December 1-8, 2019 Fort Pickens – the beach, the fort, the navel base, and the Blue Angels!

Fort Pickens is located at the end of a long skinny island on the national gulf shores, just south of Pensacola, FL. Quite a different view as we drove with water on both sides of us! We had a great campsite, but a little tricky getting the trailer around and under those tree branches!

Oh that white sand! Our friends and family had been sending us pictures of the snow they were getting in Colorado – we shared these back with them but had to caption them, “NOT Snow!” Its always good to create a little envy to keep their attention 🙂 lol!

This stay was booked for seven days – Lorree had time to work on gifts. So glad we brought her sewing and ironing equipment. She is having fun being creative! Dennis was able to work on the blog – trying to keep up with all of our adventures!

We went for a sunset walk on the beach – so beautiful. The colors!!

177 Steps! We were huffing and puffing 🙂 We could see everywhere. The lighthouse was only 1 mile from our campsite as the bird flys, but we had to drive an hour to get there going around the bay and over the long bridges.

Dennis had a hanker’n for some gooey barbecue ribs and sweet tater fries. He used the crock pot instead of the oven for the first four hours, then finished them off on the Blackstone. Soooo tasty! We’ll have to do that again for sure!

We visited the Navel Air Station base and museum in Pensacola – very impressive! So thankful we have such well trained people protecting us.

The Blue Angels were doing practice maneuvers right over our campground – I could never get out there fast enough to take a good close picture. These were the best we got. So fast – and loud! It was fun to hear and see them!

Fort Pickens

We toured the fort at the tip of the island. This fort protected our coast and was used in the civil war. There were so many canons (places for the canons) they could do some real damage!

There were some real interesting trees at the campground. We also made some new friends, Darrel and Phyllis Pufahl. We ran into them while doing laundry at the campground. We spent an evening together talking and playing card games. So much fun to meet others. We will try to get together with them while in Florida, we’ll see!

Right next door to us at the campground was a couple (probably our age) who was booked here for two weeks. They lived in their tent and out of their car. They didn’t have much but they had all they needed. We thought we had downsized….but this! We were impressed as they lived in the cold 40’s and sometimes rain. They had an air mattress, electric blanket, a hot pot, elec hot plate, few dishes and clothes, and their faithful dog who they never had to tie up.

November 20-22, 2019 So peaceful….Roosevelt State Park, MS

Have a Boudin (pronounced boo dan)! So many signs along the highway advertising these deep fried sausage balls. “The best in the world!” They were pretty good – but too spicy for Lorree’s taste. Another surprise to us was while traveling into Mississippi we saw many sugar cane fields!

We stayed two nights at Roosevelt State Park, MS. Just enjoyed the down time – didn’t explore or go anywhere. It was so quite and peaceful (maybe only two other campers a distance away).

This place reminded us so much of Turquoise Lake in Colorado. It was the pines and leaves and lake setting. So much that God has made beautiful for us to relax, sit back and enjoy – Thank you ELOHIM. our Creator!

November 17-20, 2019 Alligators! Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, LA.

We’re in Louisiana! A bit different here – swamps, cotton fields, and wildlife everywhere. We were greeted by raccoons when we checked into the State Park – so cool! Lake Fausee is pretty much a nature preserve of sorts – check out the alligators below!

Our campsite was nestled in the trees along a water way. Small boats would cruise by real slow headed to the open waters of the nearby lake. We even had a fishing dock at our site – but look what the sign said – YIKES!

We got on our bikes and rode the trails and the bridges across the swampy areas. There were lots of rough spots with roots and rocks and various hills. We had fun but had to walk our bikes in some areas (and we were feel’n the bumps on our backside – uncomfortable to say the least! 🙂 Dennis had to try out the Tarzan vines hanging from the trees!

We had no data service at our campsite, but found “one bar” on this bridge so Lorree could work her JP business. The water way under the bridge was covered with live water plants floating on top – looks like a meadow but it’s water …with alligators!!

Yep – there ARE alligators in the swamp waters! And also big turtles! The alligators and the turtles would get on a log and have a staring contest – we never saw who won :)! The turtles would also climb up on a single log and line up we suppose to get warmed by the sun. So fun to see these critters in their natural place.

This is sooo funny! The camp host was a single guy who rode by on his Gator several times a day. One evening Dennis was cooking up some steaks. The host stopped by on the road and asked Dennis a question. Dennis went over to him to hear what he said. “I was just ask’n if ya’ll are cooking up some squirrel for supper?” He was serious! Dennis didn’t know what to say … 🙂

Surprise! They had a splash pond in the middle of the campground. Since there were so many signs about not swimming in the waters we guess they had to do something for the kids. Pretty smart!

This was a real nice State Park except for having no data service, fresh out of squirrel, and we couldn’t go swimming!

November 15-17, 2019 Crystal Beach, TX – Ferry ride, Oil Museum, changing the rigg’in and Grouper Po Boy!

We followed the sun to the beach – (the forecast north of us was cold and rain)! We stayed at a very nice camp-spot with full hookups – Paula’s Vineyard RV Park. This is on Goat Island – just across the water from Galveston, TX.

We rode the ferry over to Galveston. It’s always fun to see all of the activity going on in these port cities. We remembered riding this ferry when we visited Galveston a few years ago coming from the other direction.

We wanted to visit this museum last time we were here but ran out of time. We were curious about the oil drilling platforms and how they worked – it was very informative! We learned a lot about the use of oil and how it plays such a major part in all of our lives!

We walked down the pier and saw this tall ship – look close there are people way up on top of the masts – re-rigging the lines. We stayed and watched – so scary!

After this we enjoyed lunch at a local sea food restaurant – fresh “caught that day”. Dennis had a Grouper Po-boy and Lorree enjoyed fish tacos!.

We ended our day driving down the beach of Galveston reminiscing about our previous visit – great memories!

October 24-26, 2019 Heading North – Lockhart State Park

A little fun while were driving – Dennis was eating semi’s as fast as he could! LOL!

We headed north today – another State Park near Austin, TX. We enjoyed a great little campsite – a pull through this time, just above a little creek. It was a beautiful setting!

We had a lot of fun hiking this state park. It had a nine-hole golf course with hiking trails, waterfalls, green-ways, and wildlife everywhere. A great place to get some fresh air and walking in!

…and another big Armadillo! He let us get real close to him, then he scooted away. They travel fast!

October 20-24, 2019 The Beach! Relaxing at Goose Island State Park and Padre Island National Park.

Traveling south to the gulf was a lot of interstate highways and overpasses. We stopped to get a haircut (isn’t she beautiful!) and take care of our laundry. Learning to look for these things as we travel.

It was a beautiful drive to Goose Island State Park. We were looking forward to being camped at the gulf.

In the campground we found The Big Tree – claimed to be over 1,000 years old! Some of the branches were being supported by iron poles – we all get old and need support from time to time!

We hiked around the campsite and enjoyed all the twisty maple trees. Our campsite was all right but had lots of stickers in the grass and mosquitoes at night. We always seem to eat some good food!

North end of Padre Island – Mustang Island Beach!

Our truck floats! We were first in line on the ferry across to Padre Island – pretty cool ride!

First thing we did was to drive right on the beach! I made some interesting tracks as I did a “16 point” turn on the beach!

It was a beautiful day warm sunshine but not hot. The water felt good on our feet – so nice to relax and unwind listening to the waves and seagulls. Ahhhh!

October 14-20, 2019 Texas- McKinney Falls State Park and Juice Plus!

This was our first campground to book before we set out from Colorado., and here we are! McKinney Falls State Park is pretty much in the city of Austin, TX. Only 20 minutes from the conference center for our JP Conference. It’s a beautiful campground with lots of trails and different wildlife.

Ben came to visit! He was attending a banking function in Austin. Although he didn’t get to eat with us, he stopped by before his flight home – it was a great visit! Dennis set up the griddle and we enjoyed steak and sweet tater fries – yum!

Then we saw this varmint rummaging around a tree next to our trailer! A nine-banded Armadillo – first time we ever saw one, it was quite entertaining. This is the Texas state animal.

NO FALLS! …NO REFUNDS! This was on a sign in the Welcome center. They haven’t had any rain for months, soooo – there isn’t any falls at the falls! It was still a beautiful place and people were enjoying the swimming hole.

October 7-14, 2019 Traveling from Ohio to Texas -camping along the way – with a surprise stop at Waco!

Our first stop was at Mammoth Caves National Park. We enjoyed some down time, catching up on work and trip planning. Our site was beautiful – really enjoyed the fall leaves and peaceful camp.

We didn’t have a good signal at camp so Lorree had to go to the welcome center to use the wifi for her Juice Plus meeting online. Everything worked out great!

Natchez Trace State Park / Pin Oak Lake

Our electric tongue jack gave out during our last set up – the gears were slipping. Had to stop at Camping World and found just what we needed! Replaced the jack and got a new pin lock. All set and ready to roll! Our camp site was beautiful – great sunset!

Lower White River RV Park

We had a travel day today – our stop for the night was just off the interstate hwy – didn’t even unhook. Passed by some cotton fields, looked like snow at first! Lorree has kept up with our travels with our colored map.

On the way we stopped at a rest area, that was also at a Solar Farm. Wow – very impressive with even more expansion planned for the future!

Atlanta State Park

Another great camp site – a place to relax and get caught up on work and correspondence. We sure enjoy these travel days and the State Parks that we have been staying at.

Dennis was watching our neighbor trying to set up his tent for him and his kiddos – he was having a bad time and it was cold and raining. Dennis helped him figure out the tent poles and all was well! We went to town and did our laundry – then broke out the bikes and enjoyed riding around the camp!

Liberty Hill COE

Our first Corp of Engineers Campground – very nice! We only stayed one night but it was very relaxing and peaceful!

A Surprise Stop in WACO, TX! how fun!

We saw it on the map and decided to stop. Such a peaceful place – you could feel the peace when you stepped on the property! We had to park a few blocks away – but a guy in golf cart was right there and offered us a free ride to Magnolia Farms!

September 28- Oct 1, 2019 The FALLS!! Breathtaking!

We drove along the coast of Lake Erie all day… from Ohio through Pennsylvania to New York! We passed Sandusky, OH, home of Cedar Point Amusement Park. We remembered going there with the boys with the Bible Quizzing Team from Michigan some years ago!

Our campsite for the next few days is at Evangola State Park in New York. It was on Lake Erie, it had very green foliage and some beautiful views! We got out our electric bikes and rode around the camp a few times.

WOW!! The FALLS were breathtaking!

Our destination…Niagara Falls! It was spectacular to walk right up to the river and see the rushing water fall over the edge. It was mesmerizing to just pause and watch it. Thousands of gallons of water flowing, non-stop for years and years – and never running out!

We decided to go to Canada and see the falls from their side. They say on the Canadian side you see the spectacular views and on the American side your feel them!

We remembered walking up to this spot at Horseshoe Falls and seeing the edge of the falls with the kids back in 1996 (?). We ate lunch at Tim Horton’s grill – of course we had to get our Philly-cheese steak sandwiches!

We really enjoyed our time at Niagara Falls – well worth the trip! We continue to be amazed at God’s beautiful creation for us to enjoy!

September 26-28, 2019 Maumee Bay (Lake Erie), OH

I thought we were “large” on the road, but compared to the real trucks we’re “just a toy”. We pulled into Maumee Bay State Park by mid afternoon after a straight forward interstate highway trip.

Very nice campsite, somewhat secluded from neighbors by large trees and hedges.

We drove to the public beach inside the State Park – It was a beautiful WINDY day! Enjoyed being the only ones on the beach (too chilly to get in) except for the birds.

YIKES! We discovered a hole in our closet floor! The 2×4 that I used to hold the weight of clothes in the middle of the clothes bar, broke through the floor into the storage space underneath!

Glad we had a free day! We drove into Toledo, Ohio (Lowes) and purchased some lumber. Thankful I  brought my tools…we’re learning quickly there’s always something to fix when you’re RV traveling!