Glad we packed

VRV Campground
Vinton, LA

In preparation for heading out tomorrow afternoon, yesterday we packed our lawn chairs, flag and an outside side table.  Glad we did.   This morning it was a downpour.  Lightening, thunder, lots of rain.

Behind our rig

We were parking the truck behind the rig.  A few days ago we started parking in front on the concrete slab.  Since we don't have a boat or high waders, that was a good move.

This park is full of permanent sites for people who work in the nearby refineries.  There are only 4 sites for transients like us.   These four sites are pull throughs on large concrete pads.  All but a few of the other sites are on stone or gravel.   Won't this be fun?

Looking to the side of our site.  These are a little higher.  The rains have given our new home a good test.  No leaks.

Being a rainy dreary morning, Len was in no hurry.  Here he sits in his favorite spot playing his favorite game..... spider solitaire.   Yes, he does have something on.  But not much.

After he finally got dressed, we went into town to top off the fuel tank. Tomorrow morning it's stow stuff, empty the black tank, pull in slides and go to church.  After church an easy hook up and pull out.

We will spend tomorrow night dry camping and arrive at Hidden Cove, a Thousand Trail park in Arley, AL. on Monday for a two week stay.

Until next time.

A rather large family

Vinton, LA

Len is one of 10 children.   They love to get together.   Yesterday 7 of the siblings were represented with their children, grandchildren and even great-children.

Brothers and sisters and an aunt:   Myron, Lydia, Leonard, Aunt Shirley, Royce, Sissy, Bobby

These are all the attendees (except me) in one shot and acting silly.   We estimate about 70 family members did not attend.

This is our immediate family:

Son Lennie with wife Lois and the children Maddie and Jordan,  Len and Me, Daughter Cassie with children Clara, Logan, Nathaniel and Hunter.   We love that Lennie and family came in from Alabama.

Daughter D'Juana could not make it as her husband Joe is a HS Band Director and they attended a function up in Dallas.  Our granddaughter Tiffany and family were scheduled to come in from the Austin are but had to cancel due to the death of her husbands grandmother.  We missed them all.

When extended family has their reunions this group makes up only a fraction.  Just think......dozens of cousins and their families.

We were so glad it was held this year at a time when we could be in the area.  Sweet!

What 's in West Monroe? Ducks, wine, Coke and more

Dubach, LA

We've now completed two weeks of volunteering in the OWL Center, part of Louisiana Methodist Childrens Home system.

Friday starts our 3 day weekend.   Lets tour!

First stop......... Coffee and fried apple pie in West Monroe, LA

Second stop.......  Duck Commander Warehouse and Store.  Took pictures of their RV.

Duck calls are still being produced daily by the Robertsons and their friends.   We did not tour the plant ($20 admission fee) but did buy some items in the store.  We are probably one of a very few people who have never watched this show.   Looks like they had a problem with a tire.

Third stop......Lunch at Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant.  This old warehouse converted to a restaurant sits on the Ouachite River.  What a lunch it was.  Both Leonard and I had their blackened tilapia topped with crawfish etouffe served with Jalapeno grits and a salad.  Fabulous.

Fourth stop....... Biedenharn Museum and Gardens.  This was the home of Joseph Biedenharn the first bottler of Coca-Cola.  We toured the house, the gardens and the Coca Cola museum ($6.00 admission fee)   A special treat was buying a bottle of Coke (in a glass bottle) for 5 cents.

The museum:

Our tour guide explaining the history of the bottles.

The house and gardens:

Last stop.......Landry's Vineyard where we tasted several of their special wines and bought a few bottles.  This is a family owned winery where they grow, age and bottle their own line of wines.

All in all it was a nice day, with only a few showers interspersed here and there.

OWL.....First week.

Dubach, LA

We had heard about this facility through the years from other NOMADS.   So, in planning our route for this Spring, we put it in our itinerary.   We are glad we did.

It is part of the Methodist Childrens Home of Louisiana which has several campuses throughout Louisiana.   This one does not have residents but provides all types of recreational opportunities.  The closest resident facility is in nearby Ruston.   At this time there are 123 at-risk children enrolled in the program.  They are provided an in-house education along with counseling and various recreational opportunities.

When visiting family in Southwest Lousiaina we have seen a facility in Sulphur with signage Methodist Childrens Home.  We now know it is part of the complex.

OWL sits on 800 beautiful acres that includes forests and several ponds.  Our first day we were taken on a tour.   Love this support in the bunk house.

Here at OWL there is a large bunk house, a Motel type building where parents who visit can stay, a Conference Center, an horse arena, a zip line, a maze and lots of other cool stuff.  Along with 24 horses, a miniature cow, a pot-bellied pig, ducks, two donkeys, lots of goats and a couple of mean geese.

The arena

Up to yesterday we had terrific Internet but something is amiss.  It fades in and out and takes a LONNNGGGGG time to upload a picture.

Therefore, I am cutting this post short.  Have lots of pics and information from our first week of work but telling that story will have to wait!

So until, next time.....when we get better Internet.....

Moving Day

Dubach, LA


Friday was indeed moving day.....From our 2014 Cedar Creek our 2016 Open Range.

We arrived at the dealership shortly after 9.   A short time later the skies opened.   So they moved our new rig under a shelter and placed the Cedar Creek next to it.

The rains stopped.   Leaving lots of mud behind.

Our daughter D'Juana drove 2 hours from near Houston to help in the move.  Thank You!   After a couple of hours my back ached, I hurt everywhere.  She never slowed down.  Hey... I have 27 years on her.

Lots more inside storage.  Lots less basement storage.  Len says he will make it work.  Today he is cleaning our some stuff.

After taking a lunch break at Chili's we worked til around 4.

At that point it was just find a place to put it and close it up.  We had an appointment to meet with the financial manager and write a check, ouch.

Finally we pulled out at 5:30 headed to northern Louisiana about 285 miles away.   After driving about 150 miles we found a truck stop in Carthage, Tx. and pulled in the for night.  We parked right behind the Dennys and slowly walked like old people in for dinner.

Up again at 7 and off for the reminder of the trip.   We arrived at the United Methodist Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) Center  about 10:30 and were greeted by our team leaders Everette and Elizabeth Easley.   Two other couples pulled in a few hours later.   Last night it was BBQ at a local place in nearby Ruston, LA.

This morning it was church in Ruston and then Italian.

Today it was more organizing.  And Len got the TV's set up with our DirectTV system.

Tomorrow we start our 3 weeks volunteering here at the OWL Center.  I am thinking the lifting and moving got us ready for whatever lies ahead on this project.  Or maybe not.

On the Lake and visiting

Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Willis, TX

Here on Lake Conroe, we are at one of the nicest parks in the system we have been to.

It sits on this beautiful lake

The sites are large

The pool opened last week  ....... this whimp does not go into an outside pool in March, even in Texas

Now, this would be luxury.  A poolside Cabana with TV and it's own fridge

Rental cabins near the lake

On Saturday we drove about 66 miles south where daughter D'Juana and her family live for a day of visiting.  As an added treat, Joe smoked ribs and brisket and D'Juana made her usual delicious meal.

Easter Sunday we were invited to Son-in-law Joe's brothers house in nearby Spring.

Leonard, granddaughter Lindsey, daughter D'Juana and son-in-law Joe:

Hosts Joel and Kim:

Ate too much but enjoyed every minute.  Thanks Kim and Joel for including us!

In the meantime, we are packing all we can for our move on Friday.  Stay tuned.....

Our New Home

Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Willis, TX

Today we moved from Rainbows End in Livingston to this nice park in Willis, Tx.  Distance between the two is about 56 miles.  However, we took a detour 45 miles east to sign some papers.  After firming up a deal we drove 94 miles back to Willis.

Yup, we did it AGAIN.   We liked some things about the Cedar Creek but some aspects were a disappointment.   After looking at an Open Range floor plan that works for us, I spent days investigating.   We met Steve and Bevely at Hershey Preserve last summer.  They have an Open Range.   Talking to her she said they love it and no complaints.   Yesterday we knocked on the door of a rig parked in Rainbows End.  The lady came out and told us she absolutely loves their Open Range.

I went to several Internet sites asking folks to give me their thoughts on their Open Range.  Many said they have had minor issues but HIghland/Jayco has handled every one to their satisfaction.   Yes, last year the makers of Open Range, Highland was bought by Jayco.   We know Jayco RV's to be quality.   Unfortunately we have found every brand RV to have issues.  Even the very high end models that one would expect to be problem free.  Doesn't happen.

Another factor we considered is that Open Range comes with a full two year warranty.  Most others, only one year.

So...... today Let's Make a Deal.    We were quite pleased with the trade-in value of our Cedar Creek.   They gave us what we consider a fair price on the Open Range.   We upped our cost somewhat due to our preference:    a cover over the bathroom vent, slide toppers, a suitable rack added to the back bumper and most important different tires.  We do not want any China Bombs.  We prefer Hankook trailer tires.   Both sides agreed, papers signed, should be ready by next weekend.

The bedroom:

His and her closets.   Mine on the left, his on the right.

TV is above the dresser.

The bathroom:

The Kitchen.  Note living area beyond those open doors.

TV is above the fridge directly across from double cushion soda bed.

That center island is on wheels and movable.  They lock into place.

The storage behind TV in kitchen.

The Living Area.    French Doors close it off from the Kitchen area.   Another sleeper sofa.

This TV has immense storage shelves behind it also.

So that's it.   We done did it.  Our new home on wheels.