Day 19 April 30 Friday

Quiet day at the ole rv site. Jack very busy and I am just reading away. We had dinner at the casino’s buffet last night. It was an experience. Alaskan crab legs are the draw and the diners were crazy. They stacked their plates with 4 overflowing servings that they had to hold against their bellies and keep in place with their hand on top of them to getthe plates back to their tables. I just didn’t get it. There was plenty and they kept bringing more out. Too lazy to go back for seconds?? Also, there were at least 6 people who weighed at least 400 pounds. I never saw so much extreme obesity in one place, and all young people too. Very sad. So we didn’t enjoy it so much. This is a huge resort casino with big hotel, golf course, etc. Seems to be very popular. We had no luck with the few bucks we bet on computer poker and the slots.
Dreary and drizzling all day so unable to enjoy sitting out. Local paper focused on the negative impact of the oil spill. Not looking good for people who are barely recovered from Katrina.

Day 18 April 29 Thursday

Made it as far as the new Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis MS. Beautiful, huge rv park. We haven't been to the casino yet. The major restaurant hasn't opened yet so it must be really new. We took a road around on the south side of the Mississippi from New Orleans to go to a museum for the people who settled here from the Canary Islands. I read about them in a great book on New Orleans. However, the place looked empty and deserted. There was construction of new buildings behind it so maybe they are renovating after Katrina or something. Took a lot of time to get there so too bad. Anyway, ended up taking a ferry across the Mississippi. The school bus crosses by ferry every day. We had to wait for the coal barge to pass before we could cross.

Day 17 April 28 Wednesday

Lazy day for me with Jack hard at it with his law work. We ate at RikRak last night. It's the Japanese restaurant at Shorty's Casino. We ended up having a series of appetizers that include a special plate with little ribs, edame, crab egg rolls. Followed by oysters on the half shell, and then lobster/shitake mushroom spring rolls. With a little sake and wine we were almost full but had room for dessert. Pineapple flan. I don't know how they got the delicate pineapple flavor in the flan but it was sinfully delicious. Topped with a crispy, think slice of pineapple, huge raspberries and strawberries dipped in chocolate. It was served on this huge square plate with a very shallow center square. The flan was very thinly spread out over the center. So-o-o-o good,

Day 16 April 27 Tuesday

We made it make to one of our favorite places – Cypress Bayou/Shorty’s Casino near Baldwin, LA. We took the scenic byway route which was scenic – rice fields, crop dusters, and quite a bit of other rural action. However, the road was so bumpy and rough we were driving less than 50 mph about 50% of the time. We’re in no hurry, so no big deal except it sounded like everything in every cupboard and closet of this rv was rearranged. We are going to stay two nights so Jack can get some law work done and I can “house clean” a little. I love reading books on my Nook. We've decided to drive a day and rest a day the rest of the way home.

Day 15 April 26 Monday

As usual, started out with a good breakfast in Victoria and ended up in Orange TX which is right at the TX/LA border in a so-so rv park. A sign in the restaurant was, “My reality check bounced”. Too cute. It was a very interesting range of customers and servers. Think somebody could write a book and never leave the restaurant. It was across the street from a huge medical center. One table with 6-8 good old boys who I am sure have breakfast there every day. By the way, in Texas, the Florida snowbirds are called “winter Texans”. We can easily find rv sites because they have gone north.
The drive to Galveston was pretty boring. Did have some stretches where we could see the gulf, but primarily corn fields and bayous that don’t look like Louisiana bayous—more like creeks. There are huge plants, one for olefins and polymers (products of oil I assume) and another that we assumed was nuclear because you were not allowed to stop along the road for 4 miles. There were also several shrimp boat marinas and crawfish farms. Otherwise, it was a pretty boring ride, some huge cornfields and a Nature/Wildlife Preserve. We didn’t even see a bird.
We kind of zipped through Galveston, my foot was very sore today. Jack said I overdid the mission yesterday. We took the ferry from Galveston to the Bolivar Peninsula. That was fun and free. See the pictures. The hurricane damage is very evident. Some new buildings and it looks like either new or repaired homes that are empty. Several make-shift rv camps which we assumed were former residents rebuilding. We agreed that it is the part of the US we don’t really care if we come back to. I can probably say the same for TX in general. People are very nice but just miles and miles and miles to get from one place to another. I said to Jack, if we every consider doing CA again, we are taking the northern route, whatever that turns out to be.

Day 14 April 25 Sunday

We made it as far as Victoria TX with a short stop in San Antonio to see the “queen of the missions”, Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo which was begun in 1720. Excellent orientation movie about how the Franciscans “recruited” the hunter/gather Indian tribes to protect them from Apaches, etc. Several families lived at the mission/presidio and did all the work of building it, farming, etc. while being converted and enculturated. Seems like it didn't take very well. The missionaries were very discouraged to find them participating in their Indian rituals. It is still functioning as a parish although a national park. There was a mariachi mass while I was there so I couldn’t get inside. I did walk with my cane as much as I could to get some pictures while listening to the music. The lighting was so good today.
Uneventful ride to Victoria, road was pretty bumpy. Did see the Coleto Creek Power Station which is coal-fired , near Fannin, Texas. It is HUGE. Victoria is the only place in TX that the six flags actually flew over: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederacy, and USA. We’re going to head towards Galveston because we have never been there but the lady here at the rv park said it still is being rebuilt after the last hurricane in 2008.

Day 13 April 24 Saturday

Another change of plans. With my new ankle dysfunction, that leaves the two of us with one good leg. We decided that wasn't good enough to continue on this trip so we are headed home - again. I think there is some jinx about us getting to California by rv. I guess we will have to fly. This just officially became the TX trip.
We are just west of San Antonio and plan to go along the TX coast to get back home - expecting to take a week or more. We drove through the hill country again. Really beautiful, but boring. We practically had the whole road to ourselves.
Jack again found a very nice rv park and so we are just taking it easy with my foot elevated and iced. We will just play it by ear and see what I am able to do. in the next day or so. Loaded with excedrin, a little booze, and an ice pack to top things off so feeling better. Also bought a cane to help keep the weight off my foot.
Also noticed, by the way, that the only time other guys in the rv park come to talk to Jack is after I go inside. What's with that?? This is second evening, someone has inquired about his good smelling cigars to start conversations. I told him he needs to become a rep for Thompson Cigars. Their mail order house is based in Tampa and Jack goes to their store for his supply.

Day 12 April 23 Friday

Bummer. My right ankle has been hurting a little since Wednesday when a pingpong ball-sized lump appeared on the inside of my ankle. Seemed better on Thurs but worse this am. I decided I better have it checked out before we leave town with the weekend on us. I called one of the PTs in town who was very nice and told me to call the only orthopedic practice in town (still in Fredericksburg). The doctor who was in was only seeing patients until 10. We made our way there and he was nice enough to squeeze me in and take an x-ray. No stress fracture but thought it was severe tendinitis. I thought bursitis but truth be told, everything is inflammed and bruised looking although I didn't bump it or twist it. Just too much walking in my MBTs I think. He gave me cortisone injection. Very gracious. His son was an art student at Sarasota and they just came back from Naples about a week ago.
We continued on to San Angelo TX to visit the Fort Concho Museum. We were the only ones on the tour and the guide took us around on a golf cart. Extremely knowledgeable, he got his MS in history at San Angelo College. You could tell he really loves it and we learned the truth about soldiers on the plains after the Civil War as opposed to the Hollywood version. They are working very hard to restore everything as money allows. The restoration of the fort was begun by a single woman with determination in the 1920’s. They have some event every month, to reenactments,etc. They are very dependent on volunteers. Mesquite trees throughout the post were beautiful. One is more than 140 years old. By the way, there was no wall around the fort. It was so isolated, they could see anyone coming for miles, and it was so well armed and manned, no one tried anything. San Angelo developed as a town servicing the soldiers, then railroad, etc.
The ride from Fredericksburg was so scenic as we moved from the hill country ranches to the farms of the plains. The wildflowers are in full bloom and just beautiful, especially the blue bonnets. The area around San Angelo is getting ready to plant cotton and it is the sheep capital of something or other. They have sheep art work all over town like they have moose painted to represent different themes in New England towns. The other industry in these parts is deer hunting – big time. There are sport ranches, stores, etc. devoted to the sport and we have seen these big "barrels" up on stilts that are deer feeders.

Day 11 April 22 Thursday

We spent the whole day at the National Museum of the Pacific War that included the Nimitz Museum which used to be the old Nimitz family hotel. I found it all very confusing. And who even knows how to spell Nimitz. We saw it in the museum as Nemetz, Nimetz, and Nemitz. Don’t know why, but this really annoyed me. George Bush Sr was at the opening ceremony and the major exhibit room is named after him. The Plaza of Presidents has a monument for each president from Roosevelt to GB the first. The bronze plaques show them all in their military uniforms except FDR and Truman. I don’t think FDR served and Truman was in WWI and I don’t think that counts in this museum. I learned about Truman on my last trip. Clinton and Obama didn’t have military service and as I recall George Bush II’s service was in the National Guard. The point is, heavy military influence on our presidents until recently. Good thing or not? I don’t know?? Pix is of bird that Jack spotted in one of the cannons and the top of a submarine at the entrance.
We both agreed that the WWII Museum in New Orleans is much better. A great deal of info here however. Just seemed like a hodge podge that I couldn’t figure out but it may be that it was just that kind of war. Many bus tours and visitors of the age to have actually been in the Pacific during WWII. I don’t know what it was – maybe just me, but it wasn’t clicking and I usually really like museums. Had lunch in the same German restaurant we ate in last night. As Jack says, it is good but not as good as our favorite Bavarian Village in Dania FL. Everyone seems to have their own regional twist on the same ethnic dish.
It was a good museum day. The weather is very drizzly and windy. We are headed out tomorrow. Generally, we have decided to go towards Albuquerque and Santa Fe and then hang a right and head towards Aspen to see the grandkids, etc. We will then fly to CA from Denver and rent a car to see northern CA, Jack’s cousin in Napa Valley, etc. We will then decide our route home after we fly back to Denver.

Day 10 April 21 Wednesday

We are in Fredericksburg TX after a very full day. We started out with breakfast at the Chrome Cactus in Johnson City. It’s a very small place with only 4 tables in one room and about the same in an adjoining room. We think we disrupted the morning routine of the regulars that included the sheriff. Believe it or not, the women who came in, went into the adjoining room although there were seats available. In other words I was the only woman in the “men’s” dining room. Each guy had a pickup of course and two with dogs in the back.
Onward from there to the national park for the LBJ Texas Whitehouse about 15 miles west. He was born here, lived for a while in Johnson City, and then bought the adjoining property of one of his relatives while he was in Congress. The self-guided tour takes you across the ranch, along the Perdanales River, etc. Just beautiful hill country. It is still a working ranch with Hereford cattle and some mohair sheep. The profits go to the National Park Service to manage the site. Huge oaks as you see in the picture. By the way, we saw in the Austin paper that Luci Baines, LBJ’s younger daughter was struck with Guillian Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. The ranger said she had been transferred to the Mayo Clinic. Too bad. Apparently she is very active in the LBJ Foundation, etc. I think it is another one of those cases where Lady Bird’s family had the bucks and LBJ married into money. The ranger also said that the Baines family supports Baylor U.
On our way to Fredericksburg, we came across the Wildflower Farms. Huge spread with garden shops, winery, live music etc. I enjoyed browsing.
We have a great rv spot in Fredericksburg. I walked and Jack rode the scooter the 1.25 miles to the main street. We just window shopped most of the afternoon. Everything seems very pricey. We are surprised that there were so many people at the LBJ ranch, the wildflower stop, and in town for a Wednesday. We don’t know if it is normal or not. We are going to spend tomorrow at the new, apparently huge, Museum of the Pacific WW II which is an expansion of the Nemetz museum. Admiral Nemetz was from Fredericksburg.
It is one historic building after another along Main St here. The farmers/ranchers from the surrounding area used to have houses in town for the weekends. These are now converted into shops, wineries, restaurants. My sister and I were here a few years ago and if I remember correctly, there has been a great deal of development in a positive way. So we ate in a German restaurant, what else. The hill country was settled by German immigrants in the mid 1800s.

Day 9 April 20 Tuesday

We made it about 40 miles west of Austin to Johnson City, TX. Spent the day in Austin at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. He was a famous, beloved TX politician. Great museum that seems pretty new. Well organized, lots of info. So much to know, so little time.  Photography not allowed so just a picture out front that Jack took. Jack is wearing me out in museums. He takes his time to read everything now that he is scooter mobile. Meanwhile I am walking and standing all of those hours. Oh well, glad he is enjoying so much more than he was able to using his canes.
Ride to Johnson City was easy and we are in a very nice, homey type of rv park. Plan to do the LBJ ranch etc tomorrow and then on to Fredericksburg.

Day 8 April 19 Monday

We got up early to get into town in time for 90 minute tour of Austin. We were lucky and got parking place on the street. Jack had called the police the night before to confirm handicapped parking was permitted anywhere and it was for unlimited time. Because we were very early, decided to go into the Driskill Hotel on the corner. Turned out it is a historical site. Beautiful lobby and great breakfast in their cafe named 1886, the year the hotel was built. Jack and I shared their house special eggs Benedict made with ham, boursin cheese on a croissant. Need I say more. We also ordered the house bakery specials – banana nut bread , and the cinnamon roll which was made from the same croissant dough. Need I say more. Despite the temptations I am staying low carb pretty well.
The tour began in what used to be an old pharmacy that O. Henry worked in when he was young. The tour was in a small van – max of 11 people. Partly audio narrated and partly info supplied by the driver. Ninety minutes was a stretch. There is just not that much in Austin to see. It is more about the ambiance –Keep Austin Weird. Did see posh section where Lance Armstrong and Dennis Quaid live. Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaghy (sp?) also have homes here. At the other end, there are many street people, whatever the word is for hippies in 2010, and bicyclists. The big industry is Silicon Hills-computer tech stuff. There is an airline that just goes from Silicon Hills and Silicon Valley CA.
Speaking of hills, they make getting around very difficult, compounded by the layout of the streets which spoke from the capitol. Our new Garmin is working great so able to negotiate all of that. The hills are very green. Pines and juniper. Driver said there are more allergists per capita than any other city in the USA because of “cedar fever” although the trees are juniper. Someone erred and it stuck.
We made our way to LBJ museum/library on the U of Texas campus which is the other big industry. Huge. The museum was really good and Jack's first official use of this electric scooter. Went well and wore me out because he looked at ever-r-rything, as opposed to sitting and waiting for me. The exhibits chronicle the years from his birth to death. As you move through the decades, music is heard from that era and the backdrops of the LBJ stuff is presentation of what was happening then. Nicely done. He enacted over 1000 pieces of legislation to contribute to the Great Society, 60 related to education. He wanted to be known as the education president. His first job was at Mexican-American school. Really is amazing what he got Congress to pass from civil rights to Medicare. He was the ultimate politician as we know. I was reminded of the turbulence while he was prez –assassinations of two Kennedys and Martin Luther King, etc. Unfortunately all of the good stuff was overshadowed by Viet Nam. It is amazing how much he accomplished in one term. One of the interesting things was that George Forman’s championship belt is there because if it wasn’t for the Job Corps that Johnson created, he would have not succeeded. He felt the belt belonged to Johnson. Touching. Picture is of the actual archives. Noticed several places where volumes were missing so I guess scholars/authors reallly do use them.
Very dreary day but no rain. Needed our coats and Jack just came in because too cold to sit out this evening.

Day 7 April 18 Sunday

Very, very heavy thunderstorm early this AM. We waited for it to pass before we left for Austin. We made a little detour to go to Dime Box, TX. Don’t ask – it’s related to some ongoing joke on Jack’s solosez attorney listserve about Bubba Leroy, Esq who has an office in a broken-down car behind the bar in Dime Box, TX. Couldn’t find it. HaHa. Picture is of "downtown". Saw lots of black angus and some horse farms along a very well paved but deserted two-lane highway – except for church folks. Lutheran is the predominant denomination in these parts.
We stopped for brunch as we neared Austin. We thought that because there were lots of cars late Sunday morning, it would be a good place. Mom’s Place in Tampa much, much better. We waited about 20 minutes and then it was served cold. Jack ate it anyway but I sent mine back. Another long wait. It can’t be good all the time and it wasn’t cheap.
There was a lot of traffic but we finally made it to the rv park which is 20 miles from downtown. With a stop for coke and water and registering, it was about 2:00 when we got all settled. So we will make our way downtown tomorrow. This is a new park, huge. Just did the laundry and we had Chinese food delivered. Very cloudy and only in the 60s all day.

Day 6 April 17 Sat

Well, we had planned to be in Austin TX today but forecasting rain and we could not make rv reservation. Everything all booked up for 2 music festivals. So we just stayed another day here at Lake Somerville. Lots of action which inludes fishermen, jet skiers, and lots of doggies. Our rv neighbor was teaching his Labrador retriever to fetch in the water. They also caught a lot of fish today. Many people just come to spend the day with the people who have the rvs, so there is a lot to “observe”. Anyway, it was overcast but very pleasant so outdoors all day. I read a book using the nook. Really like it.
I forgot to report on our breakfast yesterday. We stopped in what looked like a pretty shabby casino/truck stop but the restaurant looked promising. Jack had the best pancakes he ever ate. They were so big they had to serve them on a platter. He could not finish the short stack. The bacon was perfectly cooked the way he likes. I had a huge omelet with ham, cheese, and veggies that I couldn’t finish. It was served with a biscuit that was bigger than a baseball but smaller than a cantaloupe. This plus 2 coffees and we were surprised to learn we got the senior 10% discount so it was only $13. The casino was packed with truckers and locals. All slots.
Picture reflects what I said yesterday about Texans. As I walked around, I could only see TX license plates. Just started raining, so we are probably inside for the evening – cribbage and maybe a DVD movie.

Day 5 April 16 Friday

We ended at Sumerville Lake TX which is a Civil Corps of Engineers spot. Beautiful as they all are. Started out in TX at their hospitality center at the border. Just wonderful with a boardwalk that is a path into the swamp. Would not believe you are at the interstate except for the sound of traffic passing. We totally bypassed Beumont TX and took state route 105 to avoid Houston all together. It’s about 50 miles north of Houston. Great smooth road although two-lane part of the way. The interstate is very rough. Went through Cut & Shoot, TX (very small town) and Lake Conroe which is a huge lake with lots of marinas etc. Kind of touristy with many, many very small churches and flea markets along the way there. Lots of new development. Also see more TX than US flags in front of houses, rvs, etc. This is definitely Ford pickup country. Fields are wonderful with Blue Bonnets and other wild flowers. Hope to get some pix when it is sunnier.
The area from Lake Conroe to Somerville Lake is more upscale with horse farms and cattle ranches. Kind of like Ocala FL really. Somerville Lake is beautiful and fishing seems to be the thing. Our rv neighbors are setting up their night lights for fishing. Much more natural than Lake Conroe. Unfortunately it is overcast so pictures only so so of Jack in his glory and a bird under the rv. We are having steaks that we bought, believe it or not, in a small BP gas station in Gautier MS that had a section for the local packing house. It's a tiny little town. They had lots of lunch business in the few tables they had for serving their deli food as well. We had pork chops from there last night that were yummy.

Day 4 April 15 Thurs

Quite a day. First of all, had a minor flood in the rv because cap on a line burst off. Got that under control but had to make a stop at the casino to use the facilities since the water was turned off. On the way out, Jack says let me try just one hand of Black Jack. He bet and was dealt 2 tens. Split them, and believe it or not, was dealt two more tens and those 20s beat the dealer. So walked out with $20 profit. That made up for the mess earlier.
We decided to backtrack to Morgan City where there is the International Petroleum Museum. Morgan City appears to be the birth of off shore oil drilling. We were able to take a tour of “Mr Charlie” which was the first mobile off shore drilling platform and it came from there. We were only the only 2 on the tour. Jack able to climb 58 very steep steps at one point, plus others. That's him in the picture sitting on the hook that lifts the pipes into the hole for drilling. It is also a training/orientation center for new or potential off-shore workers to make sure they really like it before committing to potentially 21 days on/off a rig.
Learned a lot and of course the guide very biased about the advantages of off shore drilling and how US policies are keeping people from potential jobs etc. Did not know that they drilled then moved the whole platform to a new place once the pipes were laid to transport the oil to land.
Left there and took the scenic route to get back to I-10. Through rice fields as far as you can see. Saw a crop duster doing fancy dips and turns. There was also a rice research center. We have ended up at another casino – one of the Isle of Capri chain in Lake Charles LA. At least 2 other casinos nearby that are more posh than this one but this is the one with an rv site for $10.
Very close to western border of state so we will be in TX tomorrow. Headed towards Austin.

Day 3 April 14 Wed

Spent all day just chillin’ out. Jack doing law work. I read this great little book, The Supreme’s Greatest Hits, about the Supreme Court, Obama, etc. An easy, interesting read. Learned a lot. So, overall a great day although some rain showers and very windy which limited the time we could be outside the rv. Took a long, long walk in between the showers which was great.
We had dinner at Mr. Lester’s in the Cypress Bayou Casino. Wonderful porterhouse steak for two. Too bad no dog along with us on this trip to enjoy the bone. Just like the last time we ate there, it was worth the ride just for the meal. By the way, Mr. Lester is the oldest member of the tribe that owns the casino - Chitimacha. We asked but no seemed to know why there are 2 casinos joined by a long walkway – Shorty’s which is open 24/7 and the Cypress Bayou that opens at 11 every day and is a little more upscale. The rv park is part of Shorty’s. We did notice along route 90 a lot of casinos that are within gas stations. We have to find out more about that too. Didn’t have the courage or time to stop in to see what that is all about.
We played poker on the computers in the lounge with free drinks and then Jack went crazy in their bakery/deli with pralines, doughnuts, etc. This was in addition to the leftover steak, mushrooms, and a plate of “amuse bouche" or "lagniappe" maybe in LA. Anyway it is a little something extra treat that included chocolate covered strawberries, pralines, and some custardy pastries. We could not eat these treats after the most yummy cheesecake I ever had. Melt in your mouth yet firm and creamy. The server said it was JUST cream cheese. There is more to that recipe I assure you. That meal was my last major carbohydrate splurge for a long time. They served 7 or 8 different types of rolls, etc with 4 herbal butters. To die for. I just could not resist a little taste of all of that.

Day 2 April 13 Tues

Well, first thing this am we made our way to the Falling Waters which were barely more than a trickle but they are the highest waterfall in Florida at 322 ft.-- only because the sink hole beneath it is so deep I think. But it really is a beautiful park and lots of exercise up and down those 320 feet of "mountain" trails.
Headed out about 11 AM and decided we could make it all the way to Cypress Bayou Casino where we had stayed before. It’s about 100 miles west of New Orleans. And we did make it, arriving about 7 PM. The traffic around New Orleans was very congested and slow. There is lots and lots of new development all along from Mobile AL to Biloxi MS and New Orleans so that’s all good. On our last trip through everything still seemed pretty much leveled, post Katrina.
Had dinner at casino. $6.95 for 12 fried shrimp, local stuff with the trimmings. Jack had even more in the shell for the same price. Can’t beat that. They charge $10/night for the rv site, gave each of us a $10 credit to gamble with and I got another $15 for showing up in the month of my birthday.
We are just going to chill tomorrow after all that interstate driving and have dinner at Mr. Lester’s in the casino.

Day 1 of Part 11 April 12

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME PART II. We left about 11:15 this AM and made it to Chipley FL which is about 20 miles farther that we made it in “California Here We Come Part I” last month. It was a gorgeous day with very little traffic on I-75 and I-10 which are lined with wild flowers in spring bloom. Very pretty. We ended up in Falling Waters State Park which is the highest point in FL at 324 ft. Don’t laugh. We are going to drive over to see the falls etc in the am so I will have pix tomorrow. Beautiful park in pine trees and can see the stars. I took a long walk along the forest path. Just great. So we are off to a good start with the WeeTwo (our name for the rv) just purring along. Perhaps I can thank my sister for giving me a St. Christopher’s medal and guardian angel for travel for my birthday last Saturday.