7-26-13 (Day 2 -Greers Ferry)

The forecast today was for an 80% chance of rain.  We decided to leave the Harley in the garage.  We ate hot dogs for lunch then took a ride in the truck.

We rode around the campground, went to the visitor’s center, went to the JFK Overlook, and went to the fish hatchery. 

We checked out Sandy Beach.  It is the staging area for the 27^th annual, “World Famous Cardboard Boat Races.”  The big event is tomorrow.  We might go by tomorrow and see what this is all about.

We went by Wally World and got a couple of steaks for supper.  We watched our neighbors set up camp.  Each campsite is allowed up to 4 tents and 14 people per site.  I think they are maxed out. This ain’t Timberlake.

It has been a nasty day since 2 pm. The Harley remains in the garage.  The weather is predicted to be pretty for the next few days.  Can’t wait!


Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/gBPGEjW1YMw7e4zc7

7-25-13 ( Day 1 - Greers Ferry)

It’s been a while since I last posted. Since retiring I have gone back to work at St Dominic Hospital. We have been staying on the Rez in our 38 foot toy hauler. I self schedule and work 3 days a week, have a great boss, and as always great coworkers. I pretty much stay on vacation. Life is good!!!!

We decided to load the Harley in our toy hauler and head to the Ozarks. When you pretty much live in a camper you have a lot of stuff. It’s a good thing we have a storage shed in Brandon. This is the first vacation that we ever unpacked for.

We took our time, took several rest stops, and traveled 351 miles in 7 hours. We are camped at the Dam Site Campground in Heber Springs, (Greer’s Ferry Lake). The camp hosts who checked us in, previously worked at Allen’s Resort in Goshen Springs. Small world,

This was the first time we pulled the toy hauler. When we arrived to the campground and opened the garage door, the ladder for the queen bunk beds fell out and was hanging on the mirror of the Harley. Luckily, everything looks ok.

We only had a few choices of campsites that were big enough for this camper. Lauren did a great job backing the camper into a really tight spot, but not so god at leveling the camper. Our feet are going to be above our heads when we sleep. Not a problem a few pillows can’t fix.

We were tired when we got here and left the Harley in the garage. The garage is one of Ferny’s favorite rooms in the camper. She keeps patty-caking the door trying to open it.

We had a pretty day. It was the coolest weather we have had in a while. I hope it continues.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/jt1LJc3W3Vv5wbz77

Merry Christmas

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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.