps on and on.

I often wondered why elderly folks eagerly gave up their homes to move into condos in places like Florida. Now I know why. They got tired of taking care of the old homestead, the constant labor and worry wears on one. It is nice to leave the maintenance and repairs to someone else.

Getting anxious to hit the road, but the weather isn't cooperating, since our return from Mexico we have had snow flurries, cold, rain and hail; we are due for another winter like storm; possible snow flurries and a freeze this weekend ..... brrrrr. Spring oh sweet Spring where art thou????

Some thoughts

2010-03-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

Looks like she's ready to hit the road :)

I have now owned four RVs, a class A Winnebago, Class C, a 5th wheel and now another class A RV. I have traveled from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, from Tucson to Hampton Roads VA from Kentucky to Texas and back through La. Ms. Al. to Fl. and then up through Ga and Tn. I have learned some expensive lessons. Old RVs are just looking for a place to be repaired, if you can't do it yourself your going to pay through the nose for someone else to do it for you. New units are not immune to being broken and getting them fixed can be a nightmare dealing with dealerships and their (lack of) service departments. First off RVs are built to get a person to spend money, lots of money not to work well or last a long time. Even if I pay a lot of money to have something done I can't expect that it will be done right the first time and can't expect courtesy or respect for spending my money at their place of business. Maybe it is because the usual customer they deal with is a demanding chiseling old bastard and they are just trying to get even with the next customer. I just know whether buying something or getting something serviced or repaired I have to be on guard to being treated badly or even ripped off.

RV parks and destination parks. Unless you get a personal recommendation from a friend, you don't know what your going to get even with franchise operations. Almost all don't give value for the money; many are outrageous with their charges and crowded facilities that are poorly maintained. Frequently their staff are rude uninformed and uninterested in you. Just pay your money obey the rules and don't complain or need anything they can't sell you. This extends to those communities that don't want RVs parking in the business parking lots either because the local RV park is owned by somebody with political pull or the town is so snooty that they don't even want quarter million dollar units there because it doesn't fit in with their idea of paradise. I have some choice words for them mostly bad words ending with good-bye I'll take my money else where.

Clubs and organizations are another sore point with me. Most clubs are businesses out to maximise profits not for fellowship or aid to the RV'r. You're an economic unit to be used and milked while bull-shitting you into thinking they are doing you a favor by taking your money. Most organisations have some Byzantine rules and procedures that only the inner circle knows how to work to their advantage. Also be aware there is a hierarchy of membership first those with the big expensive rigs think they run things and will be quick to let you know it, if they will talk to you at all if your a lesser creature, the one with the older or less expensive unit. Next are the people that feel they have senority and privelage and tell you how things are run usually to their advantage where they feel more in control. Then there are the rule Nazis, the usually self appointed people who enforce the rules on others whether the rules actually exist or not. However these same Nazis don't usually bother the big guys as they'll be sent packing real quick. There is a sub group I call the scouts they have to find out all about you, where you come from, why your here,where have you been, what are you politics, who do you know, what is your sexual preference/religous affiliation, how much money you have or don't have, what did you do in your previous life, yadda yadda yadda...crap they never stop asking questions and spreading the news. Be aware there are some serious politics in these "clubs".

So you ask "If you don't like RV businesses and clubs then why do you RV?". I use an RV to live in, to travel and see this part of the world. Traveling sooths a deep seated need within me. I have always been on the move since I can remember, never staying in a place for to long a time just a few months, maybe if forced a year or two, then I pack it up and hit the road. A new place, new people, new experiences are to me, like going to a smorgasbord and being hungry, it satisfies my need.

I enjoy the natural beauty of the world around me and enjoy meeting new people (up to a point). Camping out in the woods or desert with nary a soul around sooths me like petting a furry pet, either you like/need it or you don't. I need the experience of travel and solitude to me moving is life; birds do it, elk do it even butterflys do it.

I am going to try and fix things myself and be as aware as possible to the actual costs involved in maintaining my unit. I am resolved not to use RV parks if possible and if I do for only as short a time as possible. I will participate in clubs only to the extent I feel comfortable, if I don't feel treated well I am out of there! I hope that when treated ill by someone I have the nerve to tell 'em to go fry ice and leave me alone I don't bother others or treat others badly and I don't want to be treated less then how I treat others. Fair enough I say....

Up date since the storm

2010-03-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

This is the back end of the rig, 29' in good shape (I hope) and
it has twin bunks with real mattresses so we should sleep well,
fridge is bigger than the 5rs, 38k miles barely used.

Looks like my dog Shelby is ready to hit the road, this time
she wants to drive. Silly girl she hasn't a license .... yet :)

Notice the silly grin on the old girl just the thought of hitting the road again
brings joy.

A lot has happened since the last entry to this blog. To make a long story short we decided to buy another sticks and bricks place and went shopping for it. We ended up buying a place just outside Dallas about forty miles or so. The place is ten acres fenced and cross fenced with a double wide mobile home sheds and a barn.

Since being here I have learned this was a mistake for me. I am a Gypsy at heart. I made several visits to Mexico since buying this place. The last visit I spent three months there in Mexico renting a lovely two bedroom house. I was about forty-five minutes from a beach town and loved taking my dogs for walks on the beach. The cost of living was very reasonable and I enjoy Mexico.

So what was my problem? Two things one I am on some medications for heart disease that are not available in Mexico yet and getting the medications to me in Mexico was complicated and expensive also uncertain, without these medications I could have some medical problems. The second problem was I felt .... trapped, I wanted to be on the road again, I felt like I had to get moving / traveling. Once Samantha, my sister arrived and we packed up and got on the road I calmed down and felt better. Once back in Texas and before I got home I went to an RV broker where I had an RV consigned for sale and traded it for another RV. I didn't care for some of the tactics used by the dealer, it was the same crap used car dealers pull to make a sale. I had to return later to close on the RV and drive it back to the ranchito. Fortunately, it works fairly well and even though there is a loose cable on the starting battery that gives a problem now and then, but that can be fixed. I am anxious to take the rig out for a real shakedown trip to check that all systems work well.

Now I am planning to take some trips and my time is consumed by researching the net for places to go and things to see. This time I don't want to spend a lot of time in RV parks. RV parks have to many rules and rule Nazis. Seems I attract rule Nazis. If there is an asshole within a mile of me he or she will find me and make me a target. My reaction is one of trying to obey the rules while seething inside knowing that the same Nazi breaks rules and gets away with it. My goal this time to limit my contact with the rule Nazis, the only I think I can do this is to boondock frequently. If boondocking doesn't work I will buy a piece of land to hide out on so I can be the resident rule Nazi. I also hope to travel by RV to Mexico and enjoy the beaches on the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Time will tell if all this comes true.

This is the plan spend winter in Mexico in the RV at the beach and summers traveling where the weather is cooler and feeding my need to roam. Jeez sounds like a hobo or something.... what the hell why not?

Hurrican IKE

2008-09-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

Some of the downed limbs

Neighbor's RV got thumped

Downed trees blocking our exit north

Downed trees

Another unit got thumped

More trees blocking our exit

We were following Hurricane Ike over the news and weather channels on television and were well aware of its approach. The problem was that we were on the wrong channel and its prediction called for less winds than the other channels were calling for in our area. Therefore we made the decision to stay at our RV park in Livingston Texas instead of evacuating to some other area. That was not the best choice, we didn’t suffer any damage, however it came awfully close. Thursday the storm started to arrive and the winds picked up and were blowing about forty to fifty miles an hour. By daybreak the winds were approaching hurricane force here and we are over sixty miles north of the edge of Houston. Trees were breaking and limbs of trees being blown by and other building debris as well. The power went out before dawn and there was no internet signal or cell phone signal.

Saturday evening the storm started to calm down and the rains were off and on, the trailer felt damp even though we didn’t have any major leaks. We took the dogs for a walk so they could relive themselves and walk of some excess energy. We were blocked at both ends of our road by fallen trees, there were branches and wood from trees littering the RV sites. Several RV units had big branches laying on top of them. No one got hurt thank goodness.

At the moment we don’t have electricity and have only sporadic cell phone and wifi connectivity. We have been told to be conservative with our water use as the power for the sewer system here is using only emergency power sporadically and the system can be over taxed and cause problems.

So, the point is we rode out the storm and survived without injury or loss. If we had to do it over again, we wouldn't, the stress is not worth it and neither are the complications. We had reservations at a B&B in Mexico and sent them a message saying that our flight was canceled yet they still charged us for our room, nothing we can do about it either. We have re booked our flight and will visit Mexico and complete our reservation at the B&B, but we are not happy about being there.

We're going to Mexico

2008-08-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

We have been camped here in Livingston for about three weeks and enjoying the
many features of the Escapee's RV park. I have had fun volunteering for the Tuesday
luncheon. I also enjoyed the social hours and ice cream socials on Sunday.

We have decided to take a short trip to Mexico and visit a town called San Miguel Allende.
This town has a long history and is visited by many people from all over the world. San Miguel
is now a World Heritage site and has an interesting mix of Mexican and foreign population that
lives in harmony. We are excited about visiting there and will have more on our other blog about
our visit.

Update On Trip to Texas

2008-08-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Bridge we crossed many times as our camp was on the other
side from town

One of two fliers passing overhead

Start of the show

Light and water show

Light and water show

The amphibious cruise boat called a Duck

Just fishing

The restaurant we had dinner and drinks at the first night
Fireplace in the restaurant

Here comes the tour boat

The boat passes the restaurant while we had dinner

Bridge over which we traveled many times as our park was on
the other side.

We were traveling through Kansas and discussing our route back to Texas and I asked how far away was Branson MO. Seems it wasn't as far off our time allotted for returning to TX so our plans were changed and we headed towards Branson.

We stayed one night at a Kansas Lake the site was nice and our camp was a quiet one not a sound through the night. The lake was located 13 miles south of I-70 at exit 135. The road has just been chip sealed and there is still work being done. The next camp was at the Lazy Daze Camp in MO. exit 78, I-70 and state route 65. We drove 65 up one hill and after the other these were some hills if they had snow it would be great skiing. We arrived at Turkey Creek the Escapees park in Branson, we spent the afternoon checking out the town and the evening having dinner on the water, at a restaurant on a barge. Later we watched the water and light show on the boardwalk. And, it was my Birthday and it was a good one.

We did two more things while in Branson; we took the train ride on the so called Branson Scenic Railway and we went to the Dixie Stampede, the train ride was not scenic, I expected to see some of the lake, my error, the Dixie Stampede was a good show with dinner and except for some foolishness with pigs, chickens and ostriches it was a good show.

Tomorrow we break camp and head to Texas

Idaho Falls - Ft Bridger WY.

2008-07-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

This gate motif was used on several local houses

Were we had supper rather good meal

Gate / Entrance to a local house

This was the fort store sort of prerunner of the PX

Buildings at the Fort

Yup another welcome sign

The big building is now a museum

Wagon at the entrance to the Fort

Guardhouse at the fort

Welcome sign to Utah didn't stay there this time

Unusual windmill at the camp

Our dogs checking their Pee Mail on the sign to the RV Camp
We left Idaho Falls ID 8am and followed I-15 to I-84 to I-80 arriving at the Ft. Bridger historical site at about 3pm and checked into the Ft Bridger RV park. Last year the fee for parking with an Escapee discount was $19 this year it is $27 and change. That is a serious increase in rate for a place that is not that spectacular. There is no pool no club room the sites are plan grass no shade and the road in and out is gravel. The camp does have wifi and cable TV. Still I am not happy about paying that much for ?

We checked out Ft Bridger and took some photos then went to the local and only restaurant for dinner. Dinner was Buffalo Sirloin with gravy hand made fries and a good salad with ice tea.
We walked back to the RV park and tuned in the TV and worked on our computers until bedtime.

Trying to pass on Wisdom

2008-07-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Grandma Kay passing on life's wisdom to her grandson who
is patiently putting up with it all, poor young man :)

It is so nice to have the grand kids close

I had a long talk with my grandson Sunday afternoon. He is going into his senior year in High School this fall. I thought I had great bits of wisdom to impart to my grandson, but I fear words failed me. Language sometimes just does not impart what we truly know to others so they understand. Part of the problem is the situations that shaped us are in the past and they (the children) are in the reality of the present. We fear they will make serious mistakes or missteps because we made them or have seen others make them in our lives. It is very hard to let the youngsters figure life out on their own, almost irresistible to jump in and take the reins of their horse and ride it. Of course that won't work so we babble on about what they should do and hope that somehow they understand and that things will work out for the best for them. Some how the young folks seem to get by with and with out our so called wisdom. Bless 'em

YellowStone N.P. Trip

2008-07-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a view of the crowd waiting for Old Faithful to erupt

Old Faithful does its crowd pleasing thing

Nice view of the falls

Deep pool with pretty blue color

Another view of the crowds of people

A photo of Samantha taking a photo she took most of the
photos on this trip

Another view of the Falls there are many falls in the park

The above Bison was just laying behind a small hill

Samantha has always wanted to visit Yellowstone N.P. and see the Eagles, Bison, Elk and the beautiful scenery so we decided that this trip to Idaho we would take a day trip to Yellowstone Park. We were told by family that it was only a 90 minute drive to West Yellowstone the town that is the gateway to the park. Well it might be a 90 minute drive for some people, but not us. We drive rather slow compared to others in the family and there was road construction that slowed us even further. It took us over two hours to get to the park.

When we got to the Park entrance we stopped in at the information center and to our delight my Old Fogey Card got us in free! We got a map and was told which route would make a good day trip and off we went. Getting in was a breeze, we were through the express lane in no time. That should be a clue that they have an express lane that a lot of people visit Y.N.P.

Took one side trip and the rest we of the trip we stayed on the route for the day trip. It was a long day, lots to see even if there were lots of other folks sharing the experience.

Idaho and family time

2008-07-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Granddaughter Kaitlyn playing her guitar for us

Kaitlyn and her Mother Nikki

The family that was present that day there are a lot more

The Mormon Church and the falls in
Idaho Falls

Dinner out with the family

Another view of the family dinner Great Grandma is at the
other end of the table she is 90 and is doing well

We made it to Idaho and found our RV park in Idaho Falls, the park is located almost downtown near the river. After a few calls family dropped by for a visit and made plans for going out to dinner. We went to a nice restaurant for dinner and had a great time catching up on the family news. Great Granny was there also and had a good time with everyone around. After dinner we went to my daughter-in-Law's house for coffee and cake and we got a performance by my granddaughter on her guitar, she is doing very well with her lessons and seems to enjoy playing for people.

The following day we had breakfast at the home of the other grandparents and more catch up time with the family. The following day my granddaughter wanted to spend the day with me so we had a great time together with Samantha just hanging out, walking the dogs, playing cards. The day went by to fast. Later that evening we went out for dinner again and had a nice meal and shared more conversation. When we got back to the rig we both were tired and we wanted to get up early for a tip to Yellowstone N.P. so off to beddy bye for both of us.

We made it to Utah

2008-07-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

Our rig at the park for the night

The dogs and I are on a walk at a rest stop just inside Utah

The gap we came through from Wyoming

Nice park well run

Walmart stop to fill up with our spare tanks

Enterance to the KOA

Dog's delight?

Last night we spent the night at a KOA in Wyoming and we were blessed with a thunder storm and off and on rain. There was a lot of wind with the T-storm, but it calmed down later.

Some of the hills we went up today were rather steep some we climbed at 30mph, I was wondering if we were going to make it or not. However the old truck just kept on going.

We drove the I-80 through Wyoming which seemed endless, finally we got to Utah and we are in
a town just north of Logan Utah. This RV park the Golden Spike is located behind a Flying J Truck Stop exit 362 Brigham City. The park is attractive, clean and the manager/owners are on site and the park is very popular. I was tired today and very glad to arrive at a nice park.

Cabela's Sydney Nebraska

2008-07-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

The entrance to the store

The statues in the front garden

Trucks and RVs parked at the store

We got to Sydney WY. after the usual trip through the wilds, it was a lonely trip the roads were empty as it was Sunday. After we got checked in to the RV park at Cabela's we did a little shopping at Wally World to replenish our food supply. On the way back to camp we spied a wine tasting sign and stopped in to check it out and of course bought some wine.

We took a tour of the Cabela's store and checked out the merchandise. I thought some things looked fine but they weren't my size and or price. Actually I thought most of the clothing was way over priced for being made abroad by folks that are making less than a dollar an hour. Also the quality wasn't that good. Maybe that is just sour grapes because I didn't find anything that fit that I was willing to buy. As for the store, I guess I have been spoiled by the folks in Maine at the LL Bean store, and the Out Door World folks. I must say lots of folks like this store and buy lots of their merchandise.

The following day Samantha was having a problem with a tooth, this tooth has been giving her pain for a couple of days. So I went and found a dentist for her with the help of some ladies that ran a coffee shop across the street from the RV Park. The dentist fixed Samantha's problem tooth and now she is in fine shape.

So tomorrow we are on the road again this time to drive the I-80 until we find a spot to camp for the night and then on to Utah.

Still on the go in Kansas

2008-07-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

The sign looks nice in the photo but it is worn out

The park is not maintained everything looks old and worn

The place has a worn out look rather sad

another rig

Camp manager's rig

Our camp

Our rig at North Star nice and clean well organized

Drippings Springs Shelter by the Lake

This is the site we finally got our rig into

Above photo is of the Dripping Springs Lake

We stopped for the night at Dripping Springs State Park. The Park has a route through town to get to it and you pick your own spot when you get there. The sites are narrow on narrow roads we had a heck of chore getting parked, very exasperating for this novice 5th wheel owner. The camp hosts were nice and friendly they came to us to collect the fee. We walked the dogs by the lake and I noticed that there was a lot of trash and worse broken glass around near the water and one of the shelters. In my opinion skip this S.P. and find another place less frustrating to park your vehicle and better maintained.

Last night we spent in an RV camp called North Star tonight we are in an RV camp Midland Camp Inn Goodland KS, not a posh place for sure. However we only need electricity, water and a good Internet connection, we have all those. Hopefully we will get a good night's sleep.

Today has been a long day and a frustrating one; this morning's fuel up gave us 8mpg, mid day fuel up gave us 6.25mpg and this evening's fuel up gave us 6.5mpg, not good especially at these prices. I checked the tires and the engine oil, tranny fluid and all are okay so what can be the problem? I hope nothing serious is going wrong with the truck.

Tomorrow we push on to Colorado and then Nebraska. Today's travel through Kansas was one hill, one huge farm, one little town. one after another-rather boring. I guess I like a little excitement now and then, well not with the traffic thank you. Some folks drive with their head firmly planted in their rectum. I just hope I am not as bad a driver as the bad ones I have seen.

The high point of the day was breakfast at Flying J steak, eggs, home fries and toast the steak was delicious.

Muddy Wet Dog

2008-07-16T19:06:00.001-07:00

This is our last day at Tyler State Park. In the morning we took the dogs for a long walk following a bike trail that zigged and zagged through the woods up and down hills across steams for a couple of miles. We arrived at another campsite and after a short break we walked back to our camp using the paved forest road. This was a good work out for the dogs and me and we all were a bit tired after the walk.

Around noon we decided to go to town for lunch and to Wally World to return the inflatable boat. Lunch was at Petty's where we had breakfast earlier in the week. Returning the boat was no problem as we had a receipt. We also went to Lowe's and got some wood to fix a shelf that came lose and purchase child proof catches for the cabinet doors as some come loose when the trailer is being towed.

Later after a nice dinner we took the dogs for their evening walk along the lake. When we got down to the boat launch area Shelby the lab decided she wanted to check the water out and ended up rolling down an embankment into muddy water. I had never seen her so dirty, I tried to wash her off at the boat landing but the mud was just to much. I took her back to our camp and gave her a shampoo which she put up with but didn't like she wanted to get away and roll in the dirt, like the dog she is :) She is inside the trailer now still damp and a little disgusted about smelling like flowery shampoo.

We got the child locks on and have emptied our tanks and picked up a few things in preparation for breaking camp tomorrow morning when we will be off for Oklahoma.

Tyler State Park Texas

2008-07-15T06:32:00.001-07:00

Our dogs Shelby the Lab and Spencer the Shitzu

Our camper at night

Julie AKA Granny Kay

Samantha

Petty's more than Steak & Catfish great breakfasts.

View from our site

Granny Kay drowning bait.

Wonderful pets waiting for the fisher folk to catch something

Granny loading little itty bitty hook to feed the fish

Samantha inflating Kayak

Last check befor launch

Off she goes; is that a leak?

We left the Escapees Park in Livingston Texas and drove to Tyler Texas this drive gave us a better understanding of East Texas. About three quarters of the way to the park the air conditioner stopped cooling and we had to drive in the heat with windows open and between the wind and heat we got dehydrated, by the time we arrived at the State Park we were tired. We got parked fine and turned the air conditioner on in the trailer and while the trailer was cooling off we took the dogs for a walk and upon returning to the trailer we enjoyed a nice cool rest.

We checked out the park store and the day use areas and inquired about renting a kayak and or canoe. We also check the prices for fishing gear. We decided to defer to Wall World for our purchases. We had ask the staff at the park out getting our AC repaired and they recommended Hank's on route 69 so we decided to find Hank's even though it was Sunday so we wouldn't be trying to find it Monday in traffic. After locating Hank's we picked up some goodies at a dollar store and went to Cracker Barrel for dinner where we found out that Cracker Barrel has a breakfast menu but does not make omelets even though they have eggs cooked other ways but no omelets.

We later found Petty's and had a great breakfast with wonderful service and Samantha got her omelet and I got had french toast with sausage, and great coffee.

When we got back to the campsite we walked the dogs again and decided we had enough for one day and called it a night.

Monday we took the truck to Hank's but they were over loaded with work so we decided to bring it in the following day Tuesday (today). While in town we went on a shopping spree at Wally World and got fishing gear and a blow up Kayak. When we got back to camp we blew up the Kayak and Samantha took it out on the Lake, later we went fishing but got skunked the minnows eat my bait.

Update; Tuesday I took the truck in to have the AC looked at and it seems the controller head on the dash needed to be replaced there goes another $366.00, another camp another repair shop. So far repairs have totaled $1300.00 and who knows what is next? What the heck I just mind the money it really isn't mine.

Also the inflatable kayak has a defect so we are going to take it back to Wally World and get our money back.

Pet Peeves; people who cut through your campsite, people who walk past at night next to your bedroom talking loud enough to understand their words, campsites located to close to the restrooms. There I got that off my chest :)

Life is still good :))

Lake Livingston State Park

2008-07-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

Samantha returned from her ship and we have plans to visit the Tyler Texas State Park so we went to the local State Park here in Livingston and got our annual pass and a look at the park.

The pass cost us $75, for the both of us plus we bought a book about Texas State Parks so we will be better able to make choices of parks to visit. We took a drive around the park and checked out the campsites and the store. At the store there was a tower made of logs that gave a good view of the park and Samantha went up to the top of it to take some pictures, while at the top of the tower we experienced a very local rain shower. The shower made the log steps slippery and Samantha slipped on the steps and fell hard hitting her elbow and back, she was hurting for days and still has a big bruise on her back from the fall.

We have discussed where we would go when our time is up at Tyler State Park at first we thought about visiting Louisiana, but have changed our mind and now plan to head North to Idaho.

So our next post will be when we are in Tyler State Park.

2008-06-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

I took a trip to Nocadoches Texas, as usual I didn't plan anything I just loaded the dogs up in the truck and took off for Nocadoches. I didn't know how long I would be gone so I didn't want to leave the dogs in the trailer, I didn't think that would be fair even though the trailer is big enough and cool enough. The dogs settled in quickly they love to ride in the truck and both try to get a piece of my lap and somehow they manage it. I don't mind being covered in dog fur, it is okay by me and being adored by two well mannered dogs is soothing to my soul. So off we went.

We took state highway 59 north out of Livingston, 59 is a good road for the most part.
The ride was a lot further than I thought not that I care that much to how far or how long a trip is, the trip its self is the main thing. Texas is doing a lot of road repair and improvements and we passed through quite a bit of construction on the way to Nocadoches.

When we got there we went to the old part of town and took some photos and enjoyed looking at some old photos of what the town looked like way back in the 1800's it was quite a place with a thriving business district and social life. I found a shop that sold souvenirs and ice cream; one of my weaknesses is icecream, I see it I want it. I found that they had some unusual flavors of milkshakes and indulge my ice cream desires in a tasty pecan milkshake. I browsed the store and marveled at all the things being sold that had to do with Texas. I could have spent a fortune there but living in an RV makes one think first before bringing home one more gee-gaw.

After looking the center of old town over we headed to the town park so I could give the dogs a chance to get a drink and take a pee on tree. The town has a nice park and band stand and looks well cared for must be humming with activity on the 4th of July.

Repairs

2008-06-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

I just got the truck repaired. The situation was that when I was backing up or going up hill the engine would over heat. When I was going straight and level the engine stayed in the normal temperature range. It turns out that the the fan clutch in this vehicle was not the correct one for his model truck it should have been in a much smaller engine. I had it replaced with the correct size fan clutch, hopefully this will cure the overheating problem.

What fun to deal with repair shops and repair technicians.

The Leak Story

2008-06-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

When I bought this trailer there was a problem with the water heater leaking. Seems someone may have left water in the hot water tank over the winter so it was disassembled and welded and put back together and didn't leak so I was happy.

When we got to our park here in Livingston I was getting something out of the pantry and didn't have my shoes on when I stepped into something wet and cold. I was about to blame one of our pets when I realized that the wetness was quite extensive. I climbed up the ladder on the rear of the RV and noticed two little streams of water running down the roof and one didn't go into the gutter but ran down the side of the unit. I thought maybe that was where the water was coming into the RV.

I went to the local RV repair place and made an appointment to have the leak repaired. When the man came out to fix the RV he looked at the roof and at the wet spot on the carpet and made a statement that it was to much water for what was coming off the roof.

He checked the hot water tank and sure enough it had a leak. Hot water heaters of any kind don't come cheap, but I am having a new one put in to replace the old leaky one at least we will have some sort of warranty with the new one. Now we just have to wait till it comes in from the manufacturer.

How to become a Texan

2008-05-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

With a title like the above one's mind could be wondering what test or ordeal would be involved in becoming a Texan? Do you have to stand on the street corner and yell YEEE- HAW or prove you can walk in Cowboy boots or some other stunt? Perhaps one has to take a test on TEXAS history?
Nope none of those Pardner.

What one has to do (Ya'll) is get your vehicles registered and insured in TEXAS then obtain a TEXAS driver's license where one takes an oath, no not to TEXAS, just that you told the truth on your application... oh you have to pass an eye test, give up your previous license and have your picture taken and thumb prints taken. Oh I forgot the vehicles have to be inspected also. OY, vat a pain in the tush, of course I had to get TEXAS insurance and also had to have the trailer weighed so that added more steps to the procedure. Now I feel like I can proudly swagger down the street wearing my best Cowgirl Outfit with pride.... unless the wind catches my Cowgirl hat and I go chasing it down the street :)

Ya'll have the inside scoop on how to become a TEXAN :)

The Journey Begins

2008-05-31T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we awoke and packed up the trailer and hitched the truck and trailer.
After a walk around check and head count we pulled away from the house and down the farm road. I had worried about the last turn in the farm road that went around a tree, that turned into a none problem. I was overjoyed that I had not rubbed the awning off the trailer and forgot to make a wide enough turn to get on the highway and got the trailer stuck in the ditch! Now my truck was blocking the road and holding up folks in cars, truck and buggies going to church. A man came by and suggested using four wheel drive in reverse to back the rig out of the ditch, darn if it didn’t work. Yahoo, we were out of the ditch. A quick inspection and it was determined that we didn’t do too much damage to the trailer and proceeded on our journey.

As we drove by our friends and neighbors farms I was feeling sad to leave this place, few places in my life have I ever felt sad leaving, usually I feel overjoyed to be leaving, not this time. This time I had made friends and that is a significant change for me.

We headed down route 127 to Russell Springs KY and picked up the Cumberland Parkway and turned West to pick up Interstate 65 to Nashville. We spent he night at the Flying J West Memphis TN. This is where a strange thing happened some guy knocked on our door and wanted money, he said he was trying to get home, that he had been fired and needed money for gas. We turned him down and later watched him get in his car and drive off. I think he was just trying his luck to add to his wallet.

The second day we drove through Arkansas and we decided to stay at an RV camp near Texarkana. The first one we choose was in a book we had, when we found it the placed looked so bad we turned around and retraced our route back to Flying J and went to an RV park near them.
It turned out to be he best choice we had cable TV to get the news and weather. In the morning we had breakfast at Flying J and departed to Texas, which was only a few miles away. In no time at all we picked up Hwy 59 in Texas and soon we were passing familiar places from our trip a few months ago. Before long we were in Livingston Texas and parked at the Escapees RV Park there.

The rig did okay, it got us here, we had a problem with the truck over heating when going up hills and had to turn the air conditioning off in order to keep the engine cool, we’ll have to have that looked after once we are settled. We found that we have a leak in the trailer that will be fixed soon also.

Backing he rig takes some getting used to especially if one doesn’t have much experience in backing. I figure that with experience I’ll get better at backing.

Other than thinking we had lost one of our cats no other big deals happened. The cat story is that when we left the first Flying J we thought she was with us, and when we got to Texarkana we couldn’t find her and we were all depressed thinking she had escaped out of the trailer back in Tennessee. After a few hours she come waltzing out acting like she was some celebrity. She has found a place in the trailer to hide and as yet we haven’t located it, her name is PIA, short for Pain In the A** Cat. She lives up to her name now and then.

Closer and Closer to leaving

2008-05-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

The new owners showed up and brought their stuff with then in a big moving van and rental truck.Their stuff filled the upstairs part of the barn. Odd to see so much stuff in the barn.
They have four children three boys and a girl. The children had a great time running about and exploring the barn, house and fields.

This is that awkward time between going and not going, neither here nor there. There are things to do, but only in the right order.

The weather has cleared and it is a bright beautiful day with a light breeze, the sun and breeze feels so good on one's skin, a very nice day.

Getting even closer to leaving

2008-05-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

The farm sale is almost complete the closing was the other day and now I am waiting
for the auction to clear out all my tools and equipment. So we are getting closer to the
day we can hitch up and leave.

I am living in the trailer now for the most part still have some odds and ends to put in the
trailer, but most of the work is done accept for setting up for the auction.

The 5th wheel is home

2008-04-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

I finally brought home the fifth wheel RV that I traded my Class C for, the arrival has been delayed for some time due to complications with the water heater and me. When the unit was being checked out by the dealer it was found that the water heater had a crack in it and needed to be removed and welded. The welding shop took a long time to get to welding the tank. Then I ended up with a medical problem that took up better part of a week.

So now the unit is parked by my house and I have been checking it out. I have also slept in it for a few nights, too. Everything seems to work. The increased space is very nice. I had no problem towing it home. I did have a bit of a problem backing this big thing into the space next to the house. A neighbor came by and guided me and that helped a great deal. The water intake system seems a bit complicated to me however I did get it to work. The water heater works well. The refrigerator works well also, I haven't tried the stove yet, I will try that later, it should work. The oven looks like it has never been on.

I will post more photos later.

Farm sale

2008-04-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

Things seem to be moving along in the sale of the farm. I got a call from the Real Estate Agent today and it seems the buyers have a person who wants to close on their place in less than thirty days.
That could mean that all of a sudden there will be a rush here to sell all my stuff and clear out. Wow, that could mean I would be involved in some hectic decision making here shortly.

Further more they wanted to know what I wanted for the equipment like the tractor and beds. I made a list of the stuff I am selling and I am giving it to the Real Estate Agent to fax to them. Anthing they don't buy will be sold at auction here at the farm. All this stuff has to go one way or another can't take it with me.

I also have to get the fifth wheel moved here, when the auction happens I won't have any furniture left and will have to live in the RV until the closing and then hit the road to ???

More Photos of our trip

2008-03-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

The sights and people we saw were very interesting this is an older trailer that someone lives in ... rather modest but comfortable
The duck pond was of great interest from our dogs I think they remembered our ducks at the farm
The water at the Salt Springs was very clear and the fish didn't spook when we took their photo
The camp fire at the RV camp was a social gathering point for the men mostly in the early evening
This is one of the smaller units we saw, a little to small for me I think.
We were at the camp just before St. Patrick's day celebration and this Irish Lady had her unit decorated for the holiday.
Our dogs were very well behaved and traveled without a problem
This is our RV it served us well even if it was a bit small for two adults, two dogs and two cats.
The sea shore was a treat although while at the beach the weather was a bit chilly

For some reason Pink Flamingos were popular decorations in Florida

This was tent city under a highway in the city of New Orleans
Pretty fountian in a courtyard of a hotel where we met our ride to and from our RV camp in New Orleans

The above photos are all in and around New Orleans LA.

Some pretty birds we saw
I love sail boats and this one was very nice

Samantha after a hard day touring New Orleans

Our pets inside the RV
Some guys having a chin wag at the RV camp
Samantha and our dogs
Shelby looking happy to be on the water
Kay Julia enjoying the evening in the RV

The pavalon at the RV Camp on the Bayou south of Houston

Spencer our littlest dog
Daily chore walking the dogs here we are on the Bayou in Texas

Picking a newer RV

2008-03-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

There is a rear kitchen in our 5th wheel
Here I am doing a bad impression of Betty Ferness showing off the refridgerator, hopefully it will work well.
Curb side view of the 5th wheel
The street side view with slide out of the 5th wheel
Bedroom, closet and cabinets
The slide with dinette and sofa
So after our trip to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and back to Kentucky in a 27' Class C RV we decided if we were to continue to travel like this we needed more room to move around in than what the 87 RV had to offer.

We discussed the various options Class A vs. 5th wheel vs. Travel Trailer. Eventually we settled on the 5th wheel as our choice. Then it was which one? Samantha liked the one with three slide outs and I was not to sure about that having no experience with them. Samantha had more experience as she drove 5th wheels when she worked for Barnum & Bailey's Circus and felt that they were dependable. I opted for one big slide in the one we chose and luckily the head room in the bedroom was more than in the one with three slides. Also the condition of the unit seemed to me to be better also. If we like it someday we may up grade to a unit with more slides more features.

So we bought the 5th wheel and now we need a truck to pull the unit, a 3/4 ton with a big engine and strong to pull this huge thing about he country. We tried several trucks and like Goldilocks we had one to old, one beautiful and expensive, one old but with new engine, tires and most of the towing apparatus. I opted for older with the new engine, towing apparatus and tires.

When testing the equipment on the unit it was found that the water heater was leaking and had to be removed and taken to be welded. I wonder what else will need to be repaired or replaced?

It has been a few days since the water heater has been removed and sent to the welding shop and it still isn't back from the shop yet. I called the RV dealer again and maybe tomorrow the water heater will be finished and installed. Then again maybe it will take a little longer to get my RV home, I'll keep you posted.

Return to Kentucky

2008-03-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

Nice trail in the woods in our camp at the state park in Georgia
Our RV and Julia lost in thought or waiting for dinner I don't know which :)

Our rig next to an eighteen wheeler at our night camp in Wal-Mart parking lot GA, the photo below is the Wal-Mart store front

Julia and our dogs after a hard day enjoying our camp site at the state park in Georgia
We have departed Florida and went north on I-75 to Georgia. We stayed at a Georgia State Park for two days and enjoyed the atmosphere of a family camp ground. For most of the stay the weather was cloudy and breezy. The last night we were there we had a camp fire which was fun until the wind came up and caused some problems with the fire so we doused the fire and went to bed. The last day it cleared and was sunny for our departure Sunday morning.
One interesting event was we had dinner at a local restaurant called the Cat Fish House. I had fillets of fish and fried oysters, Samantha had catfish and something else. I loved my oysters and fillets she didn't like her dinner. While eating I told Samantha I was out of one of my medications and wasn't feeling well, she got concerned and insisted that we find a drug store right after dinner. So after dinner we headed back to town and found a Rite Aid Pharmacy where the pharmacist went over my medications and found he missing meds, seems they changed my Rx to generic and didn't tell me so I thought it was for something else. Then I took my pill and felt much relieved.

Sunday we broke camp and 0n our way back to I-75 we stopped at Huddle House for breakfast, I think I ate to much so I asked Samantha to do the driving. We traveled north on 75 right through Atlanta and its traffic on Sunday afternoon and now we are five miles from Tennessee and will dry camp for the night at Wal Mart. Samantha got an email from our house sitter that her Mother had been to flown to the big city hospital in critical condition and that her son was taking care of our place in her absence. We feel we should get moving early in the morning and get back to Kentucky as soon as we safely can.

We arrived back safely in Kentucky and motored right over to the Lee RV Center to talk with Philip Lee about trading our RV for a larger RV. After three weeks in a Class C we were convinced that two adults, two dogs, and two cats need a lot more room to be comfortable. Our old dog a large Labrador needs something easy to get in and out of so we are thinking about a 5th wheel. That will be the subject of the next post.

Whispering Pines Ocala FL

2008-03-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

RV Park Road
Duck Pond
Evening camp fire
We had reservations at an RV park near the Ocala National Forrest Florida. The trip to Ocala was long and expensive as far as fuel was concerned. Oil prices have increased and immediately the Gasoline Stations increased their prices. We got 'Taken' when we stopped at a fuel station just off the interstate, it was very busy so we thought that the price must reflect local conditions and filled up at $3.45 a gallon. Ha! Just down the road a few miles it was twenty cents cheaper. It didn't help to know many others were ripped off by that sucker. On the other hand we were treated very nice at a Flying J, the hostess heard that Samantha's steak and eggs hadn't come out right and took five bucks off the bill. Flying J is a must stop for us now and RVs can often over night in their parking lot and get LP tanks filled and dump waste tanks also.

Finally after some convoluted directions we arrive at Whispering Pines RV Park. This is a small place family run and reminds me of the old time RV parks in the old movies like Pajama Game (the original one with Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, Gee I would like to watch that movie again). We took a walk around the park and met more people in that walk of about half an hour than we did in three days at Top Sail State Park or at the five days a tthe Escapees Park in Livingston, maybe we have been traveling in the wrong circles this isn't a Tony place just down to earth regular folks and not one million dollar rig, some nice rigs and some older ones and a few real old ones.

Today 111308, we went shopping at Wally World once again and after we finished shopping we went to the National Forest visitor center and picked up a map and some brochures. Thinking it would be a good idea to drive around the Forrest and check out the camping sites and other attractions we headed out. First highway 40 goes right through the forest and you have no feeling your any place special and your not. Later I took highway 19, that bisects highway 40 and followed it until we got to Salt Springs.

Thinking that Salt Springs was a nice place to check out we pulled in and went to the office. We were informed that we would have to pay a day use fee and only I with the Senior Pass would get a reduction in the fee. That was the first of many unpleasant surprises, next was that we couldn't take pets into the site nor could we take alcoholic beverages in and our coolers were subject to search.

Well no one offered to search our coolers or RV so we proceeded to the Salt Springs. Sheesh what a let down, in the office where we paid the fee the photo of the Spring looked huge and beautiful, in real life it was small and the walking area around it was in sad shape. The other thing that bothered me were all the negative signs every where, can't have pets, can't smoke, can't use scuba equipment, must us the approved Bear proof trash receptacles, no alcoholic beverages, no parking on side of the road, no fishing, so forth and so on. I did not feel like I was wanted there. After taking a few pictures we got back into our RV full of contraband (pets and booze) and visited the camping area. The camping area didn't seem special, no view of the lake or spring or anything else. Then on the way out I was supposed to place my permit in a box before passing through the electrically operated gates that close promptly at 5pm. I couldn't wait to get out of there, I felt like I was escaping some weird dream. What has happened to my Forrest Service? When did they become big brother?

Then as I visited other sites in the same area I was asked to pay the daily fee again WHAT THE HELL is going on? I found a boating ramp and swimming beach area the beach was closed looked nice no one around, went to the boat ramp no one around there either and there it was a big sign asking for a daily fee again only this time I had to monitor myself, the Hell I Will, I took a few pictures walked the dogs and chatted with another couple about RVing and left, just in time I might add as a Forrest Service vehicle passed us on the road out to the highway. I didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling about the Forrest Service or our Government today, not at all.

On the way back to camp we stopped in a strip mall and went to a dollar store for a few items, while standing in line I heard a conversation about how good the local restaurant was and when we left the store I suggested we have some dinner at the local restaurant. We had the spaghetti and meat balls with salad, garlic toast and beverage very reasonable if not memorable.

When we got back to camp we tried to set up our lights on the sun shade and found we had no electricity to the outside electrical plug nor to the refrigerator. After some head scratching and trying different things I had the brite idea to check the GFI plug and sure enough after resetting the GFI plug we had power to the both plugs. We got the lights up and took the dogs for a walk. Before we left for the dog walk we were invited to a St. Patrick's day dinner at the park by three of the ladies from surrounding RVs. We felt so welcome, not like some other places we had been, however we will be leaving in the morning. The dog walk was going good until a dog came charging out of an RV and attacked our little dog! Scary moment, but with lots of shouts and barks from our big dog the attacker was driven off and captured by its owner who apologized profusely. No harm was done thank goodness and we parted amicably.

When we got back to the RV we indulged in snacks and a little TV and some WiFi the end of another day. Tomorrow we plan to travel I 75 north to Georgia.

Top Sail State Park Florida

2008-03-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

View of condos at the beach in Florida
The famous dunes at Topsail State Park Florida

The beach very nice
We had made reservations for Topsail RV park in Destin Florida and after what seemed a long trip arrived were greeted warmly by the registration staff. We found our sight without any problem and found ourselves surrounded by some very expensive RVs. This didn't bother us, however I think we might have miffed a few of the owners of the spiffy RVs. Our RV is old, 21 years old and looks it.

The park is a paved road down to the beach and of course dogs are not allowed on the beach so we took turns walking on the beach and taking photos. The weather was colder than we liked and in the mornings and evenings we had to wear our heavy jackets and gloves to stay warm and comfortable. The beach was beautiful and there were trails that wandered around giving one the feeling the place was very large.

On one of our walks we had a nice talk with a couple who owned an old RV and we exchanged our feelings about the park and how having an older RV caused some reaction to the other campers.
They felt they weren't accepted either, not bothered or treated badly just not as friendly a reception as someone in a nicer RV would get.

We didn't have WiFi at the park but in talking with another camper found a "Hot Spot" at Panera Bread and Coffee Shop. We spent several afternoons sitting there having coffee and catching up on our email and other chores like paying bills on line. When the technology works it is wonderful when it doesn't it is a pain in the Pa toot.

The last full day there we went shopping and I, after many stores, found some shorts to wear. I was pleased to find something that fit both my body and my wallet. The following morning we were to leave for Whispering Pines RV park near the Ocala Florida National Forest.

Florida Blue Angel Camp

2008-03-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Just by chance as we were traveling on route 98 in Florida I spotted a sign for the USN Blue Angel RV Camp. I decided to see if my retiree ID card was still good and followed the road to the RV park.

The entrance had a nice man checking the RVs in and there was a vacancy and yes my Army Retiree ID card was good there. We only spent a night at the park. It was well shaded had a beach and a sea wall a small store, LP fill up point, rented boats and other gear. Very quiet park and the rate was reasonable. No WiFi and as usual dogs not allowed on the beach. I wouldn't mind spending a few weeks there sometime.

We left the following morning as reservations had been made for the Topsail Preserve and State Park near Destin Florida.

Mississippi

2008-03-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

Casinos in Biloxi MS

Fishing fleet
More Casinos
Mississippi

We left New Orleans and got back on I-10 headed east towards the Florida. We got as far as Boloxi Mississippi and pulled in to check out the Casinos. We needed to take the dogs for a walk and headed down the street pass the Casinos and suddenly I realized I needed a bathroom pronto, I left Samantha with the dogs and went into the Casino looking disparately for a restroom. After crossing the length of the Casino I found the restroom sadly not in time  I cleaned up as best I could and returned to the RV to clean myself better and change clothes. I guess I ate something that didn’t agree with my system.

Samantha and I had some confusion about where to meet and it took a while to sort it out she wasn’t well also. We decided to find Wal-Mart and get some medication to help us through the night. After shopping there we decided to stay at the Wal-Mart parking lot. Quite a few Wal-Marts allow RV parking and it is a great convenience.

In the morning we decided to go out for breakfast and we were headed for the Waffle House until I made a wrong turn and we ended up back at the Casinos. Having the Casino facing us we decided to have breakfast there and we enjoyed their breakfast bar and after stuffing our faces tried out their slot machines. Well breakfast became expensive, proving our luck doesn’t extend to gambling. We left the Casino and headed East.

We got to the Pass Christian exit sign and decided to take in the sights. Pass Christian was wiped out during hurricane Katrina. Today it is clean and back in business with lots of new buildings going up and some nice homes being built. The overall impression is one of progress and success much different than the 9th Ward in New Orleans.

We headed East again towards Florida just a few miles away.

New Orleans

2008-03-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

French Quarter
French Quarer Iron Work
One of the Grave sites in the Cemetery section of New Orleans
Our RV in the camp located on the old water front New Orleans LA

Julia studying her cell phone for no particular reason while waiting for her lunch at the Gumbo Restaurant French Quarter NOLA

We arrived in New Orleans and followed the online directions to the RV
camp located in the old industrial area on the river. The RV camp was next to a Yacht Repair yard and on a channel leading to the river. Security was good with fencing and a gate operated by a code card or by the office.

Our camp site was located at the end of a row of camp sites and next to the river. Every thing hooked up fine except the electric the 30 amp plug was in use by the neighbor site so I trudged over to the office where they lent me a plug that allowed us to use the 50 amp plug.

When we arrived we signed up for the shuttle to the French Quarter so the next morning we got a lift by the camp van to the Quarter. On the way to the F.Q. we were given a tour of the lower 9th Ward and the upper 9th Ward. Our tour guides were impressed with the work that had been done cleaning up the neighborhoods. I was not impressed at all the work done in the 9th Ward. So much money has been spent and so little done in such a small space, in my mind something is wrong, very wrong the money went somewhere but not in rebuilding the 9th Ward. I thing the Government got ripped off.

The rest of the day we toured the French Quarter and enjoyed the food and the sights and sounds of the Quarter. We also took a ride on the trolley out to the Grave Yards and toured the famous New Orleans graves. Another trolley ride took us back to the quarter where we bought some takeout to bring back to the RV for dinner.

Upon returning to the RV we walked the dogs and prepared dinner something that was supposed to be Cajun but was’t that good. We secured the RV for the storm that was coming and went to bed. Later in the night the storm hit and we were rocking in the wind and rain for several hours. Every once in a while we would be lit up by the lightening. Quite a night to remember and the Old RV held together, yeah 

The next day we hung out at the RV camp and went shopping at a local Super Market located in the 9th Ward area. The Market was nice and clean had a great selection of fresh fish and Cajun specialties. We stocked up on food getting ready to leave the next day for Mississippi and the Casinos.

Houston Camp

2008-03-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

Above bird shots by Samantha
Our RV parked at the Marina
I couldn't resist the opportunity to have my photo taken as a mermaid
Houston camp

After we left the Escapee RV camp in Texas we traveled to just south of Houston and stayed at an RV resort camp on a bayou. It was a very clean place and it was on a small bayou with some bird life. The resort was near shopping and restaurants.

The bayou had some interesting birds visiting it. Some of the photos of the birds are above. This camp was part of another camp next door that had a few permanent residents some with park model RVs. Except for the expense of the place it seemed like a nice place to live.

One of the restaurants was Pappa Deux’s seafood restaurant. We had lunch there, the food was good and pricey, I tried a different beer with some fruit flavor, it was okay, but not something I would order again. After lunch we took the dogs for a walk along the docks and watched the boats come up and down the channel.

We could see an amusement park across the channel and decided to drive over and have a look. We parked our RV right on the edge of a Marina and walked a few blocks to the park. After getting some coffee we sat in the shade and listened to the screams of a Roller Coaster, this didn't please us and we left and went back to our RV camp on the bayou.

After a couple of days we packed up and headed east on I-10 towards New Orleans LA.

The Trip Begins

2008-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

Our rig at Rainbow's End RV camp Livingston TX

The restaurant we had lunch at in Livingston TX I think I waddled out the place after lunchand dessert, dessert was my fav bread pudding hmmm :)
Our happy little dog Spencer

So, Samantha comes in the door and states "We are leaving this cold is to much!!! I can't stand this weather! " Okay says I, let's start packing and sure enough just as we are packing the RV an ice and snow storm starts and the Real Estate Agent shows up with someone to look at the farm. I figure I better stay and see if there are any questions and sure enough there are. With all that we got a late start and in hind sight maybe should have waited till the next day to leave on the trip.

We got to Nashville just as the sun was going down and not knowing any better called the KOA in Nashville and booked a night. We were so green we didn't ask the price for one night. When I was told I was a bit taken aback $49. Then again we were near the the Grand Ol' Opery thingy and I guess it is a prime location.

My first time hooking up the utilities to the RV was shall we say interesting, the electricity was fine, the when I turned on the water I could hear this dripping sound so I walked around the RV and there was a flood of water leaking out of the passenger side rear under the where the bunk is located. All I could do was turn the water off and disconect the hose. It was a cold night and I didn't want a cold and wet RV to come back to. We set off to Camper's World and bought a portable LP heater and then went to dinner where the theme was Old Frontier Keel Boat decor.
Not very impressive with bare metal plates and cups and corn bread served in small skillets.
When we got back to the RV it was dark, cold and windy. Our first night on the road, no water, so no toilet, what a deal.

After the water line leak I was left wondering what else was going to break in the RV, not a good thought to take to bed on a dark, cold night.

The next day was a long day of driving and got us to Texarkana, where we stayed over night at the parking lot next to Wal-Mart. We did a little shopping and walked the dogs we had some dinner and made ready for our night at Wally World. Large trucks shared our part of the parking lot and in the night sometime another RV arrived. In the morning we walked the dogs fueled up and headed to Livingston Texas.

We got to Livingston TX and with the help of a clerk at a convenience store found our RV park. I wanted to visit the Escapees RV park in Livingston for some time, earlier I had become a member of the club and was excited about meeting other SKP's. The park was sort of a let down nothing special just a lot of very expensive RV's and gravel sites. We walked the dogs around and looked the place over. There were some nice features such as the place for those RV'rs who had hung up the keys to live in an assisted living area and the mail forwarding section. We got our mail box and found out that we needed our Social Security Cards before we could become Texans. I guess we will have to do that on another trip.

Our RV needed the interior water lines repaired and tune up, oil change, exhaust leak fixed and a few other minor things fixed. Wow the bill was astounding over $800 dollars. That kind of took my breath away. Still the old beast needs other work as well. But that will have to be later.

We drove around Livingston and got to know the place a little got to see the lake and the town. Kind of busy place lots of traffic for a little place.

The biggest disappointment was the SKP's, I had been told how friendly they were and to expect a hug when you meet them so I was braced for the friendly type of RV'rs. None where to be found at Livingston, our dogs got more attention then we ever did, some of the early walkers carried treats for dogs with them and offered the dog's they met a treat, that was nice of them. As for the other folks staying at the park it was like we were not good enough for them or something. We would wave and smile and sometimes even get a wave back, but no conversation or introduction or exchange what so ever, it felt strange there. We left for Houston and the bayou east of Houston. I don't feel like I belong to anything special and regret the money I spent on the membership, live and learn I guess.

Is The RV Life For Us?

2008-02-21T18:07:00.000-08:00

I guess we got home from the Airport yesterday just in time. This morning we were in the midst of an Ice Storm. Samantha came in and said "that's it where headed out of here and going some place warm".

We are Julia and Samantha we have been best buddies for over ten years and live on a small farm in Central KY. Samantha is still working, she works on a ship in the Gulf of Mexico (5 wks on 5 wks off) I am retired from the Federal Gov. We have lived here for almost three years and have decided to sell the farm and move some where else more comfortable for two old gals.

I just bought an old RV, a 1987 Coachman Class C with 44k miles. I bought it as a learning vehicle to make sure this life style is something we want to pursue and not a flash in the pan idea. This RV has a very uneconomical 460 engine and weighs thousands of pounds and get about seven miles to the gallon of gas. I have had my thrill of filling the tank a couple of times now and it is still a bit of a shock. Oh well it is only money, ya right.

So it looks as though we are going to go on our first trip starting Saturday. Oh boy this ought to be interesting. We are taking out pets with us two dogs and two cats. The dogs will be O.K. with the RV they have ridden in it and seem comfortable. The cats I am not to sure about they can be a bit shall we say terrified with being in a moving vehicle, they will add spice to the adventure.

We spent the day packing for the trip and discussing what to bring and not bring along. I am sure we are bringing stuff we don't need and leaving stuff we do need, well there is always Wal-Mart.

Tomorrow we have some loose ends to tie up in town, shopping for the trip, bank, etc. Hopefully all will be well and we can leave on Saturday. I hope we don't look like the grapes of wrath as we head out to Texas. Yes we are headed to Texas, Livingston Texas, hopefully we will make it there and back safely.