Been offline for some time

We got back to the lake. We were not in a hurry to get here but we knew we had to refuel after two months on the road.
We had a great time traveling and seeing all the things along the way. Now we are back at the barn on our lake lot wishing we were back on the road again.
We have a ton of stuff to do here so the time should move along real fast.
The firsts thing that we had to do was clean up all the dust and dirt that had accumulated around the place. Our patio screened room was full of dust and leaves that had blown in under the screen doors. That took most of the day. What little day light we had left we used to sit on our clean porch and list all the projects we need to take care of before we leave for Colorado in June.
This morning I am on my I pad and believe it or not I have a pretty good signal. This is all we have to get on line here at the lake. We had our DSL turned off when we left and will not have it turned on again. The last place we stayed did not have a signal at all. So far we have had a good signal so I should be able to post often...

Somewhere in Time

Getting ready to leave

This morning is our last morning that we will be able to drink coffee and sit around. Tomorrow we have to be rolling around 8'00. We have an appointment in Alexandria to get our awning fixed. I am just hoping that it will not unroll again on the 30 mile trip up there.
Today Sherri will be going to the laundry again today. We did not get all the sheets done our last trip. The laundry here at the park is nice but small and we have to split up doing large loads so that we can do them faster.
While she is doing that I will be putting things away so that come tomorrow we will be able to get out of here as soon as we can.
I am just praying that all the bad weather that is coming our way holds off until we get set up in Grande Bayou...

Somewhere in Time

Kris's accommodation

Many folks have asked us what kind of accommodations does Kris have traveling with us. There are more young folks traveling with their families now days. They are homeschooling them and seeing the country at the same time.
We have a Tiffin Motorhome with the bunk beds. This gives Kris an area of his own and allows him to have his own things apart from the living area of the MH. This is important for the family. If you have to share a space it becomes worrisome to all living in the RV.

This is the entertainment center with a sound chair and

TV with fold down CD player 

He also has a fold down CD player in the upper bunk where he sleeps

What I would have given to have these accommodations when I was growing up. 

People ask us where does he play...

We try our best to give him a good place to play where ever we are. 

Well its time to have school this morning. Kris is just getting through with his breakfast and is wearing his art project from Friday. We enjoy creating new things...this is a thinking cap. Kris likes to wear this when he is doing math...LOL....

Having Kris is the highlight of our travels. There is never a dull moment in our lives here...

Somewhere in Time 

Rainy day

The rumble went on for a long time. It sounded like it came from the bowels of the earth. So deep I could feel it through the mattress. I could see the light flashes through my closed eyelids. For a time I thought I was back in battle but then I realized I was here in my bed.
I do have nightmares of the time I was hurt overseas. Sometimes it is so real I wake up hurting as though I was living it all over again. This morning was not one of those mornings but I was wakened by the storm raging outside. I could hear the rain coming down and that is when I started thinking about what all I had left outside? I am sure you have had the same thoughts. Once your realize what is going on you start thinking...did I bring in this and that. I had to think for some time but then I knew I had secured most of the important things. My chairs would be wet but they would dry and everything else was put up.
I pulled the covers back and rolled out of bed. First things first...coffee. While that was brewing I sat down at the computer to see if I had Wifi. Connection was weak as usual but at least I could communicate with the outside world. I have been trying to chat for some time with friends but our Wifi here and at the last campground was  very weak. I look forward to finding a good strong signal somewhere so once again I can talk to our friends out there in cyber space.
Sherri was soon awake and joined me for coffee. She said she had all the dirty clothes separated and ready for washing. I told her that I did not mind going down there and doing them. I sit there and read my book or watch TV while the clothes are washing and drying. Not really a hard job but one that takes time out of your day.
After the rain had let up I headed over to the laundry and got started on the wash. I did not take my book but turned on the TV instead. One of my favorite shows of all time was on..." Little Big Man". I watched it and folded clothes until all the clothes were done and the show was just about over. I knew the ending so I went ahead and returned home.
We had a nice day. Kris went down and played on the playground with a friend of his. They have been meeting down there every Saturday and play all day long together. Sherri and I sat around the rest of the day tying to decide if we want to go east or west next winter. Just can't make up our mind. We know west will cost more money. California is so expensive! We have found several places to stay that are not too bad but they are so close to the big towns and the traffic! We have to be pretty close so we can drive the Jeep to the coast. We do want to go to Los Angeles so Kris can see the shuttle. There is a lot to see there but non of it is cheap.
I am sure we will decide sooner or later. We have a lot to go and see before next winter so I think we have time to work on it...

Somewhere in Time

Nice clear day

When we woke up this morning it was still dark but soon after we got our coffee made the sun starting to peak over the trees. I took a look outside and the clouds from yesterday had dissipated. Looks like we are going to have a good day to go walking on the trails located at the back of the park.
One other thing we had planned to do today is walk over to the McDonald's and try out the new Wraps. I have seen them advertised on TV.
The McDonald's is only a mile away and we need to walk everyday so this worked in real good with our exercise. We had a low cal meal and then walk back to the RV park to burn it off.
After returning we had to pack up and head to the Dollar General and the then over to Wally World for some groceries. We have done much better here with our budgeted supplies but we still needed to top of the fridge with a few items.

Upon our return we put away all our groceries and then headed to the trail behind the park. Kris had spotted this on one of his many trips around the park on his bike. He had been wanting us to go for some time and today we decided to try it out. We found out that this trail led to the Pow Wow area on the reservation...the Cultural Center and the third trail went to the front of the Casino.
We were very impressed once we got started walking on the wooden walkway that took us through  the wooded area between park and the Cultural Center. Great pains had been taken to construct this elaborate walkway that spanned the bayou and the swamp. Many birds inhabit this area and could be viewed while walking along. Periodically, they had built overlooks with benched to sit and rest if you got tired while walking. Yes the trail is long enough to get tired if you walk the whole distance.

We were ready, for what we thought would be just an average "Trail"

We were really surprised to find that the trail was a bridge leading to many areas of the reservation

This is the Pow Wow area... Quite and elaborate set up here.

The bridged walkway crossed back and forth over the bayou many times leading off to other areas.

I just had to sneak in a nap when we returned to the MH

We had a fun day and the weather was so nice. We could not have asked for any more anywhere...

Somewhere in Time 

Definitely an inside day

My new computer is working out well and today with the rain and all I will be spending some time here

As I mentioned in my last post...I woke up to the sound of rain on the roof. I ventured down to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee and peaked outside to see if we were flooding. The water is puddling in the street but there was no signs of anything washing away.

Coffee was ready so I sat down and had the first cup in front of the computer. I had to find out where everyone was today. I love to see what everyone else is experiencing so I can write it down on my bucket list. There are so many places we want to see that we will never be able to fit them all into our budget.

I'll have to say this month we are way under our budget. Even being parked outside of a casino we have not spent near what we did last month! 

We spend more time here riding our bikes and walking than we did last month. Of course there was so much to go and see in Galveston than here so it stands to reason we would spend more money.

We have not been out to eat here like we did last month and that in itself is a big savings. Eating out will drain more money from you budget faster than anything else. We fix three meals here every day and keep our money for groceries. 

We have eaten real well here. Sherri is quite the cook and I have even learned a thing or two in the kitchen. My expertise is the grill outside and we have enjoyed some good meals from the grill. The patio is the place to be when you live like this. Every comfort can be found outside and it enlarges the living area you have when you fulltime. 

Staying in you RV too much dims the mind and defeats the purpose for fulltiming. Being mobile is the number one thing about this type of living but being able to enjoy the great outdoors is a close second. I can't wait to get out west where I can do some hiking and fishing. Stripping the Jeep down and going off road will be a thrill. Finding those out of the way places to fish in a mountain stream or finding the secluded spot for a picnic in the wilds will be our next adventure...

Somewhere in Time

Time at the casino

It was still dark outside when my eyes fluttered open this morning, I could hear the rain tapping away on the roof and I knew that it was going to be an inside day. I would miss the porch and the breeze and the chance to kick back in my recliner and read my book.
One thing we have come to love is being somewhere where you can sit out doors and enjoy the fresh air. Being inside is not what this life style is all about. Having the ability to travel where and when you want to is part of it but once you arrive you want to have weather you can be outdoors in and not burn up or freeze to death. That is what we have been so fortunate in having since we left the lake over a month ago.
Over a month ago! Has it been that long? My gosh it does not seem that long ago. Time never moved this fast when I was slaving at a job waiting for the day I could retire and do what I am doing now! Yes it has been over a month and we have had a blast. Not having to be somewhere...have a schedule...or meet a deadline has been the greatest relief anyone could possibly experience. If we all started life out this way and went to our last day without all the stress...How long would a human being live?
Well yesterday we did have somewhat of a deadline. We both wanted to go to the casino and drop off some of our money...in exchange for some fun. Kris too wanted to go to Kids Quest and have some fun too so we set a time to head in that direction. School work had to be completed and Sherri and I had to get our chores done around the MH. Sherri did most of the chores while I conducted class. Kris whizzed through his English and Math classes in record time. Geography class was shortened somewhat. Art class was skipped but reading our science lesson and our reader was done.
We all ate a bite and got dressed. We were out front waiting on the shuttle at 1:00 sharp. Soon it showed up and we were on our way to fun and excitement.
Kris would be the only happy person in our group on the way back to the RV park. Sherri and I both did not do well in the casino but we did not go over our set limit. Yes we have a set limit we play to and if it last all day we play all day. On this day it lasted only 3 and a half hours. Poor Kris, his time at Kids Quest was cut short due to our bad luck...but then he will get to go again before we leave here.
It was a nice afternoon and we sit out and watched some new folks pull in and some old ones pull out. Some of the new folks come in and circle the park several times before they settle in a spot. I think of it as a dog circling before he finds the right direction to lay down. So far all the parks we have stayed in we have been to before so we know where we want to set up. I guess when we get to a new park we might do the same thing.
The sun started settling in the west...the wind started to pick up and I knew the rain was coming...
So this morning it is here and there will be no patio sitting just sitting indoors watching the rain and listening to the wind outside. I guess you have to have some blah days along with the good ones so you will know how good the good ones are.
Maybe I will plan our next adventure while I am confined to the indoors here...

Somewhere in Time

Bike riding in great weather

I actually slept in this morning. I was up late last night so I guess it would stand to reason that I would not have gotten up early this morning.
We had our coffee this morning and then stepped outside to enjoy the warm weather. Sherri took her games with her and I took my book. We sat out for some time and then decided to get on our bikes and ride around the park. This is a good park to ride a bike. We have lots of concrete. There are well over 100 camp spots here and miles of roads to ride on.
As we ride our bikes around we check out all the different brands and models of RV's. It never fails that we don't find some that we have never heard of. Sherri likes to get back and go on line to see the layouts of the new ones we have seen to see what they look like.
We did some pork chops on the grill and then settled back to enjoy the shows on TV...NOT. The March Madness is still on so we have to resort to HGTV.
In March 1836 they gave 100+ Texans the choice of watching March Madness on TV or going to the Alamo and standing off 5000 Mexican soldiers. The Texans chose to go to the Alamo...

Somewhere in Time

Weekend Change

Sunday morning came and I drug up later than usual. I got up to go to the bathroom and took a look at the clock and saw that it was after 6:00. I decided not to go back to bed and just start the coffee and get some computer time in. Sherri was still sleeping and I was real quite moving about getting my coffee. There was dishes in the sink but I dared not do them for the noise that it causes.
I poured my first cup and sat down at my new computer...which by the way I really do like and for the money it was worth the purchase.
I had not been up long when I heard Sherri moving about in the bedroom. Soon she was in the living room and I was pouring her a cup of coffee. We grunted at one another and then found our scriptural seating and sat there for some time until we were both awake. We had looked up and discussed everything yesterday so today we went right into reading journals and Sherri caught up on her games with friends.
I, on the other hand did some traveling on the Internet and stayed at some wonderful places that I have read about over the years. I have decided to follow the Passport American parks and the Escape Parks to route my journey to where ever we go
Like I said this is Sunday and it is time for all the weekenders to head to the house. We use to have the same exodus at the lake every weekend. For 36 years we lived at the lake and every Friday the boats and campers would crowd the roads around our neck of the woods and then on Sunday all would start heading back to home.
It is not much different than where we are now on weekends. Friday morning all the RVers pour into the park we are living at and then come Sunday they all pack up and head out. I love watching the coming and going. Watch the folks set up their little camp area and pull out all their toys. The ladies always, after guiding the driver into the parking spot, would disappear into the RV and only reappear when the slides were out and the driver had completed his or her outside duties.
It would bring back memories of our little family going through the same ritual when we were young. Now we settle in for the long haul and live where we are for some time.
The weather here has been great! I can't complain at all and love to sit out on the patio and read my book and watch the comings and goings of all the people here.
One thing I don't understand is these folks that have these golf carts? What is the deal with driving around...or maybe I should say cruising around all day long...up and down the rows of RVs. I for the life of me see know since in it. I think we all need to be walking around getting some exercise rather than sitting in a cart driving around.
I, for one have enough money tied up in S T U F F. I don't want anything else to have to maintain. It is all I can do to keep up with the insurance and maintenance of the things I have now.
 Anyway I watch them come by...and get this they are drinking beer! Yes, DWI's running around all over the park. Not only that some are texting and they have small children strapped in the back as this is going on.
I guess I am out of step with today's cool things to do...but I could not bring myself to spend the money on such a thing and haul it around with me just to ride around the park and drink beer???
I'll stick to my bike for transportation here...

Somewhere in Time    

Another day doing nothing

Kris stayed busy at the playground with friends....We on the other hand did nothing

We both pulled out of bed this morning about 5:30. We had plans on doing so much but have found out since we have retired we don't follow through with our plans as we use to. I guess we keep putting things off until the next day.


So this day has been spent sitting at the computers thinking of things to look up. We bought two new MH refinanced the one we have 3 times...bought two houses...found us a RV lot and moved there...in mind only and finally made a grocery list that we have not filled yet.
WOW I am worn out and need some rest. Life is good and we are happy here...

Somewhere in Time

We made it

Yes we made it to Marksville. We came in with our sail out the side of the MH. We are now set up in our new home site. Sherri and I had to spend some time rolling the awning back up on the roll and securing it to the MH.
Sherri took the ground side of the operation and I took the ladder side. We had the awning about half way up when the wind decided it was going to start blowing! Just a little bit harder and we would have been air born. We finally got it all the way up and secured. I got on the phone and called around to see if I could fina dealership that was authorized Dometic dealer. Found one just up the road in Alexandria. What luck...I hope to make the appointment to fit in with our move north in two weeks. We will see how that goes.
This morning Sherri headed up to the casino to do a little money making...or losing. She did OK but not enough to pay for the awning repair.

We got a back-in spot because they have so much more room on the side 

This is my favorite spot. I have plenty of concrete to park the bikes...set the chairs...and cook the dinner

Today I am going to clean all the beach sand out of the bays. It was raining when we left the coast and you know how that is when you are packing up to leave. Everything just gets thrown in the bays and if it is dirty nothing can be done about it until you have dry weather to clean it...

Somewhere in Time