Colorado River, TX Feb. 28-March 3,2009

What a lovely park! Trees are just beginning to bud now but the groves of Pecan trees seem to be the last to get their leaves. One can only imagine how beautiful this will be in another couple of weeks.





Our RV is facing the Colorado River . Quite a nice view. It was extremely gusty our first 2 days here. Last night it got down to 33 but by late afternoon I was sitting outside in a tank top and shorts---go figure and finally NO WIND!! It's a very beautiful large piece of property and finding a place to walk my 5 miles has been easy and very scenic.










There are hundreds of deer here and at dusk they wander all through the campground. It's driving Nicky nuts!!! this picture is taken from just outside my camper door.

























We toured the Blue Bell Creamery in Breham, TX. It's got to be the world's best ice cream. It tastes like it's just come out of the ice cream churn. It's sold in 17 states in all --mostly the southern states. Nicky enjoyed his sample along with the rest of us and he gave it a definite thumbs up!!









One of the highlights here has been Peter's BBQ, which we were told about as soon as we pulled in. The place is not much to look at but BBQ ribs, 3 sides, dessert, and a drink for $4.95 ---just can't afford not to do that!!!!! We've only been here 4 days and we've had 2 rib dinners and the Sunday buffet. It's a good thing we're leaving tomorrow!!!! This restaurant is right up there with the Pioneer Restaurant for value for the money.

Lake Conroe,TX Feb. 25-27 2009

Our time at Lake Conroe was spent was spent relaxing. Time was spent catching up on bills and paperwork. Made a trip to Costco, did some wash, played some pickle ball, and just relaxed. No touring to speak of.











We met a lovely couple Les and Carol Wright. Their labrodoodle, Mimi, and Nicky had a grand time playing together. Being full-timers we found Les and Carol to be a wealth of information. We look forward to meeting up with Les and Carol along the road again.

Abita Springs ROD park, New Orleans 2/18-2/23/09

Our first day in New Orleans we spent on a walking tour of the French Quarter and Jackson Square. We also spent time walking the Moonwalk along the Mississippi river. Mardi Gras season began here Jan. 6th and ends on Feb. 24. There are a total of 54 parades in all. It's been truly fascinating discovering what Mardi Gras is all about.































Don't you love the contrast here of the old and the new?




















This picture was taken in Jackson Square. You are looking at the oldest cathedral in the US. The statue is of Andrew Jackson. We enjoyed a lunch in the French Quarter of Red beans and Rice--really fantastic!!! Many friends told us we has to try a coffee and a beignet, which is a French donut. So naturally we had some of those too. We returned to the RV tires and full.

Next day we did a driving tour of New Orleans. We made a stop in City Park and had a picnic lunch. The park is so large there are 4 public gold courses in it. The live oaks in the park are incredible. In the Garden District we saw many beautiful homes that at some times reminded me of Charleston. We also drove past several of the city's cemeteries, which are unlike anything I've ever seen before. There are 5 universities in this are and several junior colleges.

Policing Mardi Gras

Parade seats ready to go

The park here has been lovely. Very clean, very friendly,nice amenities and a pretty setting.

Nicky and I wearing our beads after the parade.We're discussing our favorite parts.

Henderson SP, FL Feb. 13-17 2009

What a beautiful, scenic drive to the park on highway 98 which runs right along the water. This area of coast line is know as the Emerald Coast. The water is the same blue/green color you see in the Caribbean.

The sites here are all graveled and nicely leveled. Each site has the pull in area and a picnic area to the side and a wash line in the back--very nice!!

There is a lovely nature trail through the dunes and the boardwalk to the beach is incredible!! pictures cannot do it justice.

We've had rain and the weather has been cool 59-64 and a mixture of sunny and cloudy days.

We visited Topsail SP, which is 12 mile east of this one. It is the most upscale state park I've ever been to. Full hock-ups, concrete pads, resort landscaping throughout the park, and once again an incredible boardwalk to the beach.

Today we did our 5 mile walk along the Emerald Coast Hwy which runs right along the water.

What a way to spend a day, but some one's got to do it---Might as well be me!!!!!!!!!

Saint George Island, Florida

February 9th through February 12 was spent at St. George Island, FL We are now on the Florida panhandle which is uncharted territory for us.The weather was sunny and in the mid 70's each day. There were several very nice 5 mile hiking trails which we enjoyed walking with Nicky.







The beaches here are very pristine and it is very fine sugar sand. It feels like walking in baby powder. The afternoons were spent on the beach with a picnic lunch and a good book.

Our Internet air card did not get good reception there, phone connections were hit and miss and we had only 2 tv stations so if you are waiting to hear from us we will catch up to you on our next stop.

While walking Nicky one night I did get to see and alligator catch his dinner! That's a first, they are fast.

Don and Lois Waltz in Lecanto, Fl

This is a picture of us parked in the back yard at Don and Lois's house. There was a cold snap while we were there and we got to see first hand what Don and Lois go through to protect their garden and plants. You can see in the picture some of the plants still draped in sheets for protection. Don is quite the gardener, growing everything from seed.

We spent an absolutely wonderful week with Don and Lois, from February 2 through February 8. For those of you who don't know, Don and I graduated from High School together in 1960.
Lois's culinary skills are incredible and I'm sure we all put on weight that week!!! but we sure had fun doing it. Lois and I had a lot of fun swapping recipes and cooking while the boys talked about motors, construction, RV's and such.






Their dog,Toby, and Nicky had great fun together in the fenced in back yard. They quickly became big buds. Toby loved to visit Nicky in the RV.

We spent one day at Lazy Days RV looking at RV's with Don and Lois showing them what to look for when purchasing an RV. They are interested in doing what we do in another year or so.

Don and Lois's friends Earl and Darlene took us out on the Homosassa River on their pontoon boat to watch manatees. We were not disappointed--we saw lots of them and I was able to get some good pictures. I hope you enjoy the video.

Saying good-bye to Don and Lois was like saying good-bye to friends we've had all our lives. Nicky says ditto that to Toby.

Wachula Florida, January 19 - February 2

We arrived back in Wauchula, FL on Jan. 18th. The majority of our time here has been spent visiting and playing with the good friends we've made from winters past. We shared dinners with one another, played Pickle Ball, and played games such as Mexican Train, and Fast track. A lot of time was spent just catching up with one another after being separated for almost a year.







A lovely afternoon was spent with Lou and Carol Hands and Jim and Jane Rankin at Highland Hammock State Park.

We walked the Cypress swamp trail which is a lovely boardwalk trail with a catwalk.

This live oak tree is over 1,000 years old! The old people sitting on the tree are not near that old.

We enjoyed several nice meals out at two of Wauchla's newest restaurants, Celtic Crossing and Giovanti's.


Jane and I had a great time shopping and sharing-- just plain catching up. The more we share the more we find out how much alike we are. I'll miss coffee with Jane, my sister by heart. God has certainly blessed me with 2 sisters---one by blood, Jill and one by heart, Jane.


It was great fun catching up with Lou and Carol and sharing several meals with them. We look forward to perhaps seeing them on our return trip from the west.




This is for those of you who have not heard of Pickle Ball.