Life in East Texas

Greetings Friends and Family


The Hamburger Store

Well, as you know we made it to Marshall,  TX and have been here for about two weeks now. In that time we have briefly visited Jefferson, TX and took a few pictures while doing a driving tour of the area's historic homes. We visited The Hamburger Store where we had a piece of caramel apple pie (that was all they had left) and Laurie was tempted to pluck a few dollars off of the walls, which were covered with  autographed dollar bills by tourists who have visited. We plan to go back to Jefferson and take a ride on the Historic Jefferson Railway, take a one hour bayou boat tour (for only $8), and maybe do the Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk, or the Jefferson Mule Drawn Wagon Tour. There are so many things to do and see, it's hard to choose.



Jefferson Mural

Memorial Fire Hall

McGarity's Saloon

Of course, we can't come all the way to East Texas and not visit Louisiana, since it's less than an hour away. We decided to take a day trip to Shreveport and visit The Horseshoe Casino and do a little gambling. (I saw my first armadillo but I didn't take a picture because it was roadkill).

When we signed up for the Players Club, I received a $10 free slot play and Laurie received a free buffet. What she really wanted was all the hundred dollar bills on the Million Dollar Wall, which is a long wall with 10,000 $100 bills, but it was protected by glass and security guards. The buffet was awesome (biggest and best I've ever seen)! I had fried catfish, hush puppies, gumbo, and a whole lot more, plus a piece of pecan pie for dessert. On the way home we noticed Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center, which would be like OMSI, in Portland, OR. So, we'll be going back to Shreveport in the near future.

Finally

Greetings Friends and Family

At last, at last, we're here at last! We arrived in Jefferson, TX on Thursday March 14 around 4pm. Well, okay it was earlier than that, but by the time we actually found an RV park to stay in it was 4pm. I won't tell you how mad Laurie was because I was supposed to be in charge of finding the park and let's just say that I probably won't have that responsibility again. But, it all worked out in the end and we are staying at Country Pines RV Park for the next month.

But let's back up to where I left off in my last blog. On March 10 (my 50th birthday) we stayed at the Desert Willow RV Park in Van Horn, TX. The next morning when we went to gas up we had to go to several different gas stations because everyone was out of gas. We were quite perplexed that Texas gas stations would be out of gas, go figure. March 11 found us spending the night in Midland/Odessa, TX at Midessa Oil Patch RV Park, and not because we wanted to.

My Honey Henry (which is what I named my RV) decided to have a blowout on the freeway again, this time it was the front driver side tire. Let me tell you how scary that was! I was in the right lane traveling about 60 mph on cruise control and heard a pop, all of a sudden my rig starts veering into the left lane almost to the median. I immediately slow down but don't want to slam on the brakes, at the same time I'm trying to control the steering wheel. Thank God there was no traffic around me! I'm also screaming into my radio for Laurie to stop, because she's driving on down the freeway oblivious to all the chaos happening behind her. I get the rig pulled over to the side of the road and Laurie walks back to where I am to make sure I'm okay. We called Coach-Net and within half an hour they had someone there to change my tire (Hector's T&W Tires out of Pecos, TX). Now that's what I call great customer service! We also had some great customer service at the Odessa Southern Tire Mart. It's around 4pm and we pull in there looking for some obscure tire size and they happened to have just one and they were able to install it right then and there for around $100. By that time we were ready to call it a day and the Oil Patch RV Park just happened to be around the corner. When you check in and they tell you, "Don't drink the water, you can shower with it, do dishes with it, cook with it, but you can't drink it", be afraid, be very afraid. 

On March 12 we had to find an RV park that had cable because I had to watch the debut of Hell's Kitchen. So, we found this nice little place in Mingus, TX called the Cactus Rose RV Park. On March 13 we decided to stop in Arlington, TX so I could get my free birthday burger at Red Robin. We checked in at the Treetops Carefree RV Resort and went to find the Red Robin, only to be told that they were not a participating restaurant. What a letdown! So, we stocked up on groceries and went back to the park and relaxed before the final leg of the trip.

So, stay tuned for what happens next!

On the Road

Greetings Friends and Family

Well, we've been on the road since Friday, March 1 and what a ride it's been! The first day we made it to Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, CA, but not without a minor hiccup. We stopped at a rest area just outside of Anderson, CA and my rig didn't want to re-start. After being on the phone with Good Sam Roadside Assistance for an hour Laurie finally got it started herself and off we went. Still on hold with Good Sam, I called back to tell them I no longer needed assistance and was put on hold again. I finally hung up, thinking they would call me back. Nope, for all they know I could have gotten mugged and killed and been lying alongside the road somewhere. The second day we stayed on the river at Merced River RV Park in Merced, CA. Laurie was apprehensive about the graffiti, but I wasn't concerned until I was awakened about 2am by a voice saying, "Step out of the vehicle and get on the ground!" When I opened my eyes I could see red and blue lights through the blinds, so I looked out the window not knowing what to expect and realized that they were using a bullhorn and doing a felony stop on the freeway. The third day we stayed at Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield, CA (they have orange trees at every site and you can pick your own oranges). Day four was quite eventful. First of all, Laurie somehow loses the keys to her travel trailer so she couldn't lock the door, consequently, we have to pull over several times because her trailer door would fly open on the freeway and be flapping in the wind. Oh but wait, there's more!  About half an hour from our destination I have a blowout on the freeway. I immediately pull over to the side of the road and hobble to the closest exit, which had no services, and called Good Sam Roadside Assistance once again. After being on the phone with Good Sam for 40 minutes I decide to call them when I get to my destination and I drive the rest of the way on three back tires (I have dually's on the back). It was slow going, but better than sitting in the hot sun on the freeway for who knows how long. We ended up staying at Avi Casino KOA in Laughlin, NV for three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). I got four new tires put on the back and I cancelled Good Sam Roadside Assistance and opted for Coach-Net Roadside Assistance. Oh, and Laurie got new keys made for her travel trailer (and a couple extras, just in case). While there, we took a day trip to Lake Havasu City and drove over the London Bridge. Days seven and eight we spent in Gila Bend at Augie's Quail Trail RV Park. The plan was to stay one night but the weather went a little crazy (wind, rain, hail, and snow). Right now we are at Butterfield Station RV Park just outside of Deming, NM and the destination for tomorrow is Van Horn, TX. Don't forget to set your clocks forward!