Drive to Betty’s in Abbeville, LA, Nov 30, 2011

No rain this morning, but when Bob raised the jacks, water on top of the coach rolled over our side window. See our newest Christmas decorations.

Traveling across I-10 can be a challenge, first it is a thumpy road-where you feel every road joint. Then all the trucks, and don’t forget the road or bridge construction.

Soon we crossed another state line.

Soon crossed the Mississippi River.

Near Baton Rouge we saw these large white birds in the trees.

Our destination for the day was Betty’s RV Park in Abbeville. Here is Bob trimming some low branches over our rear slide out. Betty helped us back in, then noticed some low hanging branches, so she offered to get a ladder and some loppers if Bob could trim off the branches. She did and then he did. Works for us.

Our first Happy Hour at Betty’s began at 4:30 with about 15 folks present. The room buzzed with lots of friendliness and conversation. Close to two hours later we walked about 60’ to our coach.

In this special moment in time…take time for people

Shopping Day in Gulfport, MS, Nov 29, 2011

Well what can I say, we shopped until we dropped today.  The Southern Oaks Mobile Park is right in the middle of all kinds of shopping.  Sam’s Club, Wal-mart, Petsmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Michaels, and many many more.

At Michaels found the stretchy cord to make bows for some small Christmas boxes, also found some small suction cups to hand some snowflakes (we bought at Wal-mart) on our windows for Christmas decorations. 

Petsmart provided us some more additions to our one gallon aquarium.  A plant and three ghost shrimp.  So far Red Rob is ignoring his water mates, as in not eating them.  Bob had read that the ghost shrimps might be compatible with bettas and so far so good.  They were only 38 cents each so if he decides they are dinner, then not a big loss.

Here is a photo of two of them.  They are very small, about 1/2 inch long.  They are suppose to be great aquarium cleaners, eats anything that is or was alive, hopefully some of the food that Red Rob doesn’t eat.

We did a great job of shopping at Sam’s.   Restocked on many items we like to buy there, like small sweet peppers, whole almonds, cheeses, herbed turkey lunch meat and a great deal more.

Tomorrow, headed to Betty’s RV Park in Abbeville, LA, about a four hour drive.

In the special moment in time…make new friends

What a Day, Nov 28, 2011

With check out time being noon at the Escapees Rainbow Plantation and only 100 miles to drive today, we started to get ready to go about 11:30.  When Bob pre-started the engine, immediately the STOP ENGINE light came on, and he immediately shut down the engine.  Now what?

He first checked the oil level, yes, it was low as in really low.  We added the one gallon we carry as a spare, it still needed more.  So off to the local Wal-Mart where we bought two more gallons of oil and a gallon of coolant, just in case it was low also.

We ended up adding two gallons of oil and 1-1/2 gallons of coolant before the Stop Engine light did not come on when started.  All in all it was an easy fix, and Bob was reminded that periodic maintenance is at times necessary.

So we pulled out an hour and half later than the check out time of noon, but we did pull out.

Then Bob got to drive through this tunnel in Mobile AL, one of his favorite things, NOT.  He was relieved it was not too long.

Soon we were in Mississippi in one of many small rain showers we encountered on our drive today.

We soon arrived at a Passport America Park in Gulfport just off I-10, soon we were parked in a pull through site at Southern Oaks Mobile Trailer Community.  With tons of shopping in the area, we are staying two nights.

Launch and Rainy Day Wash, Nov 26-27, 2011

Yesterday we were anxiously awaiting the launch of Curiosity headed for Mars, to land next August.

It did launch without a glitch. Now sometime early on August 5th it will land on Mars to begin many experiments.

Today we woke up the rain, it had been raining in the night as well. Hummm, I could wash the windshield in the rain, and the rainwater could rinse it off.

Then, why not wash off what I could of the coach. My new rain jacket (from the Unclaimed Luggage Center) worked great, it was soaked on the outside, but I was dry on the inside.

By mid afternoon the rains stopped and we went for a walk around the park.

Tomorrow we are headed out to Gulfport MS for a couple of nights, then to Betty’s RV park in LA for three nights, before arriving in Livingston, TX for a week.

No shopping for us on Black Friday, Nov 25, 2011

That is right, we did not do any shopping today. Instead we basically relaxed. Here Bob is having an eye to eye with Red Rob, he does seem to really love this new home.

I finally bought some scotch tape a couple of days ago and was able to finish wrapping our Christmas presents for our family. I did notice that Walmart had various sizes of shipping boxes, hopefully tomorrow I will find what I am looking for.

Today we roasted a duck, Bob cut off the legs first, so we can have some Cassoulet later. We loved this dish while in France, made it once in June and now we have some duck legs to make it again.

In this special moment in time…take a chance

Happy Birthday to our SIL, Nov 25, 2011

Happy Birthday to our Son-In-Law, Ed. He loves coaching his daughters in fast pitch softball. Pictured here with him is his youngest daughter, Abby. He also loves to go shopping on Black Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving from Alabama, Nov 24, 2011

Today we tackled making the sweet potato recipe I found on the internet called Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole for the park potluck.  Bob peeled the potatoes, then I added the rest of the ingredients.  I think the magic ingredient was the vanilla.  They sure were delicious.

Here is our table at the park Thanksgiving potluck.  Each table sat 10 folks and we were at table 17.  The park provided the turkey and gravy and we provided all the rest of the delicious fixin’s for our table.  Really enjoyed the sweet potato and pumpkin pie with a pecan toping—delicious!  (sorry Dianne, no mincemeat pie)   A great time was had by all. 

For this special moment in time…be Thankful for wonderful friends and family

Early grocery shopping day, Nov 23, 2011

With today being the day before Thanksgiving, we knew the local Walmart would be busy, so our goal was to arrive early. Early for us was 9 am. Here is Bob clutching the only bag of Yukon gold potatoes in Walmart. That is the kind of potato I wanted for mashed potatoes, which is part of our contribution for our Thanksgiving dinner at the park tomorrow.

Also on our list were the ingredients for our own Thanksgiving dinner which we will cook on Friday.

I decided to make up the mashed potato casserole today. Peeled 8 pounds of potatoes. My Mom would be ashamed of how much potato I peeled off with the peel, but I got it done.

I added cream cheese, sour cream, onion powder, and half & half to the potatoes, sure tasted yummy too. Tomorrow I will just bake and they are ready for the 2 pm dinner.

Today we bought our betta, Red Rob, a new home. With it being a gallon, it tripled the size of his prior home. This tank is lighted and does have a bubbler. Tomorrow we plan to plant the plant in the gravel, so then it will look much better.

Crafts and Cleaning, Nov 22, 2011

This morning I attended the Tuesday morning crafts here at the park.  This basket was today’s project.

I have done no sewing on mine yet, as my machine is set up (tension) to sew on denim and I still need to hem a pair of jeans for Bob.  But I have it all ready to sew, very soon.

When I got back this morning, Bob was busy organizing a section of one of our basement bays.

Tonight we received our assignment of what we need to bring to the Thanksgiving Potluck on Thursday afternoon, potatoes  -- both mashed and sweet. The park provides the turkey, gravy and coffee.  Then folks that want to attend sign up by tables of 10-12 and each table provides the different side dishes for their own table.  We are heading out early tomorrow morning to do our food shopping.

Good Bye FL, Hello AL, Nov 21, 2011

Today when we left the Fort Pickens Camp ground we didn’t expect to see so much of Pensacola as we did.   We ended up taking Bus 98 instead of just 98 West.  It could have been worse, but Bob was not happy for a few miles.  During this time, we had to trust our untrustworthy GPS, but it did come through for us, much better than we expected.

We were NOT going this way, which is good, as we are at least two feet taller than this railroad bridge underpass around the corner.

Soon, we were back on the correct route, 98 West, and we crossed into Alabama.

In a few more miles we pulled into the Escapees Park, Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale, AL.  We had chosen a Plan B, in case they were full, but they had many sites open.  The rate for the week is $85 + electric.  I have already signed up for a Thanksgiving Dinner here at the park.

The park is set up nice with a large common area behind the RV’s.

Last day at Fort Pickens, FL CG, Nov 20, 2011

With it raining most of day yesterday, it was a do nothing day. I ventured out once to take the trash to the dumpster. 

This morning though,  it was bright, but cloudy with a little more wave action.  When we leave tomorrow I will miss our morning beach walk.

On our beach walk this morning, we noticed these holes, pretty good size.

We finally noticed some movement in the distance and caught this crab out of his hole.  He or she was about the size of a silver dollar and the same color as the sand.

After our walk this morning, we had a chance to meet some blog readers, John and Ellen.   Our visit was short, but it sure was nice to  put a face to a name.

This afternoon, I got a head start on wrapping up Christmas gifts for the kids and grandkids, then…I ran out of scotch tape.

One last photo of the beach.

In this special moment in time…make new friends.

Happy Anniversary to us, Fort Pickens CG, FL, Nov 18, 2011

Today is our 44th wedding anniversary.  After meeting on a blind date, we were married 11 months later.

This morning more beach walking.  We didn’t expect the weather to be so bright today.  The surf was up more today than yesterday.

I love the designs plants make in the sand.  This one reminded me of using the pencil and a string to make a perfect circle.  Guess we learned it from Mother Nature.

There is a small store here at the campground, and yes, you can buy a single piece of Spam.   This photo is for our son, Rich, who eats most foods, but does not like Spam.  At this price of $1.99 for 3 oz., that calculates out to $10.61 per pound. Hummmm.

Not all the campsites here at the park are long enough for us to use.

This afternoon we drove about 3 miles away and visited Fort Pickens.  Even though it was in the heart of the Confederacy during the Civil War, it remained under the control of the Union Army.

Our timing was perfect as we were able to attend a tour of the fort.

This long legged bird was quite willing to pose for us on the sea wall.

Were also able to obtain two more National Park Passport stamps at the Visitor Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this special moment in life…spread joy