Hanging near Galveston, TX.

The last time I rambled here I mentioned Mack is in need of some maintenance and I want to do repairs/modifications to Roz. That all went well. Mack is breathing a lot better since he has the new carburetor, and Roz's plumbing the leak is fixed.

It was nice to spend two weeks at my sister’s house. Riley and I used Roz as the portable guest room since the house was full and that is how we want it anyway. The daily suppers started to spoil me. Don is a great cook and all of the meals I had were very good. The down side to that is now Riley and I have to up our walks to 2 miles per day. Thanks Don & Marie!

I really enjoyed being the grand-uncle who spoils the kids. The girls are very sweet, and affectionate. Riley loved them too. He had somebody besides me to play with. They are Jeanette, Chasity (that is the correct spelling), Salena, and Deborah. In an effort to repay their hospitality I offered to do a group portrait of the girls. Here they are.

Salena - Deborah - Jeanette - Chasity

The ride to Hitchcock, TX, which is about 9 miles from Galveston, was easy albeit a bit hectic near Houston. Think I-95 from Baltimore to DC. It is a nice, warm and mostly sunny place. We found a small and quiet RV park and are going to enjoy it for a while.

On our walk this morning I noticed flowers blooming on some bushes. I have no idea what they are but flowers blooming in December rates 8 on the “WOW-Things I have seen” scale. Photos are here for you plus one of our newest residence.

Christmas is two days away and Riley and I are planning a modest feast. More later as the menu isn’t absolutely decided yet. I am also looking forward to my ‘skype’ calls to ‘Sula and Wade.

Just Saying Hi!

We are still in Nacogdoches, TX, to be heading further south around the 21st. There hasn't been much to report recently. Just boring stuff, like fixing some problems with Mack the Jeep and repairing a minor plumbing problem in Roz's bathroom. We are enjoying the mostly mild weather here and having my sister's family around. Last summer decided that I would watch no more broadcast TV, but I did enjoy the Eagle's victory over the Cowboys, especially being here in the home of the 'Boys.'  I wonder should I wear my Eagles shirt??? Sorry to all my Texas friends but GO EAGLES!

There will be photos soon from this extended rest stop.

Riley says "WOOF."

Thanks all....

Finally in Texas

                    

I really have to repeat how much I enjoyed my time in Hattiesburg, MS. The weather was great — cool nights and warm, sunny days. But the real treat was meeting my friend Jo’s family. Her parents, Mary & Ben, and sisters Betty and Nancy. We had some fascinating conversations and great meals. Especially the BBQ. I had a full rack of ribs and half went back to Roz for the next day’s meal. Mmm.

Here is a photo of Mary, Ben and me at the Three Little Pigs BBQ shack. Cool hat, Ben. Also a photo of another lost American Icon, Beverly’s Drive-in Theater.

Mike - Mary - Ben

My impression of what it could have looked like

As with all trips, we had to part eventually but I promised to get back to Hattiesburg soon. I have one major regret; I failed to remember to have them sign my story stick. Damn! I have reserved a space for them the next time we meet.

The ride towards Texas was pleasant. Again opting for US routes instead of interstates, it took two driving days at our leisurely pace. I found another state park near Natchez, MS, and set sights on it. On this leg of our journey my mapping software failed me. There is a beautiful historical road called the Natchez Trace. It didn’t show up on the map. I stumbled upon it and drove it for a short distance. Note to self: Go back to the Natchez Trace, on Rex.

One harrowing thing did happen in Natchez while driving. I missed a road sign and ended up on a very narrow road with no place to turn around. Remember I am driving a 24-foot RV with a Jeep CJ in tow, in all about 40 feet long. Roz is about two feet wider than Mack so I cannot see him in the mirrors when going straight. All of a sudden the road shrunk down to one lane and an ominous sign appeared. “Logging trucks only from this point.” Oops, now what to do? I stopped and evaluated my options.

One option was to unhook Mack, back him up then backup Roz, turn both around and then re-hook. I didn’t like that choice. Noticing a small dirt road turn off about 40 yards behind us I decided to try to backup with Mack still hooked and then turn around there. Watching my mirrors we slowly started back. Keep in mind I cannot see Mack and when he would start to appear in the mirrors I would correct until he would disappear. Bragging a bit here I am proud to say we made it without jack-knifing. Reaching the dirt road we were able to make the very tight turn and get headed back in the right direction. Roz got some mud on her tires there. WHEW!

Passing through Louisiana we stopped at an official tourist info center and I made our lunch. While there Riley wanted a walk. I took him over to the large adjacent field, and he was having a great time. I think he sniffed out some field mice. He was darting left and right. He even did that pounce move wolves and coyotes do. He would stand up a little, with front legs a few inches off the ground and pounce back down with both legs hitting the ground at the same time. I really should have videoed that.

I saw an interesting lichen-encrusted wild vine on a fence and thought it would make an artsy photo. Here it is as I envisioned it.

Lichen, wild vine and barbed wire

Now we are in Texas. Nacogdoches to be exact. I was treated to my second roast pork, collard greens, rice, gravy and homemade bread feast of this trip. Mmm, I had seconds and thought about thirds. My nephew Don sure can cook. I thoroughly enjoyed that great meal and I made sure Riley had some too.

Don and his wife Annette have four sweet lovely daughters. They are Jeannette, Chasity, Salena and Deborah. Wow, Don, six women and one man in this house (including my sister Alicia). I bet he doesn’t get a lot of bathroom time. ha ha

We are here for a bit, Mack is in need of some maintenance and I want to do modifications to Roz. More on that later.And to all my Tejas Cyclefish friends, send me a message. We have to get together.

On Dec 4th Sweet Sophie came into this world. Today she would have been seven. Not a day passes without a memory of her.

Sophie Jane Darr

I have tried in vain to upload a video slide show of photographs mostly taken by her father, my son, Jeff.
The internet connection here is very limited thereby preventing me from sharing that with you. I will add it as soon as I can.

We are on our way to Texas today. But as a parting shot I have to add some more photos taken at the Paul B. Johnson State Park, MS. A beautiful state park.

 

 

Our new back yard

First Vision this Morning

A little later in the AM

Sunrise on Foggy Morning

Down but still majestic

Alarming but beautiful

The alarm goes off at 6:00 AM and I hate alarms. I made myself a promise to only have one alarm day per week and today was it. OK quit-yer-complaining Mike. As expected there was a mist all over the lake and we got some good photos so I guess the alarm was worth it (and there will be another for tomorrow).

Island on the Lake, before Sunrise

Boat dock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections of a tree, before sunrise.

This park is so nice we decided to stay another day. There was a little glitch though. Someone has a reservation for the site we were on for Saturday so we will have to change sites. OH Damn, now I have to move down to a 'lake side' site. Here is my new backyard view.

Eight Pines

I had a great lunch with my friend Jo's family. Good southern country folks. Once again I have to thank Mary, Jo's Mom, for suggesting this park. THANKS Mary!

On tomorrows agenda is more photos of sunrise on the lake and the distressed drive-in movie theater. But the real treat will be BBQ dinner at a local landmark restaurant with Jo's Clan. MMMmmm BBQ....

We've moved...

Preferring US highways to interstates we routed our selves through mid-south Mississippi. Our travel day was good. I love going through small town America. On the advice of my good friend Jo and her mother, Mary, we stopped near Hattiesburg. This State Park we are in is beautiful as you can see from the photos and so far no damned sand spurs. Thanks Jo and Mary!
'Twas a bit chilly last night, it got down to 36 degrees. Today has turned out perfect, upper sixties and sunny.

Our Front Yard

 

Playing Tug with Riley in the back yard.

 

My Boy Riley 'On Duty.'

We are within 50 yards of a lake and I am going to enjoy photographing here. I have already done a few and posted them. The plan for tomorrow is to get up before sunrise for some misty sunrise images on the lake. Today while on a grocery recon mission I saw a run down drive-in movie theater, expect some photos from there too. We may stay a day or two extra.

Also tomorrow I will meet with Jo's Mom and possibly her Father for lunch. I understand there are some 'good eatin' places here. MMMmmmm.

My editor / daughter is on vacation so you will have to struggle through my grammatical and punctuation errors. She offered to still help but I am not going to bother her.

Some artsy images...

Needles and Stalk

Discovered why I have to take my allergy meds.