Or in English - Let the good times roll! This is the prevailing sentiment in Louisiana so I have discovered. And with good reason - you just have to love the food, the enthusiasm of the residents and the wonderful environment in which they live. As I said last week - I love Louisiana.
We have been so busy since my last post - hence the fact that this one is again, very late. What a wonderful couple of weeks we have had with our other partners in crime. And this week has been no exception with so many new and exciting experiences to share with them and with y'all!
My comment about visitors to Betty's RV Park extending their stays held true for us as well! There was just so much to see in and around Abbeville that we stayed an additional two days which, to be honest, still wasn't enough! But there is just so much to see in America that we really can't afford to stay in one place too long which makes for quite a conundrum. If we go we might miss something here and if we stay we will miss something somewhere else along the road! Oh what a difficult situation to be in!!! Yeah right!!
Vermillion Ville was one of the most interesting places that we have seen. It is a large park made up of old buildings that have been relocated from other areas and others that are replicas using traditional building methods. Just to show you where my brain was - one of the most interesting features in one house (where lived a family with 13 children) was the three seater, one door, outside loo! Interesting!!!! But seriously though it was really interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And we also enjoyed lunch at the cafe - wouldn't you know.
From the park we drove to Avery Island which is on a salt dome and was originally a salt mine but became the original home of the famous Tabasco sauce. The factory has always been on the island and although now the peppers are grown in other areas, all the seeds for these peppers come from the island. We took an interesting tour and sample some of the other sauces and salsas that Tabasco make. Very challenging and hot to say the least. Norm even tried the Tabasco icecream - can you believe they make icecream with jalapeno peppers? We would have enjoyed going to the jungle garden however the heaven's opened and it bucketed down so we had to cut short our visit.
Much to Norm's disgust on the way back to Abbeville we stopped at a cemetery. He thinks it is very ghoulish to take an interest in the graves and mausoleums. Obviously the Louisiana cemeteries are above ground due to all the very low lying areas. It was really interesting and some of the graves were over 150 years old. Some of them didn't even have bodies in them!! People had obviously bought their plot and had the headstone made with their names on just the details would have to be completed when they kicked the bucket. Now that is what I call organised!
The next day we visited an old plantation house which really surprised me. Did you know that many of these plantation homes, while they look enormous, are actually only one room deep? The disappointing thing I found, and I do understand why, is that you can't take photos inside these homes. There was so many interesting things that I would love to have been able to share but never mind, outside photos will have to be enough.
Our next stop was the Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island (another salt dome). Just check out the reception committee on the steps of the restaurant where we had lunch!! The gardens and buildings on the island were just beautiful however it has another claim to fame.
In the 1980's Jefferson Island was being mined for salt and Texaco (oil company) was drilling for oil just off the island. Long story short - it is believed that the drilling pierced the salt dome causing it to flood. The water in the river started flowing backwards as it filled in the salt dome, barges and the drilling rig were sucked into the whirlpool created and a house and a new reception centre on the island were also sucked under never to be seen again. In fact all that is left of the house is the chimney sticking out of the lake. The good news was that all the mine and oil workers were safe and no lives were lost. It took over two days for the lake to refill after the catastrophe.
This was to be our last excursion in the Abbeville area as the next day we bid Betty and her wonderful RV Park adieu, as we moved out to go to N'awlins (for those Australians read New Orleans!).
What to say about New Orleans? First impressions. Dirty, roads in great need of repair, buildings boarded up or needing to be bulldozed, footpaths that are in dire need of fixing. But oh boy is there so much more to this place!
There are some countries, cities etc on this earth that when you visit you just have to do the touristy thing. When in Paris you visit the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and the Louvre for example. When in New Orleans you have to visit the French Quarter! So that was our first destination.
When in the French Quarter everyone has to have beignets (French doughnuts) and coffee at Cafe du Monde. However, we didn't realise that on a Saturday not only is it inundated with tourists, all the locals head there as well, so rather than stand in a queue for ages, we walked down to Bourbon Street where we were told there was another restaurant that also served beignets and the chicory coffee that Cafe du Monde is famous for. I have to say eating the beignets is quite a challenge. Just don't breath in as you eat them as they have about 2cm of icing sugar on top and it is easy to choke. Also you have to be careful otherwise you end up with a lap full of icing sugar. Not easy to eat!
We strolled along Bourbon Street which was quiet at that time of the day however still very interesting - if you could call it that. It would be very different at night! We visited the St Louis Cathedral - just amazing but what struck me was the carnival type atmosphere out the front of the cathedral. All along the pavement there were palm readers, tarot readers and fortune tellers set up with their chairs and tables and were charging people for readings. I heard one woman say hers cost her $45. Hmmm. Seemed an unusual place to have fortune tellers!
We stopped a bit further on to watch some young guys who were street performers. They did some amazing rap type dance moves and had a really entertaining spiel as they went along. Unfortunately, it was freezing standing in the wind and cold so we had to move on before they had finished.
We ended our first trip to the city with a short stroll along the riverwalk before we headed back to catch the shuttle back to the RV park.
On Sunday the six of us left early for the Oak Alley and Laura Plantations. These were two extremely different plantation homes.
Oak Alley was built by whites and Laura by creoles and according to the guide - white people had white houses and creoles had coloured housing. While both houses were very beautiful I found Laura to be the most interesting with its convoluted history and the characters who lived there. Mind you the avenue of centuries old oaks going from the river to the house at Oak Alley was truly amazing.
While I won't pretend to know all the details, the construction of homes in this area is quite an engineering feat as the ground is mud and soil down one mile deep so the footings of these houses are unbelievable and when you consider that they were constructed in the 1800's and are still standing today despite hurricanes, fires, floods etc the builders certainly knew their business. Where were they when I wanted to build my house???? Laura was almost destroyed by fire and is currently in the final stages of being restored.
Both houses were sugar plantations but on Laura some of the slave houses have been retained, the old fruit trees and vegetable gardens are still there and you can take photos on the inside of the house! Oak Alley was very elegant with tall pillars and while, for a time, it was neglected and even had stray cattle inside the home it has been beautifully restored.
Wow! I have finally finished documenting this week and it is Saturday already! Maybe I should just go ahead and start my next blog! So much for getting it done earlier in the week. You can blame our partners in crime - the Bennetts and the Elams - as I am sure if they hadn't dragged us kicking and screaming around to all these wonderful places this blog would have been done a great deal sooner! Yeah right!!!!
Take care friends and family. Stay safe and healthy and if you can't work out how to leave a comment, please let me know (by email paula2gray@hotmail.com and I will try to help.
Bye for now and my next blog will be coming to you from Mississippi. Love and hugs from both of us.
PS. I do apologise if I have made grammatical or spelling errors in any of my previous posts, I have just learned that I haven't been editing them correctly. So there I guess we learn something new every day but having told you that now I have no excuse for any errors. Well maybe I will just be in such a hurry that any errors may just slip through. Haha
Our fifth wheel and the truck
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Texas to Louisiana
Hey everyone, how's everything in your world? We hope all is well with you and yours. For us - life is wonderful and just such fun!
It has occurred to me that sometimes we met people and immediately we know that we are going to like them and are going to get along really well. We have been so fortunate throughout our time in America to have met and made friends with some of the most amazing people. Today, we farewelled Pete and Judy with whom we have developed a wonderful camaraderie. We have done so much with them over the last three weeks it was sad to see them drive off this morning. BUT the good thing about this travelling life is that you can be sure that somewhere down the road we will cross paths again. So Judy and Pete we will see you soon.
Never again!! Never again will we order anything big online! Something that was supposed to take two working days to reach us in Livingston, Tx, took ten working days and held us up in Texas and prevented us from moving on to Louisiana (LA). And while we enjoyed the time in Texas we were getting itchy feet.
This week has been the most gluttonous week I think we have had the whole time we have been in America. So many meals at restaurants! It would be very easy to put on lots of weight with all this eating out!!! Some time during the week we had chatted with Rick and Karen who were planning on going to the Rio Grande Valley after we left Texas and asked them if they would like to join us in LA. We were heading towards Lafayette, then Baton Rouge and New Orleans. After giving the matter serious consideration (haha) and reminding themselves that they are retired now and can go anywhere they want to, they made the decision to come to LA. We were so pleased. Judy and Pete were heading that way too and we all planned to meet up in Abbeville - the heart of Cajun country. All we had to do was wait for the parcel to arrive before we could move out! Monday was Mexican! We started the week by sharing a Mexican breakfast with friends and had a lovely morning. I had never considered what Mexican's eat for breakfast so it was quite a novelty. And yes, they do eat tacos for breakfast, they just have egg and bacon/ham in them instead of the usual stuffing! That evening Rick, Karen, Pete, Judy, Norm and I went to another Mexican restaurant for dinner. More food and of course the margaritas don't help either - love those things!
Tuesday, Pete took us to the most interesting restaurant (?), Florida's! Interesting decor - it looked like a shack with all these additional rooms tacked on but the food was fantastic. I had ribs which are just wonderful but you get so many, I finally gave in and for the first time got a doggy bag to take home what I couldn't eat.
Wednesday I had spent the day running around trying to fix a problem with the computer so Norm went out to get pizza for dinner.
At long last on Thursday, our parcel arrived with all the stuff for our pantry alteration and we made plans to leave Texas for Louisiana (LA) on Friday. But in the meantime, Karen, Rick, Norm and I went out to Buster McNutty's for dinner! Will be a good thing when this week is over!!!!!
Friday morning bright and early we set off down the road following Karen and Rick as we drove to Betty's RV in Abbeville, LA. What a surprise we were in for!!!
We arrived at Betty's RV in the afternoon (just in time for happy hour) and I must admit it is nothing like any of the rv parks we have stayed in before. It has been voted the best small rv park in America and has only got 17 sites. All crammed very close together and there is not much room between rigs, certainly not enough to put out awnings for some. We had a difficult site (for us) to get into, but after some frustrating maneuvering Norm managed to put the rig roughly in the right spot. The sites are so close Rick had to wait for us to be set before he could consider getting in to his spot. However!!!!
What this park lacks in space is certainly made up for by Betty, the owner, who is quite a lady. Her welcome and absolute joy in what she does is the reason so many people come to stay for a few days and then end up staying weeks and months. The happy hours each evening are just so much fun, the friendly people staying here and then, finding Pete and Judy here already were absolute bonuses. Betty is an amazing source of information and was able to tell us the best places to visit. And, as well as that, it is in the heart of Cajun country and that is the best!
Sometimes you go to places that immediately attract you and you know they will hold your interest and when you leave you will leave a piece of your heart. I felt this in Colorado, San Francisco and York in Connecticut and I have to say that I feel it here in Abbeville, LA. There is so much to attract you to this area - the culture, history, the landscape and of course the wonderful Cajun people and food.
On our arrival we went to the 'happy hour' and were told that the next morning we needed to go to 'Touchet's Cracklins Party'. Very ignorant as to what a 'cracklins party was we all set out the next morning for 'Touchet's Bar'. Now, to explain a 'cracklin party', people gather under gazebos with lots of locals cooking up 'cracklins' (pork crackle), boudan, chicken wings and sweet potato crisps in big barrels placed over gas cookers. There was also gumbo (yummy stuff) and you could buy alcohol as well - although it was a bit early in the morning for us!
There was no cost and everyone just wandered around tasting the different cracklins and other offerings. I tell you what - you wouldn't get away with it in Australia - you would have the Health Department jumping up and down having a dummy spit and Safety and Health would be shutting it down quick smart. But it was a great morning although as Norm would say, "I could feel my arteries hardening as I walked around". It was a great way to start our stay in Cajun country.
After we left Touchet's we went to New Iberia to visit the Konriko Rice Factory. This is the oldest rice factory still in operation in the USA. What was really interesting about the factory is that much of the operation hasn't changed since it was started nearly a hundred years ago. The machine that removes the hulls from the rice is the same one with just the power changing from steam to electricity.
With the rain threatening on Sunday, the six of us drove out to take a 'swamp tour' in the hope of seeing an alligator. It was an awesome time! The swamp was originally part of a bayou but a levy has been built which has separated it from the bayou.
Our guide Brian was brilliant! He was so knowledgeable about the wildlife, vegetation and stories of the swamp that he kept us entertained and interested for the whole of the two hour tour. There was a French couple on our tour and everything Brian told us he repeated in French.
And while we didn't get to see an alligator we certainly saw lots of birds and these other animals called nutria (if that is how you spell it) that were not attractive at all. The swamp was just so quiet and peaceful but there is no way I would want to get stuck in the boat in there!
After the swamp tour we all went to lunch at 'Crazy for Crawfish'. I have fallen in love with Cajun food. It is so good. I have tried the crawfish etoufee, gumbo, po boys, catfish, jambalya, baudan and don't forget the cracklins. It will be hard to leave this area if only because of the yummy food.
We were only supposed to be staying in Abbeville until Tuesday morning but there is just so much to do around Lafayette and New Iberia that we have decided to stay an extra two days and then go on to Baton Rouge or New Orleans. I guess that is just one of the best things about this life - we can choose to stay or go and even change our destination - just because we feel like it. How awesome is that?
I apologise for the lateness of this post I have been told I have to be better organised and get it done as soon as possible on Mondays. The problem with this is that really I just get too busy enjoying myself and it becomes less important. In fact so much is happening each week that I have to go back to the camera (where all the photos are date stamped) to make sure I have things in the order that we did them. Either that or I am getting old timers!!!!!!
As always, our love to all our dear family and friends. We would love it if you could work out how to leave a comment for us. We miss you all and hope you are all well and happy. Take care of you and yours.
I will do my best to do this weeks blog as soon as possible - but no promises!
It has occurred to me that sometimes we met people and immediately we know that we are going to like them and are going to get along really well. We have been so fortunate throughout our time in America to have met and made friends with some of the most amazing people. Today, we farewelled Pete and Judy with whom we have developed a wonderful camaraderie. We have done so much with them over the last three weeks it was sad to see them drive off this morning. BUT the good thing about this travelling life is that you can be sure that somewhere down the road we will cross paths again. So Judy and Pete we will see you soon.
Never again!! Never again will we order anything big online! Something that was supposed to take two working days to reach us in Livingston, Tx, took ten working days and held us up in Texas and prevented us from moving on to Louisiana (LA). And while we enjoyed the time in Texas we were getting itchy feet.
This week has been the most gluttonous week I think we have had the whole time we have been in America. So many meals at restaurants! It would be very easy to put on lots of weight with all this eating out!!! Some time during the week we had chatted with Rick and Karen who were planning on going to the Rio Grande Valley after we left Texas and asked them if they would like to join us in LA. We were heading towards Lafayette, then Baton Rouge and New Orleans. After giving the matter serious consideration (haha) and reminding themselves that they are retired now and can go anywhere they want to, they made the decision to come to LA. We were so pleased. Judy and Pete were heading that way too and we all planned to meet up in Abbeville - the heart of Cajun country. All we had to do was wait for the parcel to arrive before we could move out! Monday was Mexican! We started the week by sharing a Mexican breakfast with friends and had a lovely morning. I had never considered what Mexican's eat for breakfast so it was quite a novelty. And yes, they do eat tacos for breakfast, they just have egg and bacon/ham in them instead of the usual stuffing! That evening Rick, Karen, Pete, Judy, Norm and I went to another Mexican restaurant for dinner. More food and of course the margaritas don't help either - love those things!
Tuesday, Pete took us to the most interesting restaurant (?), Florida's! Interesting decor - it looked like a shack with all these additional rooms tacked on but the food was fantastic. I had ribs which are just wonderful but you get so many, I finally gave in and for the first time got a doggy bag to take home what I couldn't eat.
Wednesday I had spent the day running around trying to fix a problem with the computer so Norm went out to get pizza for dinner.
At long last on Thursday, our parcel arrived with all the stuff for our pantry alteration and we made plans to leave Texas for Louisiana (LA) on Friday. But in the meantime, Karen, Rick, Norm and I went out to Buster McNutty's for dinner! Will be a good thing when this week is over!!!!!
Friday morning bright and early we set off down the road following Karen and Rick as we drove to Betty's RV in Abbeville, LA. What a surprise we were in for!!!
We arrived at Betty's RV in the afternoon (just in time for happy hour) and I must admit it is nothing like any of the rv parks we have stayed in before. It has been voted the best small rv park in America and has only got 17 sites. All crammed very close together and there is not much room between rigs, certainly not enough to put out awnings for some. We had a difficult site (for us) to get into, but after some frustrating maneuvering Norm managed to put the rig roughly in the right spot. The sites are so close Rick had to wait for us to be set before he could consider getting in to his spot. However!!!!
What this park lacks in space is certainly made up for by Betty, the owner, who is quite a lady. Her welcome and absolute joy in what she does is the reason so many people come to stay for a few days and then end up staying weeks and months. The happy hours each evening are just so much fun, the friendly people staying here and then, finding Pete and Judy here already were absolute bonuses. Betty is an amazing source of information and was able to tell us the best places to visit. And, as well as that, it is in the heart of Cajun country and that is the best!
Sometimes you go to places that immediately attract you and you know they will hold your interest and when you leave you will leave a piece of your heart. I felt this in Colorado, San Francisco and York in Connecticut and I have to say that I feel it here in Abbeville, LA. There is so much to attract you to this area - the culture, history, the landscape and of course the wonderful Cajun people and food.
On our arrival we went to the 'happy hour' and were told that the next morning we needed to go to 'Touchet's Cracklins Party'. Very ignorant as to what a 'cracklins party was we all set out the next morning for 'Touchet's Bar'. Now, to explain a 'cracklin party', people gather under gazebos with lots of locals cooking up 'cracklins' (pork crackle), boudan, chicken wings and sweet potato crisps in big barrels placed over gas cookers. There was also gumbo (yummy stuff) and you could buy alcohol as well - although it was a bit early in the morning for us!
There was no cost and everyone just wandered around tasting the different cracklins and other offerings. I tell you what - you wouldn't get away with it in Australia - you would have the Health Department jumping up and down having a dummy spit and Safety and Health would be shutting it down quick smart. But it was a great morning although as Norm would say, "I could feel my arteries hardening as I walked around". It was a great way to start our stay in Cajun country.
After we left Touchet's we went to New Iberia to visit the Konriko Rice Factory. This is the oldest rice factory still in operation in the USA. What was really interesting about the factory is that much of the operation hasn't changed since it was started nearly a hundred years ago. The machine that removes the hulls from the rice is the same one with just the power changing from steam to electricity.
With the rain threatening on Sunday, the six of us drove out to take a 'swamp tour' in the hope of seeing an alligator. It was an awesome time! The swamp was originally part of a bayou but a levy has been built which has separated it from the bayou.
Our guide Brian was brilliant! He was so knowledgeable about the wildlife, vegetation and stories of the swamp that he kept us entertained and interested for the whole of the two hour tour. There was a French couple on our tour and everything Brian told us he repeated in French.
And while we didn't get to see an alligator we certainly saw lots of birds and these other animals called nutria (if that is how you spell it) that were not attractive at all. The swamp was just so quiet and peaceful but there is no way I would want to get stuck in the boat in there!
After the swamp tour we all went to lunch at 'Crazy for Crawfish'. I have fallen in love with Cajun food. It is so good. I have tried the crawfish etoufee, gumbo, po boys, catfish, jambalya, baudan and don't forget the cracklins. It will be hard to leave this area if only because of the yummy food.
We were only supposed to be staying in Abbeville until Tuesday morning but there is just so much to do around Lafayette and New Iberia that we have decided to stay an extra two days and then go on to Baton Rouge or New Orleans. I guess that is just one of the best things about this life - we can choose to stay or go and even change our destination - just because we feel like it. How awesome is that?
I apologise for the lateness of this post I have been told I have to be better organised and get it done as soon as possible on Mondays. The problem with this is that really I just get too busy enjoying myself and it becomes less important. In fact so much is happening each week that I have to go back to the camera (where all the photos are date stamped) to make sure I have things in the order that we did them. Either that or I am getting old timers!!!!!!
As always, our love to all our dear family and friends. We would love it if you could work out how to leave a comment for us. We miss you all and hope you are all well and happy. Take care of you and yours.
I will do my best to do this weeks blog as soon as possible - but no promises!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Oops!
Hi family and friends
It was most remiss of me in my last blog not to remember that we have all moved on! That is, we have moved on from 2010 to 2011.
Norm and I wish each and every one of you an amazing new year. We hope that the year to come is all that you could wish for yourselves. We wish you joy, happiness, health and lots of laughter. It is going to be an amazing year for everyone - we just believe that this will be THE year.
Lots of love and hugs from both of us and see you next time you drop in to read the blog. And don't forget to leave a comment, please.
It was most remiss of me in my last blog not to remember that we have all moved on! That is, we have moved on from 2010 to 2011.
Norm and I wish each and every one of you an amazing new year. We hope that the year to come is all that you could wish for yourselves. We wish you joy, happiness, health and lots of laughter. It is going to be an amazing year for everyone - we just believe that this will be THE year.
Lots of love and hugs from both of us and see you next time you drop in to read the blog. And don't forget to leave a comment, please.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A Mixed Bag!
G'day everyone
It is nearly three weeks since I last posted on here. Doesn't time fly when you are having fun????
So much has happened and I started thinking about writing this yesterday and found I needed to go back to my photos to remember where we had been and what we had done. And that took me most of the day just sorting, editing and saving all the photos. Over a thousand of them on the camera! Well they are all safely put away on the external hard drive and I can now download them onto the blog really easily.
The last time I wrote we were heading off to Connecticut for a white Christmas. Well be careful what you wish for because, while we didn't get a white Christmas, our Boxing Day (26th December - my dear Dad's birthday RIP) was as white as they can be with about 40cm (16") of snow falling. It was the most beautiful and amazing time as we watched the snow completely cover everything and gradually the scene changed from one full of colour to just white. Some of the photos I took are just so lovely they could have been postcards.
There was a down side to the blizzard however as we were supposed to leave CT on the 28th, however the weather caused absolute havoc at the airports and as a result we were not able to leave until the 30th. It was really tough having to stay an extra two days - NOT.
However I am getting ahead of myself. We flew to CT via Cincinatti. When we left Houston the weather was a delightful 70F and Cincinatti was covered in snow with fog and freezing rain so it was just as well we didn't have to leave the comfort of the terminal building to change planes!
Our time in CT was really busy with the few days before Christmas given over to shopping for presents and food. The house was full of teenagers but the best thing was the tall Aussie kid that was there! It was so lovely to have our youngest son Bryce there with us for Christmas as we hadn't seen him since we left Australia in July. I have the utmost admiration for the Wright family who have filled their hearts and home with adopted children, foster children and exchange students and then have such a warm welcome three Aussie travellers. They are truly amazing people. And Greg is the best travel guide!!!
Christmas was so nice with all the kids, presents and a fabulous hot dinner. I did give some thought to our family back home in Perth who had sat down to a lovely cold Christmas dinner in temperatures around the 41C mark (105.8F).
Greg and Pam took us for a couple of drives over the next few days that were just gorgeous. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the first village we visited (an hour later - it was Litchfield) but it was beautiful with homes which were anywhere up to 300 years old. The houses had the year of their construction on a plaque on the house. In the snow, with the sun shining it was extraordinarily beautiful. I could probably put a hundred photos on here they were all so gorgeous.
The other drive we took saw us pass through some beautiful villages and I really loved Kent and New Preston. I told Norm I could live in Kent in the summer. We saw our first covered bridge and our first frozen waterfall - now that was interesting! Who would have thought you could grow wine grapes in an area where the ground is covered in snow for several months of the year? Yes they do have wineries in CT.
As we were leaving CT early Tuesday morning Pam and Greg took us out for a farewell dinner on Monday night and as we were sitting there enjoying ourselves the phone rings and Bryce tells us that the airline has rung and that our flight has been cancelled! Humph! Thursday is the earliest we can get a flight! But every dark cloud has a silver lining!
Tuesday, Greg took us down to New York City which was fabulous. We got a look at the Bronx where Greg grew up, we rode on the Staten Island Ferry and got fairly up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty, visited Wall Street and the site of the disaster of 9/11 where the building of the 'Freedom Tower' is well under way and even had a hot dog from one of the famous street vendors. We got to see the beautiful crystal star on Fifth Avenue and the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Centre as well as the Empire State Building. For such a quick visit we certainly got to see a great deal. Have a look at the photos with all the snow because NYC had a blizzard just prior to us going there and the streets were chaotic with snow, vehicles stuck and snow ploughs trying to get through! It was quite amusing. I love the snow but don't think I would want to live in it for a whole winter!
Thursday saw us return to Texas via Minneapolis where we were stuck in the airport for about four hours waiting for our delayed flight! I guess we were lucky to get back really although by the time we drove from Houston to Livingston (where we left the RV) it was about 8.00pm and we were both exhausted!
Since we have been back in Livingston we have had a great time. Karen and Rick, a couple that we met in Goshen, IN. back in September, are staying at the RV park. We spent New Year's Eve with them (although I didn't make it till 12.00) and have been out to lunch and dinner with them quite a few times over the last week or so. Their park neighbours, Pete and Judy, have also joined us and as we will be heading east in a couple of days and they are heading west it will be really sad to have to say goodbye as we have all got along so well and had so much fun.
The highlight of our return to Livingston was the other day when Rick and I went fishing in Lake Livingston in his boat. The six of us headed out to the lake early in the morning and Rick and I went fishing while the others sat on the grass and chatted. We returned empty handed for lunch and then went back out again. While Rick and I didn't catch anything it was a really lovely time - at least for me. Rick had to teach me how to fish - US style. It was just so peaceful and quiet out on the boat. A beautiful sunny day and no need to rush anywhere. It was wonderful.
My next blog will be coming to you from Louisiana as we will be leaving Texas in the middle of next week after Norm does a little bit of woodwork on the rig. No nothing serious he is just going to modify the pantry a bit!!!!!! Should be interesting!
In the meantime my dear family and friends, take care of yourselves and we think of you often. Lots of hugs from both of us.
It is nearly three weeks since I last posted on here. Doesn't time fly when you are having fun????
So much has happened and I started thinking about writing this yesterday and found I needed to go back to my photos to remember where we had been and what we had done. And that took me most of the day just sorting, editing and saving all the photos. Over a thousand of them on the camera! Well they are all safely put away on the external hard drive and I can now download them onto the blog really easily.
The last time I wrote we were heading off to Connecticut for a white Christmas. Well be careful what you wish for because, while we didn't get a white Christmas, our Boxing Day (26th December - my dear Dad's birthday RIP) was as white as they can be with about 40cm (16") of snow falling. It was the most beautiful and amazing time as we watched the snow completely cover everything and gradually the scene changed from one full of colour to just white. Some of the photos I took are just so lovely they could have been postcards.
There was a down side to the blizzard however as we were supposed to leave CT on the 28th, however the weather caused absolute havoc at the airports and as a result we were not able to leave until the 30th. It was really tough having to stay an extra two days - NOT.
However I am getting ahead of myself. We flew to CT via Cincinatti. When we left Houston the weather was a delightful 70F and Cincinatti was covered in snow with fog and freezing rain so it was just as well we didn't have to leave the comfort of the terminal building to change planes!
Our time in CT was really busy with the few days before Christmas given over to shopping for presents and food. The house was full of teenagers but the best thing was the tall Aussie kid that was there! It was so lovely to have our youngest son Bryce there with us for Christmas as we hadn't seen him since we left Australia in July. I have the utmost admiration for the Wright family who have filled their hearts and home with adopted children, foster children and exchange students and then have such a warm welcome three Aussie travellers. They are truly amazing people. And Greg is the best travel guide!!!
Christmas was so nice with all the kids, presents and a fabulous hot dinner. I did give some thought to our family back home in Perth who had sat down to a lovely cold Christmas dinner in temperatures around the 41C mark (105.8F).
Greg and Pam took us for a couple of drives over the next few days that were just gorgeous. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the first village we visited (an hour later - it was Litchfield) but it was beautiful with homes which were anywhere up to 300 years old. The houses had the year of their construction on a plaque on the house. In the snow, with the sun shining it was extraordinarily beautiful. I could probably put a hundred photos on here they were all so gorgeous.
The other drive we took saw us pass through some beautiful villages and I really loved Kent and New Preston. I told Norm I could live in Kent in the summer. We saw our first covered bridge and our first frozen waterfall - now that was interesting! Who would have thought you could grow wine grapes in an area where the ground is covered in snow for several months of the year? Yes they do have wineries in CT.
As we were leaving CT early Tuesday morning Pam and Greg took us out for a farewell dinner on Monday night and as we were sitting there enjoying ourselves the phone rings and Bryce tells us that the airline has rung and that our flight has been cancelled! Humph! Thursday is the earliest we can get a flight! But every dark cloud has a silver lining!
Tuesday, Greg took us down to New York City which was fabulous. We got a look at the Bronx where Greg grew up, we rode on the Staten Island Ferry and got fairly up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty, visited Wall Street and the site of the disaster of 9/11 where the building of the 'Freedom Tower' is well under way and even had a hot dog from one of the famous street vendors. We got to see the beautiful crystal star on Fifth Avenue and the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Centre as well as the Empire State Building. For such a quick visit we certainly got to see a great deal. Have a look at the photos with all the snow because NYC had a blizzard just prior to us going there and the streets were chaotic with snow, vehicles stuck and snow ploughs trying to get through! It was quite amusing. I love the snow but don't think I would want to live in it for a whole winter!
Thursday saw us return to Texas via Minneapolis where we were stuck in the airport for about four hours waiting for our delayed flight! I guess we were lucky to get back really although by the time we drove from Houston to Livingston (where we left the RV) it was about 8.00pm and we were both exhausted!
Since we have been back in Livingston we have had a great time. Karen and Rick, a couple that we met in Goshen, IN. back in September, are staying at the RV park. We spent New Year's Eve with them (although I didn't make it till 12.00) and have been out to lunch and dinner with them quite a few times over the last week or so. Their park neighbours, Pete and Judy, have also joined us and as we will be heading east in a couple of days and they are heading west it will be really sad to have to say goodbye as we have all got along so well and had so much fun.
The highlight of our return to Livingston was the other day when Rick and I went fishing in Lake Livingston in his boat. The six of us headed out to the lake early in the morning and Rick and I went fishing while the others sat on the grass and chatted. We returned empty handed for lunch and then went back out again. While Rick and I didn't catch anything it was a really lovely time - at least for me. Rick had to teach me how to fish - US style. It was just so peaceful and quiet out on the boat. A beautiful sunny day and no need to rush anywhere. It was wonderful.
My next blog will be coming to you from Louisiana as we will be leaving Texas in the middle of next week after Norm does a little bit of woodwork on the rig. No nothing serious he is just going to modify the pantry a bit!!!!!! Should be interesting!
In the meantime my dear family and friends, take care of yourselves and we think of you often. Lots of hugs from both of us.
Monday, December 20, 2010
'Tis the season.
Hey y'all
We are still in Texas. Well at least for another 11 hours at which time we will be departing the warmer weather of Texas for the very much cooler temperatures of Connecticut! Once again it is put the shorts away and break out the winter woolies and thermal underwear!
We are spending Christmas with Bryce's host parents (from when he was at high school over here) and their family and of course, Bryce. The boy flew over earlier in December and has been catching up with old friends.
We will be returning to Texas on 28th so my post for the last week is going to have to wait till then and will include a blow by blow description of our first white Christmas (if it snows!!!)
Until then my dear family and friends Norm and I wish you a wonderful merry Christmas and may your holiday be warm, safe and full of the joys of the season.
To all, our love and best wishes.
We are still in Texas. Well at least for another 11 hours at which time we will be departing the warmer weather of Texas for the very much cooler temperatures of Connecticut! Once again it is put the shorts away and break out the winter woolies and thermal underwear!
We are spending Christmas with Bryce's host parents (from when he was at high school over here) and their family and of course, Bryce. The boy flew over earlier in December and has been catching up with old friends.
We will be returning to Texas on 28th so my post for the last week is going to have to wait till then and will include a blow by blow description of our first white Christmas (if it snows!!!)
Until then my dear family and friends Norm and I wish you a wonderful merry Christmas and may your holiday be warm, safe and full of the joys of the season.
To all, our love and best wishes.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Break out the shorts!!!
Hi all and a warm welcome back.
Where is the time going? We have now been in America for nearly five months and at the moment I just can't contemplate going home. Not that I don't miss my wonderful family and friends, I do, it is just that I have really fallen in love with this country and there is still so much to see that another seven months doesn't seem long enough! But who knows. by the time seven months has come and gone I might be well and truly ready and have seen all I want to.
In the mean time let me tell you of the wonderful places that we see and the lovely people that we seem to meet everywhere we go. So stick around there is still so much to come!
The beginning of this week found us still in San Antonio, Tx. We went off to explore the Japanese Tea Garden and the Tower of the Americas in the Hemisfair Park.
The Japanese Tea Gardens were absolutely beautiful. The ponds, bridges, waterfall and gardens were lovely. It was a pity that the Jingu House was closed for repairs and renovations but the gardens more than made up for it. We really enjoyed our time and the peace and tranquility of the place as there weren't a lot of other people there.
On to the Tower of the Americas. The Tower has external lifts that take you to the top where there is an observation deck, bar and revolving restaurant. The view is gorgeous and in fact you can actually see the curve of the earth you are so high up.
A highlight of our visit to the Tower was the short 4D video that we watched about Texas. We wore 3D glasses for the show but it was the other effects that really made it so worthwhile. When the crocodile comes out of the water everyone gets sprayed in the face with a mist of water and when we were in the middle of a high school football match and we got bumped by the other players the seats jolted. We loved it and the only complaint was that it was far too short!
From the Tower we went back to the Riverwalk. While we were there before, Norm had lost his wedding ring in a restaurant so we went back just to see if it had turned up. No such luck. We stayed for lunch and it was just beautiful and while we enjoyed the visit on Saturday it was so much quieter and less frenetic. We sat and enjoyed a marguerita (I could really develop a taste for them) with our lunch without the crowds that were evident on Saturday.
After lunch we took a walk in La Villita, a very old part of San Antonio where the old houses and buildings have been retained and converted to artists' studios, craft outlets and art galleries. There is so much history to this country it is mind blowing!
From San Antonio we headed further south to San Benito in the Rio Grande Valley. We have heard so much of this area that we decided we needed to have a look. we arrived at the RV park on Friday afternoon - just in time for happy hour!! And it was a wonderful happy hour. The only problem - I need to change from my normal diet coke to margueritas!!!!
Saturday morning saw us up early to attend the breakfast in the club room. Wonderful people at this park and such a social group. We sat talking till about 10.30 when we decided we better head off for another day of exploring. Our destination was South Padre Island of which we have heard so many positive things. But.... before we headed off there was a need to change the outfit from jeans to shorts. The weather down here is just wonderful and I am going to thoroughly enjoy the warmer days.
It has been very rare that I have been disappointed by a destination since we started this odyssey but I have to be honest and say that S. Padre Island didn't do it for me.
Maybe it was because we visited in the winter (off season), but it seemed to me, that unless you wanted to be fishing, surfing, parasailing or other water related activity there really wasn't that much to do. The Gulf of Mexico side of the island is dominated by high rise hotels with very limited public access to the beach while the access to the water on the other side of the island is also restricted by the residential properties that have water front properties.
We went for a walk along the beach and both of us put our hands in the Gulf but that was about it for S. Padre Island.
We did stop at Port Isabel on the other side of the bridge to SPI and had lunch and a wander around.
One stop that we made was great. We stopped at some store that had all these amazing sea creatures and shells outside. Inside was just mind boggling. They must have had millions of shells, shell products and corals. I just loved it.
We stopped at Bobz Place on the way home and that was also pretty unique. The sculptures on the outside of the building were brilliant. It was also filled with shells, corals, knick knacks and clothes but the best part was outside. In the photos you can see that they are building a statue of King Kong which is still in the construction stage. The effort that has gone into making this attractive to the consumers is awesome!
Our last 'excursion' while in San Benito was to the Edinburgh Birdwatching Park. Bad luck that it was closed but we still got to walk around and see some beautiful birds. It is a truly gorgeous spot and we would have liked to visit when the visitor centre was open.
From Edinburgh we headed down to Hidalgo near the Mexican border however we didn't go across. There is a great deal of trouble in the border towns on the Mexican side because of the drug cartels and we just think we will stay well away from there.
From here we will be heading to Houston and then on to Livingston to get organised for our trip to Connecticut.
So... until next time a fond farewell to one and all. We hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. We will enjoy a marguerita (or two) and think of you all.
Take care our dear family and wonderful friends. Look out for each other and stay safe.
Love and hugs from both of us.
Where is the time going? We have now been in America for nearly five months and at the moment I just can't contemplate going home. Not that I don't miss my wonderful family and friends, I do, it is just that I have really fallen in love with this country and there is still so much to see that another seven months doesn't seem long enough! But who knows. by the time seven months has come and gone I might be well and truly ready and have seen all I want to.
In the mean time let me tell you of the wonderful places that we see and the lovely people that we seem to meet everywhere we go. So stick around there is still so much to come!
The beginning of this week found us still in San Antonio, Tx. We went off to explore the Japanese Tea Garden and the Tower of the Americas in the Hemisfair Park.
The Japanese Tea Gardens were absolutely beautiful. The ponds, bridges, waterfall and gardens were lovely. It was a pity that the Jingu House was closed for repairs and renovations but the gardens more than made up for it. We really enjoyed our time and the peace and tranquility of the place as there weren't a lot of other people there.
On to the Tower of the Americas. The Tower has external lifts that take you to the top where there is an observation deck, bar and revolving restaurant. The view is gorgeous and in fact you can actually see the curve of the earth you are so high up.
A highlight of our visit to the Tower was the short 4D video that we watched about Texas. We wore 3D glasses for the show but it was the other effects that really made it so worthwhile. When the crocodile comes out of the water everyone gets sprayed in the face with a mist of water and when we were in the middle of a high school football match and we got bumped by the other players the seats jolted. We loved it and the only complaint was that it was far too short!
From the Tower we went back to the Riverwalk. While we were there before, Norm had lost his wedding ring in a restaurant so we went back just to see if it had turned up. No such luck. We stayed for lunch and it was just beautiful and while we enjoyed the visit on Saturday it was so much quieter and less frenetic. We sat and enjoyed a marguerita (I could really develop a taste for them) with our lunch without the crowds that were evident on Saturday.
After lunch we took a walk in La Villita, a very old part of San Antonio where the old houses and buildings have been retained and converted to artists' studios, craft outlets and art galleries. There is so much history to this country it is mind blowing!
From San Antonio we headed further south to San Benito in the Rio Grande Valley. We have heard so much of this area that we decided we needed to have a look. we arrived at the RV park on Friday afternoon - just in time for happy hour!! And it was a wonderful happy hour. The only problem - I need to change from my normal diet coke to margueritas!!!!
Saturday morning saw us up early to attend the breakfast in the club room. Wonderful people at this park and such a social group. We sat talking till about 10.30 when we decided we better head off for another day of exploring. Our destination was South Padre Island of which we have heard so many positive things. But.... before we headed off there was a need to change the outfit from jeans to shorts. The weather down here is just wonderful and I am going to thoroughly enjoy the warmer days.
It has been very rare that I have been disappointed by a destination since we started this odyssey but I have to be honest and say that S. Padre Island didn't do it for me.
Maybe it was because we visited in the winter (off season), but it seemed to me, that unless you wanted to be fishing, surfing, parasailing or other water related activity there really wasn't that much to do. The Gulf of Mexico side of the island is dominated by high rise hotels with very limited public access to the beach while the access to the water on the other side of the island is also restricted by the residential properties that have water front properties.
We went for a walk along the beach and both of us put our hands in the Gulf but that was about it for S. Padre Island.
We did stop at Port Isabel on the other side of the bridge to SPI and had lunch and a wander around.
One stop that we made was great. We stopped at some store that had all these amazing sea creatures and shells outside. Inside was just mind boggling. They must have had millions of shells, shell products and corals. I just loved it.
We stopped at Bobz Place on the way home and that was also pretty unique. The sculptures on the outside of the building were brilliant. It was also filled with shells, corals, knick knacks and clothes but the best part was outside. In the photos you can see that they are building a statue of King Kong which is still in the construction stage. The effort that has gone into making this attractive to the consumers is awesome!
Our last 'excursion' while in San Benito was to the Edinburgh Birdwatching Park. Bad luck that it was closed but we still got to walk around and see some beautiful birds. It is a truly gorgeous spot and we would have liked to visit when the visitor centre was open.
From Edinburgh we headed down to Hidalgo near the Mexican border however we didn't go across. There is a great deal of trouble in the border towns on the Mexican side because of the drug cartels and we just think we will stay well away from there.
From here we will be heading to Houston and then on to Livingston to get organised for our trip to Connecticut.
So... until next time a fond farewell to one and all. We hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. We will enjoy a marguerita (or two) and think of you all.
Take care our dear family and wonderful friends. Look out for each other and stay safe.
Love and hugs from both of us.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
New Mexico into Texas - getting warmer
G'day All
I am back! We have had a great time during the last week and have been to some awe inspiring places.
When I left you last week we were in Deming, New Mexico and heading for warmer climes in Texas. Well, we didn't quite make it right away. We did have to drive into Texas, for a short while, and then back into NM as I really, really wanted to see the caverns in Carlsbad, NM, so we took a short detour to have a sticky beak.
The drive from Deming to Carlsbad was very interesting on a number of fronts.
Firstly, the Border Patrol. The drive took us by El Paso and, between Deming and El Paso we passed a border patrol station. The traffic on the other side of the road was banked up for miles as they went through the inspection. On our side of the road there was no station just cameras - about ten of them! After we travelled by El Paso we headed north to Carlsbad we came across another station. We were stopped at this one but then allowed to go straight through. Given we had the RV and could have had it full of illegals I was very surprised. It must have been the innocent faces!
Secondly, the drive through Mt Franklin Park was amazing. There were 'Wind Advisory' warnings particularly for high profile vehicles! Yep that is us, well we did reconsider our route but went ahead anyway as trucks were coming through the pass. It was really windy and when we stopped for morning tea we just about got blown away as we stepped from the truck!
The drive through the pass was interesting as you leave the flat area of El Paso behind and climb through the mountains and then out the other side to see more of El Paso laid out in front of you in another valley. I continue to be surprised by this country.
Anyway, we got to Carlsbad safely and the next day we went to the caverns. I have been to Mammoth Cave in Margaret River, Australia and that was just beautiful however I was certainly not prepared for the size of 'The Big Room'. It is humungous! In fact the size of 14 football fields! It was just amazing! The caverns were discovered by a 16 year old boy, Jim White, who thought he saw smoke and went to investigate. The smoke turned out to be thousands of bats exiting the bat cave. He went on to investigate the caverns over a long period of time using a kettle filled with lamp oil as his only light!
We spent a couple of hours exploring the 'Big Room' which was absolutely gorgeous. The formations in the cavern were so diverse. The only problem with caverns is that it is difficult to take good photos because of the lack of light and the restrictive length of the flash light on the camera. Anyway I hope you get the idea of how amazing these caverns were from the few photos I have included.
We would have liked to explore some of the other caverns but the need for safety hats with batteries was a little off-putting.
After the caverns we decided to take the 'Christmas on the Pecos' tour. The tour is at night by ferry up the Pecos River to see the Christmas lights by the folks living along the river's edge. And it was c-c-cold. So cold in fact that they provide blankets for everyone on the ferry. Norm and I had to break out the Alaska jackets, the beanies and the gloves as well as the blanket!
One thing that I found interesting was the river itself. The river has been dammed to provide a recreation area for the residents of Carlsbad. It is really lovely with beach areas, boats and fishing. I didn't quite understand it but apparently above the town there is no water in the river as it has been diverted to agriculture. I figure there still has to be some water flowing into the river otherwise it would evaporate or soak into the river bed.
Anyway, apart from that the lights were beautiful. The home owners had gone to a lot of trouble and expense to light their homes. One home had the lights sychronized to music! The reflections in the river certainly made it even lovelier. BUT COLD!!!
Our next destination was San Antonio, Texas with an overnight boondock in Sonora. We were so lucky in Sonora. We went to the Visitor Centre to ask about boondocking and they directed us to the Comfort Inn who were really helpful and allowed us to spend the night in their parking area.
On to San Antonio! You can't come to SA without visiting the Riverwalk and the Alamo so.... off we go to visit. We were with friends Christine and John who we had met at the Boot Camp in Indiana and who made a detour to come and visit us. W
We had an awesome time! We visited the Alamo which, surprisingly is in the heart of SA. I always imagine it would be in the desert somewhere. It was an amazing example of the architecture of the time and has been beautifully preserved . The history of Texas and in particular the Alamo is so interesting.
From the Alamo we wandered over to the Riverwalk. Not the sort of riverwalk I had imagined. You know the trees, playgrounds, seats for quietly contemplating the flowing river and grass and the meandering path along the edge of a river!
The Riverwalk in SA is in the heart of the city and is more like a moat with walkways around it. It was originally constructed to address concerns with the flooding of the San Antonio River.
There are restaurants all along the Riverwalk with hotels overlooking it and you can take a ride on a barge around the entire circle of the Riverwalk. It was really lovely as we sat and had lunch at one of the Mexican restaurants and watched the people walking by. We even got serenaded by a trio of Mexican singers/guitarists. We took the barge ride and explored the whole walk - although we only gave the mall a quick look. A shopping mall is a shopping mall wherever it is!!!!
We stayed long enough to see the lights at night and have dinner at an Irish pub - go figure!! We really had a wonderful day and returned home pretty tired.
Only downer of the day was that Norm has lost his wedding ring! He couldn't wear it when he was working and now I have got him to wear it at last and guess what ! he loses it!! Is this telling me something? LOL
We are just having such a wonderful time in America, and discovering some beautiful places but, the best part is the people we are meeting. The generosity and friendliness of the people is always the same wherever we have gone and we are enormously grateful for that. We have made friends with some really lovely people.
We are staying a week in San Antonio and then heading further south to the Rio Grande valley so our next post will also be from Texas and the warmer weather. Cold nights, lovely warm days - I just love it!
Until I am back, please take care of yourselves and your family and friends. Stay healthy and happy and please, please leave a comment when you visit next.
Our love and hugs to you all.
PS You note I didn't mention about when we lost Norm on the Riverwalk!!!!! LOL
I am back! We have had a great time during the last week and have been to some awe inspiring places.
When I left you last week we were in Deming, New Mexico and heading for warmer climes in Texas. Well, we didn't quite make it right away. We did have to drive into Texas, for a short while, and then back into NM as I really, really wanted to see the caverns in Carlsbad, NM, so we took a short detour to have a sticky beak.
The drive from Deming to Carlsbad was very interesting on a number of fronts.
Firstly, the Border Patrol. The drive took us by El Paso and, between Deming and El Paso we passed a border patrol station. The traffic on the other side of the road was banked up for miles as they went through the inspection. On our side of the road there was no station just cameras - about ten of them! After we travelled by El Paso we headed north to Carlsbad we came across another station. We were stopped at this one but then allowed to go straight through. Given we had the RV and could have had it full of illegals I was very surprised. It must have been the innocent faces!
Secondly, the drive through Mt Franklin Park was amazing. There were 'Wind Advisory' warnings particularly for high profile vehicles! Yep that is us, well we did reconsider our route but went ahead anyway as trucks were coming through the pass. It was really windy and when we stopped for morning tea we just about got blown away as we stepped from the truck!
The drive through the pass was interesting as you leave the flat area of El Paso behind and climb through the mountains and then out the other side to see more of El Paso laid out in front of you in another valley. I continue to be surprised by this country.
Anyway, we got to Carlsbad safely and the next day we went to the caverns. I have been to Mammoth Cave in Margaret River, Australia and that was just beautiful however I was certainly not prepared for the size of 'The Big Room'. It is humungous! In fact the size of 14 football fields! It was just amazing! The caverns were discovered by a 16 year old boy, Jim White, who thought he saw smoke and went to investigate. The smoke turned out to be thousands of bats exiting the bat cave. He went on to investigate the caverns over a long period of time using a kettle filled with lamp oil as his only light!
We spent a couple of hours exploring the 'Big Room' which was absolutely gorgeous. The formations in the cavern were so diverse. The only problem with caverns is that it is difficult to take good photos because of the lack of light and the restrictive length of the flash light on the camera. Anyway I hope you get the idea of how amazing these caverns were from the few photos I have included.
We would have liked to explore some of the other caverns but the need for safety hats with batteries was a little off-putting.
After the caverns we decided to take the 'Christmas on the Pecos' tour. The tour is at night by ferry up the Pecos River to see the Christmas lights by the folks living along the river's edge. And it was c-c-cold. So cold in fact that they provide blankets for everyone on the ferry. Norm and I had to break out the Alaska jackets, the beanies and the gloves as well as the blanket!
One thing that I found interesting was the river itself. The river has been dammed to provide a recreation area for the residents of Carlsbad. It is really lovely with beach areas, boats and fishing. I didn't quite understand it but apparently above the town there is no water in the river as it has been diverted to agriculture. I figure there still has to be some water flowing into the river otherwise it would evaporate or soak into the river bed.
Anyway, apart from that the lights were beautiful. The home owners had gone to a lot of trouble and expense to light their homes. One home had the lights sychronized to music! The reflections in the river certainly made it even lovelier. BUT COLD!!!
Our next destination was San Antonio, Texas with an overnight boondock in Sonora. We were so lucky in Sonora. We went to the Visitor Centre to ask about boondocking and they directed us to the Comfort Inn who were really helpful and allowed us to spend the night in their parking area.
On to San Antonio! You can't come to SA without visiting the Riverwalk and the Alamo so.... off we go to visit. We were with friends Christine and John who we had met at the Boot Camp in Indiana and who made a detour to come and visit us. W
We had an awesome time! We visited the Alamo which, surprisingly is in the heart of SA. I always imagine it would be in the desert somewhere. It was an amazing example of the architecture of the time and has been beautifully preserved . The history of Texas and in particular the Alamo is so interesting.
From the Alamo we wandered over to the Riverwalk. Not the sort of riverwalk I had imagined. You know the trees, playgrounds, seats for quietly contemplating the flowing river and grass and the meandering path along the edge of a river!
The Riverwalk in SA is in the heart of the city and is more like a moat with walkways around it. It was originally constructed to address concerns with the flooding of the San Antonio River.
There are restaurants all along the Riverwalk with hotels overlooking it and you can take a ride on a barge around the entire circle of the Riverwalk. It was really lovely as we sat and had lunch at one of the Mexican restaurants and watched the people walking by. We even got serenaded by a trio of Mexican singers/guitarists. We took the barge ride and explored the whole walk - although we only gave the mall a quick look. A shopping mall is a shopping mall wherever it is!!!!
We stayed long enough to see the lights at night and have dinner at an Irish pub - go figure!! We really had a wonderful day and returned home pretty tired.
Only downer of the day was that Norm has lost his wedding ring! He couldn't wear it when he was working and now I have got him to wear it at last and guess what ! he loses it!! Is this telling me something? LOL
We are just having such a wonderful time in America, and discovering some beautiful places but, the best part is the people we are meeting. The generosity and friendliness of the people is always the same wherever we have gone and we are enormously grateful for that. We have made friends with some really lovely people.
We are staying a week in San Antonio and then heading further south to the Rio Grande valley so our next post will also be from Texas and the warmer weather. Cold nights, lovely warm days - I just love it!
Until I am back, please take care of yourselves and your family and friends. Stay healthy and happy and please, please leave a comment when you visit next.
Our love and hugs to you all.
PS You note I didn't mention about when we lost Norm on the Riverwalk!!!!! LOL
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