TEXAS

As we heard ....

We noticed that to be true with

 the shoulders of the roads ....

 the burgers ....

the RVs ....

YES!  The sign reads "SOLD."   We visited Texas to view the new floorplan by Coachmen, and it is perfect for our family.  It will be brought to our home state at the beginning of August.  It is so spacious, especially compared to our 22' motorhome now.  :)

View from back living area.  Room on the left is the bunkhouse that will be the boys' room.  Stairs on the right lead up to the ladder for a loft bed on left, bathroom, and master bedroom (in front):

View from boys' room:

Looking forward to having you visit once we are settled in!  :)


Since we had to wait for a weekday to finalize paperwork, we headed to San Antonio for some fun and education.

The most enjoyable show was "Pets Ahoy," which was a lively performance by animals that were adopted from the local pound.

Only the youngest child was willing to do the adventurous ride, Atlantis; but they all loved riding Rio Loco a couple of times to cool off since it spun under a waterfall!

ATLANTIS

 RIO LOCO

Next day ...



The Alamo

The building was originally a mission that converted Indians to Catholicism for 70 years.  It then was a cavalry unit for the Spanish military in the 1800s before used during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.  Afterwards the Army used it as a supply depot until 1883 when the State of Texas purchased the church to use as a shrine for those who died in the Battle of the Alamo.

RIVERWALK

Had to have some Texan beef for lunch ...

 BIG and yummy!

We ended up spending more time in  Texas than we planned due to paperwork on the fifth wheel and an engine problem with our motorhome.  Thankfully, Mechanic Man figured it out, and we will soon be heading north to Colorado!

LOUISIANA .... Arkansas ... LOUISIANA

Within 10 minutes after leaving Vicksburg, we crossed the Mississippi River and entered Louisiana.  (Did you know that the Mississippi River is not exactly in the same spot as it was in 1863?)  Our goal in this state was CROCKS and CRAWDADS ... and to set foot into Arkansas!

First, we found a seafood restaurant ... but no crawdads.  Instead, we saw this:

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ???????

Being a retired military family and living overseas, I shouldn't have been surprised.

 It is REALLY on the menu ... look here:

Now, look here ... nobody ate any:

At least they all ate Cajun seafood ... I had Cajun pasta!  :)


After lunch, we trekked to Arkansas.  It was less than an hour, so we visited Junction City just to say we were there.  What did we do in Arkansas?  Look here:

Then we headed back to Louisiana, traveled through Kitachie National Forest (glimpsed some swampy areas, a bayou, and a "bear crossing" sign along the way), camped the night in Natchitoches, and headed to see alligators .  Knowing they were confined, I was just as eager as the boys to check out these amazing creatures in this environment instead of near an open swamp. 

 

 

We were surprised at the albino alligator's constant pose ... until we read the sign above the window that states that Edgar died and that they wanted to keep him for all to enjoy.  They brought him to the taxidermist, and here he stands.

Besides alligators, this park has other animals that we all enjoyed feeding.

The alligator feeding show was fun.  A boat docked in front of the audience, and the alligators were given meat on the end of a pole.  Then the alligators "jumped" up and tried to grab the grub as the man bobbed the meat on the end of the pole. 

After the show, we visited the Cafe for lunch.   
In the spirit of cultural experimenting, WE ALL ORDERED "ALLIGATOR BITES" FOR LUNCH.  Everybody liked them except for me and the youngest child.  (It was a tad too rubbery for my liking, especially since I don't eat meat often.)

The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed our time in this state.  

Time to head on to Texas!  

See ya'll later!

A SWARM OF BEES

It has been one month since we moved out of the house and into the motorhome, and people are asking us how we like it.  I have to admit that it has been an adjustment going from a 2,400 square-foot-house with 10 acres of land to a 22-foot motorhome.  Five people and a poodle in that small space makes for close quarters.  Thankfully, willing spirits and organized spaces are the key to making it happen.  We all have had a "moment" in this coziness of our new home, but they were short-lived.   Trial and error has taught us how to maneuver around each other, do our respective tasks, and maintain sanity ... just like bees in a hive!  Besides that, we know we are truly blessed and doing God's will as we enjoy our new "backyard" of the great United States!

MISSISSIPPI

We began our time in Mississippi with Mechanic Man fixing a leak.  It was nothing major, thank God, but it delayed our travel time.  Since we were only an hour away from our destination, no tears were shed.  

Removing bumper to get to the engine-oil cooler

Tightening the oil fitting ... then the bumper is bolted back on RV

Next morning, we finished our trek to Vicksburg and spent the day exploring Civil War territory.   It was an educational day ... walking the soil, seeing the trenches, and realizing what the soldiers endured.  History was brought to life at this memorial.

After time in the Visitor Center, watching a movie and viewing displays, we drove the Tour Route.  It was estimated to take about 2 hours.   First we drove through the Union's side.  The end of the route was the Confederate's side.

 

One of our favorite spots:   THAYER'S APPROACH

During one assault, the Union soldiers dug a tunnel beneath the road to avoid being seen by the Confederates as they crossed the ridge.  (The tunnel was reinforced as part of the park.)

 

Picture taken from the road where the tunnel is located.  The top of the hill is the Confederate side.

Brown speck at bottom of hill is my youngest boy, who felt the need to run!

Me and College Girl at same spot by tunnel (with Mechanic Man climbing stairs behind us).

 

 

 Also located at this park is the salvaged USS Cairo.

The remains are held in place with newer wood ... in case you were wondering about this picture.   ;-)

USS Cairo's bell and many items were salvaged

Vicksburg National Cemetery

After learning so much about this Civil War campaign, I felt like I knew these guys!  :)

 When there was nothing left to visit, we headed back home ("home is where the RV is parked") to plan the next leg of our journey.  It was our last day east of the Mississippi!


Interesting observations about Mississippi:

1.   Road kill has been nothing but armadillos.
2.  The "pollen" floating around the air in this state are the seeds from the cottonwood trees.  They collect on the ground in corners and look like snow!