Christmas and The Alamo

So where do you want to spend Christmas this year? Many moons ago that was the precise question I asked Susan. Her answer was somewhere that's warm, there's a pool so I can swim, and there's something neat to do on Christmas Day. Fast forward six months and I'm batting one for three.

We arrived in San Antonio on Christmas Eve Day at the Admiralty RV Resort. It was sunny and 45 F. The first words I said upon arrival was "look they have a heated pool & look steam is coming off it". If looks could kill I wouldn't be writing this right now. Everyone knows how much Susan hates the cold. Two strikes already and I haven't even got out of the truck. Oh well Princess!

Our Site #206

As we got all set up our one Christmas decoration hanging off the cabinet door, I planned our Christmas Day in downtown San Antonio.

Finding a parking spot on Christmas Day was pretty easy. We made our way toward the river walk. Everyone one we met indicated we had to check out the river walk. It did not disappoint. It was cool but refreshing.

River Barge along the river, how cool is that 

The river walk is a series of connecting walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River. It can be accessed from many areas in downtown.

Water is pretty clear about 2-3 feet

As you walk along the river there are no rails to prevent you from falling in. I think that adds to the beauty of it all. Back in the day, I'm talking 1921 the worst flood occurred in San Antonio causing widespread destruction of property and loss of life. There was talk of paving over the river and turning it into a storm drain. In 1929 a San Antonio native and architect, Robert Hugman developed plans  that later became known as the 2.5 mile long river walk.


Old looking bridges adds character to the river walk

Several indoor & outdoor restaurants along the river walk add to the atmosphere

As we walked most of the river walk we couldn't help but look around at the beauty and almost falling in a couple of time. The abundance of water, the lush greenery, and the huge towering trees made it beautiful. Several ducks would float by waiting for a handout. Workers on Christmas Day were picking up garbage with smiles on their faces. It was a festive atmosphere.


Store below apartment above, how sweet

The biggest decision of the day was inside or outside for lunch. Susan opted for inside as it was a little cool. We decided on Dick's Last Resort as everyone looked to be in the festive spirit.



Believe it or not the place was pretty full. The fun started at the door. The atmosphere was great, the music fantastic, the staff were having a great time, and everyone got a personalized hat.

Susan's reads "Hi I'm peaches"

Mine reads "I love eating peaches"



I'm not going to comment on any of that but we had a great laugh and so did everyone else. The food was great, sorry no pictures this time. 

As we left the restaurant we took one last look around and what do we see but a crash. Yes even on the river there are crashes.

No damage done, no one hurt

We ventured to the Alamo not thinking that being Christmas Day it would be closed, but it was. We'll come back another time to see inside. However, we were able to look around at the outside façade.

The Alamo

Susan saw a horse and buggy coming toward us and wanted to ride instead of walking around downtowwn. Okay!

Horses name is Suzy. Go figure!

We went on a narrated ride around the city that was very informative. Suzy was moving a little slow (the horse) not to be confused with Susan. That's okay it's Christmas, the trip took 35 minutes instead of the scheduled 20 minutes. It was all fun.


Merry Christmas to all

Hidden Lake RV Resort

Just off the I-10 in Beaumont, TX is a nice little campground called Hidden Lake RV Resort. Not sure about the resort aspect but it has everything you need for an overnight stay. Easy off/on, 30/50 amp electric, water that smells great, sewer connections close by, cable TV to watch Sunday football, and free WiFi. What else could you ask for. Oh, did I forget to mention free coffee, tea, or hot cocoa and snacks. Yes snacks like muffins, crackers & cheese, trail mix, I could keep going. The really nice woman that checked us in sounded just like Dolly Parton. So we already had that warm and fuzzy feeling. We were escorted to our site which took all of 2 minutes. The offer was great even though we couldn't get lost. After we got all set up I went for a walk around the park. Again being small it didn't take long.


They had tons of rain in the last few days

There's a nice lake for catch and release fishing if you feel the calling. No license required. Swimming is allowed however I noticed a picture in the office of an alligator lurking in these waters. No thanks besides it's only 55 degrees out.

Where's that gator

Sun going down on Lake Taylor

Waking up to temperatures in the mid 30's is all good for me as long as it's sunny which it is. Not so for Susan as she looks at the Bonita Springs forecast and sees sunny, hot, a high of 85. She's dreaming of lying by the pool with a nice cool beverage in her hand. I tell her only in her dreams. Onward we go as today is another day of travelling.

Our site #34

Swamp People

Many people asked why Morgan City, Louisiana and not New Orleans well it's all about Swamp People. If you've ever watched the TV show you probably know what I'm talking about. You see Troy Landry lives in Pierre Part which is about 10 miles away from where we are camped but more about that later.

I wasn't really sure what to expect when arriving in Morgan City, I haven't been to the south. After spending a few days here I would have loved to stay longer. On arrival our neighbor introduced herself to us and was disappointed to find out we were only staying 3 nights.

Our site backed onto Lake Palourde which is well know for great fishing and boating.


Our rig in the middle of the picture site #85

The view from our back window can't get any better

People actually swim in this lake. Not doing that two reason one alligators and two cottonmouths. This is the perfect habitat for both. There is only a levy between us and the wilderness. The whole town including the campground is below sea level. So to prevent flooding a levy was installed many years ago consisting of a berm with large steel girders.

Levy

Barges travel up and down the river carrying cargo from one town to another.

Barges travel up & down the Atchafalaya River

Like I mentioned earlier one of my favorite people to watch on TV is Troy Landry from Swamp People. We were told he hangs out at a shell station in Pierre Part, so away we go. We couldn't find the place so we stopped I asked for directions and ended up eating lunch with Stanley. The story is that Stanley has owned this store/repair shop/gas station/ meeting place his entire life and loves too talk to anyone that stops by. Stanley was having lunch as we ventured by and invited us to "sit and have a bowl". We accepted and were treated to the best stories and the greatest food.

Our new friend Stanley

Chicken  sausage &  orca gumbo 

Our bellies were full and our brains filled with memories and stories to last a lifetime. But we had to continue on down the road to see if we could find Troy. Finding the shell station was easy, finding Troy not so. He was out of town and gator season doesn't start until September. Oh well we did get to see Duffy's.

This is where Troy brings his gators

On the Thanksgiving episode of Swamp people Liz and her family went hunting for Nutria. What are nutra you ask? Well they are a rodent that is not indigenous to North America but released many years ago and have flourished ever since. As I was having my morning coffee these Nutria walked by totally unafraid of people.

Nutria

The squirrels here are like most, unafraid also. They are so bold they will climb up your screen door to get food.

Very bold squirrels

Biloxi, MS

Leaving Florida and moving into uncharted ground was exciting for us. Last year, Biloxi was on our list of places to see but motorhome troubles caused delays and some places had to be cancelled Biloxi, MS being one. I decided on the Majestic Oaks RV Resort because of the great reviews and very friendly people. I would not be disappointed. It's a small resort by some standards but that's what we like.

The welcoming signage

Entrance to resort, pool on the left

Interior roads all paved

Our site # 33 beautifully landscaped

Biloxi, MS is a small city with a population of approximately 45,000. Lying on the Gulf Coast it is considered a subtropical climate with mild wet winters and hot humid summers. When driving along the coast a very well known landmark is the Biloxi Lighthouse. This lighthouse, made of cast iron and brick was built in Baltimore and shipped south to Biloxi where it was completed in 1848.

Biloxi Lighthouse, Gulf in background

Across the road is the visitors information center which was completed in 2011.

Antebellum style visitors center

You can't visit Biloxi without seeing and talking about the destruction and impact that Hurricane Katrina had on the city. Many hurricanes have hit the Gulf Coast but none like the one August 29, 2005. The storm surge level can be seen on the inside of the lighthouse.

Storm surge levels

The first cannery factory opened in Biloxi in 1881. The coast was dominated by shrimp and oyster boasts in the 1950. With legalized gambling in 1990's came the casinos. Biloxi became a tourist destination creating an important center for millions of dollars. Floating casinos dominated the coast. When Hurricane Katrina hit on that fateful night the barge casinos where ripped from their supports and thrown inland contributing to the damage. Years later the destruction has been cleaned up but the emptiness remains.

Empty beaches once riddled with casinos and restaurants

Across the road from the beach once stood large antebellum homes now the lots are vacant. All that remains are concrete pads and driveways leading to nowhere.

Just trees remain, sign says lot for sale by owner

Many owners chose not to rebuild because insurance cost made it unattainable. Also Biloxi city by-laws stipulates that a house has to be rebuilt in the old antebellum style. Well that sure isn't cheap.

Concrete pad and driveway is all that remains

Brick fireplace is all that remains

On that fateful night Hurricane Katrina came ashore at high tide with a storm surge of 27 feet. Ninety percent of the buildings in Biloxi and Gulfport were destroyed. Trees were also hard hit. But something good has come from this. Local artists sculpted the now dead trees into works of art.

We decided to try some of the local cuisine. A restaurant that has been a landmark here in Biloxi and one that was rebuilt on the beach after Katrina.



The first thing that hit us when we walked in was the wonderful smell of all the different spices they used when cooking. They had shelves of herbs, spices, potions, from hot to suicide and beyond. Susan and I both looked at each other and wondered if we would have a stomach after we left.

Cajun catfish, hushpuppies, and fries

Sole, hushpuppies, fries, and coleslaw

The food here was fabulous, my catfish was very spicy Cajun style. Susan's was mildly battered with a little bite. If in Biloxi I would highly recommend this place.

Watching the sunset after supper

Sightseeing, amazing food, wonderful sunsets how can we finish off Biloxi. The only way is spending some cash at the casino. We chose The Hard Rock Casino over the others for no particular reason and had a great time.

Hard Rock Casino

 



White Sugar Sand and Clear Blue Water

When I think of the top of Florida I think of white sugar sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. We had a couple of reason for stopping beside the beaches. One, it was a great midway point getting to Mississippi. We know and like the area as we have been here a few time before. Secondly, and most importantly we had a chance to reconnect with a couple of great friends.

Once we arrived we got set up then decided to seek out our friends.

Our site # 77

We met Betsy and Nancy a couple of years ago in Lake Louisa State Park, FL. At the time they had a very young full of energy black lab puppy named Spirit. I'm soon to find out that Spirit is no longer that cute puppy but an energetic beautiful 2 year old.


Spirit

Riding to the beach to catch a sunset is a nice feature about this park. Once a private campground turned state park the beautifully landscaped park offers something for everyone. Besides the beaches, there are miles of hiking trails, a paved bike path to the beach, an unheated pool, free WiFi, and lots of ranger run programs if you what to participate.

Beautiful Sunsets

Susan riding her new bike and loving it

A neat fungus, looks like a flower

The four of us pretty much decided to hang out together for the next couple of days. They invited us for supper, our first taste of chicken and sausage gumbo. OMG it was sooooo good. We invited them for desert, chocolate cake vodka, grape moonshine, and caramel whiskey. Catching the theme. We all shared stories of our various adventures across the country. What a great time. Check out Nancy's blog RV-A-GOGO.blogspot.com for more great adventures.

Betsy, Nancy, & Susan

Goodbye Bonita Hello North Florida

After 2 fabulous weeks in Bonita we said our goodbyes not really knowing when we would be back. It's always sad to leave such great people but this is a travelling year for us. So new adventures here we come. Beside our great friends Dave & Marilyn will be using the place for 3 months in our absence. I call this a win, win situation all around.

As we make our way to the north of Florida we are noticing the temperature gauge going down. We started in the high 70's at 9:30 with the air conditioning on now it's 65 at 11:00. Susan is not happy.

Our overnight stop is Lee's Country Campground just off the I-75 and a few miles from the I-10. We've used this campground before for it's convenience. As I stepped out of the truck in my shorts and t-shirt donning a SW Florida tan I was hit with a blast of cold winter air. OMG I'm lovin' it. I get a not so happy look from Susan and a very strange look from the owners. Oh, did I forget to say it's 46 degree. Finally nice cool days and nights, from air to furnace.

This campground is not a destination resort but a great stopover on our way west. It has all the necessary amenities, 30/50 amp service, water, and for a dollar more you can have sewer. Their is no over the air TV stations but I'm sure you could get satellite. After talking to the owner the campground is up for sale and unless they sell it, it will close in January 2014.

The office

The only real issue I see with this campground is the frontage road. It's called Thunder Road and the name says it all. The traffic noise can get pretty bad at time. People seem to race down the road at all times of the day and night. However it is a pretty little place.

Pretty campground close to Thunder Road