At the State Park and loving it

 

Sherri and I arrived back at the lake Thursday night late. We had to take Hwy 80 from Louisiana due to road construction on I 20. This took longer than usual, due to all the towns and stop lights that we came to. If you weigh out the travel on I20 under construction then we saved some time.

We turned in soon after we arrived and got a good night sleep. Morning came real fast and we were up before the sun was too high in the sky. I went to the kitchen and made our coffee. Soon we were setting and enjoying each other's company and drinking coffee.

Our jacks are fixed now so we can hook up and go to the State Park and dump our black tank. We have been on full for some time and we are in need of some relief. When we had finished our coffee we began the task of loading up the RV and packing down the inside stuff. Sherri got all her stuff done I did my part outside. The jacks worked good and soon we were sucked in...loaded up...and trucking down the road. We had a two mile trek to the main entrance of the park. Upon arrival the volunteer at the gate told us that they had been broke into and we would have to go to the temporary desk out front of the office to check in.

We pulled over to the side and went to check in. All I had planned on doing was paying for the dump and getting my new park pass. Well as things would have it they had a sewer site open and we had a half price coupon...so we just decided to stay a couple of nights.

So here we are tucked into our site and enjoying the peace and quiet here. We will get some rest now before have to head back out...

Somewhere in Time

Back in Louisiana

 

Yes we are back in Louisiana this week and probably for the next month! I don't mind because we like the river and the casinos. We always find things to do and see and plenty of places to eat. Our whole crew loves it here and we all have a good time visiting and eating out together.

We arrived Tuesday morning about 9:00 am. That is the time we were suppose to start work...and barely made it. Not to worry most all the other team members were also late in arriving so nothing was said about our late arrival.

We put in our time and then headed over to the hotel to check in and get settled in our new room. We got our cards from the desk and went up the elevator to check out our new home for the week. We were one floor below our room last week...which by the way we had requested for this time too. I noticed that the AC was not performing as it should and the room was rather hot. About the time I noticed that and was about to push some buttons there was a knock at the door. Sherri went to the door and met the maintenance man. He said that they had just checked a man out of this room because the AC was not working. He wanted to know if we were having a problem. I told him yes and that we needed to have another room. We contacted the desk after he failed to get our AC to come on and soon we were moving up stairs to another room.

OK now we are in another room with an ice cold AC unit that Sherri wanted turned off as soon as we got in the room. She did all her disinfecting and cleaning. We told our friends Becky and Rick that we had moved and asked if they wanted to go and eat. We decided to eat downstairs at the restaurant. This way we did not have to give up our good parking place. I did not really want to drive anyway so all was good...until we ordered our food and waited and waited and waited for our meal to come out. We waited for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Now normally I would never wait this long for a meal but we had got to talking and ate a salad and had some drinks and before we knew it we had been setting there for some time with no food in sight.

I motioned to the waitress and informed her that we were on our way out due to the fact that we had to eat before 9:00 pm. Out the door we went and found ourselves headed for Sam's Casino and the buffet. It was close to 8:30 by this time and we finally got some food. I sure was glad to eat after waiting so long.

Not all was well, however seeing as how after we ate and climbed back in the truck I took the wrong turn out of the parking garage and bingo was lost down town on one way street that were all going the wrong way. We finally got on the right road to take us back to the hotel only to find a train blocking that road with a long wait to boot.

OK it was getting on to bed time when I finally got the truck turned around and found another route to the hotel and got us parked for the evening. It did not take me long to get my shower and climb into bed. I was fast asleep...

Somewhere in Time

Back in Cyber Lock

 

Sherri and I returned from Louisiana on Thursday and settled back in after a tuff time of unloading all the junk we had to take for the two week stay. We had all kinds of suit cases and bags of dirty clothes and the list goes on. It was nice to get home and spend the night in our own bed. We had no problem falling to sleep and I did not even turn over the whole night. Woke up the next morning in the same position I fell asleep in.

It was cloudy when we both slipped out of bed and down to the kitchen to make coffee. Sherri beat me there and had the brew going when I made my way past her and sat down in my recliner. The coffee was sure good and I really...for the first time in two weeks...enjoyed two cups! We have not had the time to drink that much coffee on the schedule we have been keeping in Shreveport. Now it is time to stop and smell the roses here at our lake lot. As much as I would rather be out in the mountains this week being here is saving me RV rent and electric.

We have a lot to do today. We have a ton of laundry to do and things to clean up around the lot here. I have to mow some and straighten up the junk I dropped off in the barn. One problem is slowing me down this morning and that is the fact that it is raining and does not look as though it will stop any time soon.

I still don't have my jack fixed yet. Now they are saying that the motor toasted when the gears went out in the shaft? I hope this is not going to be on of those things that escalade into a situation. You know what I mean. I hate to get upset about trying to get things done right. Not being able to get this to the dealership has really made the problem tuff. Going to the road tech is OK but you have to go through all the red tape of getting everything OK'd and so on. I will keep a positive attitude the rest of this week but next week I might have to let the rockets fly...

Somewhere in Time  

Had a great weekend

 

Sunday

I could hear Sherri's alarm going off this morning. Sounded like it was in another room but I knew it had to be here in the hotel room with us. I just put a pillow over my head as soon as I realized it was Sunday morning and I did not have to get up. What seemed like seconds past and I woke up again this time with the sun peaking over the horizon. I looked over in the corner of the room and saw Sherri staring at here computer screen. She was already up and working on her report.

I just could not bring myself to get up and get going. My head was stopped up and I had a sinus headache that would not stop. I am not sure what brought that on but it was there pounding away. I got up and took my shower got dressed and we went down stairs to eat breakfast. I thought that if I could eat something and then take me some sinus medicine that I would be OK.

I had the French toast and bacon. Sherri had the same thing followed by a fruit bowl...and we both had the coffee...which by the way is so good here. I have to find out what kind they brew and get me some.

We finished our breakfast and headed back upstairs to play on the computers for a while. We needed to go to Penny's to get me some shirts but the stores don't open early. I did go later and found me some shirts at the Big and Tall shop that fit good and were very inexpensive. We then headed over to the casino to do some playing. Harrah's was the selected place to do that. When we arrived we found it not so crowded and had our pick of machines. That is the way I like it.

I started out with $10.00 and ended up with the same amount. Sherri played her $20.00 in and came back with $7.00. The important thing is we had fun and returned home after our free buffet. Yes we got a free buffet for playing so much...rather Sherri got us both a free one. I don't even get mail from them.

The rest of the day was spent in the hotel room shopping on line and reading journals. I planned several trips that I may take...

Somewhere in Time

We are off for the weekend

What a great morning this is going to be. I was laying in bed and when my eyes opened I could see the sun just peaking over the horizon. Being up this high in the morning you get to see some of the best sun rises. The one this morning as especially great because I am off today and get to enjoy going and doing what I want to.
Sherri and are planning on going to look at some RV places today...did I say we were going to buy one....NO...I just said we were going to look. We love to shop RV and see what is new in the industry. You can learn a lot if you shop around and see what is out there. I would like to see what it would cost to put the "Big Foot" system on my rig. The hydraulic leveling would be nice to have.
We wanted to go before it go hot and we plan on eating breakfast downstairs in the hotel restaurant. We get a free breakfast here so why not use it. There are several places here to go and look and we plan on hitting them all. We had planned to ask Cheryl and Don to go with us but found out that they are going to the coast for the weekend. They wanted to go before the oil slick hits. Can't blame them for that.
Well better pull up stakes here and head down to eat. I will try to get some pictures of our findings for tomorrows journal entry when I post it....

Somewhere in Time

One more day of work and then we have the weekend off

 

I don't know what happened but we did not hear the alarm go off this morning. We woke up about 5:30 and had to rush to get ready so we would have time to eat at McDonald's. I did not get to shave this morning and I looked a little rough. I showered last night so at least I didn't have to take time to do that. I don't know why the alarm did not go off or why...if it did...I did not hear it.

We made it to breakfast with time to spare and had a quick sausage biscuit and a cup of coffee. Then it was on down the street to the store and into the freezers to reset the entrees. We had a good day and a cold one. When you stand in front of a cooler with the doors open all day it tends to get a little chilly.

Got some news on my jacks today. The repair place called me and said that they had completed the jack replacement but that the motor would have to be replaced also. Seems that it was not in good enough condition to lift the RV? Now I just have to take  their word on that because I don't have the slightest idea about how that all works. I just want to be able to jack my house up and take it places.

OK so tomorrow is the last day of work and then we have the weekend to relax and refuel for the next week. We are keeping the G-kids while my daughter moves to a new apartment. Seems like the G-kids make too much noise on the second floor so the apt house is having them move to a ground floor. I think this would be better because you don't have to take everything up that flight of steps every time you come home from shopping.

Sherri and I volunteered to keep the kids so we would not have to help with the moving. We could not handle the medical cost of getting hurt moving furniture. We will pick them up Thursday morning and drive out to the lake. We will stay there three nights and then take them back home. It is going to be real hot that weekend for sure and it will be the 4th of July! We will watch the fire works at the lake and try our best to entertain the kids.

We ate at a mom and pop restaurant and they had good food. Then it was back to the hotel to read some journals and post the days events. I have a piece of pie from the restaurant and I guess I better sign off here and get that pie eaten...

Somewhere in Time

Great Visit on Skype

This morning Sherri and I were up with the alarm...about 4:45...got our showers and down and out to McDonnalds for breakfast. We don't have coffee here at the hotel...well until 6:30? I guess they cater more to the 9 to 5 group of folks.
After the work day was over we headed over to Olive Garden and had a good meal. My order was a little late in getting to me and come to find out they left it in the window! Well I could over look this but I could not overlook the fact that my waitress did not keep my Dr. Pepper coming. I have to have plenty to drink and if that does not happen during a meal....no tip!
We left there and went back to the hotel. When we got in our room and settled in I turned on my computer and dial up Skype. Contacted John and Bridget and had a great visit with them. How cool is it being able to see and speak to your friends on your computer. We had a lot of laughs and got to see Fred...their dog. We enjoyed our short visit with you two and will do it again...
Somewhere in Time

First time on the river side

We checked in on Sunday and got a room. We got a room on the river side which is nice but if your on that side your on the side with the train. They say in the reviews that the river side is noisy because of the train. We have not had a problem with the train...I guess we are so tired we can't hear it after we go to sleep.

We got up this morning around 4:45 and I jumped in the shower and turned the water as hot as I could stand it. I did not want to get out...my muscles are so sore and the hot water feels so good. I shower again in the evening after we get back from eating and rub down with my heat ointment and then set back and relax. I have noticed that I am less sore now than when I first started work. I am getting use to the getting up and down and bending over.

After work today we went to Showguns for dinner. I had never been and it was really a neat experience. The cook put on a real cool show and we all enjoyed it. I ordered the steak and most everyone else ordered the chicken. They cooked rice and vegetables on the cook top all at once and talk about good.

I have decided to enjoy this eating out now while I can afford it because in a few months we wont be able to do this. I think we will both lose some weight when we start eating what we can afford. I am really excited about learning how to cook and experiment on my outdoor grill. I have a kitchen set up I bought for cooking outside and I can't wait to use it all. That is one of the things I look forward to when I am on the road.

OK so that is about it for today. I am setting here typing this post and looking out the window at the Red River. Nice view and it looks like we are going to have great sunset. The sun is reflecting in the gold plated windows of the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino next door. We can't afford to stay there but we can gaze in that direction and wonder how the rich people are doing...

Somewhere in Time

Our location

Once again the sun came in through the window here on the 5th floor of the hotel. By the way we are in Louisiana...Shreveport to be exact. So many commented on the where-a-bouts of the dynamic due this last post. I had to reveal our location. No intent of being deceptive I just failed to mention where we were.
We have spent a lot of time in Louisiana this year...which is fine to me because we both love the river here and the casinos. There is a lot to do here when you are free to do it. We try to explore every evening after work and see a new spot somewhere in the area.
Last night after work we headed back to the hotel to change clothes and then on to the river walk to shop and eat at Saltgrass. It was so hot that we cut the walking around to a minimum and opted to go and eat early. We road over with our friends and enjoyed their company at dinner. After eating we walked back to the truck via the ice cream store and had us some cold slab ice cream. I was stuffed after that and the trip to the truck...well I did not think I would ever get there.
When we returned home Sherri got back on her computer. Becky came over to help her try and do her report but they could not get it to work. Sherri has been having trouble sending her report in ever since her computer went on the fritz and she has been using mine. We finally decided that she needed to go home and rescan all the files and reload them. Evidently there is something wrong with the way they were filed and saved to my computer?
After Becky left we both showered and hit the hay. We were tired and needed to get some sleep before tomorrows sun rise here on the 5th floor by the river...
Somewhere in Time

What a day

Today started off with me waking up in the recliner. Yes I fell asleep last night in the recliner watching TV and I guess sometime during the night I turned the TV off. Maybe Sherri turned the TV off...she was sleeping in the recliner next to mine. I guess it does not really matter we both slept soundly TV or not.

Coffee time! I got up and found my way around all the baggage that we had set out for the trip. We are heading out today to a new job and packed last night to get a leg up on leaving. Well for all the effort we are in no hurry this morning to go. I have to mow the lot out here and undo all the hoses and lock up the barn. Once all the chores are done we will pack up and head on down the road.

I mowed for an hour and finally finished up. I had to take a break and drink some cold water before I finished the back of the lot. I don't know how the grass grows out here as hot as it is. We have had no rain and yet the weeds keep on shooting up...yes I said weeds not grass. I have never had any luck with grass growing in a yard. If I plant grass weeds grow. I have the best grass in the area growing in the rock on my driveway. Go figure...if I wanted grass to grow on rocks it would never happen.

Our trip was uneventful and we arrived about 4:30. Shortly after arriving some friends of ours called to let us know that they had checked in and wanted to go eat. We made a plan to eat at Ruby Tuesdays. I asked them what room they were in and come to find out they are right across the hall from us. We met in the hallway and down stairs we went...or should I say down the elevator.

We had a great meal and lots of laughs. We went over tomorrows list of sets we need to do. Looks like tomorrow and Tuesday will be some long hard days with lots of work to be done.

I would like to get off a little early tomorrow so I can take in some of the sites here. I like to wonder around and discover places I have never been to or seen...

Somewhere in Time

Hunting for a Motel

 

Oh...it must be 4:45...the alarm is going off! I just did not want to get up this morning when the phone started ringing. We set the alarm on the phone for 4:45 and it was ringing and vibrating on the bed side table next to Sherri. She finally heard it and turned it off. By that time I had slide from under the covers and was weaving my way to the bathroom.

This is the only part of working I don't like...getting up early. By the time I get my shower and put on my clothes I am set to go and have no problem. It is just that few minutes you have trying to get your legs to swing out and hit the floor that really hurts.

Sherri and I both got our showers...dressed and headed down the elevator to the breakfast room to fuel up for the day. Coffee was good this morning...some mornings it is like motor oil! Today it was just right and I had a cup. Felt good to go off after having coffee. When the coffee is so strong you could take paint off your back yard settee it just does not go down well. Some folks like strong coffee but I like it mild. I can drink several cups and feel good all day long.

We finished our set about 3:30 and walked out to the truck. On the way out we were all planning on where we would eat dinner later that evening. We all decided on the Texas Roadhouse. Plan was to meet about 5:30 and we would all go in our truck. There was 6 of us leaving from the motel and we would be meeting 3 more at the restaurant.

We arrive there about 6:00...which was about 10 minutes later than we had told the other folks in our party...but that was due to the traffic on Interstate 20. We did not plan on it so we arrived late and had everyone calling us to see if we were alright.

Everyone settled in around the tables they had prepared for us and we had a good meal and lots of laughs....as usual.

The motel we are staying in now will soon not take our Corp Card so we have to find a new place to stay. After we finish dinner we drove around looking at the motels that still took our card. The girls went in and examined the rooms and the breakfast bar and then would come out and report the findings to the guys. Well it looks like they drew a blank so now they have something to ponder over this weekend. I bet they come up with a new home away from home before we return.

It was time to go and we all headed back to our motels. Time to rest up for tomorrow and the final day of work. We finish tomorrow and then head home to the lake and no internet connection. I will drop off the grid then and will not be back until we hit the next motel with Wifi...

Somewhere in Time