Kim and Bob Heading West

I’ll try to have maps showing out route with specific places we've stayed along with great places we've eaten along the way.

So we're on our way again. Not without some fits and starts, but step by step we conquered them all and we’re heading down the road north on I-75. There weren't any fireworks that went off when we finally pulled the plug, but a quiet satisfaction knowing we were on our way. It is not easy to turn off a mindset that included having to get everything prepared for the entire trip including meals and preparations, medicines for ourselves and Gypsy, or a slight nagging feeling about the truck, trailer, hitch, brakes, bike racks, new roof rack and canoe. I found myself listening for any new noises that could indicate anything amiss. We entered a rest stop about 30 miles from home and checked the usual things I do on a daily inspection before we head out; touch the wheel bearings on the trailer to see if they are hot, the tie downs for the canoe, hitch, tires, bike racks and engine. Everything was in order. I checked things again at about 100 miles, and all was well..

10 May 2013

We decided to stay at Suwannee River State Park. Hoping to make it there before it got full, Kim called ahead to see if any spaces were available. You can’t make reservations the day of arrival, but we were told that if we made it to the park before 6-7 pm we’d most likely have a spot. Luck was with us and we got a nice site. This is a small and very tranquil and quiet park. A total of 30 camping spaces for both tenters and RV’s, an even mix of both. Restrooms and showers are located centrally in the park and are convenient and clean. We parked, leveled the trailer and took the bikes off the rack. I set up Gypsy’s basket on my bike and we went for a short ride to the Suwanee River, a medium flowing clean black water river. There are tall oak and pine trees and bluffs on either side. We headed back to camp and started cooking dinner. We cooked outside on our trusty Coleman stove and before long were eating Kim’s delicious pepper steak and rice.

The Confederate Army had engineered some earthworks to provide a defense from the Union Army at the confluence of the Suwanee and Withlahoochee Rivers.

The weather is beautiful, partial clouds with a slight breeze. Just sitting outside enjoying the solitude and shade is enjoyable. Gypsy has settled in as if we just got back from our last trip. She loves to just mosey around and sniff the new smells.

12 May 2012

Happy Mothers Day to all Mothers. We arrived at Aunt Rita's after a long day on the road. Pace, Florida. We'll spend a few days here visiting. Of course Joe and Jake came by right away, and it was great seeing him again. I can't believe I've misplaced the photos of our visit. They have got to be around somewhere!

Yes, it was nice to see Aunt Rita and cousin Joe. Weather here was nice and cool, low 60's at night and one day it was only 77 for the high. We'll stop in again on our way home. I can't believe Bob misplaced the pictures from our visit!

16 May 2013

Arrived at Davis Bayou Campgrounds, part of the National Park Service in Ocean Springs Mississippi. What a hidden away gem. From right in the middle of Ocean Springs a highway heads south towards the gulf and meanders around old oaks and estuaries with raised walkways, ending in a small park with 51 campsites, both for RV and tenters. Southeastern Mississippi State has a research facility here to monitor the habitat for the fishing industry. Thousand of years ago, inland a short bit from the bayou are sand dunes that have been covered by trees and shrubs now. I there is high ground to build on, sand dunes reclaimed by the forest are the places.

Bob is right, a hidden gem! Nice cool breeze at all times and no bugs. The casino's are only a short drive from the park. Stopped in the Palace Casino for dinner. Two can eat at the buffet for $10.00 each. What a steal and the food was good.

17 May 2013

I usually touch the wheel bearings on the trailer at each rest stop to see if they are heated. When we stopped at the Mississippi welcome center to get some brochures and maps I noticed that the drivers’ side front axle was hot. I pulled off the wheel and brake drum at the camp ground, and found that the linings had just come loose of the brake shoes, they were completely unattached, it was as if they hadn't been bonded to the shoes very well when manufactured. The shoe lining was still in one piece but unattached, and the other had broken into a few pieces but still had much wear remaining. Initially I had thought the bearings had gone bad. After checking a few places in town I found the shoes are a special type order. I removed the brake innards and repacked the bearings and we’ll hobble along with three brakes for the next stop or two until we get to San Antonio where they will be available.

For dinner we went to Mikey’s on the Bayou. Raw Oysters for me (most excellent), Kim had some very good catfish and a beer. We ate outside on the deck right over the bayou waterway and enjoyed the fresh breeze. It’s been a long time since I've had such fresh oysters. We came back to camp, fed Gypsy and we all went for a bike ride until the mosquitoes chased us back home.

Looking out over the bayou and seeing the homes on its edges makes one realize why they live here. Most of the homes are built on pilings to protect from storm surge, and it seems that many survived even Hurricane Katrina. It really is beautiful and peaceful. Everyone we've met has been so friendly and respectful. There is always a breeze coming in off the gulf. Many people fish for speckled trout here, and at the boat launch many people were out on the water, not to be seen but their trucks and empty boat trailers told they were out on the bayou.

We shut down for the night, I started to read and Kim was spent so she went to sleep. I got up and took a walk outside. It is a wonderful mild breezy evening, perfectly comfortable. The trees rustled, you could hear the crickets and watch the clouds race past the half moon. Everything was quiet, some campers had fires going, some were out walking, everyone was enjoying the evening. I missed travelling; tonight it really hit me why I enjoy doing this so much. I walked around for a while not going anywhere in particular and came back in and saw my wife sleeping peacefully and Gypsy curled up next to her. I tucked her in lightly and just had to tell her how happy I was to be on the trip with her again and how happy I was that she was my wife. Another great day on the road.

There hasn't been internet at any of the places we've gone so far. That is pretty unusual. We had plans to go to New Orleans to see Jeena, Tab and the family, but it seems that they've been visited by a bug, so we’ll definitely catch them on the way back.

I have been spending some time making a preliminary route, or at least a route that consists of many places we'd like to visit. I try to make them within 3 hours of each other so I don’t get too tired of driving, and I still feel like enjoying the place when we get there. I’m really looking to do some fishing while in Texas and possibly at Toledo Bend Reservoir on the border of Texas and Louisiana. I had great luck there a few times in the past when I was stationed a Ft. Polk for advanced Infantry training when in the Army.

18 May 2013

After a short drive we arrived at Buccaneer State Park in Mississippi. It has just about

been completely rebuilt since Katrina. It is a large park with well over 200 campsites located right on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and bordered on one side by a bayou. There is a wading pool, and a complete water park located here. There is no beach at all. US Hwy 90 is located right up to a short seawall touching the water. It was quite a bit warmer here, even though there is a constant breeze from the gulf. In late afternoon we took a bike ride around the park. I’d say it was about half full of campers. We sat outside and watched some birds until it was time to eat. There weren't many bugs, but we were starting to get bitten by the most vicious of no-see-ums. By the time we got in the camper, they had started to swarm. A bunch followed us inside, and I had to light a little Buhach, that secret powder I've been using since I lived in Alaska. One small burning of the powder, and the bug problem was gone. Great Stuff! I can't believe it isn't more popular in the lower 48 states. This park would be great if you had a family of children. It was completely booked to the Memorial Day weekend.

I just want to thank the mud dobber back in Brandon that was nice enough to dobb right in the air conditioner. The fan was making such a terrible noise I had to turn it off in the early morning hours. Once the dobb came lose and sprayed it's dust all over the inside of the trailer the a/c was working fine again. As for me, clean up begins!

19 May 2013

We headed into New Orleans area and stayed at the Bayou Segnette State Park. The park is located right across the Mississippi from New Orleans. A huge new levee protected the park, and at the head of the bayou were some of the famous pumps that help keep the city from flooding.

Bob does an excellent job moving the truck and trailer thru the busy traffic of New Orleans! He has truly mastered driving and backing up the trailer with no help from me.

20 May 2013 Cousin Jena came with the kids, Addi, Nick and Sidney and took Kim to lunch and visited Jena's Vet Clinic. I tried finding a place to fish, but one needed a power boat to get down bayou to where the fish were.

Had a great time with Jena and the kids today. Had a day of first's. First Po'Boy sandwich and my first drive-thru daiquiri shack! Can't believe you can get it while in your car and then drive while drinking.

21 May 2013

We went to Jena's and had a full day. Nick and I went fishing in the pond with some crickets Jena had picked up. We caught some pan fish and a couple small bass. No keepers, but it was great to finally feel a tug on my line. Nick is really into fishing and wants to learn everything. He enjoys picking out the crickets, but hasn't gotten putting them on the hook part down. Anyway, he had a fish on and was cranking like mad, yelling that his rod was bending and being oh so excited. His cranking couldn't quite keep up with the fish as it swam towards shore and some branches of a fallen limb. I said, "Nick, the fish is heading for the branches and is going to get away, you need to go over by the tree. He immediately threw his pole down and ran over to the tree!". You had to be there. Only something a kid would do.

After fishing Nick wanted to keep the crickets as pets. We put some leaves and bark in their box, and gave them some water. He whispered a secret to me, as he held his hand to his mouth close to my ear he said "I'm going to keep them as pets and let them go when they get big".

We spent the afternoon in the pool at Rhea's house, one of the nicest neighbors one could have.

That evening we all went and met Tab at the Boiling Pot Restaurant. We had crawfish by the pound, boiled corn like no other I've tasted, blue crab and shrimp. Plus I had the best crawfish gumbo in the world. We had a great time! It sure is nice having cousins in Louisiana!

Loved spending the day with the Troxler's and Rhea! Spent the day lounging by the pool at Rhea's house. It was fun swimming with the kids and watching Sydney being silly jumping in the pool. Syd asked me how to do a cannonball Gave her instruction and by the second jump she now has it down pat. I'm sure everyone will thank me this summer as she cannon balls into the pool, LOL

Also want to thank my cousin Jean, Dr. Troxler, for going out of her way to get Gypsy her cough medicine. Don't know what I would have done without her :)