October 29th to November 3rd 2012 ~~ The Fun Begins~~

Hurricane Sandy struck land this week in New York and New Jersey.  Just how sad.
 
October 29th   Monday

Weather was not to bad this morning. It was in the 40's but no wind, so it was bearable. We got breakfast and then got ready to leave Texrkana, AR heading for Texas. When we got to Benton, AR we stopped at "Brown's Buffet". We have been there a few times before and oh my what a wonderful place.  All homemade, hot and really good Southern Cooking.  There is a place next door at a closed up Gas station to park the Rigs.  After we got done eating we headed south.  In Carthage Texas, Hwy 59 and Hwy 79, approx 3 miles east is The Jim Reeves Memorial Wayside.  We have not been there yet, but I have heard so much about it.  Hopefully one of these trips we make, we can get there.  Check it out on Google.. We arrived in Goodrich, and we had reservations at Woodzy Hollow Campground.  (never been there before). When we pulled in we knew that we would not be staying. The sites are not big enough for big rigs and where they were going to park us, there were low laying tree branches and Dan said NO. I am not going to rip my roof.  Gene agreed also.  So we went back to Magnolia Lake down the road. We were there last year.  It is a good place to stay overnite, but poor TV antenna reception.  Very friendly, good prices too. After we were set-up Gene and Linda came over for coffee and then I made some pizza's.  It was a busy day. Time to unwind and watch news about Hurricane Sandy..

October 30th   Tuesday

It is 39 degrees this morning. We woke up early 5:00 AM.  I got up and turned on the news of the Hurricane.  There is a wind advisory back home.  We are heading out around 9 AM to get through Houston and we are headed for Victoria, Texas.  Gateway to the Gulf.  We stop there every year.  Wonderful place, very friendly. We will stay there until the 1st of Nov. and then approx. an hour and half we will be at Southern Oaks. After we got set up Gene and Linda and us went to Wal-mart, so Gene can get a new battery for his car.  When we got back we put the smoked ribs Dan made before we left home, in the oven to warm up, I made a salad, and Gene and Linda came for dinner.  They both really enjoyed the ribs.  After they left, I cleaned up and sat in my chair to relax. Dan took Herbie out for his walk and then when they got back, Herbie got his baby and headed for bed.  Now that sounds like a good idea.

October 31st   Wednesday

57 degrees this morning.  I woke at 4:30 AM, Highway noise is non stop.   I laid there until  5AM and then got up, turned on TV and made some coffee.  There are alot of workers here in this park this year. Heard that there is a pipeline being built and that is why there is alot of workers.  As I sit here this morning, I hear alot of vehicles start up and leave.  Gateway to the Gulf is a very nice park. Went this morning and I had a pedicure and manicure. 

Now my toes and fingers look pretty, I sure love how my feet feel after I have a pedicure.  It was a nice warm afternoon.  Gene, Linda, Dan and I decided to go and eat out. We went for Chinese.  Yummy....

November 1st  Thursday      Arrive At Southern Oaks RV Resort

It is getting warmer out... 67 degrees this morning, and there is fog.  We will be leaving around 8:30 AM for about a 75 mile trek to Aransas Pass.  It will take some time to set up and clean and move our furniture around. Finally no more moving for about 5 months.  I have to unstress.   LOL

November 2nd   Friday

It was a nice morning and Dan had his coffee out side.. Merv came over to join him and say Hello.   At 9 AM we have to be at The Bakery Cafe to meet out Heartland friends.  We arrived and there they were. The McClures and The Doggetts.. The Zurns were there around 9:30..  It was sure nice seeing them all. 

Lee and Linda  McClure



Pat and Jim Doggett

John and Carol Zurn

Dan and Karen

The laughs started and did not end until we got in our vehicle's and headed out.  It was sure great to see everyone again.

After we left we drove to Portland to see if we had any mail, and then paid our yearly box fee.  Then we went over to Bealls and I found a couple of items and then we came back home.  Had a bit of lunch, took Herbie for a walk.  Walked over to Merv and Pat's for Happy Hour, Pat and Mary and visited with them. Sure is nice to be back in the groove again.  After Happy Hour (around 6 Pm) I suggested that we go over to the Mexican restaurant for dinner. It is an authentic place, it is clean and good food.  It is in Aransas Pass. I sure enjoyed the cheese enchilada's.   All in all it was a great 1st day in Aransas Pass.. Which more to come. 

November 3rd  Saturday

Today we went with Jim and Pat to George West, Storyfest.  www.georgeweststoryfest.org A HOC friend is one of the founders of Storyfest.  He has been doing this for 24 years.  It was fun to go out there and see what it is all about.  See Jim and Bette, and their son and daughter-in-law. We listened to a few stories and had some food and looked at the vendors. 

 Pat and Jim Doggett

 Dan and Jimtoo

Grist Mill grinding corn into cornmeal

 

There was also a Classic Car Show.....Brought back Memories..

 

 Rolls Royce

 Love that 57 Classic

 Pat Doggett says "OH MEMORIES" ???

  

It was very hot and so we decided that we would head back in an Air Conditioned Truck.   As we approached Corpus, we decided that we would go to The China Garden for dinner.

After dinner we took the scenic route back home via the Island.  Got to Pioneer RV Resort and thought that we would stop in at John and Carol's and see John's new Kayak and they were not home.  So, we got back home and Jim and Pat went home.  Dan decided that he was going try to get our Direct TV turned on and to no avail, it did not happen.

November 4th   Sunday

Woke up at 5:30 AM and turned on TV only to find out that more rain is coming.  So I let Herbie out for a quick squirt and walked around the 5th wheel to see if we lost anything in the storm last night. Only to find out that there is more rain coming around 7 AM.  Sure enough it is here.  It only lasted for about a half an hour.  Dan went out and washed the back window.  He quick walked Mr. Herbie.  The rain passed and the sun is shining.

Dan took Herbie out for his morning walk and I made breakfast.  After he was back and we finished breakfast I went for a walk....without Herbie... I did really well, no pain in my back or leg, and I did a really good pace.  This will be on the Morning TO DO list..  Later in the afternoon we took a ride to Wal-mart and for a few things.  Dan made a steak on the grill for dinner. I had a small piece and it did not sit well with me.

One thing I found out is that if some food don't set well with me, nothing sets well at that time. 

Well, Monday, we are having this loud and crazy group of Heartlanders over at our place for a potluck and make some plans for the upcoming weeks.  Keep tuned in for all the hoop-la...  Hope you enjoy this blog, send me a email and let me know.

The pictures below is an update of my success...

 Picture taken June 2012 -- Gilettee, WY

 

 

Picture taken Nov 2, 2012  --  Aransas Pass, TX

October 22, 2012 to October 28, 2012 ~~ Travels To Texas ~~

October 22nd    Monday

Headed out from home at 7 AM...  It was chilly out, we left while it was still dark out. It was 2 1/2 hours and we were crossing the Mackinac Bridge.  It was a long ride today, over 500 miles.  We arrived at Elkhart Indiana around 3 PM. Dan got all set up and we both sat in our chairs and put our feet up and took a nap.. Made some chili that I had in the refrigerator. That is what I like, quick and easy meals when we are on the road.  It was a long day and I had gone to bed early with the Kindle and a new book. Nora Roberts "The Witness"  Lets hope that it is a good book..

October 23rd    Tuesday

Another early day.. It was nice to just sit and wake up and watch the crazy news of this country.  We will be so glad when this election is over.  I can't remember back this far, but I wonder if the elections were this cut throat 30 years ago..  I am so disgusted I don't even watch these silly debates.  Our winter Texan friends from Valparaiso, IN came over for a visit and lunch today.

Ralph and Barb
 We went to a couple RV outlet stores, Capitol RV to look at some of the new 2013 Landmark's... Loved the new wood color, loved the Grand Canyon, lots of storage, The Mesa has the nice big pantry on one wall.. Then went to Bristol restaurant for lunch and then passed a Steak and Shake and went back for their Happy Hour Special 1/2 shakes and malts. Too much for me.... I did not feel good when I got home. I had to lay down and let it pass.

Although it was nice visiting with our Winter Texan friends.  Dan and I were so full we did not eat and dinner.   I gave Dan a bag of popcorn and I had

October 24th    Wednesday

Up early 6 AM, gee it is dark out. At Elkhart Campground.  Had morning coffee and some breakfast and then took Herbie for his walk... Dan is getting things ready to leave.  Heading for Effingham, IL... Going to meet up with Max, I use to work with him when I worked at Rexnord.  He taught me alot.

Max and Karen

We stopped in Brazil IN and had coffee with Hoyt and Mary, Heartland Friends, before they went back out on the road.  They are Over the road, truckers.  They have an awesome rig.

Hoyt and Dan

We got to Effingham around 3:30 PM and then around 5 PM Max arrived and we had so much to talk about and reminisce about. We went out to Ryan's for dinner and then he came back to the trailer and we talked some more.. Dan got some insight on another toy for the I-Pad.   It was a nice visit with Max. I figured that the last time I seen him was in 1996 and I had worked with him for almost 10 years.  Hopefully we can visit every year when we head to Texas. 

October 25th   Thursday

Up early again as we had to hit the road and make it to Sikeston, Missouri. Gene and Linda, our friends from Kentucky, have been there for a few days patiently waiting for us to get there.  I seen that there was a Bighorn 5th wheel parked across from us and When I was out walking Herbie I was hoping that I would see them outside and i would stop and talk to them.. They had Wisconsin plates and the rig was bought at Wagner's RV.. So I seen them and went and talked to them..  I told them about the Heartland Owners Club, which they new nothing about.  I got their card and gave them mine and mentioned about the HOC website and suggested that they go on line and check it out.  I am going to keep in touch with them.  We arrived at Hinton RV campground at 12:15 and Linda, Gene and their new rescue Shih-tuz were outside. 

Sikeston, MO

Getting ready to pull out

Linda and Gene  (Lambert's Cafe)

Karen and Dan  (Lambert's Cafe)

Gene and Linda (Lambert's Cafe)

Karen and Dan (Lambert's Cafe)

 

 Marcy the pup is just so cute.  Linda made some pulled pork sandwiches for lunch and then we went to the outlet mall.  Came back and rested for awhile before we went to Lambert's Throwed Rolls. 

Oh my... the place was busy and good.   Came back home and let my stomach settle down...  Leaving in the morning for Tunica, Mississippi for 2 nights.
 

October  26th  Friday

Arrived at Tunica around 1:30 PM.. It was cold and rainy and we had a hard time trying to find the RV resort. It is called Mid-South RV Park. It is part of Harrah's Casino.  After we got set up, I got lunch ready. Left overs from Lambert's Cafe and my lunch in Elkhart. Then we went to Gene and Linda's for Apple pie.. She had it made when we got to Elkhart.

We both decided that we would take a rest and then go over to Harrah's Casino and have dinner and try a few slots.  First of all let me say that Harrah's is HUGE.. 2nd it doesn't have a restaurant. They have a Paula Deen Buffet @ 25.00 per person.  Then they have a Fine Dining restaurant, and then a food court with Fuddruckers, Uno Pizza and a Qunizio Sub.. So we ate at the Food Court, seeing that we had a big lunch, we decided to just have something from the food court.  They even charge for a paper cup of water.  Imagine that.  We went and played a few machines and left for home.  It was cold and rainy out.

October 27th   Saturday     8 Weeks Ago I Had My Surgery

Today is 8 weeks since I had my surgery.  I think about it and I am happy that I made the decision.  It seems as though it was longer than 8 weeks.  I have been doing really well, and I have learned the hard way that eating too fast, too much, is not a good thing.  Traveling on the road is very hard to eat properly and on a time schedule.  Once we get to our RV Resort and set up for the winter, I am going to have to re-group and get back on track.  My goal is to be successful and healthy.  So, say a prayer once and a while for me to have the strength to fulfill this journey.  By the way, thank goodness for my good health insurance.  The paid bills are coming through and I could of bought a new car.  

 Marcy

 Herbie and Marcy

Marcy.. So cute

We were up early again and had our coffee and breakfast.  Still light rain and cold and wind. Did not make for a nice day.. Gene and Linda came over. Linda had Marcy out for her morning walk.  We had coffee with them and then decided what we were going to do today.  We took a drive around to the different casino area's.  Hard to believe that they enormous casinos are built in the middle of farm land one time.   We found our way over to Hollywood Casino and checked out a few RV parks that were by the Casino's.  Really nice parks.   We went inside Hollywood casino and got our players card and then went and found a food court again and had lunch... Linda and I had Nachos and Gene and Dan had a 5.00 hot dog lunch special..  Afterwards we went and played the machines for awhile. The inside of the Hollywood had neat memorabilia hanging from the ceiling and cars (the Bat mobile ) on display.  We left after about 1 1/2 hours and drove around and decided where we were going to go for dinner.  We decided that Sam's Town Casino was a good place to go.  We went back to the RV's and took Herbie out for a walk and then relaxed for a bit.  That is the nice thing about being retired, One can relax whenever they want.     We went to Sam's Town and decided that we did not want a big meal.  So we went to the 2nd floor to Smokey Joe's BBQ,  What a deal..  Linda and I had a bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Dan and Gene had a Smoked Brisket Sandwich Basket.  While we were waiting for our food they brought a container of home made potato chips.  Yummy ... Then when the guys got their food there were more chips.  Afterwards we went and played the slots.  Dan came out ahead and I lost, but we both had alot of playing time.  We met at the Coffee shop and had a cup of coffee and then headed back to the RV.  Herbie was happy to see us.  Took him out for his nightly potty and he did not want to stay out long.  It is cold...

 

October  28th   Sunday

Time to get on the road again after spending 2 nights at Harrah's Mid-town resort. We had a long day ahead of us today.  We left around 8:30 am heading for Texrkana, AR.

On I-40 we got detoured, stop and go for over an hour... there was a bad accident and the interstate was closed going south bound. 

We stopped in Benton Arkansas at Brown's Buffet for lunch/dinner.  What a place, great homemade southern cooking. We have stopped there before. Gene and Linda were pleased with our choice. 

We got to Sunrise Rv around 4:30 PM.  Set up for the night and had Gene and Linda over for coffee.  Well this is the end of a busy long week.  It will be nice to get to Aransas Pass and get settled in.