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| Harvest moon over Lake Oogolah, OK |
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| Beautiful! |
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Sept. 18 - Wednesday
Slept in and then visited more with Chris & Dorri. Packed up and left for our short drive today. We stopped for groceries at the local Walmart, then up to Pryor, to Claremore and north to the Hawthorn Bluff Corp of Engineers campground on Lake Oologah. Oh my, it was very hot and muggy by then! The park attendant directed us to a good site, we are backed up to a cove, out of the wind coming off the lake. Very wooded, she said to watch for armadillos, deer and raccoons. Gary rode his bike around to check out the boat dock and swimming beach possibilities and I took a walk around the campground. By now it is 95 degrees and even more humid, good thing we are in the shade this time. We went out after dark to see the beautiful harvest moon shining over the water. We could not stay out long, we are back in mosquito territory. Ended the day watching one of our favorite movies, "Under the Tuscan Sun".
Sept. 16 & 17
Monday - Happy Birthday Kelsey!
Today we go to Oklahoma. Headed west on # 20, then north on # 271 through Gilmer, Mt. Pleasant and Paris, TX. Crossed the Oklahoma border and instantly had rough roads! Not a priority here, I guess. Shortly after that we had our first armadillo sighting, on his back, feet up in air. We did not see a single one in Texas where they are lovingly called Texas speed bumps.
At Hugo, OK we started on the Indian Nation Turnpike. It was a little smoother and had very little traffic. We got off just south of McAlester, $7.50 paid out in tolls. There just aren't many straight highway options in that part of OK.
So now we are on Hwy 69, very rough and a lot of semi traffic. Drove up through the lakes area, Lake Eufaula being the largest. Arrived at Onapa RV Park - a small place just south of Checotah. Set up and then went in to Eufaula for groceries and to look at the nearby Oklahoma state park. We wanted to see how their state parks compared to other states. They look about the same, some sites have water hookup, the older sites were gravel pads and very small. There were larger sites with paved pads too. Home, supper and early to bed - it was a long travel day.
Tuesday - we went for a long walk on the rural roads by our campground. Watched a movie on TV while having breakfast, some western called "The Honkers". Drove north to Wagoner, then west to just outside of Coweta. Here we stopped to see our friends, Chris and Dorri Evans - we had met them at the Workkamper News Rally we went to last October and then Gary had seen them again in May at the RV Maintenance training. They had invited us to park and stay overnight in their driveway. It was great to visit with them and catch up. We went into Coweta for supper at a Mexican place, then came back and sat outside. They need rain here too, it showered a little as we arrived in the afternoon, but then quit. Thank you Evans' for your hospitality.
Today we go to Oklahoma. Headed west on # 20, then north on # 271 through Gilmer, Mt. Pleasant and Paris, TX. Crossed the Oklahoma border and instantly had rough roads! Not a priority here, I guess. Shortly after that we had our first armadillo sighting, on his back, feet up in air. We did not see a single one in Texas where they are lovingly called Texas speed bumps.
At Hugo, OK we started on the Indian Nation Turnpike. It was a little smoother and had very little traffic. We got off just south of McAlester, $7.50 paid out in tolls. There just aren't many straight highway options in that part of OK.
So now we are on Hwy 69, very rough and a lot of semi traffic. Drove up through the lakes area, Lake Eufaula being the largest. Arrived at Onapa RV Park - a small place just south of Checotah. Set up and then went in to Eufaula for groceries and to look at the nearby Oklahoma state park. We wanted to see how their state parks compared to other states. They look about the same, some sites have water hookup, the older sites were gravel pads and very small. There were larger sites with paved pads too. Home, supper and early to bed - it was a long travel day.
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| Onapa RV Park site |
Tuesday - we went for a long walk on the rural roads by our campground. Watched a movie on TV while having breakfast, some western called "The Honkers". Drove north to Wagoner, then west to just outside of Coweta. Here we stopped to see our friends, Chris and Dorri Evans - we had met them at the Workkamper News Rally we went to last October and then Gary had seen them again in May at the RV Maintenance training. They had invited us to park and stay overnight in their driveway. It was great to visit with them and catch up. We went into Coweta for supper at a Mexican place, then came back and sat outside. They need rain here too, it showered a little as we arrived in the afternoon, but then quit. Thank you Evans' for your hospitality.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Sept. 12 & 13
Thursday - after our last two busy days, we decided to stay put today. I went for a walk, then we did book work, laundry, and cleaning. Gary took our outgoing mail to the post office. the post office in Cut-n-Shoot had closed at 1:30, so he had to go on to Conroe to get things mailed. In the afternoon we went to the pool, then had an early supper. (It is nice not to be driving somewhere every day)
Friday - time to pack up again and hit the road. Heading north now, took # 105, then # 59 up to Nacogdoches. As we left Cut-n-Shoot and drove, the lovebugs were hitting our windshield like rain! We did not dare run the windshield wipers, it would have been a solid smear. When we stopped for gas, Gary tried to wash them off, but with very little success. Yuck! Then north on # 259 and at Henderson caught # 322 and #1122 to the Fernwood RV Park just south of Longview, TX. A very nice place, cement pads and blacktop roads, but no shade and it was high 90's. When we got out to look, the entire front of our motorhome was covered with love bug carnage - we will work on that tomorrow when it is cooler. Hooray, there are no bugs here!
We got setup, had lunch and went to the pool at the RV park. Changed our clothes & went in to Longview for supper where we found Leon's Steakhouse & Saloon. A busy place, we sat by a table full of salesmen, celebrating because their team had met their sales goals. The sales manager & boss were there getting them everything they wanted. (They all talked funny too.) When we were ready to leave, one of the owners stopped us to ask how it was and then took us back to see the dancehall area. They were having a live blues band that night and a rock and roll band on Saturday night. She was very friendly, encouraged us to come back to dance - we had a nice visit and then headed home.
Friday - time to pack up again and hit the road. Heading north now, took # 105, then # 59 up to Nacogdoches. As we left Cut-n-Shoot and drove, the lovebugs were hitting our windshield like rain! We did not dare run the windshield wipers, it would have been a solid smear. When we stopped for gas, Gary tried to wash them off, but with very little success. Yuck! Then north on # 259 and at Henderson caught # 322 and #1122 to the Fernwood RV Park just south of Longview, TX. A very nice place, cement pads and blacktop roads, but no shade and it was high 90's. When we got out to look, the entire front of our motorhome was covered with love bug carnage - we will work on that tomorrow when it is cooler. Hooray, there are no bugs here!
We got setup, had lunch and went to the pool at the RV park. Changed our clothes & went in to Longview for supper where we found Leon's Steakhouse & Saloon. A busy place, we sat by a table full of salesmen, celebrating because their team had met their sales goals. The sales manager & boss were there getting them everything they wanted. (They all talked funny too.) When we were ready to leave, one of the owners stopped us to ask how it was and then took us back to see the dancehall area. They were having a live blues band that night and a rock and roll band on Saturday night. She was very friendly, encouraged us to come back to dance - we had a nice visit and then headed home.
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| What a Mess! |
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| Hard to see through all this! |
Sept. 14 & 15
Saturday - up for a walk, while Gary washed the love bugs off the windshield and front of the motorhome. It was cooler this morning, we had the windows open for a couple hours. Took this day to catch up on financial work and to research more about what to expect at our Amazon job. And of course, watching college football! (Wins for both Michigan and SDSU-yay!!) I went in to town to Walmart for essentials and groceries. I bought salmon and a sweet onion which we grilled for supper and then watched the Notre Dame game. Good job Irish!
Sunday - 10:00 Mass at St. Mary's in Longview. A nice parish, but the congregation was not singing. We really notice that now. Home, lunch, watched my Kansas City Chiefs win! That game was on locally because they played the Dallas Cowboys (did I mention who won?). The Packers won too, but the Vikings lost by just one!
We went to the pool, got there just as a family group did, so after a lot of getting splashed on and listening to a lot of loud voices (and they all talk funny down here) we went home and sat out in the shade to enjoy the afternoon. The park here is full of trailers, fifth-wheels & motorhomes, mostly with Texas plates, but very few people staying in them this weekend. Grilled burgers for supper. Later, I went to the shower house and did my hair coloring touch up, it needed it.
Sorry, we forgot to take pictures.
Sunday - 10:00 Mass at St. Mary's in Longview. A nice parish, but the congregation was not singing. We really notice that now. Home, lunch, watched my Kansas City Chiefs win! That game was on locally because they played the Dallas Cowboys (did I mention who won?). The Packers won too, but the Vikings lost by just one!
We went to the pool, got there just as a family group did, so after a lot of getting splashed on and listening to a lot of loud voices (and they all talk funny down here) we went home and sat out in the shade to enjoy the afternoon. The park here is full of trailers, fifth-wheels & motorhomes, mostly with Texas plates, but very few people staying in them this weekend. Grilled burgers for supper. Later, I went to the shower house and did my hair coloring touch up, it needed it.
Sorry, we forgot to take pictures.
Sept. 11 - Wednesday
In Galveston - woke up and watched some of the 9-11-01 footage on TV before going down to breakfast. Checked out (yay) and stopped to get the car washed on our way out of town. It was covered with salt spray, the windows had a film on them.
Headed north to the NASA Space Center. They open at 10:00, we were there shortly after that, nice to have a near empty parking lot. They suggested we take the Tram first, a 1 1/2 hour tour of Mission Control (like the one you see in Apollo 13 movie), the Astronaut Training Center and to see the Saturn 5 rocket. Very interesting, especially to the former aspiring astronaut I was with. Back to the Center, we went to the Starship Gallery next and then looked at all the exhibits.
www.spacecenter.org
Mid-afternoon we headed for home. We decided to just take I-45 right through Houston, not knowing how that would be. Perfect timing, I guess, we made it through in 1 hour! Gary said it is one of the easiest drives he has had in a big city. Thank goodness!
We stopped in Cut-n-Shoot at a bank to get my signature notarized for some benefits papers Gary had to send in. Then we were home, for a relaxing evening. A successful day of sightseeing!
Headed north to the NASA Space Center. They open at 10:00, we were there shortly after that, nice to have a near empty parking lot. They suggested we take the Tram first, a 1 1/2 hour tour of Mission Control (like the one you see in Apollo 13 movie), the Astronaut Training Center and to see the Saturn 5 rocket. Very interesting, especially to the former aspiring astronaut I was with. Back to the Center, we went to the Starship Gallery next and then looked at all the exhibits.
www.spacecenter.org
Mid-afternoon we headed for home. We decided to just take I-45 right through Houston, not knowing how that would be. Perfect timing, I guess, we made it through in 1 hour! Gary said it is one of the easiest drives he has had in a big city. Thank goodness!
We stopped in Cut-n-Shoot at a bank to get my signature notarized for some benefits papers Gary had to send in. Then we were home, for a relaxing evening. A successful day of sightseeing!
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| Shuttle spaceship commander |
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| New test robot at NASA |
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| Exhibit in the Starship Gallery |
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| The Shuttle is on display, they are going to add the 747 there |
Sept. 10
Tuesday - today we explore Galveston! Had a great plan to get there, headed south on I-45, then took the # 8 East Bypass. We knew #8 was a toll road, but those are usually faster, Usually. We started on the # 8 East Parkway. We went past several ramps to get on the bypass, but they all had these big glaring signs that said E-Pass only, no cash. Not what do we do? The bypass parkway was usually 3 lanes wide, so we moved along pretty well, except for stop lights repeatedly on this route. We finally stopped at an E-Pass Store to find out what it cost to do the bypass, they told us $55 a day. So, back to the parkway, until we came to where I-10 crosses. Then you have to get on the bypass - just for a little while, paid two tolls and then had to get off again! Finally it merged with I-45 and we arrived in Galveston after 2 1/2 hours on the road!
Galveston and the Gulf, we're here. We drove along the bay side and looked at the water, beach, the restaurants and everything else. 88 degrees and very windy. By then it was time for lunch, so we stopped at "The Spot". A cool place where they had moved in 5 different houses, joined them together and had different eating venues in each. We sat in one that had open air dining (and wind). Had great fish tacos and a burger. The waitress filled us in on where to park to go to the beach and the nightspots on The Strand.
On the way down, I had looked at the map closer and discovered that the NASA Space Center was southeast of Houston. Since we were battling the bypass at that time, I made the comment that we should have just planned to stay in Galveston overnight. We decided it was a great idea, pretty spontaneous for us (it helped a lot that we had each packed another set of clothes anticipating going to the beach and getting sweaty with the humidity). So at lunch, we got on Priceline and got a room for the night. Ended up at a LaQuinta Inn, so we went to check in so we could change to go to the beach.
Well, not such a great adventure. The desk clerk was not excited to be bothered to check me in and when we walked into the room, phew! It smelled. OK, we're here, we'll tough it out. Gary wanted a quick nap, I ended up going down to the front desk to get a code to make the TV work. Miss Friendly said they were new TVs and she would call maintenance to find out. As I stood and waited she went in the back, then out to talk to another gal in the breakfast room - not too concerned about me. Finally she said she would find out and come up. I went back to the room and then the maintenance guy showed up with the code. Thank you.
Changed into our suits and off to the beach. Not as pretty as Cancun water, but we watched others picking up shells, swimming and could see a half a dozen tankers sitting out on the horizon. We walked on the beach, took pictures and walked out on the pier. This was a fishing pier, there was a shop you entered where you paid $10 to be able to go out for access to fish, or $2 to go up just to look. Gary was joking with the guy there, so he let us go up and look for 3 minutes when we realized all our money was in the car. He was a crusty older gentleman, originally from Brooklyn he told us. We drove around and looked at more of the island, we were fascinated by all the houses built up on stilts, some had a garage on the bottom. Went back to our room and changed for supper.
We went to the downtown area which is full of shops, bars and restaurants. Stopped in for Happy Hour at the 2 Steppin' Saloon, our server there was from Moldova. We had asked because she had such a distinctive accent. Then we went back to the bay side of the island for supper at Gaido's for seafood. Then back to our smelly room for the night. I was tired, so luckily fell asleep right away.
Galveston and the Gulf, we're here. We drove along the bay side and looked at the water, beach, the restaurants and everything else. 88 degrees and very windy. By then it was time for lunch, so we stopped at "The Spot". A cool place where they had moved in 5 different houses, joined them together and had different eating venues in each. We sat in one that had open air dining (and wind). Had great fish tacos and a burger. The waitress filled us in on where to park to go to the beach and the nightspots on The Strand.
On the way down, I had looked at the map closer and discovered that the NASA Space Center was southeast of Houston. Since we were battling the bypass at that time, I made the comment that we should have just planned to stay in Galveston overnight. We decided it was a great idea, pretty spontaneous for us (it helped a lot that we had each packed another set of clothes anticipating going to the beach and getting sweaty with the humidity). So at lunch, we got on Priceline and got a room for the night. Ended up at a LaQuinta Inn, so we went to check in so we could change to go to the beach.
Well, not such a great adventure. The desk clerk was not excited to be bothered to check me in and when we walked into the room, phew! It smelled. OK, we're here, we'll tough it out. Gary wanted a quick nap, I ended up going down to the front desk to get a code to make the TV work. Miss Friendly said they were new TVs and she would call maintenance to find out. As I stood and waited she went in the back, then out to talk to another gal in the breakfast room - not too concerned about me. Finally she said she would find out and come up. I went back to the room and then the maintenance guy showed up with the code. Thank you.
Changed into our suits and off to the beach. Not as pretty as Cancun water, but we watched others picking up shells, swimming and could see a half a dozen tankers sitting out on the horizon. We walked on the beach, took pictures and walked out on the pier. This was a fishing pier, there was a shop you entered where you paid $10 to be able to go out for access to fish, or $2 to go up just to look. Gary was joking with the guy there, so he let us go up and look for 3 minutes when we realized all our money was in the car. He was a crusty older gentleman, originally from Brooklyn he told us. We drove around and looked at more of the island, we were fascinated by all the houses built up on stilts, some had a garage on the bottom. Went back to our room and changed for supper.
We went to the downtown area which is full of shops, bars and restaurants. Stopped in for Happy Hour at the 2 Steppin' Saloon, our server there was from Moldova. We had asked because she had such a distinctive accent. Then we went back to the bay side of the island for supper at Gaido's for seafood. Then back to our smelly room for the night. I was tired, so luckily fell asleep right away.
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| A beach friend |
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| Captain by the sea |
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| Happy beach bums |
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| A cool building downtown |
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| Oil Drilling off the coast |
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| Refinery towers everywhere |
Sept. 9 - Monday
Happy Birthday to Dan, Heidi & Suellen!
Packed up to head east today. Started out on Hwy 290, north at Hempsted on # 6, east on #105 at Navasota to Conroe. Then back on # 105 to our destination, Cut-n-Shoot, TX. (Really) We stayed at the Country Place RV Park.
Before Conroe we had stopped for gas in Montgomery. While Gary was at the pump, there were bugs flying all over. He got back in and told me they were black, box elder type bugs that were flying two and three together. When we arrived at the RV park, the bugs were everywhere. When I checked in at the office, I asked about them. They told me they are love bugs and they are present usually at Easter time and now. They don't bite, they are just a nuisance. We asked if they were only alive one day like the May flies at home. They said no, they are around a week or more unless there is a hard rain. But they are attracted most to white clothing. Guess I will stay away from that!
We got set up then went in to Conroe for supper and found the Red Brick Tavern. Good food and service. Gary wanted seafood, so he had the Crawfish Carbonerra.
Packed up to head east today. Started out on Hwy 290, north at Hempsted on # 6, east on #105 at Navasota to Conroe. Then back on # 105 to our destination, Cut-n-Shoot, TX. (Really) We stayed at the Country Place RV Park.
Before Conroe we had stopped for gas in Montgomery. While Gary was at the pump, there were bugs flying all over. He got back in and told me they were black, box elder type bugs that were flying two and three together. When we arrived at the RV park, the bugs were everywhere. When I checked in at the office, I asked about them. They told me they are love bugs and they are present usually at Easter time and now. They don't bite, they are just a nuisance. We asked if they were only alive one day like the May flies at home. They said no, they are around a week or more unless there is a hard rain. But they are attracted most to white clothing. Guess I will stay away from that!
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| Love bugs |
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