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8-31-12 ( The Aftermath of the Retirement Party)

We spent the day unpacking the truck and camper.  It was hot and the first time we have been dripping wet from humidity in months.  And don't get me started about them dang Love Bugs.  I wonder why they are not called Hate Bugs, (oh yeah, I know).

My first priortiy of the day was a haircut.  Lukily, Audry had an available appointment today.  When I got to the intersection of Crossroads there were about 20 cars at the intersection coming from Picayune.  This is not the Crossroads of pre Katrina.  If the hurricanes stay this frequent, the population will keep growing from people leaving the coast.  Crossroads will be a big city before long.

I thought there was a gas leak in Bogalusa today, then I realized that I was smelling the Mill.  It don't take long to remember that smell.

Ferny has loved the big house today.  We went started unloading, she got on Lauren's desk and sprawled out and slept for hours.  We came in for lunch and disturbed her, so she went in the closet and slept.  She woke up around 4 pm for her evening treat.  I guess she is as tired as we are.  Not to mention, she likes her alone time.

We have heat, humidity, love bugs, a stinky mill, and an increase in population since Katrina.  I refused to move to Alaska where it was cool, fresh air, beautiful scenery, and mosquitos.  I must be insane.

8-30-12 (Day 91- HOME)

Home Sweet Home

We watched the weather again this morning.  We decided it was time for the horse to find the barn.  We thought we would skirt around the remnants of Isaac and miss most of the weather and traffic.

We were about 10 miles North of Shreveport when it started raining.  It was a light rain, not a big deal.  We made it to Alexandria and it was still light rain and not a big deal.

We got out of the rain, and saw a big, black cloud.  This was not rain, it was Love Bugs.  I forgot how much they mess up the windshield and stink.

I 10 through Lafayette must be the worst Interstate from here to Alaska.  Ferny put both paws on Lauren's arm in an attempt to stop bouncing.  Finally, the road got better.

We saw plenty of insurance vehicles, power trucks, and FEMA vehicles heading north and south.

We took one of the first exits in Baton Rouge to buy gas.  They were not selling gas.  There were no signs or news broadcast to warn of this.

We took another exit as we were leaving Baton Rouge and bought gas.  Easy on and easy off.  The hard part of this exit was the extra 20 cents a gallon price we had to pay.

We were about 8 miles from Covington when we got in a traffic jam and several rain showers, (actually down pours).  After 25 minutes, we were glad to get to 190 and see the traffic was moving.

We were suprised that Covington and Bogalusa had a lot of trees down and a lot of water on the roadway.

We expected the worse when we got home. Luckily we were wrong,  everything was fine when we got home. 

Our good friend showed up shortly after we got home with cashews.  We had a great visit.  He knows that I love cashews. 

We drove 423 miles today. The total mileage of this 13 week trip was 14,488 miles. We have 5,397 pictures of our retirement party.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/QfGEW61FKsQ4aE1T7

8-29-12 (Day 90 - Still Dodging Isaac)

We woke up this morning wanting to go home. The want to did not happen today.  After watching the Weather Channel and seeing that Isaac is stalling, we decided to stay around Gladewater, Texas.

We did move 5 miles to Shallow Creek Resort.  This campground is definitely worthy of the resort name. 

We went to Walmart and stocked up in the hopes that we can go home tomorrow.

We returned to our RV Resort and found out that there was another camper here from Mississippi.  Actually, this camper is from Stone County.  Lauren went out on a quest  to find who was here.  It was a couple from Wiggins.  He was the manager of Pine Burr Country Club a few years ago when we were members there.  They are also trying to get home.  As I said before, It is  "A Small World."

I don't know how many times I have heard Lauren say, "We should have stayed in Alaska."  Considering Isaac, and this heat and humidity, I finally agree with him.  But I also have heard Lauren say that he is like a horse that sees the barn and is ready to go home.  All he can see is the barn.

We ate Frito Pies tonight.  I remember the first time I ate a Frito Pie.  Evelyn took us to Pine Malt Stand and she ordered all of us, (there were a bunch of us in the car), a Frito Pie.  I thought this was the best food that I  ever ate.  I have tried to mimic this since then, I have never had a Frito Pie that taste that good.

The yard fairy mystery has been solved.  We know who you are.  Many thanks.!!!

8-28-12 (Day 89 - Dodging Isaac)

Eufaula Lake

We woke up this morning, walked around the campground, and before we knew it, we had walked over a mile.  We watched the weather channel and realized that there is no way to head home and get out of the path of Isaac.

We decided to head south 224 miles.  We are not out of Isaac's path but neither is our home.  We will try to head closer to home tomorrow.

Lauren and Ferny tried to ge me to stay in Alaska.  I could be in Alaska, fighting mosquittos, with weather that is  nice and cool without a  hurricane.  Maybe we should go back.

8-27-12 (Day 88 - Checotah, Oklahoma)

We were not in a hurry to get home today but somehow traveled 483 miles across  I 40.  All three of us were somewhat content until about the last 40 minutes of riding today. When Ferny Kat starts pacing in the truck, it is time to shut it down.

It has been a lot of fun not really caring if we were home or not for the last few months, then all the sudden Issac is heading toward the house.  I have mixed feelings.  I want to not care and stay away but I also have the care that I wish I were home to make sure everything is okay if, (or when,) the storm hits.

We loved being carefree for the last 88 plus days.  I hate that Isaac has made us face reality.  We have been considering selling out and going full time in the RV.  That is looking better and better at the moment.

We are staying at Terra Starr RV Park.  We have enjoyed sitting outside in the shade with a nice breeze and eating fried halibut.  At the rate we are going we will need to go back to Alaska before fall to catch some more halibut.

Campground Storm Shelter (need to bring this to the Land Mass between Mobile and New Orleans)

8-26-12 (Day 87 - Tucumcari, New Mexico)

We drove about 400 miles across I 40 today.  We had a pretty day with no rain.  The temperatures for most of the day were around 80 degrees.

We are staying at Kiva AOK RV Park.  We got excellent service when we arrived.  We were met by two differren people that assissted us to our campsite.  We never had to get out of the truck to walk in an office to register.  We have a big yard with a lot of shade, and it is quiet.

Ferny knows a good campsite when she sees one.  She was impatiently waiting for us to come get her out of the camper. She slept most of the day and was ready for some green grass, shade, and fresh air.

Before we left on this trip, I stocked up on peas.  Yes, peas.  I remembered last year in Taos, NM  craving peas and I could not find any.  Before we left, I gathered all the cans of peas in our cabinets.  I left home with 11 cans. 

We had spaghetti, corn bread fritters, and peas tonight.  I am down to 2 can of peas.  My supply is dwindling down after 12 weeks.

We are about 1085 miles from home,  We are watching Hurricane Issac and dragging our feet heading to Mississippi.  This is the first hurricane in a long time that I am not working.  I have to say it is a nice feeling not to have to work during or after a hurricane.