Home

We arrived home last Sat. about 1:00 p.m. EST. It's nice to be home but I need lots of naps between unpacking the RV.

I will tell about the Natchez Trace Parkway later when I can put on some pictures. Right now I am at the public library using their computer. I have no internet, no cable TV, and no phone until April 4. Add to that the fact that one of the outlets in the kitchen isn't working and every time I use the microwave I trip a circuit breaker. Hey, this house is over 100 years old so what do I expect.

Scooby went back to the rescue people on Monday. He dragged me all the way from the car into their building. They tried to put me off but had no luck. So I have a peaceful house with 3 dogs who do what dogs usually do - bark when someone knocks on the door, ask to go out now and then and expect doggy treats on a regular basis.

I got to see the Grandkids and Greatgrand kid on Sat. afternoon. Carson is 9 months old and crawling and squealing and grabbing and waving. Normal kid.

I just wish spring was really here but it will be soon.

East of Shreveport, La

I decided to spend the day here at the same place and rest up and wait for the weather to clear. It has worked nicely. About noon the sky cleared, the rain stopped and the RV stopped rocking.

I feel much better with the extra day of rest also. I have even decided to try driving the Natchez Trace from Jackson, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It is supposed to be a very scenic drive plus I cut out Memphis which is always a mess.

This may delay my getting home - oh well. I have to stop and smell the roses sometimes.

Somewhere east of Shreveport, Louisiana

What a couple of days, driving in the wind. It gusts from all sides, no way to prepare for it. I am afraid to even take one hand off the wheel to hold it in front of the air conditioner vent to dry the sweat off my palms. At least I am out of Texas tonight and have WIFI here at this campground.

Texas driving is interesting. Most of their roads have a wide apron, almost another lane. If you are slower than traffic (and I always am, even at 65 & 70 MPH) they expect you to pull over on the apron and let them go by. I have done this several times when I could see far enough ahead that there was no one stopped in that lane. They also have a system set up for evacuations. There are movable barriers in the middle of the thruway so you can move over to the oncoming lanes when that kind of emergency is declared. There are signs telling you when and how to do it. But the apron is to be left open for emergency vehicles.

Let me explain the picture at the top. Today I stopped at a Kroger to pick up some of my imitation cheese. As I passed the back of my RV I noticed that the spare tire was hanging way back from the bumper. The welded connections to the bumper had torn loose. It wasn't that way this morning when I started out. A wonderful Kroger worker came over and helped me take the spare tire and bracket off the bumper and put it into the RV on the floor. That was a new bumper last summer so it will go right back to Adventure RV and they will fix it.

Then the nice Kroger worker pointed out that one of my tires looked low. So I stopped at a tire store and had them check the air pressure and add air to all my tires. I run them 10 lbs. lighter than it says on them. Someone told me that was a good thing to do. Hope they were right.

Then there is my rattle. It started a couple of weeks ago on a short trip. When I stopped I noticed that somehow the vent fan over the stove was on. The last day I was with Linda & Bob, Linda took a short ride with me to try to find the rattle. I had stopped several times on my own but when you are stopped it doesn't rattle, when you are driving you can't find it. She determined that the rattle was inside the housing around the microwave and vent fan. So now that I know where it is and know I can't fix it I can ignore it - almost.

I got my fake soy cheese and had a sandwich for lunch. About an hour later I started feeling sick, very sick. I had just bought the cold cuts but they are going out tonight. I was in the middle of I-20 in Shreveport when it became intolerable and took a random exit and pulled into a liquor store parking lot and ran for the bathroom with a bucket in front of me and the back of me on the toilet. I was just in time. I'm feeling a lot better but will see how I do tomorrow. It was also very warm in the RV so I turned on the generator and the RV air conditioner the rest of the trip to this campground. A friend of mine named Jon suggested that with this size RV the engine AC might not be enough to keep it comfortable (it was 80 degrees inside). Thanks Jon.

I had planned to be home by the week-end but things can happen so I'm making no firm plans. Luckily I have my 2nd home right here with me - with a spare tire in the middle of the floor. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and laugh about it.

Austin, TX

I left about 10:00 a.m. this morning and didn't stop except for pit stops and lunch and gas until 5:15. This is a Federal Immigration checkpoint. It is about 50 miles north of the border. When it was our turn a car in the line beside us was stopped and a big beautiful Doberman held by a Federal agent was lungeing and barking at the cars trunk. I wanted to see what they had found but Scooby was going crazy at the window and I was waved through without any checking at all.

We ran into slow traffic at Victoria, San Antonio, and Austin. I thought Sunday would be a good day to travel but a lot of people were going home from a week-end outing. It is also spring break time.

These cactus grow wild in the fields and people use them in their natural flower gardens. The dogs got into one while trying to meet some other dogs. Red has licked all the hair off the top of one of her feet. Scooby has a scrape under one of his leg pits (?). I found 4 ticks the last 2 days we were in Los Indios. 3 were on me and one on Scooby.
The checkered flag is where I want to go, the green arrowhead is me, I don't understand the white arrow. Maybe they thought it was a divided highway. I found it in spite of the confusing instructions.

When I arrived at the campground I had picked it was full. I hadn't called ahead as I wasn't sure I would go so far. They were kind enough to fit me in between another RV and a pile of gravel. They even strung an extension cord from their shed so I have electricity. It is supposed to be very windy tomorrow and I had planned to stay here for 2 nights before moving on. I will look for something further along the way but not too far in case that wind gets really strong. There is always Walmart. Don't know if I will find any WIFI but I am enjoying it tonight.

Los Indios, TX

Three wilted dogs trying to find a cool spot. The RV air conditioning was able to keep the temperature down to 80 inside when it was 104 outside. The outside thermometer cringed and went blank today after it hit 103. It has been 18 months since this area was 100 degrees and the record was broken for this date.
As a result we have decided to move north tomorrow to avoid the heat. It's no fun being cooped up in the RV with no WIFI and no cable TV. I can only read for so long.

This beautiful flowing bush is happy in these temperatures.

I should be home in a week or so but will take my time and watch the weather as I go. People tell me that the snow has melted out of my driveway.

Los Indios, TX

If there was a way to teach Scooby to ride this thing I could take shorter walks. This is one of the 2 exercise bikes in the new rec building pictured below.

This is the old building that is right across the street from where I am parked. It has 3 washers and 3 dryers, plus clothes line, and a bathroom with shower. They say it will be torn down soon. This place is only open Oct. thru April. I'm beginning to understand why. It is 87 degrees outside. The local news has upped their prediction for tomorrow by 1 degree -- to 100. That is hibernation weather for me. I melt.

The WIFI doesn't work and they tell me that they expect a repairperson in a week or so. This is a very laid back park to say the least. The fishing is in the canals nearby. We walk by them when we take walks. There are too many dogs in the park that start barking at us when we walk by so we go out of the park. I was told a propane truck would be by today but haven't seen it.

I didn't post yesterday, didn't have much going on. This is actually very relaxing. I am doing a lot of reading and getting ready to make the trek north. A lot of the people who were here Monday when I came have already left. I guess it's about time.

Is the snow melted up north?

Los Indios, Tx

This morning was chilly but there was a great difference of opinion on how to dress. The nearest man has on a winter coat, the guy next to him is in a short sleeve shirt and the man they are talking to has on no shirt at all. I took this out my RV window so as not to disturb anyone.

I walked the dogs, read a lot, and enjoyed the weather. The local news says it will be 99 degrees on Friday. WOW I will burn up some of those killiwatt hours with my air conditioning.

I have been amazed at the birdcall sounds the grackles make so today I tried to record one with my digital camera. I got two 20+ second recordings before someone walked by with a dog and Scooby and Red went into their impression of attack dogs. The dogs were tied outside. In trying to get hold of Scooby before he broke his leash or his neck I inadvertantly pressed the record button on my camera. The video shows the ground and my feet but the sounds are amazing. I tried to upload the grackle video but it wouldn't go. Some kind of error. Maybe I'll try to put it on youtube sometime.

I am still at the rec center to get online. People are very friendly here. There are a couple of card games going on here involving nickles.

Angler's Nest RV Park

See my new doormat? Scooby already claimed it, the little stinker.

I had help backing into this spot between 2 trees. I'll have some shade. This campground normally allows only 2 dogs but they made an exception for me. Now I have to see to it that they all behave.

I am in the recreation hall at the campground plugged into the direct connection which is a large phone jack. Their WIFI is not dependable in the evening they say. We will see if it works tomorrow during the day. I don't remember the name of the nearest town and I didn't bring any papers with me to the rec. hall. I will do better later.

This is a nice campground owned by a couple in Minnesota who inherited it from their parents. They are trying to upgrade it. It is only $75.00 for the week but they have a meter for the electricity to each site and they charge .16 cents per kwh. That seems high but the rent is so low it all evens out. The other choice I had was $150.00 for a week and I think they charged for electricity too. Can't really blame them as the price goes up all the time.

I stopped by the thrift shop and found another pair of jeans that fit better, also got a few books to read. I get 3 or 4 TV channels from Brownsville on my antenna so I should be well entertained for the next week.

The difficult part of the day was saying goodby to Linda and Bob. I wish them a safe trip.

I will need propane soon and they have a truck that comes around on Thursday's to deliver so that will work out well.

Donna, TX

This picture was taken by my brother-in-law without my knowledge. The white things you see are --- yes, my legs. And they are still the same color.

I could qualify as a professional dog walker. See the cane held out in front of Scooby as a means of keeping him from running ahead and dragging everyone else behind. This campground is next to a railroad. It made me feel at home since my home is near a railroad. The one here is only used a couple of times a day.

Getting organized before our walk. Maybe I should add that I've lost 18 lbs. since walking the dogs 4 times a day. That may involve some new wardrobe since I gave up on losing that weight before I left last fall and gave away the "small" stuff. Oh darn.

Linda and I made a quick trip across the border this morning to buy a few items, one of them was alcohol. One of them was vanilla, pure vanilla. We also made a stop at the local flea market.

Tomorrow Linda and Bob leave on their way to volunteer at the Petrified Forest. Tomorrow I am moving to another campground about 25 miles east of here. They say they have WIFI and fishing. You can guess which one I am interested in.

I had a call from Ohio telling me about their weather so I am staying away a while longer. I have to give that snow time to melt.

Donna, TX

Today Bob, Linda, and I went to the Saint Anna Wildlife Preserve. We took the shuttle through the preserve. There are many hiking trails. We didn't see any wildlife except at the Center where they feed the birds. The preserve is surrounded by fields of onions and cabbages and other vegetables. Most of the plants have thorns and spines on them.

There was a 100 year old cemetery. They have erected the new crosses where they could find the remnants of old crosses. There are only 3 graves that are identified as to who is in them. The fence is original, made of Texas mahogany wood.

The picture above is of a vine that grows around a tree and chokes the tree. I have seen canes made of this kind of growth.

We took a quarter mile walk to see the Rio Grande river, the border between Mexico and the United States. The guide said people cross here all the time. They find their wet clothes on the shore where they have changed into dry ones. The plants you see growing on this side of the river are at least 10 or 15 feet tall.

We also went to the HEB grocery store and picked up a few things. It was so nice out I sunned my feet for a little while. There is another wind advisory out for tomorrow. They worry about the wind because things are so dry that fires could get out of hand easily.

Tomorrow it's back to Mexico for a little shopping.

Donna, TX

No pictures today. Linda and I went running around. We found a thrift store and I got some books and a pair of jeans. Also got some socks to tie knots in for the dogs to play with. I had to take them away soon because Scooby was eating them.
The weather was much cooler today and windy. Where I am parked, between two big rigs, I don't get rocked quite so much. I was surprised to find that even Bob and Linda's big rig rocks in the wind.
We plan another quick buying trip to Mexico. We cross at Progreso. I was suprised to find that Yahoo maps do not show Mexico. They show all roads stopping at the border.
We tried to look up what we can bring back without violating the laws. It is confusing as there is a duty free store on the Texas side that has super cheap prices on stuff but you are supposed to take it on into Mexico, then declare it on your way out. We found a large bottle of pure vanilla for $1.00. The liqour is very cheap also but I think you have to declare it when you come back across to the U.S.
We also plan a trip to a bird sanctuary tomorrow. Maybe I'll have some good pictures tomorrow.

Donna, TX & Mexico

Today Linda and I went to Mexico. This is the border crossing. We parked and walked over.

This is the river taken from the middle of the bridge.
You can stand with one foot in each country at this point on the bridge.

Need some garlic? The owner of this three wheeled bicycle has plenty.
There was very obvious security as soon as we got into Mexico. There were several of these young men with very large guns watching the incoming traffic. As you can see this guy was friendly and happy to have his picture taken.

The sidewalks were packed with vendors but the selection was limited. Vendor after vendor had the same stuff to sell.

I took the first picture and turned around and took the second one the other direction. Sometimes we went into stores just to avoid the offers on the street. There were many many dentists with people on the street trying to get you to come in and get a crown or a cleaning or even braces. One of them was so insistent that I showed him my dentures. He laughed and said I had proved I didn't need a dentist. There was also a lot of pharmacies selling drugs and perscriptions. I got Advantage flea dope for the dogs at a greatly discounted price. I also got some 2.5 percent cortisone cream.

We found a quiet restaurant for lunch, at least it was quiet at 11:00. We decided we were just rushing the time change by having lunch early. As we were leaving it began to get noisy with a strolling musician singing something that involved a lot of eeeiii yi yi's.

This plate full of food was $5.00. We also had a small marguarita just to celebrate and then they gave us another in honor of happy hour.

All in all it was a great day, one to remember. My thermometer says it is 95 outside but maybe the sun is on it. Or maybe not since the air conditioner is running full blast and has brought it down to 80 inside.

Donna, Texas

When I told GPS I didn't want to go on the highway it took me down this narrow country road. There should be something between country lanes and 6 lane thruways.

The GPS shows me out in the water (the green arrowhead) and a little off course (the pink line) but we made it just fine. There was a 45 minute wait for the 15 minute ferry ride but it saves miles and miles of traffic.

I moved to a small RV park last week. It was half way to where I was going to meet Bob & Linda later. It was a motel/trailerpark/RV park/laundromat. There were a lot of flowers blooming and a grapefruit tree that had some of the sourest grapefruit that I ever tasted. Maybe being tree ripened had something to do with it. There was a lot of traffic at the laundromat and I got everything washed easily.

Yesterday we arrived here in Donna which is very near the border of Mexico. This 110 space RV park is for retired people only and within an hour of arriving I knew all the health problems of one of my neighbors as well as his wife. There was also a heated argument about whether the people who had this spot before left on Sunday or Monday. I don't think I could stand a place like this on a long term basis. Linda & Bob and I are parked side by side almost at the entrance. We plan to visit a Wednesday flea market near here today.

I am using their satellite connection to access the internet since they don't offer WIFI here. They also don't have cable TV. No wonder these people worry about the thngs they do.