Driving

We had originally planned to stop and see what could be seen in Mississippi but since it was cool and very foggy we only made a couple of short stops along the way. We drove the scenic route which was indeed very scenic, driving along miles and miles of sandy beaches. Due to the weather the beaches were empty but I could easily picture them on a hot summer day filled with couples and families basking in the sunshine, splashing in the ocean and building sand castles.

For lunch we found this cool place called The Shed where they make really good barbecue food. The food was very good, the meat was very tender and the place was interesting.

Arriving in the rain in Mobile we chose to watch a movie since walking in the rain with the strong wind blowing did not sound too appealing. Our night sleep was not so comfortable as the humidity was extremely high and the temperature felt very warm and in the morning it was still quite warm. By lunchtime it had cooled off considerably but it was still raining so instead of trying to find things to do we drove on our way to Montgomery.

We did make a stop at Priestners, a lovely shop that sold pecans and all kinds of other gifts. Tim bought his share of pecans, unfortunately for me most of them contained sugar which as you may know I cannot consume at this time, so I was out of luck but I did find some really cute baby gifts for our grandson (who should be making his appearance into this world at the end of March).

The rain was still coming down so we were hopping to do some shopping at a mall but the mall did not have any shops that we wanted so instead we saw another movie and bunkered down for the night in the mall parking lot. Thankfully the wind died down and with our furnace going we had a very restful and peaceful sleep.

Thank you God for your peace.

New Orleans

This morning we got a ride into New Orleans and into the French quarter where we began to explore the area to see what we could find. We decided to take a carriage ride to learn some history and to hopefully see more without walking everywhere. For lunch Tim chose to stop at the place where the po boy began. When a grocer decided to create a sandwich for the poor workers with bread and meat and sell it for a reasonable price and today they make them with a multitude of various ingredients. To me, it is a Orleans version of a submarine sandwich.

We did some more walking and looking and then took a ride on the streetcar and headed towards the Garden District. Upon arriving and making a few miscalculations we finally find the place to start on our walking tour. We walked slowly as my foot, the one I broke a year and a half ago, was giving me some pain, but then again we did have to walk carefully as the sidewalks were very, very uneven.

There were a variety of homes to be seen and the weather was perfect. It was a lovely day to take a walk. We got back on the streetcar to take a longer ride up Saint Charles Ave and see some more old homes and then to turn around and come back towards the French Quarter. After more walking we stopped for supper at Muriel's in Jackson Square. We had a delicious supper! More walking and then we called for our ride back to Jude Travel Park.

All, in all we had an enjoyable day and a good visit in New Orleans.

Thank you God for all that is good.

Plantations

Woke up this morning to the sounds of birds singing good morning, although Tim was not quite as pleased with their singing. Got on our way to Plantation Parade.

Our first stop of the day was Oak Alley Plantation (http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/welcome.html). This home had a quarter mile of 300 year old live oaks framing this classic antebellum mansion. The grounds are amazing! Tim was loving it! The pictures do not really do it justice. We really enjoyed ourselves and even had a good lunch at their restaurant.

We also took a short bike ride along the Mississippi River levee not just for the fresh air and exercise but to get another view of Oak Alley.

To get a different experience we choose to visit a Creole Plantation called Laura. We learned that Creole is not a nationality but a way of living, it is cultural. Creole is made up of French and German and African people. They were a colourful people and family was very important and family was business. If you choose to leave the business you were kicked out of the family (kind of like the Amish). The interesting thing is that they found Laura's memories and have been able to piece together much of the history of the home and the time period. http://lauraplantation.com/ A very interesting tour, and the way the house was built with cypress wood, and the wood beams still looked like new.

Back on the road we headed for New Orleans. We booked into Jude Travel Park as we knew that trying to park an RV in the city would be next to impossible, so here we are relaxing and enjoying ourselves.

God is great!

Swamp

We had an nice night in a RV park called Twelve Oaks, and once the dogs stopped barking we had a restful sleep. Our plan today included a swam tour and a walk on a boardwalk and possibly a plantation or two. We did manage to visit one plantation called the Oaklawn Manor and it was alright but different because the owners still reside in the house. They mostly use the upper levels, which we did not see, as we were only able to see the main floor. We got lots of history and wished we would have had more time to tour the grounds but our swamp guy called and we had to go. We had, before this manor stopped at another called Grevemberg House Museum but it seemed that no one was there and it did not look kept up too well, so we just kept on going.

We arrived, as our tour guide and a family of three from Austria were waiting to get started. Cajun Jack was our tour guide and boat captain, who took us into one of the millions of bajou's of the Atchafalaya Basin. We saw millions or billions of cypress trees, which by the way are known for their ability to resist rot and termites, hence many of the older homes were built with this wood and are still standing. It is too bad the trees were bare as it would have been amazing to see them full with foliage. We saw a bald eagle, hawk, egress and other birds. It was much too cold to see alligator and we learned a little bit about crawfish hunting, which is quite a profitable business. We did meet up with a trapper who was getting ready to go bait his cages although it was a bit early in the season. In a week or so the water will rise and the crawfish will crawl out of their holes to release their young and many will get caught to eat and to sell for eating. September is alligator hunting season where as many as 35,000 are caught that month.

If you follow me on twitter you will have seen pictures of our supper last night that contained crawfish, catfish, frog and alligator. Unfortunately the restaurant we choose battered and deep fried it all, which made it all taste the same. So tonight we had Mexican again.

Oh, we did finally find the boardwalk through the swamp that we were eagerly looking for but it did not meet up to our expectations. Oh well, we tried. Tonight are in the town/city of Thinodaux, LA. Tim just asked me to mention that our swamp tour guide is cousins with Troy from the show "Swam People" and we were about a mile away from where Troy hunts. I have never watched the show but for those of you who have, well you know.

We are close now to the Plantations that we are hoping to visit tomorrow. I am including some pictures from today.

Please pray for our friends as many have lost loved ones in the last days and weeks, our hearts and prayers are with them.

Thank you Lord for beautiful strong cypress trees and large majestic oak trees.

Hiking

Hmm, what all happened today. Well we started the day in Port Arthur, a very seemingly poor town. We wanted to look at some old homes but they were all closed so we headed out towards the Big Thicket Preserve. We drove to the visitor centre so that we would be able to find a hiking trail. Howrah we were successful and we found a trail and took a 2.5 miles walk though the thicket. It was lovely and we enjoyed ourselves very much.

We had earlier picked up a brochure informing us about a house in the city of Orange so we headed there to check it out. It is called the W.H. Stark House which was constructed in 1894 in the Queen Anne architectural style. The Stark family were the only ones who ever lived in the house (from 1894-1936). The home was closed from 1936-1971 at which time they began a ten year restoration process before opening to the public in 1981. The home was not nearly as elaborate as the Bishops Palace but what they did have was all the owners furniture and belongings. Boy did these people collect stuff and not just any stuff but expensive vases, paintings, crystal-lots and lots of crystal. Even in the closet it was full of purses and broaches and more and more beautiful things. This family loved to shop all over the world, it's too bad that we were not allowed to take pictures.

Then we were on our way to Louisiana. Thankfully we made it to the tourist information before they closed. Tonight we wanted to stay in an RV campground so we could fill up with water and empty the used. Also having power would be good for charging our devices that in these days have become so important to all of us. We ended up securing the last sight where I am currently typing this blog.

Tomorrow we head to New Orleans but along the way we hope to visit a few plantations. Will let you know how that turns out.

Praise The Lord!

Galveston

Galveston Texas, a nice place to visit. Galveston is another city right on the oceans edge, with a sea wall to hopefully hold back the water. Unfortunately during hurricane Ike the wall did little to help as many homes were flooded, thankfully the water did not stay very long. Ike did some damage but not nearly to the extent of the great storm of 1900 when most of the city was completely levelled and around 8000 souls lost their lives.

Thursday we visited two of the homes that were built before 1900 that had survived the great storm. The first place we toured was now called "Bishop's Palace" and was built in 1892 for Walter & Josephine Greshem by renowned architect Nicholas Clayton. From 1923-1960's the house was used as the residence of the Archbishop of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese. The house was amazingly beautiful, there was so many different kinds of woods that were used both in the floors, walls, doors, ceilings and builtins. The details that were put into this home was awe inspiring and it looked just as good today as it did new.

The next home we visited was called "Moody Mansion" which as bigger in square footage but not nearly as intricate in detail. This home was completed in 1895' was designed by William H. Tyndall for Mrs. Narcissa Willis who only lived in the home for about three years until her death. Her daughter sought to sell the home afterwards and had an offer of $20,000 (their were more offers before the great storm but this was the only offer remaining after) from W.L. Moody Jr. The house originally cost over $265,000 to build. Mr. Moody and his wife Libbie lived in their new home with their family for over 50 years. The remaining descendant sought to restore the home and turn it into a museum, it was completed after her death.

Both homes had electrical and indoor plumbing and rooms for their servants to sleep. Both had a dumb waiter to bring food up from the basement kitchen. My preference was the Bishops Palace for all the intricate woodwork and details.

Tim and I really do enjoy touring these old homes and we were also able to take out our bikes and tour around the neighbourhoods and see many more beautiful homes. We also rode along the boardwalk after our lunch of shrimp and fish.

Upon leaving Galveston we took another ferry, although this was was a bit longer of a ride than the last one, and continued on our way passing many homes that were built way up high on stilts. We did see some that had been damaged from previous storms and just left. There were also house trailers that had been put up on stilts which did look kind of funny. We drove on along the Bolivar Peninsula until we reached the city of Port Arthur where we spent the night, oh you know where. It's free, remember.

It was another beautiful warm day and we almost hate to leave the warmth and head on as we know the weather is cooler in Alabama but we must and so on we go.

Thank you Lord for all your goodness.

Another warm day in Texas

This morning we headed on over to King Ranch for a morning tour. On this ranch they have over 825,000 acres of land, 60,000 head of cattle and 300 horses. We only got to see a tiny fraction of the operation. If you want more information just check them out online. Our bus driver suggested we check out Lydia's for lunch, seems like we were not the only ones who took his suggestion to heart. We choose the special - beef enchiladas with retried beans. You might be starting to think about how we can choose to eat Mexican food so often, but the reason is simple. We like it.

Drove through Corpus Christi over the large bridge and onto the north part of Padre Island. Stopped to take a walk on a pier and enjoy the sound of the ocean as the waves gently crashed onto the sand. We drove along the island, as someone of TripAdvisor said it was a nice drive, although I did not find it to be so as there was very little to see. Upon reaching Port Aransas we took the very short free ferry ride across the causeway and continued on our way. Our next destination was Fulton Mansion. Unfortunately we arrive a little too late to take a tour, so instead we walked around the old place and took a photo from the front porch. What a lovely view!

Tim just had to stop and pick up some fresh shrimp which he is currently eating at the moment. Not tasting quite as he had hoped, so hopefully sometime on our trip we can find a nice restaurant who knows how to cook up some yummy (or in my case, yucky) tasting shrimp. Each to their own, as the saying goes.

Our next plan, or travel trip was to head towards Galveston but as night fell we decided to stop in Angleton, at a WalMart of course.

Another perfectly warm day in Texas.

Thank you Lord for loving us the way you do!

Warm

With some reluctance we left RGBI and headed out on the road again. We decided to take a more scenic route to South Padre Island. We drove the old #281 or "The Military Highway". At certain points along the route we could see the fence bordering USA and Mexico. We saw fields of cabbage, sugar cane and some corn.

South Padre Island: wouldn't want to live here but it was nice to visit. Riding our bikes and then walking in the sand on the beach with the cool ocean water lapping at our feet. The weather was warm, the sun was shining and just enough of a breeze to not feel too hot. We climbed the windy stairs of an old lighthouse, just for fun and the view of course.

On our way to Kingsville we had to stop for a security check point. Not a problem. Arriving in Kingsville we attempted to find a place to eat that was not fast food but that seems to be almost all that exists here, well except for some buffets joints (I dislike) so we ended up eating at the only other place we saw, Chili"s. Tim had some shrimp tacos that he liked and I had soup. Sorry Jordan but I forgot to take pictures.

Here we are once again at McD's using their Free wifi and catching up on our emails. Our overnight plans include a stay on the black top of the WalMart parking lot.

Thank you Lord for another day to enjoy your beautiful creation.

Prayer update: my sister is having surgery tomorrow.

Powerful

The plan was to leave RGBI but with a few flat bicycle tires that needed to be fixed and then since that was happening laundry may as well be done and so it went.

We had lunch with Ruth & Larry at their home and were planning to leave but Tim was having so much fun helping the guys on the roof that he didn't want to leave. So we stayed. Tim helped on the roof, I did a bit more help with quilting, visited a few people and just had an enjoyable afternoon.

Went out for supper with Peter & Martha and then joined them at Bibleville to listen to another message by Dr. Kroll, who is a very good teacher of the word of God.

We are, or maybe just me, anxious for what awaits us next. We are planning to do some sightseeing on the way to Alabama. Just what we will see and do we do not know but look forward to the adventure.

Just some prayer requests: safety for our travels, good health, Matt's recovery from bronchitis, my sister Eunice for her surgery on Friday to put plates and pins on her broken wrist, and for the ministry here at RGBI.

God is Powerful.

Sunday

Sunday, Jordan's birthday. Happy Birthday son! We attended church at Bibleville and listened to an enjoyable sermon on Daniel by Dr. Woodrow Kroll (from Back to the Bible Ministries).

Celebrated Ruth's birthday at their house with the family. Enjoyed a walk in the beautiful Texas weather, fed the fishes. Enjoyed some supper on our own and then headed over to Ruth &Larry's to play some games.

The weather was beautiful today, had great visits and felt encouraged. Planning to head away from here in the morning although in some ways I am sad to be leaving. We just might have to come back here someday.

God is good, all the time!

Relaxing

Friday morning we took the RV to get an oils change. We both sat and enjoyed our books, Tim had the paper variety - true story, while I read on the iPad a fictional story. After the oil change was complete we ate some leftovers, bought a few more groceries and headed back to RGBI where I just HAD to finish my book. I did! It was very enjoyable reading.

We then headed over to Ruth & Larry's to see what was up and Ruth was preparing a big meal for the board members and their wives. We decided to pitch in and help and then ended up staying for supper and eating with the "kids", Micah and his wife Lana and Nathan. Nathan and a fellow from Bolivia made some coffee using a siphon coffee. It was pretty cool and Tim said it tasted very good as well.

Saturday morning we headed over to see Elijah, Ruth & Larry's oldest son, at the farm where he works. We went along with Peter & Martha, Ruth and Nathan. At this farm, they grow potatoes for Frito Lay, and they were almost done planting and we got to see some of the fields and the potatoes that were already coming up. They do not store any of their potatoes as they wash, bag, and ship they all directly to the processing plant. It was especially a treat for Tim so see how other farmers operate. Forgot to mention that we stopped for a $1.99 breakfast, two eggs, hash browns or beans, bacon or sausage or ham, toast or tortillas. Pretty sweet deal.

For lunch we went to Rudy's for lunch with Peter & Martha, where Tim had beef brisket and I had smoked turkey. Came back to the camper and rested for a bit before biking around and enjoying the sunshine.

We decided to walk a mile or so along the frontage road of the highway to go and see a movie. We watched "The Impossible" a story about a family and what they went though during the 2004 tsunami. It was moving and yes I shed a few if not a lot of tears as it was a true story. We walked back home in the dark and made a delicious late supper of steak, onions, peppers and zucchini all wrapped in a flour tortilla. Now to clean up and get ready for bed as tomorrow we head off to Bibleville for church.

Praise The Lord! He is always good.