High-lites and Low-lites

After about a week of temperatures in the single digits I would have to say that, weather-wise anyways, this past week was lousy. Add to that, the past 3 days of constant rain and we're ready to come home where its drier (and probably warmer). 

We drove the Unit to the storage place yesterday during a very brief dry spell. It took just about the whole day to pack up everything and winterize the water system, holding tanks, etc. Here's the Unit in her winter home. Pretty cozy, huh?

We left Austin this morning and drove 9 hours in driving rain.
Tonight we are in Little Rock, AR. , a distance of 828 kms. Just had dinner in a pizza/craft beer restaurant. Great beer, awesome pizza.

Now for the high-lites of our trip.
For places we stayed, St. George Is. State Park In Florida was by far the  best. Ironically it was also the least expensive. We found we much preferred State Parks to private RV Parks. We avoided any park that had the words "luxury" or "resort" in the name.
Best food had tho be the Apalachicola Seafood Festival. We won't soon forget it and we'll be back.
Best Deal goes to the free ferry to Galveston. A close second would have to be Canadian Club Whiskey. I may have been a little over zealous in my quest to load up on the low priced libation and I now have a fair quantity to dispose of before we cross the border. Not to worry, I'm working on that as we speak.
Most fun, in spite of the weather, was the past week which we spent with Carla, Billy and the kids in Austin. Never a dull moment with Carla planning the activities.
Best Bar was Paddy's (the raw oyster place) and for entertainment, the jazz bar in New Orleans.

We wanted to determine on this trip, what the actual costs would be so I kept track of every dollar we spent. We also wanted to find out if we would drive each other nuts, being in such close proximity to each other for weeks on end. As for the latter, we're both already planning the spring trip so no problems there.

Next post, I'll get into some of the costs and other findings, some of which I found quite surprising.

Week Five, almost time to go home

Hey, it's been a while and we've been keeping really busy.
Before I get into the past week or so, I still need to explain the last picture of the previous post.
They are a type of thorn called "stickers", probably because they stick to, or rather, stick INTO everything they touch. They are found just about everywhere in the south, most commonly in grass patches that are poorly maintained.
The worst thing about them is you really need to give them a good yank to get them out. In order to give them a good yank, you need to grip them pretty tight. So when you pull the sticker out of your toe you now have your thumb and fore finger stuck together. Tara's paws are magnets for these things. 

Here is a map of our travels over the past 10 days or so.
Took me a while to figure out how to post the picture of the map.

After Galveston we spent a night in El Campo, TX with Darlene's sister Carla's relatives. We then traveled with Carla to Gruene and stayed near Canyon Lake. I saw more deer here in one day, than I've seen in the past 10 years.

Went to the Grist Mill restaurant in Gruene for dinner....BUCKET LIST!!

Onion rings the size of donuts! Glad I got the small order.
Besides a couple of chicken wings that was dinner. Fine dining!

We've been in a small park just outside Austin for the past few days, in a town called Lago Vista. Its very hilly here, the roads are very winding and the speed limit is mostly 55 MPH. It was fun driving the Unit here, the word "careening" comes to mind.

Further updates on the Bucket List. It looks like we won't be making it to the Rio Grand Valley so the walk across the border into Mexico will have to wait. Also, the Junk Gypsies in Round Top, TX are out because we opted for Gruene instead. Its amazing how really good onion rings can influence the things you do and the places you go, or don't go.

We did however make it to Rudy's BBQ. We loaded up on enough BBQ to fill a very large shopping bag.
Here's the menu.

And quite possibly Rudy himself carving up some BBQ brisket.

I went on a little road trip yesterday and found a place to store the Unit until March, when we will start Part 2 of our trip. Its 20 miles north of Austin, it's covered, has electricity to keep the batteries charged, and the best thing is, it's $90 per month. Pretty good deal I think.

We have a few more days here before we head home. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, turkey at Carla's, yum!!

I'm not looking forward to next week, It's about 1700 miles to get home and the weather will get worse as we go, unlike the trip south 5 weeks ago. 

Movin' On

Our last night in Galveston after 4 great days. I don't know what it is about this place but it has a certain vibe. There are oil drilling platforms in the harbor, probably being re-fitted for their next job. They are HUGE.

We took a tour on one which was no longer in service, it was big but was dwarfed by the modern ones.

We learned a lot about how these things work. It's amazing what an industry can do with unlimited funds.

There was a Disney cruise ship in the harbor this afternoon, which was just departing as we left the oil rig. Big boat!

From what we could hear on the pier I would have to guess that Mickey had everyone doing shooters at the bar.

It's almost time for supper but I have a couple of shots I have to show you.

A sunrise on the gulf;

The sign that is photo-bombing the picture says "Stay off the Dunes". Ironically, there really haven't been any dunes here since the hurricane of 2008.

Next, the newly rebuilt Galveston pier. We didn't go there but its an impressive sight at night from the Seawall Blvd.

Oh, and just one more.....BUCKET LIST!!!!!

Next post I want to talk about these, they are nasty!!

Chicken on a bun tonight, BBQ'd by yours truly. Gotta go.

Galveston

The trip to Galveston yesterday was interesting to say the least. It was windy when we left Lake Charles, Louisiana and by the time we entered Texas it was howling. The owner of the RV Park we had just left suggested we take the ferry across to Galveston. I didn't even know there was a ferry and since I was having serious difficulty staying in my lane on the interstate I figured the smaller highways to Port Boliver, home of  the ferry terminal, might be just the ticket. About 20 miles of this highway runs right along the coast. With the 40 MPH winds whipping the gulf into a frenzy we were pelted with sea foam and salt spray all the way.
Pictures of waves seldom do them justice but here's one anyways.

Now, unlike Canadian Club Whiskey which is almost free here, the ferry is totally free. It's about a 20 minute ride to go the 2 miles to Galveston Island. I don't know who pays for all this but I'm not complaining.

It looks like they have about 6 or 7 of these running back and forth between Port Boliver and Galveston. We never left the Unit, just made another coffee and enjoyed the ride.

We had reservations for Galveston Island State Park for 2 nights. Shortly after we arrived Mother Nature went postal.
The wind which had been building 15+ ft waves turned 180 degrees and was hammering the tops off the waves from the other direction. I have video but once again, it doesn't do the event justice. Then the rain started and I mean RAIN! The temperature went from 24C to 14C in minutes. Long story short, Mother Nature washed the salt off the Unit in short order. (which is nice because she put it there in the first place).
The State park turned out to be a bit of a dump. Low scrub, no trees and bad drainage. The Unit was standing in 3 inches of water even this morning. We cancelled our second night and moved a few miles closer to town at the Dellanera RV Park. Great place and right on the beach. We signed up here for the next 3 nights. I think I'm getting lazy, driving just seems too much like work.
Galveston was leveled in 2008 by Hurricane Ike. It's amazing what they have done to the place since then (we were here in 2000). A lot of history here which I hope to get into over the next few days.
Going out for Mexican tonight and Darlene is driving...life is good.

A little post Nawlins R & R

Been taking it easy for a couple of days after 3 days of New Orleans' madness. We're in Lake Charles LA, in a nice quiet park just chillin'.
I'll let Tara demonstrate up how we felt by the third day.

Washed the Unit today. Seems every time I wash it it rains. It's supposed to rain tomorrow. 
I was sitting under the awning this evening and noticed a street light reflecting on the side of the now very clean Unit. Kind of a neat lighting effect so I took a picture

We ordered take out from what is supposed to be the #1 rated restaurant in the area, Steamboat Bill's. We weren't sure what to order from the enormous menu, (check it out here)
http://steamboatbills.com/menu/images/Steamboat_Bills_Menu.pdf
so we ordered the Captains Platter, a bit of everything.
Wow, enough to feed 6. Stuffed shrimp,catfish, oysters, stuffed crab, shrimp and fries. the only thing that wasn't breaded and/or deep fried was the cole slaw. For an appetizer we got alligator bites, also breaded and deep fried. How's that for an artery clogging line-up?

Tomorrow we're heading to Galveston Island for a few days. Haven't seen a beach in nearly a week and starting to twitch.
Talk later.

Jamablaya and a Crawfish pie.......

.......and a fillet gumbo. 
Haven't eaten any of these here yet but we did make it to the "Big Easy" yesterday afternoon.
The Unit had a lube job in Foley AL yesterday and is feeling much better. It will need ball joints some time soon but I already knew that.
We went into town this morning after much deliberation on how we should get there. Bus/streetcar $6 but 1 hour each way, cab $25 each way, and Uber, about the same as a cab. We decided to drive in and hopefully, park a few blocks from the French Quarter. Expecting the worst, after a 7 minute drive from the RV park we found all kinds of parking lots. The cost was $5 for 12 hours.

New Orleans never disappoints. Not 2 blocks into Bourbon Street we ran across a very large guy about 6'5" wearing a cowboy hat, a pink wig, fishnet stockings and.....yes, you guessed it, a tu-tu.
Warning. If you look at the following picture you will see him, and once you have seen him, you can't un-see him.

I know....Ouch!!!

We walked over 6 km's today according to Dar's My Tracks app. We visited the French Market, had a superb cappuccino and had lunch at Pat O'briens. Just a beer and wine with lunch though. No Hurricanes (if you haven't heard of a Pat O'briens Hurricane, look it up) because we are planning to go back in tonight. Not possible after drinking a Hurricane in the afternoon.
I won't bore you with pictures of flowery balconies and such. I'm sure you've seen it all before. Besides, my camera does a great job of underexposing street scenes in shadow and it was in fine form today.
Maybe I'll get some good pics tonight. No more tu-tu's, I promise.
Son of a gun we're gonna have big fun on the bayou.

Just got back from round 2.
This was Bourbon Street tonight.

We dropped into a little jazz bar, great band, here's a taste. 

And finally, I know I promised "no more" but I'm starting to see a trend here. These guys are wearing what appear to be coolie hats and tu-tu's. I'm obviously missing something because I just don't get it. Fashion statement?

Good night. 

And it Just Keeps Getting Better

A few days ago I posted a $22.49 1.75 litre bottle of CC.
Look what I found yesterday....

...and the $3 discount applied, so bottom line was $16.99
$17 US, $59 CDN....what is wrong with this picture. 

So, we're at Gulf State Park in Alabama. By far the most expensive State Park we have seen so far at $46 per night.
It's a large facility with lots of amenities and would have had free WiFi had it not been taken out by lightning recently.

The beach is HUGE but more crowded than what we have grown accustomed to in Florida..... : )

This place also has the mother of all fishin' piers.

Some of the locals here take their pier fishin' very seriously.

Tomorrow its off to New Orleans, hopefully.....
I say hopefully because the Unit may need a little TLC. It has started to creak and groan at every dip in the road. We have an appointment tomorrow morning at the local Spartan Chassis shop for a look see. Hoping for a quick fix.

When it rains, it pours

We left Carrabelle yesterday morning. It had rained all night and it was raining and blowing hard when we packed up. Hooking up the CR-V in the rain was a real treat.
We headed west on Hwy 98 and just after we passed through Apalachicola, (where the Seafood Festival had been) the sky turned black and it REALLY started to rain.
I pulled off the highway in the parking lot of a small warehouse operation. We had to leave when the water beside us at the truck loading docks reached the top of the loading dock, about 4 ft.
Weather radar showed a small break in the storm coming our way and were able to follow this area of light(er) rain all the way to Panama City.
I took a pic of the phone showing the storm and break in it. We are the blue dot inside the circle.

We are now in Grayton Beach State Park. Nice place but haven't explored it much yet, too wet.
It rained most of last night as well but has stopped this morning. Hoping for some sun this afternoon.
Tomorrow we head to Alabama and the Redneck Riviera.

Killer heat and good food

I promised a picture of the "doesn't get any better than this" beach bar. It's called Paddy's. After going there 4 nights in a row, last night I was entitled to order "the usual". The usual was a Stella, a Coors lite and a dozen raw oyster.
This is the bar.

And this is Darlene with yet another dozen.

We spent some time at the beach yesterday.

There's a reason they call this the Lost Coast of Florida.... There aren't a lot of people, condo's or shopping malls. Pine trees outnumber palms 100 to one. We had the beach to ourselves for a mile in each direction on numerous occasions.

We just went through 5 days of mid 30's temps and mid 90's humidity. Abnormally hot for this time of year in the Florida panhandle.

The boat did see salt water but the motor was unable. It seems the owner neglected to replace the water pump impeller on a timely basis so no cooling water for the motor, no boat ride with outboard power. We did paddle the canoe around a bit but decided to return to shore in the face of unfavorable winds and currents. (an inflatable canoe has the aqua-dynamics of a brick). I was so choked I didn't even take a picture to show proof of a (technically) completed bucket list item. I have however obtained the offending part and will hopefully have it installed soon.

A sunset pic or two.

Took these last night. Sorry about the flares (Dave), cheap camera.

Today we left St George Island State Park and are now at the Ho-Hum RV Park in Carrabelle FL. Andy, You may remember this place from about 15 years ago.

We are parked 15 ft from the water.

The main reason we stayed in this area was the Florida Seafood Festival, which started today in Apalachicola. We got there around 4 PM. We were not disappointed. Although there are numerous artists selling their wares, this party is all about seafood!!! 

This is what we brought back to the Unit for dinner tonight and probably tomorrow.

Deep fried clam strips (Bucket List!!),Gator on a stick, Jambalaya, frog legs, a giant crab cake and a Greek salad.

Life is good. Bye for now.

Still on the island

We now have 2 days left here. The reservation was for 5 days. Would probably stay longer but the place is very popular and getting a few additional nights now would be impossible. 
The Florida Seafood Festival starts Friday in Apalachicola (hope I spelled it right), a few miles from here on the mainland, adding to the demand for RV sites. 
We leave the day it starts but we booked 2 nights in a place about 25 miles east of the festival, the Ho-hum RV Park in Carrabelle, FL, so we'll definitely be checking out the festival. 
Apalachicola is a town of 2,500 which is overrun by "tens of thousands" for the festival every year. Sounds like a real blast. 
Incidentally, 90 percent of Florida's oysters come from this area.
The little town of Eastpoint is about 20 minutes from here and has a great raw bar. Darlene had taken care of half the plate before I could get my camera out.

We're going back there today. It's the epitome of a Florida beach bar, even though its not actually on the beach. Must get a picture for you.

And speaking of beaches, took Tara to one on Monday. She didn't know quite what to make of it. She got her feet wet, drank a bit and stuck her nose in a jellyfish (no harm done).
We will take her again today and maybe a ball for her to fetch, ha, ha... Tara doesn't fetch, its beneath her.

It was cloudy yesterday so we didn't take the boat out. Today its going to be 31 degrees and its all ready to go.

Just tied it on the roof. The boat launch is just a mile or two from here.

No shortage of wildlife in the park.These guys are everywhere and you can get within a few feet of them.

There are cormorants here too and supposedly alligators but haven't seen any yet.

And finally, I just had to post this one. The sand is like pavement at the water's edge. You could ride for hours. All you can hear is the surf and the shells crunching under your tires. Gotta love it

Must go now. Its 27 degrees outside and the humidity is at 92. Time to hit the beach.

The Gulf

After 6 days we finally arrived at the Gulf of Mexico at Port St. Joseph. We were able to dodge nearly all the nasty weather over the last 2 days. It rained buckets 2 nights ago while we were parked at Walmart in Troy AL, near Montgomery. A few showers yesterday but mostly sunny and temps in the high 20's.

Our first view of the Gulf.

After Port St. Joseph it was still about another 50 miles to the park. We had to cross 2 very long bridges about 10 miles in total to get to St. George Island State Park.

In Canada we build something like this so we can get to PEI. Americans built this so they can get to the beach!!

This is our spot in the park. Nice pines for shade and you can hear the surf. Total distance to here was 1397 miles.

Went for a walk on the beach yesterday afternoon. Picked out a spot where we will set up our chairs and Umbrella tomorrow and have a beer or two and maybe read a book.
The sand here is very fine and pure white.

Well, that's it for now. Going to check out the boat ramp later today. Hope to cross one or two off the bucket list in the next few days.