Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Two For One

Where Are We Today
Elephant Butte State Park
Elephant Butte New Mexico
Lions Beach Loop "B" Site 75
Two For One

Good Morning from EBSP
Our drive yesterday from Saragosa, Tx. Rest area to EBSP was a pleasant one, bright sunshine and little traffic. The route continued on I-10 until just north of El Paso to Hwy 25, north to our present location. Climbing to almost 4700 ft. above sea level, we again enjoy the open country, cuts through the rock of the foot hills and mountains in the distance.
Thru the cuts in the rock. I-10

Entering New Mexico
Arriving, we took a drive to Lions Beach Loop "B" and found an open site, which we grabbed, and then cancelled our reservation in the Quail Run section. We prefer where we are over all the rest. Loop "B" is the only section that you can't make a reservation for, it is "first come first serve. The host told us that is to change next year and will be by reservation only, like the sites in the rest of the park. All set up around 2 p.m.
All setup on site 75
Today we woke to clear skies before the sun was up and Pat was out the door for her morning walk. I had my first brew of coffee for the day and read blogs. Once that was completed, washed and dressed, out the door I went. Today I wanted to empty the basement storage area, vacuum it out and do some re-organizing. I have an idea for getting rid of a couple of the rubber maid bins, so I wanted to test out my theory. When we get to Pilot Knob, I will try to make the changes. While doing this, I found that the track for the sliding doors down there was loose, so repaired that before putting items back in.

Basement emptied out

All clean and putting things back in

Test a switch I added to the water pump
The rest of the day, was a puttering around kind of day, playing with the satellite dish and getting out our string of solar lights and one  other solar light.
That's about it from me today, be sure to keep reading Patsy's blog for a more in depth read of our day. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to any comments you wish to leave. As I type this the winds have picked up and gusting to 25 mph. Until the next time, take and stay safe.
Prayers and hugs to you George and Suzie.
 
Our first Road Runner of the Year beep-beep

 

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Travel Day 11-17-2019

Where Are We Today
Rest Area Saragosa Texas

Tonight we are at this rest area , exit 212 off I-10, at the bottom of the exit ramp.


This has been a great travel day, leaving the Sam's Club parking lot just before 8 a.m., we were on I-10 within 5 minutes, rolling through the rest of the San Antonia construction. Being Sunday, there were only a couple of workers out moving pylons, probably for tomorrow. Even with this being major road work to I-10, the travel areas of it are fairly smooth, in fact, I would rate the days travel as being an 8 out if 10 for an average.
Construction at San Antonio

Our 347 mile route through this part of Texas sees a lot of open country and change in elevation, climbing from 600 ft. to over 3300 ft., with speed limits starting at 60 mph., then to 75 mph and finally topping out at 80 mph. We of course,  cruise along at 65 mph., that's plenty fast enough for our likening.
Up and down thru the cuts in the rock
The scenery is breath taking, as you look out over the open landscape, with the foothills rising to the mountains we will see tomorrow and the first glimpse of cactus. This is the southwest that we come to enjoy each winter.
What a view!

Thanks for stopping by, check in with
Patsy for an in depth look of our day. Until the next time, take care and be safe.
Prayers and hugs to you, George and Suzie.






 

Saturday, November 16, 2019

New Orleans and Westward

Where Are We Today
San Antonio, Texas


After spending a great week exploring in New Orleans, we have been " on our way" west for the last two days. Traveling on I-10, except when taking the by-passes around Houston and San Antonio, we have made steady progress in our journey westward. The roads have been acceptable, if you remember my road ratings from our second year, I-10 and the by-passes get an 8 out of 10. There was one section, for about the first mile into Texas that was a 5 out of 10, boy did it shake things up in the trailer.
During our time in New Orleans, we made three trips down to the French Quarter. Trip one, was exploratory, just driving, checking things out.
The Famous "Cat's Meow"

Bourbon Street

The second trip was right down to Decatur St, parking at lot P401. Now we have heard the horror stories about not being past the time you have paid for, or you will come back to find a boot on your vehicle. To get it removed is a cost of $90.00 plus the parking time, the horror stories are all true. We did see two vehicles with them. Here's the thing though, you can actually go on line, pick the parking lot you want, enter the time you want to start parking and set a time to leave, pay for it with a credit card and you have now reserved a spot ahead of time. This also allows you to go in and out during that time. Also, you can download their app and do the same thing plus, if you think you aren't going to get back in time, go on the app and add payment to the time, so no worries. This is how we did it. From here it is an easy walk to The French Market, Cafe du Monde and Bourbon St.

Having Fun on Bourbon St.

Beignet  mmmmm!


Lastly, we decided to go back and do Bourbon St at night, taking in the sights, music and food. We also went to The Cafe du Monde for a hot drink and a Beignet, it melted in your mouth, they are served warm and are to die for, a must if you visit, the cafe is open 24 hours.
Listening to the music

Cafe du Monde

There are many other things to do, steam boat ride on the Mississippi River, tours of cemeteries, carriage rides and double decker bus sighting tours,  to name a few. So you see, we have to go back.
Steam Boat Tour

Double Decker Bus Tours Hop on and off any time.

Graveyard Tours

VooDoo

Last night we stayed at a Wal-Mart in Vidor Texas and tonight we are at a Sam's Club in San Antonio, Texas. We have one more night on the road before we get to Elephant Butte State Park.
Entering Texas and a mile of rough road

Vidor Wal-Mart

Sam's Club San Antinio

Our spot, goodnight from San Antonio

This brings you up to date from my perspective, please stay tune to Patsy for a more detailed day of our adventures. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time take care and stay safe.
Prayers and hugs to George and Suzie.

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Two Days Travel

Where Are We Today
St. Bernard, Louisiana 
Leaving Southern Trails RV Resort, in Unadilla Georgia, we travelled a short distance on I-75 before taking exit 99 onto US 300. This is a very smooth four lane hwy with moderate traffic that took us to Albany, Georgia. From here we were onto US 90/2, a two lane, smooth driving hwy, down through Donalsonville, Malone, Campbellton and finally Graceville, where we turned south onto US 77 which took us to I-10. Reaching Pensacola, Florida, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel at 8050 Lavelle Way.
NCIS New Orleans  I'm a fan of the show, this is on St. Ann St

Our second day of travel was a short three hours along I-10 to an out of the way campground called Richards RV Park at 350 Bayou Rd. St. Bernard Louisiana. It is nothing fancy, but it is quiet with full hook ups for $125.00 U.S. for the week. We are 15 minutes from Bourbon St. New Orleans where we will take in a new experience over the next few days.


New Orleans VooDoo Doll (just for my buddy, you know who you are)



Make sure you follow Patsy to keep up with our adventures. Thanks for stopping by, take care until the next time.

 

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Our First Leg


On Our Way
Today We Are Here
Southern Trails RV Resort, Unadilla Georgia
After three days of driving, we are taking a couple of days to relax. Since leaving Stratford, Ontario last Saturday, 961.2 mi/1546.9 km. of pavement have rolled underneath us, as we make our way  to the south west this year.
Coming over the bridge into Michigan

Our journey so far, has taken us to Unadilla Georgia for a brief, couple of days rest. From here we are heading to Pensacola, Florida, then west to New Orleans, for a couple of days. Eventually, we will end up at Pilot Knob RV Resort in Winterhaven California for a month.  
Going around Toledo


Our first night in Lima, Ohio at Cracker Barrel

Our driving days have been good, no rain, the typical bad roads in Michigan with construction and smooth sailing after that. The heaviest traffic, going around Atlanta on By-Pass 285 and the ding-bat drivers that don't know how to merge when entering a freeway. Oh ya, the two idiots that had to race to the head of the line of traffic, so they could cut in front to get to their exit, nearly missing it and being hit by a large pump truck.

Entering Tennessee

Beautiful mountain scenery

Of course, we have had some beautiful scenery, especially going through Kentucky and Tennessee, and great hospitality at the Cracker Barrels we have over- nighted at. Also a little shopping accomplished.


Georgia on my mind

Southern Trails RV Resort, Unadilla Georgia
For more details, keep following Patsy at,HERE , and she will keep you filled in. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time, take care and be safe. Also a big shout out to George and Suzie, who aren't making the trip this winter. Know that you are in our prayers and in our hearts.