March 30 Wednesday to March 31 Thursday, in New Orleans…

Well, we survived the night, lots of thunder storms and rain all night long.  Three tornados’s touched down just 20 miles south of us!!  Really not nice!

There was 3.59” of rain from 7pm to 7am, we were flooded around our site, lawn chairs stored under the motorhome, soaked, carpet soaked, so today was a clean up day and we just tried to dry out and recover from the night.  No sun most of the day which made it difficult as we are California sun babies!!  This is the first real down pour of rain that we have faced since San Francisco on October 24^th 2010 when it rained just like this all day and night.  Reading books worked well today!

March 31 Thursday looks so much better and we booked the paddle boat/Steamboat Natchez lunch Jazz Cruise of the Mississippi River at 11 o’clock for 2 hours.  It was wonderful, narrated and very interesting.  However, our sky was still overcast with coolish temperatures.  Lunch was very good and we were docked by 1:30 and began touring the French Quarter again.  We walked

Royal Street

and it was all arts, then back up to

Bourbon Street

and a nice jazz park at the beginning, but soon turned to trash trash trash!  We are totally amazed that during the storm the other night, when we were running in the flooded streets that we did not brake an ankle or worse! We took the 4 o’clock bus back to the park and sat outside discussing the day and the plan for tomorrow, which is a 6 person airboat ride on the bayou! They are promising us crocodiles!

Tomorrow is April 1^st, April Fools Day….what will happen tomorrow???

Hugs

R&B

Looking forward to good internet so I can send pictures!

March 28 Monday to Tuesday March 29th New Orleans

We left Baton Rouge without seeing much of the city; we just didn’t have the energy to drive anymore yesterday.  Monday we drove to Hammond on Highway 12 to a Walmart stop, another $100 worth of groceries and we were on our way down Hwy #55 to Hwy #10 off on Louisa Street and down France to the Pontchartrain Landing RV Park which is right on Lake Pontchartrain. (Was a little hairy)  We are set up now for 7 days and it looks like we will need all that time just to see and do all there is to do around here.

Highway #55 was a really great ride, as it cuts down the centre of Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, with the swap and alligators on both sides of the road!

We were set up by 1:00, had lunch, then sat outside in the shade and enjoyed the wonderful warm sun and chats with our neighbours.

Tuesday we took the park shuttle into the French Quarter and were dropped off just a block from the Gray Line Bus depot for the 11:00am Katrina / City Tour, 2 ½ hours of incredible sights. The devastation left behind after Katrina that is not yet repaired and the romance of New Orleans except for the smell of garbage was everywhere; the streets are in a state of disrepair; the sidewalks are treacherous.  We finished the tour at 2:00 and went for a light lunch as we wanted to have a New Orleans Cajun supper.  As we walked around the French Quarter, we stopped for a “hurricane” drink – we shared one as it was a triple short!  We walked a little more then stopped at the Crescent City Brewing Company for another brake. By then it was getting onto 5:30 and we started walking to “Montrel’s” on North Peters Street for supper and we were not disappointed.  On route we took a ½ hour donkey/carriage ride around the French Quarter and that was very interesting, but the sky was getting blacker and blacker.

B and L shared a one pound order of boiled crawfish and one pound proved to be enough. They followed that up with a seafood pasta dish.  I (not liking seafood) enjoyed the 10 oz. Rib Eye Steak, garlic mashed and sautéed green beans.  It was wonderful, but B helped me finish it!!  During supper the thunderstorm started, first with just rumbles in the distance, then they were on top of us and the skies opened up and the rain came down in buckets!  We had to walk about 4 blocks to where the bus was picking us up.  Well, it was just wild, the streets were flooding and we were walking and running in water above our ankles. We all got drenched!  The bus came right at 8 pm and we were all so glad to see it, everyone wanted the heat put on and the driver obliged.  We were home by 8:30 and got into dry clothing and just unwound the rest of the evening and thought “Oh what a day”

(poor internet so no pictures)
Hugs
R&B

March 26 Sunday Monday, March 27 in East Baton Rouge….

We decided to skip Lafayette and go straight to Baton Rouge about 128 miles away.  We left with cloud and fog but arrived after several stops, at the Baton Rouge KOA for the night.  (Just have to say it was not a good trip in, as we made two stops, unhitched the cars, got turned around …not good, but we did get out of that park)  That being said, we are here at the KOA, had a wonderful relaxing afternoon and we’re looking forward to our 80 mile drive to New Orleans tomorrow where we will stay seven days at Pontchartrain Landing, waterfront RV Park in downtown New Orleans.  We are however, a week early, so we are planning the extra days somewhere along the line…

Hugs

R&B

March 24 TX Thursday to March 25 we made it to Louisiana!

Thursday was just a relax day, B went to Walmart to try to sort out his Tracfone, I went to Target to do a little shopping, B went out for a hair cut and the rest of the day we just relaxed.  I started a new book John Sandford “Dark of the Moon” it’s his first with Virgil Flowers, however I have read one later book.  Sure is starting out good.   B and I went back to Robert and Kathryn’s this evening for a final visit and one more pool game.  B & R got beat badly!  We said our farewell till the summer, when they think they might be in Ottawa.  Friday, we’re off to Lake Charles/Westlake, Louisiana about 160 miles from Dickinson, TX.  We drove out Hwy 146 to the 45 into Galveston, took the ferry to Bolivar Peninsula and travelled Hwy 37 to Hwy 124 to I-10.  We did stop at the South Texas State Fairgrounds for lunch and were given free tickets to the fair, so decided we should take time out and just go!  We enjoyed our walk about for an hour in overcast sky but the temperature was 80!  Nice! We then continued up Hwy I-10 to Lake Charles district into Westlake and the Whispering Meadow RV Park, Westlake, Louisiana.  We arrived in Texas Feb. 19 and departed March 25, so we have had a good tour!

Hugs

R&B

Thanks for the great memories you two!

Ferry ride to Bolivar Peninsula TX

Texas State Fair Grounds, overcast but 80+ degrees

Ok slow internet tonight so that's all!

Night Night

March 20 Sunday to March 23, Wednesday…still outside Houston TX

Sunday was a gorgeous day, 82 sunny with a breeze blowing instead of a wind. (That’s the weeks forecast 82-86) Went for groceries and came back so B can rest up and try to get over his cold. Monday we went to the Texas City Dike, 5 miles of seawall to protect Galveston Bay, then back over to Galveston, and the Seawall this time the sun was shining, travelled it from start to finish at Stewart Beach.  We went out to the ferry to Bolivar Peninsula to check it out as we may depart that way.  Then went back to the seawall and had a wonderful lunch at Miller’s Grill.  From there we went out to Pelican Island and saw the retired USS Stewart!  Tuesday at 11 o’clock we arrived at Robert and Kathryn’s.  Kathryn was working but Robert took the day off to be with us.  We hung out and chatted, had a tour of their beautiful home, walk the mile long walking trail around their subdivision, then went for a drive to Seabrook where they used to live.  At 4:30 we had our appointment at “The Gun Room” indoor gun range.  Robert brought his hand guns for us to shoot.  One: Smith & Weston, 44 magnum, Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry gun!  Two: 40 Smith & Weston HK compacted hand gun and last but not least # Three: 380 shell Keltek small pocket size hand gun.    BOTH OF US SHOT ALL THREE WEAPONS!!!  I was pretty apprehensive but I was so glad Robert convinced me to go ahead just try!!!!  This was a first for both of us and we have our target practice charts, bullet holes and all to bring home!!! Plus we had a great supper and pool game.  Wednesday, we drove up on Highway #6 to Hwy 290 to Cypress, north/west Huston to the Houston Outlet Mall, did a little shopping, had a little lunch then worked our way back through downtown Houston to League City getting home just in time for Happy Hour.  What a god awful big city and we have seen enough!!

Thursday, not sure what’s on the agenda.  Great pictures for you tonight as we have great internet!  Sister Shirley, it was great talking to your again!

Hugs

R&B

Robert in front of their beautiful home in League City

Robert's bird!!!!!

Here we go, about to experience a FIRST!

Getting ready for the shot at the Gun Room!

B and he shot with the Magnum

I did hit the target! because I had a good teacher...

R and her shot with the Magnum!!

Happy Hour at 318 Grand Creek Drive, Leauge City!!

Happy Hour ! joyful reunion with family.

OK it's pool time

Kathryn just gave it her best shot!

Lordy Lordy, it's now getting onto 11:00 pm, we are usually in bed at 10:00

He shots, he scores!!

Well, I gave it my best shot!!

OK game over!

and a wonderful day was had by all!

Night Night

March 16 Wednesday Palacios to Saturday March 19th, Dickinson, TX

Wednesday morning was sunny and not much wind so we left Rockport on Hwy #35 and travelled 70 miles to Palacios on the Matagorda Bay and we’ve decided to stay for two days. The park is called Bayside RV Park and it’s right on the Bay, so we have a wonderful water view.  This afternoon we went out for lunch and then went for a drive around part of the Bay and inland to Blessing then back to Palacios.  There are a lot of oil refineries, cattle farms, farm fields and fishermen here! The afternoon wind has started and we are hoping it will blow the Padre Island sand off the motorhome!  I’m getting over my cold but, B has started showing signs, so he is the forth and final person in the group to deal with a cold. This evening we sat outside and enjoyed happy hour and planned our next few days.  No internet on Wednesday or Thursday!

Thursday, found a hairdresser and got my hair cut plus got the laundry done. We enjoyed a sunny warm St. Patrick’s Day as a day off the road.

Mileage Update as at Palacios, TX:

Bus 7,411 miles, Car 6,663 miles = 14,074 miles total.

Friday we booked the Bay RV Resort, Hwy #35 to FM 517 http://www.bayrvpark.com/index.html  between Houston and Galveston just outside of League City, where hopefully we will all recover from our colds. We arrived late afternoon and just sat outside and enjoyed the warm weather. Hamburger supper at the Stewart’s and actually able to eat outside!

Saturday, we left about 10 and toured the Bay area near us, then went to Galveston.  We went to the tourist info and picked up brochures/map for the island.  Then went to The Strand area inland at the Port of Galveston and visited the Texas Seaport Museum saw the Tall Ship Elissa and toured the Ocean Star Drilling Rig and Museum.  This was a first for all of us to actually be on an oil drilling rig!!  We had a wonderful lunch at the Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant then walked Old Galveston which reminded us of Havana in Cuba, the architecture is very similar… But the fog set in with a vengeance, as we drove the

Seawall Boulevard

we could see nothing but fog, so headed home at 3 o’clock, where of course, the sun was shining and the temp was still 80+.

Talked with Robert and Kathryn this evening and we will be getting together on Tuesday, by then our colds should be under control!!!

Anyway, that’s the latest. (Wonderful to have internet again)

Hugs

R&B

This happened beside the motorhome!!!

And he had to be towed out!

Sunday was bumper to bumper traffic up and down the beach

You know who playing with his gun on the USS Lexington

Spring flowers are starting and Sunday is the first day of Spring!

Departing Port Aransas on the Ferry to Rockport

Carol and Larry on the ferry crossing

The Elissa tall ship in Galveston Harbour

Just look at the colours in this guy.

Lunch at the Fisherman's Wharf, Galveston

OK Maggie, when are we opening Maggie Reta's ville in Kingston?

Just loved the sign at the door.  We'll have to us it Mag!

We can say we have been on a retired Oil Rig....

That's it, great to have good internet!

Sunday, Port Aransas March 13 Time Change!! To March 15 Rockport TX

Sunday morning we left Pioneer RV Park for the beach in Port Aransas on the Gulf of Mexico.  We found a great spot with good firm sand and were all set up again by 10:30 in the morning. We were very excited as this would be a first!  However, it is “Spring Break” in the USA and while quiet at the beach in the morning it was NOT quiet in the evening.  Thousands of kids riding in cars and trucks up and down the beach over and over again!  They was screaming and yelling! The girls were flashing their breast and the guys were mooning! They were spinning their tires on the sand while others just dug the back tires in the sand so the tale gate was almost at ground level.  During the day we were able to enjoy walking the beach with temp of 75ish and very little wind, but by Monday night we had, had it. We were kept awake all night.  At 1:30 some kid with a loud truck parked across from us and  roared the engine.  Just can’t stay here three nights.  We had a great visit with Shirley, Laurie and John, a couple of wonderful fresh fish suppers. But we four have decided to head out Tuesday morning. Tuesday, we were off that beach by 9:00 and happy about it.  We only drove 17 miles to Rockport and the Circle W RV Ranch, nice quiet place.  Today is Larry’s Birthday!  So we drove around to see if we could find a nice supper spot.  Our neighbour recommended the China A Super Buffet and that it was!  It was more like a seafood restaurant than Chinese. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we all went back for seconds. Weather here is lovely with just a light wind compared to the waterfront.  Wednesday, we will travel north a little more, just not sure to where yet???

Hugs and good night!

R&B

Wednesday March 9th to March 12 Saturday in Port Aransas TX

Woke up this morning, sky was overcast but the temperature was 73 degrees and humid.  We had a trip to Kingsville to the Walmart for a grocery top up.  Lunch back in the park and then we drove out to Baffin Bay and Riviera Beach, not really a lot to see!  Back in the park we relaxed in our lawn chairs and socked up the 80+ degree sunshine weather.  Our neighbour Don and Yolanda, across the street gave us about 10 fresh grapefruits and 5 oranges. The grapefruits are already grapefruit juice! Really nice people!

Thursday, we went back to Kingsville as there is a drive thru Discount Liquor Store, but it was a disappointment as it wasn’t the same as others we have seen. From there it’s off to Padre Island, Port Aransas.  We arrived about 1:00 and connected with Shirley & Laurie and their friend John. We had an afternoon of visiting and walking the beach as the Pioneer RV Park is right on the Gulf shore.  Supper was at John’s and was a wonderful feed of fresh fish that he caught off the wharf in Port Aransas.  Friday we seven headed into Corpus Christi to visit the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.  We spent several hours roaming around the ship on the 4 different tours plus had a quick lunch on board.  We stopped for some groceries at the H.E.B. store then off to the beach, where you can drive your car on the firm sand for many miles.  Also lots of people have their motorhomes and 5^th wheels set up on the beach, which is what we are hoping to do starting Sunday and leaving Wednesday morning.

Saturday, We are planning to hit the beach Sunday morning for three days of dry camping, but were very concerned today when we walked the beach and it was full of teens, trucks, SUVs’ and cars!  But this evening we walked down after supper and it's all gone, just the odd RV with no wild parties.  So that was comforting.

Had a great supper at John's this evening all 7 of us, spaghetti supper which was a combination of everyone’s spaghetti sauce, it was good!

So tomorrow (Sunday) we will get our showers and hair washed because it will be three days before we hook up to water again.  We have the generator so can run the micro, frig will run off the propane, lighting will run off the batteries!  So all is taken care of!  We are now every glad we bought the LED lights at the Yuma Flea so our motorhome is very energy efficient.

Biggest problem....NO internet!  So forget Skype for four days!

Hugs to all,

R&B

(Sorry not enough internet to do pics)

Tuesday, March 8 Riviera, TX

We departed Port Mansfield at about 9:30 on our 85 miles drive to Riviera TX just south of Corpus Christie on the Baffin Bay.  Great ride as when we got to Hwy #77 we had the wind pushing us, so got great gas mileage and were set up by 12 noon.  It was overcast, hot and humid when we left but once here it was 86 degrees sunny, hot and humid!  Larry is now suffering with a cold, Carol is just getting over hers and I am gobbling vitamin C hoping to ward it off.  B and I went for a walk to the beach, wharf and picnic area around the Park and once out on the edge of the Bay the temperature cooled only slightly.  This evening the Park held its Mardi Gras, chilli and bean burrito supper, with free Champagne and Margaritas for just a $1.00. We sat with our neighbour across the street and had a wonderful evening of food, conversation and even a couple of dances. 

We are booked in here for two nights, but may stay an extra night or two because it’s just warmer than going north just now.

Hugs

R&B

Monday March 7 in Port Mansfield, TX

Monday morning B & Larry went to the wharf and cleaned the live Black Drum fish, that we got from our neighbour last night, which was our supper tonight. But today we had the other side of the harbour to check out!!  Wasn’t much, but it had a public beach with a wharf, winds were gusting to 21 mph so didn’t stay there long!  OK so it’s supper time and time to BBQ our Black Drum fish.  We flavoured three filets with Dill and lemon juice and the others kinda Cajun! All turned out tasting delicious, Carol made scallop potatoes and it turned into a wonderful supper.

Tuesday morning, we leave for Riviera, TX 85 miles north on Hwy #77 to the Sea Wind RV Resort http://www.seawindrv.com/ for 2-4 more days…as the weather looks good.

Hugs and night night

R&B

Carol & Larry on the public wharf in Port Mansfield, TX

Sunday, March 6 Port Mansfiled safe and sound!

Home in Brownsville TX

Happy Birthday Carol!…..hoping you are having a good one! It was wonderful talking to you yesterday and I now feel confidant that your knee replacement surgery went well!  Love you and keep up the good work lady!

Sunday, we travelled from Brownsville to Port Mansfield, just 69 miles away, arriving in wonderful sunshine and no, well light winds.. We were set up by 12:30, lunch done B and Larry worked on a little project for B, then we went off sight seeing…  Realizing there isn’t much to see here; nice fishing harbour; housing subdivision on the water; one grocery store!  But tomorrow we have the other side of the harbour to check out!!

Hugs R&B

You know how and his golf shot!

Brownsville Flea market and they sell birds of all kinds in all small cages!

A restfull happy hour after a beach day

Port Mansfield and the dear deer are hear to visit! Could feed them but we didn't!

Like who would not like to live here in Port Mansfield, just an incredible property

Harbour front condos in Port Mansfield!?

This is home in Post Mansfield, first L&C the B&R

This is us, here tonight!

Night all!

R&B

Monday night Feb. 28 to March 5, Saturday

We had an interesting Happy Hour with other folks in the park and got a little more jenned up as to what’s happening here in Brownsville.  Tuesday we had a tee off at 11:26….but they were running a ½ hour behind time.  OK 12 noon we teed off but didn’t finish till 4:30, long afternoon as we had slow golfers in front of us.  I golfed about 10 holes then said that was it for me, B and Larry golfing 18, but Carol packed it in at 17, it a real zinger! Very hard course, lots of water but no sand!  Think I have played my last game here!  We missed the Tailgate party but were happy just to relax with our popcorn and beer!

Wednesday, and it’s another sunny warm day to relax.  We went into Brownsville for groceries and lunch and then relaxed by the pool for a short time as it was just too hot!  Thursday, we packed a picnic lunch, the lawn chairs, some drinks and headed to Boca Chica Beach the most southern tip of Texas plus we drove the beach to the mouth of the Rio Grand River.  We went there in the tracker so we were able to drive the hard sandy beach for a couple of miles before stopping to soak up the sun for several hours.  Totally enjoyable day in the sun!

Friday and everyone went golfing again, I just need a rest, so had decided a lawn chair pool side had my name on it. Saturday, no internet and no Tracfone service!  Great start to a cloudy day.  We headed off to the Border Flea Market or should I say the Border Junk Store, then to another very large Flea Market with the same junk, but a big wind storm came up suddenly and stuff was blowing all over the place.  Tables with sunglasses that just took off flying all over the place, and so much gravel dust you could hardly see.  It became a mass exit, people left in droves as the winds continued and then it started to rain.  So we went for lunch and a few groceries.  Got laundry done once more and by late afternoon things settled down again.   It’s 7:30pm and I just managed to log on….We are on the road Sunday morning heading to Port Mansfield….

Hugs

R&B

Sorry no pictures, internet is just to poor....