Durant Oklahoma -- HOC OKLAHOMA RALLY TO TENNESSEE

We arrived in Durant Oklahoma KOA-- 

Landmark Row

Dan's Ribs

Dan and JBelliti

Rib's at JB's

Ribs at JB's

When we left we went to Harrah's Mid-south Campground in Tunica MS.. Such a great campground but come June 1st the complete Harrah's complex is closing it's doors.  That is so sad.. 

We got settled and took a rest from the drive over.  Later Dan wanted to go over to Hollywood Casino and we had dinner and played some machines.

~~GOOD BYE  TUNICA ~~

We left Tunica, MS on Good Friday and headed over to  Baxter, TN.  4 miles from where my mother lives.  

Twin Lakes Catfish Farm and Restaurant

Twin Lakes Camp ground

Bradford Pear Trees along lake- Non Fruit Bearing

Twin Lakes Catfish Farm

We got set up and then we went and picked her up and brought her back for dinner at Twin Lakes Catfish Farm Restaurant and Campground.  We showed her our new rig, and then went over for dinner.  The place was packed with customers and we were lucky that we got to sit down after a couple left. The dinner was really good. We got caught up with cousin's and friends and what Dan and I had done this winter in Texas.  We took her back home and then we came back and put our feet up and relaxed.. It was a long day.

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Saturday, we got up, hung around the trailer and then we went over to mothers home.  I wanted to stop at Kohl's as I had a 30% coupon.. Not that I really needed anything.  I did find 2 things that I thought I needed.  Went to the check out and seen that huge long line waiting and I decided that I really didn't need those items and we left.  We went out to eat at Bravo's restaurant, a Greek / American flair.  We all had Salisbury steak and it was very good.  Then we went to Dairy Queen for dessert.   Took mom back home and then we went back to our 5th wheel to let the meal settle..

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Easter Sunday... I got up early and enjoyed my coffee and the bright sunny morning.  I got dressed and went and picked up  my mom for church.  The Church she belongs to is a very lovely church and very friendly parishioner's. This is the 2nd time in 3 years that we were with her for Easter.  After church we came back to trailer and Dan fixed us pancakes for breakfast/brunch.  Afterwards we sat and  visited and talked about our agenda for the summer and showed her pictures of what we did this winter in Texas. Well it was time to go out for dinner.. Dan took us to Longhorn Steakhouse and we had a really nice meal.

Easter Sunday - Heavenly Host Church - Cookeville

Mother and Karen

HEAVENLY HOST LUTHERAN CHURCH, COOKEVILLE TN

Monday morning the sun was shining brightly, Herbie was snuggled up next to me.  I got up and had my coffee.  Dan and I had alot of phone calls to make this morning. Insurance Companies are a pain.  One can not go without insurance, but they are constantly increasing.   I was trying to get Herbie in for a bath, and no one answers their phone..It was late when we finally got ready to go over to my mothers, but she had gone to her BOOK CLUB meeting.  I should of gone with her.. We took a ride up to Dale Hollow and looked around at the countryside. It was a nice day.. I saw my first Forget-Me-Nots.  

one lane bridge by Dale Hollow Dam

Dale Hollow Dam

Dale Hollow Reservoir

Well, we brought dinner over there and had dinner with her and then after I did dishes and cleaned up we headed back to our 5th wheel..

Tuesday morning was cloudy and looked like it was suppose to rain. It was in the forecast, but I sat and enjoyed my coffee and the morning news.  I got dressed and made some breakfast. I was still trying to get Herbie in for a bath, well, I didn't have any luck, so I decided that it was time for me to put him in the shower and I went and sat on the seat and I gave him a nice bath, cleaned up a few areas that needed cutting and took the blow dryer and fluffed him pretty.  Now he smells beautiful.

~~

Thursday was a busy day, got ready to go and pick up mother, dropped of our laundry and then took drive around countryside, stopped and had some lunch at Bravo's again.. Ran a few errands and then went over to friends Jim and Nancy for dinner.  They had some friends over also, we had a great time with everyone and the food was out of this world.. A pot luck, more like a buffet.  Great food. Herbie and Emme had a good time also, trying to see who they could beg some tastes from.

 Jim and Nancy's Dinner

 Great Food

Great Company

Friday was the last day of our stay, went and picked up mother and our laundry. We went over to the campground, where I fixed dinner for us and we got things put up and visited some more..  Hopefully mother can fly to Milwaukee, and help her friend celebrate her 80th birthday, and then work her way north.  I told her that we will be around for a few weeks and then we will be able to have her stay with us.  We took her back home and said our good-byes.

~~

Saturday, up early and hooked up and ready to head north. We planned only to go to Columbus, Indiana. The sun was shining and it got up to 70's.  We were south of Louisville, and traffic started backing up.. Who knew that it would be 2 hours of bumper to bumper of trucks and cars.  Very frustrating only to find out that there was about a mile of construction (pouring of concrete) that was causing the backup.  We arrived at Water-n-Woods campground.  It was a very nice campground, but it was mostly seasonal who are weekend guests. I walked Herbie and I seen alot of people sitting around campfires, lots of children playing and having fun.  It was a family oriented campground and nice to see.

~~

Sunday morning we were up early again and headed north on I-80.  It was chilly but the sun did come out later and warmed up.. We arrived at Elkhart Campground around 3PM. We got set up and made some coffee and had some snacks.   Kicked back and took a nap..We will be here for a week and then we will head to Shipsawanna, IN for the H.O.C. Indiana Rally.. 

Then homeward bound.. 

"Back On the Road Again" "Heading Home"

"Back On the Road Again"  "Heading Home"

We left Southern Oaks on the 30th of March.  It was a overcast morning and the sun was trying to come out..  We were headed for Fredericksberg Texas. I was looking for those bluebonnets on the way. We arrived at The Fredericksberg Campground around 1 PM.. Dan got all set up and we took off for a ride looking for those blue bonnets in the Hill Country.  The area is so dry and this year it seemed as though the abundance was not there.We went down Old Willow Loop, where in the past they were everywhere.

We went to Luckenbach, where I really wanted to go again.. It was a Monday and we took Jerry and Karen V along with us.  

We went to some shops first in Fredericksberg and then had lunch, and then headed to Luckenbach.. I did my grand entrance like I do some times.  I was walkng around taking some pictures and when we were going into the store/bar, I did not lift my foot high enough and I tripped on the porch, my good expensive camera went flying, lens one way and camera the other. I laid face down and Dan  was very vocal about him not watching me.. I had alot of help getting up, which I did not need.  My leg and knee that was replaced got the brundt of it along with my left arm. Most of all that was hurt was my spirit..

I had my beers and listened to some picker, which I did not think was too great.. but I really didn't care, I was where I wanted to be.  On the way home we stopped for dinner ..


The next morning Tuesday we were on our way to Santo, for the HOC rally..


We had a great time at Santo North Texas HOC Rally..The weather was nice and sunny when we got here and the temps were warm.. finally..This was our 1st Texas rally and it was fun. There was about 15 rigs that came in on Monday.  Most of the people that arrived we knew from other rallies that we had been at.  

We were sitting outside when this rig came past and it was a Carriage Cameo.. Dan said that is Dan and Dayna, from Iowa.. They had been at Southern Oaks this winter where we stayed. They were just as surprised as we were.  They came over for a visit and talked about their adventures they had in The Hill Country when a group of them had gone to.
We went to eat BBQ with the group on Monday.  The place is called Haddy Flats.  It is a fun place to go to and the food was good. I had brisket and Dan had ribs.  No complaints from anyone. 

Tuesday we had to go and get a few items from Wal-mart and we headed into Mineral Wells. As we were coming into Mineral Wells, we seen this huge building ahead of us.  The closer we got to it, we noticed that it was abandoned.  Dan and I drove around it trying to figure out it was.  We seen a huge swim pool out front.  When we got back to the campground I got on the computer I found out it was at one time a very prestigious hotel in it's day.  The Baker Hotel Mineral Wells, 
Texas.  

The next day, was another exciting day, The Beletti's, Coffman's and us went to Weatherford to David Stove Shop, We heard that there was a cafe there that we could have a lunch at.  When we pulled up to the store, it was amazing what my eyes were looking at.  Once we went inside it was something else.  We had a great lunch, very reasonable, afterwards we walked around the store and looked at just so many items, antiques included, along with smoking spices.  It is definitely a place I want to go back to.

The rally officially started the 3rd and we all went to  www.brazosrivercatfishcafe.com/ in Milsap, TX. The dinner was good, We had pecan crusted catfish.  The best part was the Bread Pudding, that if you have a coupon you get one free if you had a dinner.  WOW  it was really good.  We brought it home.. There were dominoes every night in the activity room. 

Saturday morning, Jim Beletti  and his cooks put on a breakfast. Of course he had his Athrea Frankenstien pancakes.. They are really good...  For the evening dinner there was a Pot Luck and the meat was furnished by Explore USA.  The BBQ was from Naddy Flats along with some sides and their sauce. The dishes that was brought by others were very good also..  Door Prizes were given out and afterwards games..

We had a meet and greet and everyone had to tell their name and where they are from.  Shortly Pam Fowler came and asked me where we lived and then she told me her daughter lives in Trenary..  Only about 4 miles from our home.  How ironic... We will be seeing her this summer.

Dan Frying Bacon

Buddy Riddle making Arthea Frankenstien Pancakes

 Pamela Fowlers

 Bob and Connie Sims

 Les and Janice Houser

The Fowlers

Tramp telling Jay that he wants out!!

April 7th... Leaving Santo and heading for Durant Oklahoma..