THE WEATHER CHANGES OUR PLANS

Our plan was to leave Galveston on Thursday and drive to Lafayette LA for two nights, but the weather forecast was calling for thunder storms and high wind gusts, and even the possibility of tornadoes.  With that, we decided to stay put for another day and check out the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum located in the harbor next to Fisherman's Wharf.  After the tour, we went next door for a scrumptious crab cake dinner.  From our table outside, we could watch the pelicans swoop down to grab their dinner from the water.

Keith working on the oil rig

Friday, we finally woke to warm sunshine but it was still gusty.  When you're towing a trailer, you can really feel the gusts, especially on the bridges.  I'm not thrilled about bridges on a good day, so I was a little white-knuckled till we got away from the coast. 
 


Louisiana Bayou

Travelling through the Louisiana Bayou country was much calmer.  We were disappointed that we wouldn't have the extra day to explore the Lafayette area but I had already made reservations for the next five nights at five different parks and really didn't feel like changing them.  We did, however, take advantage of the opportunity to savor some local Cajun cuisine.  I'm always ready to try something new...Keith, not so much!  I was curious about the "Cajun Boudin" on the appetizer list. Our server said that it was one of his favorites so I had to try it.  Basically, boudin is a combination of cooked rice, pork, onions, peppers and seasonings stuffed into a sausage casing.  These were shaped into balls, breaded and deep fried and very spicy. 

Ellen had suggested that we might enjoy travelling the Natchez Trace Parkway on our way back so we headed north from Lafayette.  This was our first time in Natchez, MS.  The town sits high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.  Prior to the Civil War, it was home to several extremely wealthy Southern planters.  Their fortunes allowed them to build huge mansions, many of which remain today.  We took a carriage ride tour downtown to see a couple of these historic homes and buildings.  I'd like to go back during their Natchez Pilgrimage Tours held in the spring and fall. 

Antebellum home



Looking across the Mississippi toward Natchez at dusk.  Tugboat, barges, paddle boat

We decided to take the Trace as far as Jackson, about 100 miles, and then hop off and head to Memphis to pick up Interstate 40 East.  The Trace was a two-lane road through woodland and meadow with no power or telephone lines and very few homes.  We actually didn't pass a lot of other traffic; more bicycles and motorcycles.  The Trace is 444 miles long and crosses three states, ending near Nashville.  The speed limit is only 50 mph and we were told that this is strictly enforced. 

The Trace (My Enchanted Forest
 

For the next five days, we'll be heading East on the interstate with overnights in Nashville and Knoxville in TN, Salem and Winchester in VA, and then HOME. 
We're still enjoying the ride but we're ready to see our family and friends again!

THE DIVERSITY OF TEXAS

Since entering Texas, we've traveled the Texas Mountain Trail, the Hill Country, and the Texas Tropical Trail.  We joke about how boring it is to drive through Texas for three days, but that's really if you're only travelling the Interstates.  Once you get off onto the blue highways, you see just how diverse this huge state really is.

We continue travelling with Rod and Ellen and met up with Joe and Sue Rokowski in Bandera for a few days.  They've been scoping out the area for two weeks and showed us some of the places they liked best.  Bandera has dubbed itself the Cowboy Capital of the World.  This laid-back town on the Medina River retains the authentic flavor of the Old West by maintaining and repurposing a lot of the old buildings around Main Street.  I was a little disappointed that they've turned so many of them into clothing and jewelry boutiques.   We were there during the week, but we were told that on weekends, Main Street reverts to its Old West roots.  Cowboys ride through the streets, musicians serenade, and storytellers spin their yarns.  Sounds like fun.

Our second day there was cold and windy so we opted for some indoor sightseeing.  The Camp Verde General Store and Post Office was originally built in 1857 to offer goods and services to the soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Verde.  The store is now a 'home and body' boutique but still uses the old store and post office interior furnishings.  Very nice.

An interesting part of its history was the Camel Experiment.  In 1854, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis petitioned Congress to appropriate $30,000 for the Army to experiment with using camels for supply transport and other military purposes.  The bill passed and the first shipment from Egypt arrived at Fort Camp Verde via naval supply ship in April of 1856.  By the time the Civil War had begun, there were over 50 camels at the Fort.  By 1865, there were more than 100 camels.  They passed every test of their ability - carrying heavier loads and traveling longer distances than the mules  and horses used in the area.  However, the War Dept needed funds for reconstruction after the Civil War, and the Fort was deactivated in 1869 ending he experiment.  We were told that there were still some camels in the area.

Before heading back to the campground and some local Bar-B-Q ribs, we stopped at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville .  While the paintings and bronze sculptures were really good, the architecture of the museum was equally amazing.

Our last day in the Hill Country was spent in Boerne (pronounced "Bernie"), a small town along the Cibolo Creek.  It was founded in the mid-1800's by a group of Germans and their influence remains today.  We strolled down Haupstrasse (Main Street in German) through the town's historic district with its specialty and antique shops.  We took advantage of the warm sunny day by enjoying an outdoor lunch at the Epicure gourmet market and a walk along the Cibolo Creek's river walk.


I think this is Calvin telling us to get on the road!

On Friday, we said good-bye to both couples as we all struck off in different directions for a little more sightseeing before heading home.  Keith and I drove to Corpus Christie along the Gulf of Mexico.  I was anxious to see Padre Island so I was a little disappointed that the paved road ended so soon after entering the National Park.  I convinced Keith to drive onto the beach for a short distance but is was really bumpy so I wasn't upset when we turned around.

We drove to the other end of the island and took the short ferry ride from Port Aransas to Aransas Pass before heading back to the campground.

Sunday's visit to The Texas State Aquarium was more fun; we even petted a stingray (it's kind of like petting a snake...not what you'd expect it to feel like).  We enjoyed the dolphin show and the turtle and otter exhibits.

Around the log...

and back again, and again, and again!

 

Following the coastline north, Jamaica Beach RV Park on Galveston Island was our next stop.  We really liked this park; it was right across the road from the beach.  Unfortunately, the weather was overcast and windy and it was extremely humid. 

Calvin checking out the 'neighbors'

 On Tuesday we took the 'Duck' tour of Galveston and then viewed the film about the hurricane of 1900 that destroyed the town and killed 6000 residents.  But, I think the highlight of the day for Keith was dinner at Zack's Mac Shack.  Mac n' cheese with Lobster!

Another overcast day but that didn't stop us from going back into Galveston for the day.  Today, we went to Moody Gardens.  They have a huge 1.5 million gallon 10-story blue-glass Aquarium Pyramid and they have a Rainforest Pyramid of equal size.  Our decision was which one to see because we found that they were each about $50 for the two of us.  Since we had just gone to the Texas Aquarium, we chose the Rainforest.  It was a good experience but I still think it was a bit pricey. 

Moody Gardens

The illusive Two-towed Sloth

 

Scarlet Macaws
 

Afterward, we went back downtown to walk around the Strand historic district and the wharf.  And, on the way back to the park, we stopped to walk on the beach; I wanted to at least get my feet wet in the Gulf.  I was surprised that the water wasn't very cold, but I guess, location-wise, it would be more comparable to the Florida coast than New Jersey's.

Tomorrow, we leave Texas and stop in Louisiana to spend a couple of days in Lafayette before heading North.

...AND WE'RE ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas...we're heading East.  We left Salome on Tuesday to miss the Easter Monday traffic.  We got to Deming, NM around noon on Wednesday.  Ellen suggested that we drive down to Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus near the Mexican border.  The park visitor center has the interesting history of the town and Pancho Villa's raid on it. 

Pancho Villa State Park

Rod and Ellen had been to the area several years ago and had eaten at a little Mexican restaurant that the park ranger recommended to them.  It's on a side street and if you drove by, you probably wouldn't stop but the food was delicious.  La Casita Restaurant...if you're ever in Columbus NM...stop in for good authentic Mexican grub.

La Casita Restaurant

On our way to Terlingua and Big Bend National Park on Friday, we headed southwest to the town of Presidio and from there took the 'Texas Mountain Trail,' a 50-mile scenic drive that follows the Rio Grande River.  The river remains one of the most disappointing sights we've encountered on our travels, but we learned that Mexico has been diverting the water for their use which has left it almost dry in many areas.  The mountains, however, more than made up for it here.  Our guys did a fantastic job of navigating the hills and curves, even pulling off to picnic along the Trail while enjoying the majestic view.

Texas Mountain Trail

Following Rod & Ellen...down and around the next curve

The Rio Grande...not so grand

Teepees cover picnic tables at rest stop

Big Bend National Park encompasses over 800,000 acres and is the last great wilderness area of Texas.  It offers both mountain and desert scenery and a variety of unusual geological structures.  Elevations within the park range from 1,840 ft. along the Rio Grande to 7,825 ft. on Emory Peak.  We spent Saturday exploring the park stopping at several visitor centers to learn about the history and habitat of the area. 

Looking down toward Chisos Basin in Big Bend



Dagger Yucca at Panther Junction, Park Hdqrs.

 

 

Beware of the BEARS!

 

 

At Boquillas, we found handmade items for sale, left by Mexicans from the little town on the hill on the other side of the river.  We could see some people sitting along the river's edge and riding horses down from the little town on the hill above.

Handmade items for sale.  Mexican standing by tree on other side.

Boquillas del Carmen, MX sits on hilltop across the Rio Grande

  

Next stop...Bandera, TX to meet up with Joe and Sue who've been there for two weeks and, hopefully, have scoped out some cool new places to explore.

 

 

THE SEASON IS ALMOST OVER AND WE'LL SOON BE ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The first Saturday in March, we went along with Rod and Ellen to Yuma. We dropped the guys off at the annual Yuma Car Show, and Ellen and I went in to Algodones Mexico to pick up some medications at the famous Purple Pharmacy, and to shop for some things for their new home. 

Rod & Ellen at Lutes Casino Restaurant in Yuma

YES, Rod and Ellen bought a home here in Salome. It's a hacienda-style home on a private road next to our resort. They plan to sell their motorhome and they'll fly back and forth to Maine. We'll miss having them for travelling companions; Ellen is the best trip planner. 


Rod and Ellen's new home
 

They just had time to settle and buy some furniture before getting ready to head back to Maine.










Last week, I drove in to Scottsdale to see my PA friend (turned AZ resident) Carol.   She took me to one of her favorite consignment shops, to the Hospice thrift shop where she volunteers, and then to a 'bead' supply store.  I can always find a few more beads that I need to have.  We had an awesome lunch at a Mexican restaurant where we sampled three of their specialty dishes.  Yum!


Prickly Pear & Peppers, Crab & Mango and Corn Cake Souffle' with a Mole Sauce

 

We had more rain this winter than last, and while I prefer sunny days, it's amazing how green the desert has gotten.  It looks like the desert floor is covered with grass, and the flowers and cactus are blooming more every day.   On the last Monday in March, we took a quad ride to see the flowers, and were surprised to see a desert turtle AND a snake (a little one thank goodness). 

Wednesday was full moon and we threw together a last minute 'wiener roast' at Picnic Point, about five miles from the park at the top of a mountain.  We didn't head out till around five and got back at eight so we had a great view of the sunset before the full moon started rising.  Riding the desert trails in the dark was a whole new experience!!  I was a little apprehensive but it was cool to see the headlights of about twelve quads weaving their way down the mountain.


Wiener Roast at Picnic Point
 

The month ended with Easter dinner outside our trailer with Rod and Ellen, and Terry and Jan Crown.  Terry and Jan were our 'next door' neighbors for the winter.  Terry is a Master Wood Carver and Jan is one of the best 'bead' instructors at the park.  They have two cute little Dachshunds, Dudley and Tucker that they rescued a few years ago.  They are full-timers also, spending their summers near Cascade, Idaho.

We're heading out on Tuesday, so I've begun securing everything inside the trailer, and Keith is double checking all of the mechanics outside and on the truck.  It's 2400 miles to Bowmansville and we don't want any 'surprises' along the way.