tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73358895450914132032024-03-13T20:59:59.055-04:00Two drifters off to see the world....or at least the USA....following sunny days and warm nights across this beautiful country.Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-35177032478997180052015-07-04T20:12:00.001-04:002015-07-04T20:12:59.452-04:00Happy Birthday America!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTyv5GFcf-if5KYgKriugJKYCmEB-YaijeMbNwN2tekZNXm-seve2dJh2NdADRjfDsZ1TfuCD8O1JRL2MBkacO9oPo7iI4fxIbrpOQwJ1c5MI2KTJBNkNv6vujvkzLQTlTypbfeGUtEo/s1600/Hayden+Ellie+4th+July+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTyv5GFcf-if5KYgKriugJKYCmEB-YaijeMbNwN2tekZNXm-seve2dJh2NdADRjfDsZ1TfuCD8O1JRL2MBkacO9oPo7iI4fxIbrpOQwJ1c5MI2KTJBNkNv6vujvkzLQTlTypbfeGUtEo/s320/Hayden+Ellie+4th+July+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hayden and Ellie Belle celebrate the 4th of July!</div>
Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-5948635811431013612014-05-24T21:12:00.001-04:002014-05-24T21:12:26.787-04:00And then there were two...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are heading to Alaska this summer and so I will try to keep up the blog a bit as we go.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But first, you must also see our little Ellie Belle, Hayden's new little sister.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVtP9T45CPeYNKY8ftGyhYzP5f9eVRe368RL4tnUDV84qfANWjtQI270f-f2yjdfu-PCrmBnTDM2uSvWN2_GK6ncgyevvdoVfcanh2UCR-tH0CSjcNFUrU8hWLZbLyf93IpX7gY6MSes/s1600/Ellie7wks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVtP9T45CPeYNKY8ftGyhYzP5f9eVRe368RL4tnUDV84qfANWjtQI270f-f2yjdfu-PCrmBnTDM2uSvWN2_GK6ncgyevvdoVfcanh2UCR-tH0CSjcNFUrU8hWLZbLyf93IpX7gY6MSes/s1600/Ellie7wks2.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Born on October 22, 2013, she shares love with Nan and Paps!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzkvNFgmN47QvA0w5Ia_lOE8B-gWnhHuzWHXgFDu1J6u2VwQYhdFPjcsyAYHp33ZmK20yMZuUN5IrGxlhwaxIOvpuTC2DJ06fjTxMOzEQzXF4c2hh9ZLx7i4WZvx6OZ9iGzZVt1mSwsA/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzkvNFgmN47QvA0w5Ia_lOE8B-gWnhHuzWHXgFDu1J6u2VwQYhdFPjcsyAYHp33ZmK20yMZuUN5IrGxlhwaxIOvpuTC2DJ06fjTxMOzEQzXF4c2hh9ZLx7i4WZvx6OZ9iGzZVt1mSwsA/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdSqHjKwlaHsReALuLf4jcgCt5SnrO2ajbkNMzT1TLbc1AX2JSyFf_mFO0qOWl0ZhMuLBcD2IgAeCHVuB4OJWYX6RSg2qf9jyXn09tiJyDml9CCOq928MBI_wSu2F-4FX37S-pSLZBG8/s1600/Christmas+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdSqHjKwlaHsReALuLf4jcgCt5SnrO2ajbkNMzT1TLbc1AX2JSyFf_mFO0qOWl0ZhMuLBcD2IgAeCHVuB4OJWYX6RSg2qf9jyXn09tiJyDml9CCOq928MBI_wSu2F-4FX37S-pSLZBG8/s1600/Christmas+2013.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now we each have one to love!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These two little ones make the departure to the North a bittersweet one, as we miss these little guys so very much. Can't wait to get the sweet hugs when we head back south...but first, it is North to Alaska, for us!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-10450329964544784732013-02-05T14:20:00.000-05:002013-02-05T14:20:50.417-05:00The Wheels on the Bus Go Round & Round...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where does time go? It's hard to believe that it's been a year since this blog was updated, but it's true. And what a year! Being grandparents continues to be about the best thing in the world to us. Little Hayden and his precious smile keep his Nan and Pappy smitten and every minute spent with the little guy is a cherished one. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, there are many photos of the little man......</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzoYPbmtuNiGg0PBcBf9sM4Em9eFsg_EOd-pM1aJ8Pc7cegWqTrywxLwZ2Xox09z-wAVQEzaZ_07-yx7a7QPsOL_uj7xW7abnAaWo9rgOQgc7MeArPLDjNXU0Cod_CEUjDfWr1WW-7bE/s1600/Hayden+eyes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzoYPbmtuNiGg0PBcBf9sM4Em9eFsg_EOd-pM1aJ8Pc7cegWqTrywxLwZ2Xox09z-wAVQEzaZ_07-yx7a7QPsOL_uj7xW7abnAaWo9rgOQgc7MeArPLDjNXU0Cod_CEUjDfWr1WW-7bE/s320/Hayden+eyes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Grandchildren really do complete life's circle of love!</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of our favorite songs is now "The Wheels on the Bus" and we sing it to Hayden often. It's truly a special song for us as he lights up a thousand-watt smile when he hears it, and we still love to turn those motorhome wheels! We spent most of last winter back in Virginia and kept Hayden for many of those days as Tiff transitioned into a three day work week. Those were truly special days for us as we discovered the joy of being "grands" and loved every day of it. He is such a happy boy and we got so attached to him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We shared many fun days in Catonsville stolling little Hayden to local cafes and for ice cream during what turned out to be the warmest winter season back home in our memory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc1Xvm1VwfN7mJn9dLqsQdNLo7D1hNnJD5QCEAjPsefMN5ID5oQ415lw46Xwk9YrBpkbX3Cx63iEoVRzTsP9Zdr5Wg-l-M09LPdUCbvpFeCelgFkEpfky_ydMQPDk2msuJNRUDbIkHUA/s1600/IMG_9201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc1Xvm1VwfN7mJn9dLqsQdNLo7D1hNnJD5QCEAjPsefMN5ID5oQ415lw46Xwk9YrBpkbX3Cx63iEoVRzTsP9Zdr5Wg-l-M09LPdUCbvpFeCelgFkEpfky_ydMQPDk2msuJNRUDbIkHUA/s320/IMG_9201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>"It's my birthday!"</em></span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtR2tKo60b3Z7v-CpUfxIzGC2CfQNTsbzFyXhu_DQvD_5d07-3mM009N7s2SNzeoLMKhI6eNg6lBmjsa3o-W1CCod3xivgxAEH-gGE9I6jR0-HZxlsnIMWI9ozJTe2tyuX7PCZhP8u0c/s1600/IMG_9123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtR2tKo60b3Z7v-CpUfxIzGC2CfQNTsbzFyXhu_DQvD_5d07-3mM009N7s2SNzeoLMKhI6eNg6lBmjsa3o-W1CCod3xivgxAEH-gGE9I6jR0-HZxlsnIMWI9ozJTe2tyuX7PCZhP8u0c/s320/IMG_9123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>"I see you Nan!"</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of the family gathered at Harryhogan for Hayden's first Thanksgiving. The tradition of roasting oysters and frying turkeys continued and I finally celebrated my first Thanksgiving as a grandma!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uXity10fN6c6YL0xEwj4JKMYtpBaV-VjU6XKmM_Op4N10zxrocS8UInD_zM88WYnXTBQSu3jeOvR2BfFYmXbhWCthSDo2e4mt7akVH-1Sidu5qaIowvkrqZvjv4KYp9WgpJ0fUu2EuQ/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uXity10fN6c6YL0xEwj4JKMYtpBaV-VjU6XKmM_Op4N10zxrocS8UInD_zM88WYnXTBQSu3jeOvR2BfFYmXbhWCthSDo2e4mt7akVH-1Sidu5qaIowvkrqZvjv4KYp9WgpJ0fUu2EuQ/s320/IMG_8823.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Hayden's first Thanksgiving Day...and my first Thanksgiving as Nan!</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyUYcYohb3198oIEWTeLLe4HaYb4y7jYJj6confwOrKbZiYBmC1ShziOW4Mo6DkozWDCdryhBmi1rUrPxVYvRJatGehE5b1H_H9d77equASuh_OP9I-IDyPQmqvk2e7NAMbSI_KXXafo/s1600/IMG_8962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyUYcYohb3198oIEWTeLLe4HaYb4y7jYJj6confwOrKbZiYBmC1ShziOW4Mo6DkozWDCdryhBmi1rUrPxVYvRJatGehE5b1H_H9d77equASuh_OP9I-IDyPQmqvk2e7NAMbSI_KXXafo/s320/IMG_8962.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>"Just call me Rudolph!"</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">There have been wonderful weeks working on the house at Harryhogan......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_sNmtG99mMMI0g4YCrZ2m_vRHGhP__Hq_Jmx1-kwHh9LgZPyNcoiphGNhVbGHmfsORWT3z0r-UlQkWeByk_PSmGc872snH_yrzBkLKJ-W6mRQ27-Q3iX81ufcq14DAyFp6MIDwQUzXU/s1600/Harryhogan+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_sNmtG99mMMI0g4YCrZ2m_vRHGhP__Hq_Jmx1-kwHh9LgZPyNcoiphGNhVbGHmfsORWT3z0r-UlQkWeByk_PSmGc872snH_yrzBkLKJ-W6mRQ27-Q3iX81ufcq14DAyFp6MIDwQUzXU/s320/Harryhogan+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>The project we call "Harryhogan"!</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa5NOycB2T5rG_5hVQmmjedqTh_nDSHatJP5-xraDBK9y2i8O9JF2IpEEYrJsruzcpXfvhyphenhyphenvb7079THugO6tq3CaJtWBpiuMCbQL-oJ5-Lm3FPwwshoCk7uut-TKGW4owY-auZLtRTBk/s1600/Collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa5NOycB2T5rG_5hVQmmjedqTh_nDSHatJP5-xraDBK9y2i8O9JF2IpEEYrJsruzcpXfvhyphenhyphenvb7079THugO6tq3CaJtWBpiuMCbQL-oJ5-Lm3FPwwshoCk7uut-TKGW4owY-auZLtRTBk/s320/Collages.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and the projects are nearing completion! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Escapade continues to keep us busy and the work we do on the road preparing for it each year is fun and engaging. After enjoying Christmas week and celebrating Hayden's first birthday on Christmas Eve, the motorhome fired up and headed Southwest. We spent a few days with dear friends Keith and Donna in Lufkin. After a few stops in the Hill Country of Texas, we headed west to Arizona and landed in Quartzsite for another round of boondocking in the desert. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After all the fun we could stand, we headed on down to Yuma, AZ where the sun is (almost) always shining and every day is WARM! After being very cold up in Quartzsite for several days, the weather here is just perfect! We even sleep with those windows open at night, as the nights are getting warm!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I remember my mom saying never to wish time away as it passes much more quickly as you grow older. I think I know this to be true as the days just fly by and before we know it, another year has passed. If only we could make time stand still! Instead, a year goes by almost before we know it. So many things to do and places yet to see, and days that we want to share with little Hayden. We can't wait until he can go with us in the motorhome, and yet we selfishly want to keep him just a precious little boy sharing tiny hugs and smiles. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thus passed the last year in our lives so quickly...can't wait to see what's around the next bend!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-16110310315439700262012-02-03T22:40:00.010-05:002012-02-03T23:20:21.954-05:00Words of a grandma....A truly wonderful and amazing thing happened on Christmas Eve; little Hayden Eric showed up, almost right on time, and what a Christmas gift!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhMqJRA5WRpep9dbt42WO8BDg-nSYazvHS4_LDL3UPKOcnx4bblMdRnkbpCf1NpPzV6_EufZVF3bmMnSPvqXFSbzdUYmx0IS-L_PNwWu3CYseYF-Trurcwn1pG4cwCgbbM9sKN-YjHbA/s1600/DSC00566.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705121000956665522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhMqJRA5WRpep9dbt42WO8BDg-nSYazvHS4_LDL3UPKOcnx4bblMdRnkbpCf1NpPzV6_EufZVF3bmMnSPvqXFSbzdUYmx0IS-L_PNwWu3CYseYF-Trurcwn1pG4cwCgbbM9sKN-YjHbA/s400/DSC00566.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There was no question that he would be loved...but there was NO CLUE that he would just steal your heart right away, until I laid eyes on him and held his sweet little self. There really is something special about grandbabies and now I know it for myself!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMiqcGNT8h5iWEYG682nSg81mGSpwrd5Ovif3_xzVZjW1IVWn5BDP5nZzdA87_xImUJoFP6byjpVDTTewT9htHQU9kkgng50x84sGTEi3mgx5TQgZzHJxueR0skVPxthox91u8PHUR8Q/s1600/DSC00557.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705122513503851042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMiqcGNT8h5iWEYG682nSg81mGSpwrd5Ovif3_xzVZjW1IVWn5BDP5nZzdA87_xImUJoFP6byjpVDTTewT9htHQU9kkgng50x84sGTEi3mgx5TQgZzHJxueR0skVPxthox91u8PHUR8Q/s400/DSC00557.JPG" /></a><br /><br />He calls me "Nan"...well, not just yet, but soon!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlA7tecxMkXU13rkL1KykoA8x3qentS1QzNfEosBIJ69OvKqMP9YFyYS3NoeaRe5nXuVdDmaoU3iF8gfl_w49LU6qH561hvG01QHgPqomgQs9oVQpE3ZPoLZHVBQS2EVG3bJPVCdxIWs/s1600/DSC00611.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705125170586427298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlA7tecxMkXU13rkL1KykoA8x3qentS1QzNfEosBIJ69OvKqMP9YFyYS3NoeaRe5nXuVdDmaoU3iF8gfl_w49LU6qH561hvG01QHgPqomgQs9oVQpE3ZPoLZHVBQS2EVG3bJPVCdxIWs/s400/DSC00611.JPG" /></a><br /><br />His mom and dad are pretty smitten by the little guy too..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJTrh4RB83mBbZXahmL0MyCCdrrWTlkvhyMHrpj6bp6Kk-LIYsG3_DupZzz6N_HQzZnWnfq8gQ_XRciUMo58WVYxJZ1xn9fswHTK1GxpycajazOJpWPgahB41bzpbiCwulAFN8aM8QAw/s1600/DSC00642.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705125757782534386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJTrh4RB83mBbZXahmL0MyCCdrrWTlkvhyMHrpj6bp6Kk-LIYsG3_DupZzz6N_HQzZnWnfq8gQ_XRciUMo58WVYxJZ1xn9fswHTK1GxpycajazOJpWPgahB41bzpbiCwulAFN8aM8QAw/s400/DSC00642.JPG" /></a><br /><br />So, the travels of the year and the fun of Escapade have dimmed in our rear-view mirror just now. Not wanting to miss seeing this little guy grow, we'll stay here in Virginia at Harryhogan and back in Maryland at Catonsville with the little man until around June, when the wheels will turn again for a while. <br /><br />Just one more photo of the little guy we love to pieces...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwCR_hbpxHpUP9Y25FcTdSAdpyob4pFXiy3TjIZ2B5w2GnbgZC2yt6FYGx87LhZtm764qBLDnTxsGfxySHgN55wRE5ZzkGd3FZXgH9jt7jntnLPZs-Rx_5PlL9_42V4b7J5GVnyb35AQ/s1600/IMG_7416.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705126458494217890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwCR_hbpxHpUP9Y25FcTdSAdpyob4pFXiy3TjIZ2B5w2GnbgZC2yt6FYGx87LhZtm764qBLDnTxsGfxySHgN55wRE5ZzkGd3FZXgH9jt7jntnLPZs-Rx_5PlL9_42V4b7J5GVnyb35AQ/s400/IMG_7416.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><em>With love from Nan!</em>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-48193199658624899552011-07-02T23:23:00.001-04:002011-07-03T01:11:24.031-04:00It's been a long while....<div align="center">Funny thing about writing a journal is that once you get out of the habit, it is hard to get back in to it! So, here it is, almost the 4th of July and the Grand Tetons National Park has been the lastest excursion. Quite probably the most beautiful place we have been, displacing Acadia National Park and the Porcupine Islands that has long held that title for us.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFwbZetKwIsaXyvU4VbLxdpo_8dH3Kpbq2SYf9RAmQ8qPc5G3ICU5zLKGDVl2ki8mSwFvhE488uU6Ms17_Jcwdm0wtLanSRpdckL2MazSHNdPk4aiSCoWb6w04qrKXqozv80Jifr3Bxs/s1600/Arrowroot+Tetons.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624960217020648450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFwbZetKwIsaXyvU4VbLxdpo_8dH3Kpbq2SYf9RAmQ8qPc5G3ICU5zLKGDVl2ki8mSwFvhE488uU6Ms17_Jcwdm0wtLanSRpdckL2MazSHNdPk4aiSCoWb6w04qrKXqozv80Jifr3Bxs/s400/Arrowroot+Tetons.JPG" /></a><em>Grand Teton viewed from Menor's Crossing on the Snake River<br /></em>The winter spent in Yuma was almost perfect; the weather was really nice, warm and sunny ALL the time. There were many folks wintering there and lots of fun happy hours most days. </p><br /><br /><p align="center">Leaving Yuma, we spent the month of April in Congress, AZ, just north of the cowboy town of Wickenburg. This Escapees Rainbow Park is really delightful and the folks there make it even more so. The weather was pure springtime...except for one Saturday when we awoke to rain and there was 5" of snow on the mountaintop of Yarnell...so along with TS and Harrell and Denny and Susie, we drove up and had breakfast at the RanchHouse Restaurant and watched the white fluffy stuff fall all around us...a little winter wonderland in the midst of the high desert! </p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZC22RdjimAPiNlLX9b_9a01g4iyUMhutaFMqsZZZivFUew620LXG4Q4CkxbUS2q_ebWdOaL9lUmV2BI_Uu8G_wWG3KEbBX9HJmTO2ovMb-SxGz9yftfckGJ1uzVd37eS2e7CqKDZ4FI/s1600/IMG_6119.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624966260692210962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZC22RdjimAPiNlLX9b_9a01g4iyUMhutaFMqsZZZivFUew620LXG4Q4CkxbUS2q_ebWdOaL9lUmV2BI_Uu8G_wWG3KEbBX9HJmTO2ovMb-SxGz9yftfckGJ1uzVd37eS2e7CqKDZ4FI/s400/IMG_6119.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Mountain top Yarnell, snow covered in May </span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="center">The little town of Wickenburg is a true 'uptown' old west town and we found several little cafes to share lots of great meals and explored the cowboy legend and lore there.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Along about the first of May we flew back to Virginia for Mother's Day and it was the most special Mother's Day ever for me, as we got news that I am going to be a GRANDMOTHER! Words cannot tell you how exciting this is and I just can't wait...I'm quite out of practice, but just know that it is going to be amazing. I think my name will be Nan...but whatever I am called will be just perfect! December 26th is the time and Catonsville, MD is the place... I will be there!!<br /><br />The rest of May was spent in Cottonwood, AZ where we spent much time with Bob's brother, Ronnie, who had most of his foot amputated (diabetes) and we cooked many meals and shared lots of days together.<br /><br />One fascinating event while in Cottonwood was the annual sheep drive that comes thru the Verde Valley Preserve. Each year, since the late 1880's, a herd of about 1200 sheep are driven north from Casa Grande to the Flagstaff area for summer grazing.<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624969643102070610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl7VjR2gohNNHmZ-JwK9zUu4F0gCl6kyljQl2V4qIZptURaGC3cl1kky9nZ7LWDd30sPP6bfiV4EfrNx2CDoQtj3DY7KaSvYbZCvwj5mZBtCa7pVDnO4H55KJDrj7dEDMLvLQWzq7S2I/s400/IMG_6200.JPG" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Sheeps crossing Verde Valley, AZ</span></em></p><br /><p>The shepherds drive them down the Verde Valley and cross the Verde River a few hundred yards from our site. It was a sight to see!! Complete with sheep dogs, donkeys and shepherds, it was like a step back in time!<br /><br />Visiting Sedona,Prescott, Jerome and the Red Rock Coconino National Forest to explore early Indian petroglyph sites and ruins, we learned much about early Indian farming and survival techniques and gained a new appreciation for these heritage sites and natural beauty of the red rock formations that grace the area.<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE31Hm_LS_g8WhM_823gq3KCiFqqyJ-rxaFFqOJ2PnZ85BlNcOWVtVNMEM1KqxvUzfOBu8XWVfUS-rKPeXZtCP963fA6D78bmAMryxZ6cTXuxIBLJU809YvpPtoaUalfrMK56O2J04kPw/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624972547392985026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE31Hm_LS_g8WhM_823gq3KCiFqqyJ-rxaFFqOJ2PnZ85BlNcOWVtVNMEM1KqxvUzfOBu8XWVfUS-rKPeXZtCP963fA6D78bmAMryxZ6cTXuxIBLJU809YvpPtoaUalfrMK56O2J04kPw/s320/IMG_6237.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Bell Rock in Sedona Red Rock country</em> </span></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9l8kBnFTGNi7DVsuEiemLS6whJxlniQeQpqgh01ViY7qnVpR2MYb0Jkc_1JYP5Vye_aXU_7f5bO3fQVCOIaHRJKYaJnUD1Dh4pebWB9J6I8rBuTycm4P7MNrBj_GUPpGFvldBoX4T2s/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624973948748503890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9l8kBnFTGNi7DVsuEiemLS6whJxlniQeQpqgh01ViY7qnVpR2MYb0Jkc_1JYP5Vye_aXU_7f5bO3fQVCOIaHRJKYaJnUD1Dh4pebWB9J6I8rBuTycm4P7MNrBj_GUPpGFvldBoX4T2s/s320/IMG_6217.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>V-Bar-V Heritage site petroglyphs illustrate planting,harvesting, and the passing of years in Indian life in central Arizona<br /></em><br /></span>Leaving Cottonwood near the end of May, we traveled north to Flagstaff, crossing I 40and traversing the Navajo Reservation on Route 89. This high plains desert area was virgin territory for us and the stark beauty was a most pleasant surprise.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUw3-gYJFVsLqaJ-KfU-RM1Jl1i6THT1VzdEq7SgJJQ-ScOQ1nb4SnnFg3BZqAaeeqABG3nGruJVYC0BfkFbFb_fywOD8FHAWPQLBKYtBi6Z7hjA_u4pf5o6iDuw9e37hH2E7BOiFMoY/s1600/IMG_6312.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624977926157741650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUw3-gYJFVsLqaJ-KfU-RM1Jl1i6THT1VzdEq7SgJJQ-ScOQ1nb4SnnFg3BZqAaeeqABG3nGruJVYC0BfkFbFb_fywOD8FHAWPQLBKYtBi6Z7hjA_u4pf5o6iDuw9e37hH2E7BOiFMoY/s320/IMG_6312.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center"></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The road never ends...towards the Vermillion Cliffs<br /></span></em><br />The road stretched endlessly before us and the landscape was almost moon like. The Painted Desert lies just to the east and Grand Canyon to the west of this route. Along the way were tiny Indian huts where the Navajos sold jewelry made of mostly imported beads. There were a few creations made from the cedar berries gathered on the plateau tops, strung and dried. A cedar-strand eye glass chain looked like a good choice so that I won't be leaving the glasses behind so often now!<br />Climbing the mountain to Jacobs Lake, near the north rim of the Grand Canyon brought us into the ponderosa pine area and lovely cool weather. We had learned of Sharlot Hall <a href="http://azmemory.lib.az.us/cdm4/index.php?CISOROOT=/shmcurator">http://azmemory.lib.az.us/cdm4/index.php?CISOROOT=/shmcurator</a>, early 1900's champion of Arizona and southwest culture, and following her footsteps along this trail brought the history to life as we viewed her beloved Vermillion Cliffs along the Utah/Arizona border.<br />Arriving in southern Utah in the town of St. George around the end of May, we found lots more sunshine, warmth, a rich history to explore and many friendly folks. Keith and Donna joined us in St. George, Utah for a couple of weeks and we all managed to gain a pound or two trying out all the cafes in town. We also shared some nice meals with Paul and Mary who were also there to visit Zion National Park.<br /><br />Zion, Cedar Breaks and Bryce National Parks and the Mormon Trail were the highlights for June....and highlights they were, indeed! It was a great month spent with good friends and amazing sights...then it just kept getting better as we traveled further north thru Salt Lake City and into Idaho and Wyoming.....Jackson Hole, Tetons, Yellowstone are yet to come!<br /><br /><em>Forgive me for not writing regularly; Hugs and love to all!</em></p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-57644386818092925792011-02-11T01:33:00.002-05:002011-02-11T01:38:04.933-05:00Down in the Southwest corner of the USA<p> </p><p>Yes, that is where you will find us in Yuma, Arizona; over 300 days of sunshine each year; warm and arid…not too shabby for spending the winter!! Mid seventies most days, so life is pretty good.</p><p>We spent almost two pleasant weeks in Benson, AZ at the SKP Saguaro Park. A lovely park terraced upon the hills, with an amazing view of the Dragoon Mountains. <a href="http://green2gorv.typepad.com/green2gorv/2011/01/boondocking-in-the-arizona-desert.html">Keith and Donna</a> arrived a day or two after us and we spent lots of time enjoying the surrounding areas. We also got to spend a little time with <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/rodeo-nm-to-benson-az-meeting-friends.html">Ken and Cindy</a> and <a href="http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-570150">Doug and JoAnn</a>, and Glenn and Sylvia which was a nice treat. We all drove down to the old mining town of Bisbee, which has become a delightful and modern little eclectic town in it’s own right. Breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club was great fun then we did some touring and shopping. </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTX_lhIctI/AAAAAAAAGN0/H_8yQWXeJfA/s1600-h/Bisbee%20shopping%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="Bisbee shopping" border="0" alt="Bisbee shopping" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTYFzkbK3I/AAAAAAAAGN4/eYw81UF9fpo/Bisbee%20shopping_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="170" /></a></p><p>(Photo by Joann! We loved our bags!)</p><p>Tombstone is another fun, old west mining town of Doc Holliday fame. It is very much a step back in time to the old west and we visited Tombstone several times with different folks.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTYHqTkdGI/AAAAAAAAGN8/ceOfDlZrD3o/s1600-h/IMG_5877%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5877" border="0" alt="IMG_5877" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTYI4-O4cI/AAAAAAAAGOA/6SUSD2WW5N4/IMG_5877_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="195" /></a></p><p>We left Benson around the middle of January, headed to Quartzsite, AZ to camp in the desert with a lot of other RVing buddies. Donna and I claimed the wheels, driving thru Tucson towards Q, so those rigs were driven by estrogen most of the way. We arrived in Quartzsite to meet Denny and Susie (and a bunch of other folks) at the Escapees Happy Hour site, where we played in the desert for many days, sharing campfires, stories and great meals everyday.</p><p>The desert and mountains surrounding it, provides such a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Despite the dust that does wear on you after a week or two, it is one of the loveliest of natures icons, and we love spending time, off the grid there in the Arizona desert. </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTYJw4JLtI/AAAAAAAAGOE/AdxvtUrxlwA/s1600-h/Q%20campfire%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="Q campfire" border="0" alt="Q campfire" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTYKyB-iOI/AAAAAAAAGOI/2PoaEm0kjhc/Q%20campfire_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>And it is a lot of FUN! Since I am remiss in keeping up with my diary (blog), please visit <a href="http://rvdrivingschool.blogspot.com/2011/01/we-snacked-on-what-at-campfire.html">Dennis and Carol</a> to see a few of the shenanigans from our weeks in Q. (or blogs from some of the folks above!) Just remember, what happens in the desert, stays in the desert!! <img style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TVTYLoA-dfI/AAAAAAAAGOM/TOp4a3Pe-3g/wlEmoticon-smile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" /></p><p>Hugs and love from sunny Yuma!!</p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-61497820000679562912011-01-11T00:02:00.003-05:002011-01-11T00:11:17.708-05:00A Texas holiday behind us<p align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvj1kf1fwI/AAAAAAAAGMI/jwbcTs6UctU/s1600-h/IMG_5834%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5834" border="0" alt="IMG_5834" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvj3KxmzAI/AAAAAAAAGMM/vTiJd495qtc/IMG_5834_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="244" /></a></p><p align="center">Tommie Sue planned a wonderful Christmas week in Texas with fine seats in the magnificent Majestic Theatre to see the original Tuna Christmas. We laughed until we thought our sides would burst! It was a picture perfect day, sunny and seventy or so and we had a Mexican brunch then walked the Mercado….</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvj4-WX7wI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/bZ9Np0vcgVI/s1600-h/IMG_5776%5B3%5D.jpg"></a>…and strolled along the River Walk as twilight fell….</p><p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvj8ULgD4I/AAAAAAAAGMc/hTYY611xIRI/s1600-h/IMG_5808%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5808" border="0" alt="IMG_5808" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvj-b3t20I/AAAAAAAAGMg/UL-DtHho100/IMG_5808_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p><p align="right">to view the lovely yuletime lights. Indeed, we had to stop for dessert at one of the cafes along the walk….</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkAeCnNTI/AAAAAAAAGMk/TGKn6XAktmA/s1600-h/IMG_5790%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5790" border="0" alt="IMG_5790" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkBrzas4I/AAAAAAAAGMo/seaMj9IBoWI/IMG_5790_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a>…more yummy treats!</p><p>Then we strolled to the see the Alamo in Christmas dress…</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkEeA9mNI/AAAAAAAAGMs/FflKzs16pe8/s1600-h/IMG_5816%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5816" border="0" alt="IMG_5816" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkG7wDVZI/AAAAAAAAGMw/AlEOVmCSVwg/IMG_5816_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>…and the Cinderella-esque carriages frequenting the square.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkJ3irm4I/AAAAAAAAGM0/RNp4YJBfK_o/s1600-h/IMG_5825%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5825" border="0" alt="IMG_5825" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkLkJjztI/AAAAAAAAGM4/UadBVg7tx-s/IMG_5825_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>TS hosted a nice traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas day…it was a wonderful day, but I did miss the kids. Tiff requested her reservations for next year already and we made a date!! I’m pretty sure it won’t be in Texas…but Rio would be nice too! :)</p><p>Later in the week, we trekked to Llano, Texas to <a href="http://coopersbbq.com/">Coopers BarBQue</a>, with Ken and Jan Tilton and Jo and Pete Peters and few other Spring Branch folks. </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkNTiRFCI/AAAAAAAAGM8/9R7CcW8_v9s/s1600-h/coopers%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="coopers 2" border="0" alt="coopers 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkO5tbogI/AAAAAAAAGNA/RkwUhsjucPc/coopers%202_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="110" height="120" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkQN92IZI/AAAAAAAAGNI/3JDAfvZ614Y/s1600-h/Coopers%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="Coopers" border="0" alt="Coopers" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkRUNxdpI/AAAAAAAAGNM/c8r5PGMtcgE/Coopers_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="115" height="121" /></a></p><p>Now, THIS is a barbque place! Bob had one of those two pound pork chops…it was fabulous!! They smoke EVERYTHING…brisket, sirloin, pork, chicken, sausage and even goat!! After stuffing ourselves with smoked meat, we had to stop at the <a href="http://bluebonnetcafe.net/">Bluebonnet Café</a> in Marble Falls for Pie Happy Hour. I’ve heard about this place for several years and it was everything we'd hoped it would be…every kind of pie you can imagine…I had german chocolate and banana crème (1/2 of each!)…delicious!! A few more fun memories were made!!</p><p>And we had a lovely lunch with Paul & Mary and Sandy & John in Boerne before we left Spring Branch.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkTRvNITI/AAAAAAAAGNQ/-Mioo0XvPj4/s1600-h/IMG_5863%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5863" border="0" alt="IMG_5863" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkU9LOlzI/AAAAAAAAGNU/eOSchasoves/IMG_5863_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkWqO3unI/AAAAAAAAGNY/gH0Fux_fnPw/s1600-h/IMG_5864%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_5864" border="0" alt="IMG_5864" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TSvkX9INCsI/AAAAAAAAGNc/zpbQXKoE5v0/IMG_5864_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>It was fun sharing laughs and conversation and we’ll see them before long down the road a ways, I’m sure.</p><p>So, the holiday season is over and the new year is here…West to Benson, Arizona is where we’ll be for a little while!!</p><p>Hugs to everyone!</p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-63056537028727830602010-12-24T00:03:00.001-05:002010-12-24T00:03:20.630-05:00Feliz Navidad….<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TRQpf_JCm5I/AAAAAAAAGK8/XVsXXnfaKo0/s1600-h/IMG_5774%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5774" border="0" alt="IMG_5774" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TRQphMtl4SI/AAAAAAAAGLA/7KvC5klwmIs/IMG_5774_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">After almost three weeks in Red Bay, Alabama, we pulled out of the Allegro Campground and headed South last Friday evening.  Needless to say, it was a happy day!!   </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">The weather was a dramatic improvement….seventies over fifties and lots of sunshine….glorious!!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">  We spent a great weekend with Keith and Donna, eating really good Mexican food and playing Hand n Foot….Donna and I finally got the groove back…we won four out of five games (we had to let the guys win one!)  Since there has been a major women’s losing streak for about the last six months, we were really happy gals to score a win.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans"> We hated to leave them, but needed to get on to Spring Branch and Tommie Sue and Harrell’s,  so Monday we drove deeper  into Texas….everything in Texas is a six hour drive….unless it’s more!  It takes at least a day and a half to get  into or out of Texas…unless you’re going to El Paso and then it takes THREE days!  So six hours later we arrived at TS and Harrell’s lovely place in the Hill Country.   This is one of our favorite areas and the drive over 306 is so pretty.   The peeks at Canyon Lake from Devil’s Backbone are so beautiful…maybe one day we will capture it in a photo, but not yet!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">We put our little LED lights on the tiny tree that sits on the credenza…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TRQpisF1cUI/AAAAAAAAGLE/V9s_7dk8FkE/s1600-h/IMG_5760%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5760" border="0" alt="IMG_5760" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TRQpjcb0XxI/AAAAAAAAGLI/nyw9JJELzcY/IMG_5760_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">…put on the Christmas music, lit the Christmas candles and then put on our SHORTS to enjoy the eighty degree weather!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TRQpkzxH8GI/AAAAAAAAGLM/jQ3wjZ0X0aw/s1600-h/IMG_5762%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5762" border="0" alt="IMG_5762" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TRQpl-Z6yQI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/nV1JgMq-zQU/IMG_5762_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">The sunshine and warmth feel so good after the cold days in Red Bay!   </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">It was great to see TS and Harrell and we have been busy making Escapade plans and visiting. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">On a sad note, Cathie called yesterday with the very sad news that Joe had suffered an aneurysm and the prognosis was not good.  What a great loss of a truly wonderful man, as he succumbed early in the afternoon.   As the co-founder of the Escapees RV Club, he showed us all how to be better people and to share joy in life with all around you.  He will be missed by so many people.   Keep them all in your prayers, please.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">I find myself missing the kids very much, but not the cold and snow back home. How’d you like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?     I would love it…and it’s still one of my favorite Christmas songs!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Lucida Sans">We wish wonderful Christmas blessings to everyone as we remember the reason for the season.   Hugs and love you all!</font></p> Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-90216424654241492032010-12-15T11:38:00.006-05:002010-12-15T12:36:19.707-05:00Red Bay, ALEight degrees yesterday morning in Red Bay....too cold for anywhere, is what I think about that!<br /><br /><br /><div>We have been at Coldwater Inn in Tuscumbia, AL for the last ten days, and with the frigid weather that has been a good thing! It snowed almost all day Sunday, but no accumulation, thank heavens!! What is up with the weather??? Cold everywhere except where we are supposed to be!! </div><br /><div></div><div>Dennis Hill <a href="http://rvdrivingschool.blogspot.com/">http://rvdrivingschool.blogspot.com/</a> arrived Sunday to enjoy the cold weather. It sure was good to see a familiar face! We've had custody of the now almost famous "Little Green Man" since we left Abbeville....</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Gv7R55SnUzAy490nUtrv8wsuu6bPWVxSeLFIlZmXDgDbL9Nq5ccvCjrvsFo7mtJSmQmjf5HRA0BLLa-Vl5Yk2riYR1Vl95VxpN2GVGeiuB6i4Hv5j-1g2GwcMdVBUP61WPppUbgf324/s1600/Little+Green+man.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550962559522941826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Gv7R55SnUzAy490nUtrv8wsuu6bPWVxSeLFIlZmXDgDbL9Nq5ccvCjrvsFo7mtJSmQmjf5HRA0BLLa-Vl5Yk2riYR1Vl95VxpN2GVGeiuB6i4Hv5j-1g2GwcMdVBUP61WPppUbgf324/s400/Little+Green+man.jpg" /></a> ....so we decided to return the little guy to his rightful owner! He has recovered nicely from his recent 'turtle napping' and hanging at the rally in Goshen. He really needs a jacket though...it's awfully cold outside!!<br /><br /><div>As an update, they should finish with the MH in the cabinet shop today! Yay....in the last ten days, they have replaced much of the tile floors and done a tremendous amount of cabinet and wall work; all of the technicians have done a nice job and we are pretty pleased. Today they should move it to the paint bay and bring the cleaners in, to get all the sawdust and grit cleaned out. </div><div></div><div>So, if the creek don't rise, we hope to be driving out of here on Friday....oh, happy day!!! :)</div><br /><div>I am one of those that LOVE travel days...it is always exciting when Bob fires up the engine and I climb in my seat and buckle up...I can't wait to see what's coming up around the next turn, especially if it's new territory for us. Not to mention finding warmer weather and good friends ahead...leave the light on for us...the countdown is on!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-9773517309956373442010-11-30T21:55:00.002-05:002010-11-30T22:58:15.439-05:00Where in the world….<p>…have we been? Well, it’s something like this…from the Escapade in Goshen back to Virginia…. then on to the Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY with Paul and Katie. En route we experienced our first-ever break down in a motorhome…</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXE9zzwrUI/AAAAAAAAGI0/4NlkEdzL52M/s1600-h/Broken%20Down%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="Broken Down" border="0" alt="Broken Down" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXE-vFCi0I/AAAAAAAAGI4/57-E5-MEnyY/Broken%20Down_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p>and the great big tow truck delivered us to Lee-Hy Truck Stop in Lexington, VA where they installed an emergency belt on the engine and we were on our way the next day, none the worse for the wear.</p><p>It was a lovely time to drive through the mountains to Kentucky; the leaves were turning and the nights were brisk. We toured the Bourbon Trail stopping at the Wild Turkey plant…</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXE_7uKh3I/AAAAAAAAGI8/4sYgybLQNAQ/s1600-h/Wild%20TUrkey%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="Wild TUrkey" border="0" alt="Wild TUrkey" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFAudcWMI/AAAAAAAAGJA/nH8-kERXlhg/Wild%20TUrkey_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p>Paul inspects some bourbon barrels in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Only spirits processed in Bourbon County can be labeled as bourbon…otherwise it’s just a whiskey!</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFBjphWCI/AAAAAAAAGJE/Yg26gp-DL3Q/s1600-h/Paul%20in%20Bourbon%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="Paul in Bourbon" border="0" alt="Paul in Bourbon" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFCb8LzPI/AAAAAAAAGJI/zo_TUemwaew/Paul%20in%20Bourbon_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p>We spent a good deal of time with Tiff and Scott up in Catonsville and then flew to San Juan, where the Celebrity Summit took us all on a cruise.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFDDl_UAI/AAAAAAAAGJM/lwPtzQYiqwQ/s1600-h/192%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="192" border="0" alt="192" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFD7F0imI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/cTMy7dg548E/192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p><p>Scott and Tiff…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFEueR5EI/AAAAAAAAGJU/u0P4GGtoTq8/s1600-h/119%5B3%5D.jpg"></p><p align="center"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="119" border="0" alt="119" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFFfxRkcI/AAAAAAAAGJY/GrZdLeJr1mw/119_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p>Trunk Bay, St. John…one of the loveliest beaches <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFGcftrhI/AAAAAAAAGJc/XMxHx5Afnow/s1600-h/062%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="062" border="0" alt="062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFHGM_1uI/AAAAAAAAGJg/I0PG0lOph9g/062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p>Dinner on the ship was fun and delicious… <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFH6LKToI/AAAAAAAAGJk/V5-kN4bT0nw/s1600-h/091%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="091" border="0" alt="091" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFIxRp1lI/AAAAAAAAGJo/JWl99y-nP6k/091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p>A view of the ship in St. Lucia Castries harbor… <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFKHosPNI/AAAAAAAAGJs/-IojrMpjkuo/s1600-h/179%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="179" border="0" alt="179" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFK8bM27I/AAAAAAAAGJw/idB6VsAxLog/179_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p><p>Leaving Warsaw, we headed South to Abbeville, LA where some of us got caught in Betty’s web for the Thanksgiving week…</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFMJisCsI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/YA9uNdoJr6c/s1600-h/315%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="315" border="0" alt="315" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFMxZlOrI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/Peu_WYsoUII/315_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="189" /></a></p><p>Recognize any of these guys???</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFN8BEJnI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/RpnsDcTKd4s/s1600-h/325%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="325" border="0" alt="325" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFOo8Pa-I/AAAAAAAAGKA/vpzNCw9ssno/325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p>How about now???<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFPspJUTI/AAAAAAAAGKE/I2yuZ_Q5VOE/s1600-h/323%5B3%5D.jpg"></p><p align="center"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px auto; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="323" border="0" alt="323" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TPXFQgn6PHI/AAAAAAAAGKI/_3ppgAvRsmQ/323_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p>Keith, Bob, Dennis, Denny, Bob and Chuck-Bob hammed it up a little…Boss Hawg and Don were MIA in this photo! The time spent at Betty’s went by all too fast…it was wonderful spending time and just having fun there in Cajun country. The girls got beat consistently by the guys in Hand and Foot (‘nuff said!) and then it was time for us to head to….Red Bay, Alabama where we will be for a little while (that’s Alabama time, you know!) and then we will head West to the Texas Hill Country to see our good buddies Tommie Sue and Harrell. </p><p>The days fly by so quickly, it seems…thanks to all of you who emailed or called to check and see where in the world we’ve been; it’s always wonderful to hear from you! Big hugs to everyone!</p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-69073447636355970032010-08-23T23:09:00.009-04:002010-08-29T22:50:43.967-04:00Yes, it's about time....Yes, it's been a little while...but we've been busy having some fun and getting ready for the Escapade.... it seems we were last in Livingston when the blog was updated....leaving there on July 28th, the temps were headed to 99 that day...thehottest day we'd had, so we were happy to be heading north...but it was a HOT trip....105 degrees in Little Rock when we arrived that night!! Too hot, for sure!!!<br /><br />Then we landed in Tunica, MS where we met Karen and Donnie for a few days of fun and HEAT. It was 105, but it was cool in the Casinos so we headed right up to Paula Deens Buffet at Harrah's and indulged in her wonderful Southern cuisine. Yes, indeed she knows how to put the four main food groups of the South (Butter, chocolate, bacon and cheese!) to good use! It was wonderful!! Karen and Donnie had been down to Livingston to visit us for a few days, but they had a couple of issues with the motorhome, so they headed to Red Bay, where we met them on their way back to Fort Worth. The gals were victorious in Tunica, stomping the boys several times in Hand and Foot...of course, that luck would change quickly, as I have not been winning much since then!!<br /><br />So, this brings us to Goshen, IN to the Fairgrounds where Escapade will be held and we've been working on the rally and enjoying the Amish countryside and meals for several weeks. There are lots of folks here in the Elkhart area for the rallies...among them are Dennis and Carol Hill. Dennis just bought some new kayaks and has been busy trying them out back east in the HEAT!!<br /><br /><br />So Dennis, this kayak is for you......<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT6RDyaAMrzR6Bf7Q4pGR75gx19Gu3fgaPJCsLeNN7r1B1WWfcxeGXri7xHUYyhaAzigIaTRBqY7agmBFqX8zJqxq_5G6otUd8QFGkfgkYuTzg2JGrXSoAK69Uk_hNaBXys2E6cHagpU/s1600/Kayak+101.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511016623938787618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT6RDyaAMrzR6Bf7Q4pGR75gx19Gu3fgaPJCsLeNN7r1B1WWfcxeGXri7xHUYyhaAzigIaTRBqY7agmBFqX8zJqxq_5G6otUd8QFGkfgkYuTzg2JGrXSoAK69Uk_hNaBXys2E6cHagpU/s320/Kayak+101.jpg" /></a> you might recognize it from the Lakeshore Grill...it's the latest cardboard model there and I was dared to get in it for the photo...yes, it's still there, but barely!! I can't say just who took the photo, but I can tell you that it was someone 'up there' on the advance staff!!! :)</p><div>Now, if you read any of the other RVers blogs, you already know what we've been up to...many fun Happy Hours with the great folks who are gathered here, and adventures in the area.</div><div> </div><div>Here are a few not-so-incriminating photos of this wonderful group who are here getting ready for the Escapade....<br /><br />Kellie had to try on all the animal masks at Das Essenhaus......<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1cDpP3GdIdIySCl3-X2EvxUtMz-vwyoAZ4yJjpsNgtLtvu_3KNCk-5YKOAUb5eSC307bdPVXDzm1acoddmgWYfiBUwhiC_csbPkoYy_0vN_ubS4vXIf1Q3KrjBt-2BYtVnkvOOBwPRA/s1600/Oink!+Oink!.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511014706959284322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1cDpP3GdIdIySCl3-X2EvxUtMz-vwyoAZ4yJjpsNgtLtvu_3KNCk-5YKOAUb5eSC307bdPVXDzm1acoddmgWYfiBUwhiC_csbPkoYy_0vN_ubS4vXIf1Q3KrjBt-2BYtVnkvOOBwPRA/s320/Oink!+Oink!.jpg" /></a><br />...and of course, our fearless leader and his dog, Blue...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOtohXLGOFxtXGq5XSbTYleptW78v6IkGLO6ZalTZcWyFFD1_eEyNUpVmf5_sKcG7x3QwrJ0c-myjWwuRbw2ssj_PV1m9Y9B3WiTiCQyOoldD3aV-yjbwM0FTcZR8_gQkhPrQBjgRuLc/s1600/Ride+Em+Cowboy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511014336980467106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOtohXLGOFxtXGq5XSbTYleptW78v6IkGLO6ZalTZcWyFFD1_eEyNUpVmf5_sKcG7x3QwrJ0c-myjWwuRbw2ssj_PV1m9Y9B3WiTiCQyOoldD3aV-yjbwM0FTcZR8_gQkhPrQBjgRuLc/s320/Ride+Em+Cowboy.jpg" /></a> ...yes indeed it looks like Bud! </div><div> </div><div>We all have a pact that goes something like this, "What happens at Escapade, STAYS at Escapade"!! :) That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! :)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgLTYyIIAUcz3LvyQUgz0fjUPneBTH6_5jnMyUf-ZZLvNhF3ipdz6Zoe6cOI7oOWLAO8Jcg9L8AD4RzlnkDIw_On60NveFKKLd2FaGaLcFnFGe7mBt-zoEwI5AtpA-ng0K17AqlllFs4/s1600/Kayak+101.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><em></em>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-18659923718467408922010-07-17T08:34:00.001-04:002010-07-17T08:34:30.133-04:00How about that Texas weather?<p>Leaving the Farm on Father’s Day, we rambled on down to Aberdeen and spent a few days finishing up some projects at the park.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pine Forest Park 005" border="0" alt="Pine Forest Park 005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TEGjTHuehrI/AAAAAAAAF5E/KPgF_17PIwM/PineForestPark005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="114" /></p> <p></p> <p>It was SO HOT and humid in Carolina…..more so than back in Montpelier and it was really HOT there!!   So our Texas friends were smiling and saying “Just wait til you get to Texas…it’s really going to be hot and humid”.   So, we’re thinking “O K, we’ll be well prepared for the heat and humidity in Livingston”.  But…guess what?  The hurricane that brushed Texas pulled all of the humidity and much of the extreme heat up to the Northeast…it has been almost delightful since we arrived!   Makes for great walks in the evenings and most nights Kellie and I swim for a couple of hours…and it’s chilly when we get out!!! Who knew???  It’s beginning to get hot again, but so far the humidity has remained on the low side, making for some pleasant summer days.</p> <p>I drove much of the way into Texas; Bob decided to share the wheel  so I got lots of time in the seat. Easy travel days, and we headed to Lufkin to spend a little time with Keith and Donna…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TEGjT4EtLMI/AAAAAAAAF5I/5OlIm6UCAYI/s1600-h/Farm0312.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Farm 031" border="0" alt="Farm 031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TEGjVP42nvI/AAAAAAAAF5M/fRzBDASi2KQ/Farm031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> They are finally settled into their lovely new home; of course the cards came out and Hand N Foot ensued.   The gals got stomped…really stomped.   If you read Keith’s blog, you already know this!!   There WILL be a rematch for sure!!</p> <p>Arriving in Livingston on the 29th, we got our hugs from Tommie Sue, Harrell, Kellie and Walt.  After settling in, we got to work on the advance planning for Escapade.  These guys are just the best to work with; along with Bud and Cathie, we do a lot of brainstorming and feed off each other pretty well so there’s a lot of progress and a lot of fun going on!!  Yes, lots more card games, and Bob says to make sure to say that I’m still not winning!   But Kellie and I did have a victory one night….must have been brief because it’s long since forgotten…. And then there’s Farkle and bowling to add to the fun.</p> <p>So life is pretty good in Livingston these days and the wheels will soon be rolling North…but so far we are loving this Texas weather!!! </p> <p>Hugs to everyone!</p> Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-70689702108273275952010-06-27T19:41:00.002-04:002010-06-27T19:44:21.738-04:00Down on the Farm<p>After our time at Tiff’s, we returned to Montpelier to  do ‘farm things’.   Being one of the hottest June’s I can remember, we just kept on doing our thing, and spending as much time as possible with the kids.   Paul was on vacation from the House most of the time we were there, so he and Bob got lots of things done, while I……..<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhjZY5FHI/AAAAAAAAF3E/nV5WBaGd-Qk/s1600-h/Eggs0013.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Eggs 001" border="0" alt="Eggs 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhkBzI1GI/AAAAAAAAF3I/gWNKuLkFtJ0/Eggs001_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="239" /></a><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="George and Eggs 015" border="0" alt="George and Eggs 015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhkzSERyI/AAAAAAAAF3M/X3xjtOghsv4/GeorgeandEggs015_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="172" /></p> <p>gathered and washed eggs (that’s only about four dozen, Deb!)…..and “mow de lawn”…….<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhlyns_CI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/xqqZjF0PDnk/s1600-h/PeteRobinKatie2413.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pete & Robin & Katie 241" border="0" alt="Pete & Robin & Katie 241" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhnfp7ijI/AAAAAAAAF3U/9GRO_oSsp18/PeteRobinKatie241_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="166" /></a>…there is soooo much grass to cut! (We’re still waiting for Dortha to send Andrew up!) Since it’s something I enjoy doing,  it seems nice to give Katie and Paul a break from their routine.</p> <p>I love working outdoors, and decided that I would tackle some of the undergrowth while the guys were building a “chip pit” for Katie.   (This is for the wood shavings (chips) that go in the stalls)   Well, the undergrowth project proved to be a mighty one…so after complaining that I had NO power tools(well, none that I could handle myself!)…and the guys have every conceivable powered tool, machine or device known to man…..I got a  “Goat”…..yes, indeed, this goat eats everything, and I can clear around fence lines,  drives, the barn, creek….you name it, and the goat will chew it up!! I am a happy girl!!!   So, many of the days were spent behind my goat…..we were delighted to discover blueberries growing all over the front hill.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhoZfSk6I/AAAAAAAAF3Y/pmD3BadzrzE/s1600-h/GeorgeandEggs0063.jpg">…the goat spared most of those.</a>  </p> <p>After we got the bushwacker  home, I couldn’t help but think about Daddy’s “goat”…..he had a yard and leaf vacuum, which Mama always called “the goat”.   It must have weighed about 3oo pounds and was self propelled; he used it constantly to vacuum the yard.   After Daddy died, I remember trying to use that old goat, which must have been at least twenty years old by then….it was way too heavy for me  to manage.  I’m not sure who got it, but that old goat was still running strong when Mama sold her home.   The new “goat” weighs much less and eats much more….maybe  it will  last for the next twenty years!!!  </p> <p>While I am not a “horse girl”….I did get smitten by Sir George, which Heaven foaled in April.    He is a friendly little guy…<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="George and Eggs 006" border="0" alt="George and Eggs 006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhpG7nLGI/AAAAAAAAF3c/rKExTj5le_8/GeorgeandEggs006_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="191" />and loves attention!</p> <p>Here’s Katie getting ready to ride Robin…..<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhqBcX6RI/AAAAAAAAF3g/QgNd5Ygw1eU/s1600-h/PeteRobinKatie1593.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pete & Robin & Katie 159" border="0" alt="Pete & Robin & Katie 159" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhqzZxdwI/AAAAAAAAF3k/PM7HxvNhZOY/PeteRobinKatie159_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="166" /></a> So we finished out our days with the kids having many wonderful breakfasts, lots of road trips (a road trip is anywhere past the little town of Montpelier) and dinners, both home cooked and ‘on the road’.  Paul and Katie took us to Maggiano’s  for a wonderful dinner one evening… umm, umm, good!!! :)</p> <p>And here are the “guys”, together on Father’s Day before we left, headed to Aberdeen, then on to Texas……<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhr9bk45I/AAAAAAAAF3o/r3_zobeVuyM/s1600-h/GeorgeandEggs0213.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="George and Eggs 021" border="0" alt="George and Eggs 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TCfhsmX4V7I/AAAAAAAAF3s/LdG0ML5TICc/GeorgeandEggs021_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="171" /></a>    …it has been  wonderful being here with the kids; we love working alongside them on the Farm, and we sure will miss them!!   Y’all stay cool and HUGS to everyone…we are Texas bound!</p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-401056249461682052010-06-20T20:18:00.004-04:002010-06-21T11:21:14.203-04:00From the Farm to the city<p> </p> <p>We left the Farm for several days and headed to Catonsville to spend some time with Scott and Tiff.  While not a “city” girl,  I really like the little town of Catonsville, which lies just West of Baltimore and has remained relatively untouched by the “hood” atmosphere  found in some of Baltimore.   It’s kind of like a small town with with all the amenities of a large city.   The weather was amazing….no humidity, bright and sunny.  So most mornings  found us having breakfast on the sidewalk at Dusenberg’s…… mmmm, mmmm, good……</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pete & Robin & Katie 162" border="0" alt="Pete & Robin & Katie 162" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TB6vtxkR9mI/AAAAAAAAF1A/zLlPNAE8xHA/Pete%20%26%20Robin%20%26%20Katie%20162_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="166" /></p> <p>then we’d walk up the street to  <a href="http://www.sugarbakerscakes.com/">Sugarbakers</a> to buy Smith Island Cake, and over to <a href="http://www.atwaters.biz/">Atwater's Bread</a>  for fresh bread.   </p> <p>Then it was back to Tiff’s to help with a few projects.   They have just remodeled their kitchen, taking out a wall in the process.   They did a beautiful job designing their own kitchen and making it just what they wanted……</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Tiff's Kitchen (2)" border="0" alt="Tiff's Kitchen (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TB6vvFaDFvI/AAAAAAAAF1E/7B6NAqcowbg/Tiff%27s%20Kitchen%20%282%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="166" />  they did keep the dining room, along with Grannie’s china cabinet and mine……it is so welcoming!!!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TB6vwGjr3mI/AAAAAAAAF1I/41Q9HRH4Vrc/s1600-h/Tiff%27s%20Kitchen%20%288%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Tiff's Kitchen (8)" border="0" alt="Tiff's Kitchen (8)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TB6vxMiAsPI/AAAAAAAAF1M/aguo8FlQT7M/Tiff%27s%20Kitchen%20%288%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="166" /></a>  When I was growing up, Mama always kept the lace tablecloth on the dining room table, with another color under it (always red at Christmas time) and a heavy, plastic protector over it all.   I always swore that I would never do that…but,  I sure did, and I loved it.   (Don’t look too closely at that table) :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TB6vx7OsPfI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/L_8NcECoP6k/s1600-h/Tiff%27s%20Kitchen%20%283%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Tiff's Kitchen (3)" border="0" alt="Tiff's Kitchen (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/TB6vyhSGQII/AAAAAAAAF1U/5opZaFcLRmY/Tiff%27s%20Kitchen%20%283%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="166" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>So, Bob helped finish up a few things and I helped do a good clean up after all the sheetrock dust and just to generally get things back together after two months of construction in their home.   And of course, there were long walks with little oggy-doggy the princess Beagle, Dixie.   </p> <p>On one of the gorgeous evenings, we all went out to Camden Yards to see the Orioles play the Yankees.   A really beautiful stadium, and  the Yankees out-classed them, (no surprise there!) including a grand slam home run, but it was a great night at the ball park!</p> <p>It is just so nice to spend time with the kids and enjoy a little part of their lives.  I miss them so when we leave, but we always make some good memories and look forward to our next visits. I even managed to drive around town for several days and emerged relatively unscathed, save for quite a few “one finger” salutes from those crazy Maryland drivers (apologies to all of our Maryland friends!) :)</p> <p>All too soon it was back South down I 95 to Montpelier….and lots more Farm projects with Paul!!    </p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-81521461239614594442010-06-04T17:36:00.002-04:002010-06-04T18:01:48.147-04:00Hot...hot....hotNo...it's not snowing in Virginia...it is hotter than blue blazes; while I was on the tractor cutting the grass under those Pear trees today, I kept thinking about how pretty they looked all covered with snow...they look pretty nice when they're blooming in the Spring, and when they start to turn russet in the Fall. And since I really LIKE to cut grass, they looked great to me today, too!!! But that photo just makes it seem cooler....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! :)<br /><br />Back on the Farm is where we are....Bob and Paul are doing their "projects"...the biggest of which is trenching, laying and completing new water lines and power lines over to the machine shop, our parking spot, and the front pasture. They have mostly completed this little chore. My job is to cook breakfast and dinner, and I love doing it!!! Usually I will run out to the hen house for fresh eggs in the morning...to snatch a still-warm egg. <br />Colonel Sanders (the loudest rooster) makes sure we are awake every day at 0'dark thirty and the guys get an early start, trying to beat the heat!!!<br /><br /> I did have to break down and do one of the dreaded "Three P's"....which I don't ever do. (For those that don't know, the 3 P's are Pee, Poo, & Puke.....all of which are abundant here at the Farm) Katie is so good about taking care of the animals...she mucks the stalls and cleans up when the dogs or kitties or whoever throws up; so I will cook and clean, and cut grass and help the guys with the projects...but I don't do the 3 P's!! BUT Paul hurt his back the other day, and he had to take the horse trailer to get Heaven and George.....and there was a huge pile of......you guessed it......POO....in the trailer.....so I had to oblige!!<br />Don't worry...it will not become a habit!!!! (That stuff is heavy when it's wet!) :)<br /><br />So, life is pretty good here at the Farm and I am enjoying every minute...the time is going by so quickly and it feels so good to have life in the slow lane, for just a little while!!Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-89907190383281519132010-05-17T07:08:00.009-04:002010-05-17T07:45:31.707-04:00Back in Carolina<div align="center">Just a quick to post to say that we are back in the Sandhills of North Carolina, busy as beavers, crossing things off our lists!!!<br /><br />After managing to get out of Betty's web, we made our way up to Red Bay, AL and had a good visit at the Tiffin Factory Service Center. Greg, the technician in Bay 35 was very proficient, and got lots of things fixed for us pretty quickly, including the living room roof leak!! They also laid out a plan to replace the floor tiles and attempt the wall work when we return, so things are looking up.<br /><br />They got us out promptly, so we made it to the Multi-Chapter Rally in Marion, NC in time to enjoy a little fun with those guys....Bryan & Jane and Larry & Marilyn hosted a fun rally in a lovely mountain location!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W_WndNYjvORSD38SsMQxMLfnf9xvZ7bVcOjPyi7_Ldi4-tFr9qKlmhu8GI-9Vf2wsufnzoVYCCuZejR_arlV2Z6rAlrAn3JEqobfk2DMurR2PmHDtMHgsLDwNFGyTig_cG8fSGco2X4/s1600/Marion+nc+050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472200343376830386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W_WndNYjvORSD38SsMQxMLfnf9xvZ7bVcOjPyi7_Ldi4-tFr9qKlmhu8GI-9Vf2wsufnzoVYCCuZejR_arlV2Z6rAlrAn3JEqobfk2DMurR2PmHDtMHgsLDwNFGyTig_cG8fSGco2X4/s400/Marion+nc+050.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><em>Larry and Marilyn</em><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTMntQeSa6k7Ao6vf2UKedspzIa9kSwLij8-Pkd5eY7uY-6upaRtR4tAFsYpxnaFluDRpms5-T0KUzblxpol9OWOwJSOgiYrChon4NSSEYPg8bdXX8uuw_tu3o8wnAwqKw-JKSHVmU-U/s1600/Marion+nc+070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472201808508308130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTMntQeSa6k7Ao6vf2UKedspzIa9kSwLij8-Pkd5eY7uY-6upaRtR4tAFsYpxnaFluDRpms5-T0KUzblxpol9OWOwJSOgiYrChon4NSSEYPg8bdXX8uuw_tu3o8wnAwqKw-JKSHVmU-U/s320/Marion+nc+070.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><em>That's just called "T R O U B L E"!</em><br /><br /><br />Then it was on to Pine Forest Park in Aberdeen, NC...right there with Pinehurst and Southern Pines, and all the other small Southern towns that are "all about the pines" in the Sandhills of Carolina. We are working our bums off, but having a great time getting lots of things done. I took a few days and hopped on the train in Southern Pines to spend Mother's Day weekend with Tiff and Scott....that was a real treat, and it was, indeed, a wonderful Mother's Day. That picket fence I have long been wanting, was waiting for me when I returned...Bob had been a busy guy!!!<br /><br />Yesterday, we had a great visit with Barb and Bob, who are nearby at Sycamore Lodge in Jackson Springs!!! It was a real treat to spend the day with them, share some laughs and some good fried chicken and Carolina BarBque at Smithfield's. Safe travels, guys, as you head West towards Idaho!<br /><br />Photos and stories may come soon.....it's a busy time here in Carolina. But we'll be ready for a game of Hand and Foot very soon!! </p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-22088659305938523682010-04-29T16:36:00.001-04:002010-04-29T16:36:13.354-04:00Caught in Betty’s Web<p>Yes, indeed, we’ve been caught in Betty’s web, and a delightful one it is.   Betty is a ball of fire and fun, making sure her guests are well cared for and that they experience the culture of Abbeville and Southern Louisiana in the finest manner.  We were very happy campers!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9nthhk26dI/AAAAAAAAFo4/4L6v8Ekw-XE/s1600-h/Bayou%20%26%20cypress%20tours%20001%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Bayou & cypress tours 001" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntioLC9qI/AAAAAAAAFo8/ASqdxldSG4Y/Bayou%20%26%20cypress%20tours%20001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="127" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntjcKW3EI/AAAAAAAAFpA/u7c4awTawCg/s1600-h/Shadows%20and%20Betty%27s%20046%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Shadows and Betty's 046" border="0" alt="Shadows and Betty's 046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntk9B-tBI/AAAAAAAAFpE/EiOPyaeAEGo/Shadows%20and%20Betty%27s%20046_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="175" /></a><em>Betty serves her homemade Gumbo!!!</em> </p> <p align="center"><em></em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntlhbxbSI/AAAAAAAAFpI/KbDfy61MzZQ/s1600-h/Shadows%20and%20Betty%27s%20029%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Shadows and Betty's 029" border="0" alt="Shadows and Betty's 029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntmfQBffI/AAAAAAAAFpM/eHFrbKYtOuE/Shadows%20and%20Betty%27s%20029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <em>Carol likes corn on the cob almost as much as shrimp!!</em></p> <p>There is so much to see, do and learn here….so much history, from the  Indians to the French, Acadians and Spanish…. such a proud and treasured culture from the people who still speak French with a pronounced accent AND a bit of a drawl, and who make music, food and dancing an important and integral part of their lives…..and they just love sharing it with those of us who come in search of it!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntoNRhNSI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/wdLpvkdX0OM/s1600-h/128%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="128" border="0" alt="128" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntopCtwyI/AAAAAAAAFpU/ciWBO-9mq3c/128_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <em>Crawfish Farming</em></p> <p>Learning about the agriculture and farming,  and way of life…just tasting the  fresh and delicious Creole food is a never ending joy.   The warmth and welcome that these folks extend to you is  hard to describe….it  makes you want to be a better person, and to savor the simple delights of life, and share them as these folks….Creoles, Cajuns…Louisianians do……and you really do not want to leave.     Betty’s web, is indeed, a fine place to be!!!</p> <p>Parting was sweet sorrow, but we had the BEST send-off team….</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntpt4AQfI/AAAAAAAAFpY/Pb9weOrS6es/s1600-h/Cafe%20Des%20Amis%20043%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Cafe Des Amis 043" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntquMWYbI/AAAAAAAAFpc/vuVqpJggYwc/Cafe%20Des%20Amis%20043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>our own personal driving instructor……. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntra-doRI/AAAAAAAAFpg/qlNxLAeB2H8/s1600-h/Cafe%20Des%20Amis%20039%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Cafe Des Amis 039" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 039" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntsJtf1pI/AAAAAAAAFpk/4wpht_-pa8Y/Cafe%20Des%20Amis%20039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a></p> <p>do you recognize this guy???? How ‘bout those shoes??? </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9nttBPgRXI/AAAAAAAAFpo/Alqq9McTPWc/s1600-h/Cafe%20Des%20Amis%20045%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Cafe Des Amis 045" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntt9S4TDI/AAAAAAAAFps/yLHq6E2UICg/Cafe%20Des%20Amis%20045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="115" /></a></p> <p>And this team s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d- across Betty’s drive….</p> <p>  <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="AllegroBus3" border="0" alt="AllegroBus3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9ntvExTcKI/AAAAAAAAFpw/YaemOQ7PQ8s/AllegroBus3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="176" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>really made us hate to leave….but there we go down the road!!!   Red Bay, Alabama in our sights!!!</p> Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-89496692916168491692010-04-27T21:09:00.006-04:002010-04-27T21:41:44.139-04:00Chasing Alligators...Chompinn’s Bayou Tour<img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Champagnes Swamp Tour" border="0" alt="Champagnes Swamp Tour" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKnpczz3I/AAAAAAAAFm0/J9MIVyRnqYY/ChampagnesSwampTour_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="135" /> <p>We mentioned “chasing alligators”….and we did spend a day doing this!!! A beautiful, sunny day with Bryan Champagne…(pronounced “Chompinn” by Bryan, and all Cajuns, in his rolling, French Cajun accent) on St. Martin Lake Bayou. He takes about 14 people out for a swamp tour, in his little flat bottom “pirogue” and hunts down the biggest alligators in the bayou, along with turtles, snakes (yuk!), birds and water fowl.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKoksGT6I/AAAAAAAAFm4/lygtckTqR48/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0343.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="Bayou & cypress tours 034" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 034" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKpoo927I/AAAAAAAAFm8/B1datrS09kA/Bayoucypresstours034_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="Bayou & cypress tours 013" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 013" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKq47hZNI/AAAAAAAAFnA/KfSoP9-UQek/Bayoucypresstours013_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="157" /><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Bayou & cypress tours 031" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKrlz7vMI/AAAAAAAAFnE/tIql8QRe_yE/Bayoucypresstours031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKsvP786I/AAAAAAAAFnI/FS0YFUer4Cs/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0213.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="Bayou & cypress tours 021" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 021" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKtpoMU5I/AAAAAAAAFnM/s_Riry1nqZc/Bayoucypresstours021_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKulCPPuI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/sJa5IJaoPko/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0492.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Bayou & cypress tours 049" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKvvl_OaI/AAAAAAAAFnU/zuvI3RRl4iM/Bayoucypresstours049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> Tommie Sue was our bait, since she was wearing purple…and we all know alligators LOVE purple! (Well, it sounds good!)</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqGGSG2nqLika2Y7ZkZYRU5HAwNLtfPpww8VbPb1ol8U4o0eXx1u0ZvDxLfiQo_xT9lxXTqmt_Q3BFul3Snm9wnzI9YVmeL21KvM8y1GVIpG6o2MObC027O2TTzL2vDJDssPr374b_-E/s1600/Bayou+%26+cypress+tours+077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464995837001357874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqGGSG2nqLika2Y7ZkZYRU5HAwNLtfPpww8VbPb1ol8U4o0eXx1u0ZvDxLfiQo_xT9lxXTqmt_Q3BFul3Snm9wnzI9YVmeL21KvM8y1GVIpG6o2MObC027O2TTzL2vDJDssPr374b_-E/s400/Bayou+%26+cypress+tours+077.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVjB35pp3yLg52Ws-Png4ot-Mb0VLngrj0ek-HZdxTQQHKUSqSw52oM8FyK0nwIM0Ukbksoehi35L1srTt_zaqgwWKetBUxO9i0Jn-llyfqpX8pOQqxOol7oBtiEip-g8PqREMskPGFk/s1600/Bayou+%26+cypress+tours+084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464996736338552370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVjB35pp3yLg52Ws-Png4ot-Mb0VLngrj0ek-HZdxTQQHKUSqSw52oM8FyK0nwIM0Ukbksoehi35L1srTt_zaqgwWKetBUxO9i0Jn-llyfqpX8pOQqxOol7oBtiEip-g8PqREMskPGFk/s400/Bayou+%26+cypress+tours+084.JPG" /></a> TS almost jumped out of the boat when the big guy above thrashed his tail next to her and splashed into the water!</p><p><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Bayou & cypress tours 056" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 056" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKxPv269I/AAAAAAAAFnc/cAES1MoXywc/Bayoucypresstours056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKyFzbWsI/AAAAAAAAFng/FxcFqfbYjbk/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0502.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Bayou & cypress tours 050" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 050" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKyytVeKI/AAAAAAAAFnk/TuSJXd3cTQY/Bayoucypresstours050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="172" /></a> Above a juvenile Blue Heron in the swamp grass….and below Mama duck tends her nest.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eKz8xEnzI/AAAAAAAAFno/hIBFtIP5vAo/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0712.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Bayou & cypress tours 071" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 071" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eK0vMS3GI/AAAAAAAAFns/xphUtVPJ8cg/Bayoucypresstours071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> Below, Bryan Chompinn identified a Cow Bird.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eK1v6pFyI/AAAAAAAAFnw/yaacdTR3Hf4/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0412.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Bayou & cypress tours 041" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 041" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eK2THHkBI/AAAAAAAAFn0/Ecilbu4dBYM/Bayoucypresstours041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><p>There are no mosquitoes on this ride, as the swamp is full of Black Gum trees, and the leaves of the Black Gum act as deterrent to mosquitoes. </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eK3co4ZJI/AAAAAAAAFn4/KwdyVEwEqGo/s1600-h/Bayoucypresstours0293.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="Bayou & cypress tours 029" border="0" alt="Bayou & cypress tours 029" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9eK4QSncjI/AAAAAAAAFn8/An4C9VLsgOQ/Bayoucypresstours029_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a> </p><p>The towering Cypress trees were abundant in the bayou. Many of the old plantations and buildings were constructed of this almost indestructible wood, and remain in good condition today, due to it’s resilient qualities.</p><p></p><p>Bryan Chompinn gave us a wonderful inside glimpse of the Louisiana bayou, wildlife and flora and fauna….it was fun chasing the alligators and we lived to tell about it!!</p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-78040890161534786712010-04-25T15:59:00.001-04:002010-04-25T15:59:52.391-04:00Cafe Des Amis…dancin’ on Saturday morning<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9Se3HTVMBI/AAAAAAAAFlY/piyTFSTXJsk/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0375.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 037" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 037" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9Se4bX9rfI/AAAAAAAAFlc/tyDGeq2yhU4/CafeDesAmis037_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="115" /></a> </p> <p>Zydeco  music is something like Rhythm and Blues with a cajun flair and a Caribbean beat….it’s hard to describe but it is fun and catchy and you just can’t help but be happy when you’re around it.  The band plays a Squeeze box and a washboard, along with their instruments.   In the little town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana there is a famous place….<a href="http://www.cafedesamis.com/">Cafe Des Amis</a> , and we knew that you had to go early on a Saturday morning for the Zydeco band, so it was high on the list of things to do in Cajun country.</p> <p>So it was, that we all got up at 5:30 Saturday morning and piled in the cars heading up to Breaux Bridge for  breakfast and dancing.  TS, Carol and I looked at each other, kind of bleary eyed….thinking  “this better be good”!   And oh, was it ever good!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9Se66UwTYI/AAAAAAAAFlg/JcU5jGhD4_M/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0043.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 004" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9Se89r4-eI/AAAAAAAAFlk/EIzYcXlUEPY/CafeDesAmis004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> </p> <p>Arriving for our spot in the waiting line around 6:50 (yes, that is AM!), there were already about 40 folks ahead of us. When the doors opened at 7:30 we were lucky to get a table…the place was packed to overflowing with twice that many still waiting to get in!!!</p> <p>The band started tuning up and we ordered Beignets, coffee,  and tea for starters.  (You must eat slowly so you can stay for the dancing as long as possible!) </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9Se-QZKN7I/AAAAAAAAFlo/svDqVzdHxU0/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0254.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 025" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfAHPcjHI/AAAAAAAAFls/qh1bdvBbq_0/CafeDesAmis025_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="181" /></a> </p> <p>Around 8:15 the Zydeco band announced “If you are not dancing, please don’t stand on the floor”, began their first song and the whole place started rocking!  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b88194c8-a6f1-4bd8-a132-aa4ec5fb7616" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="6faaa824-d6a5-4cd1-be1b-85080f151bad" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78yCn-_hxk&feature=youtube_gdata" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfB6Sj-XI/AAAAAAAAFlw/A5_JyNR2e4A/video26539f2d5b4d%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('6faaa824-d6a5-4cd1-be1b-85080f151bad'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/o78yCn-_hxk&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/o78yCn-_hxk&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>Indeed, if you were standing up, someone would grab your hand and drag you to the floor to dance to the cajun calypso beat!!!   Old and young,  friends and strangers, everyone was dancing to the music!!  Before long, Carol was out there  hopping with the best of them!!  Bob and I did a little dancing too, but decided it was almost dangerous out there….cajun feet in cowgirl boots were stompin’ everywhere!!   What fun!!! :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfDocoF9I/AAAAAAAAFl0/_87m3dmioU8/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0203.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 020" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfFQLzIcI/AAAAAAAAFl4/Cxof4bXOegg/CafeDesAmis020_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="139" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfHE7ixsI/AAAAAAAAFl8/_nJAII2ei_o/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0293.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 029" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfITZCbyI/AAAAAAAAFmA/N7ksJ8R-_7Q/CafeDesAmis029_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfJvD-e-I/AAAAAAAAFmE/xLbGfUb6WbY/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0323.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 032" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfLARlFDI/AAAAAAAAFmI/A989y98x0-s/CafeDesAmis032_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" height="242" /></a> </p> <p>They serve lots of Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Cosmos,  with breakfast…which was a wonderful Crawfish Etoufee omelet with Andouille Sausage Cheese grits…My, was it good!!!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfMk18mzI/AAAAAAAAFmM/1tJ6vw8TDEg/s1600-h/CafeDesAmis0353.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Cafe Des Amis 035" border="0" alt="Cafe Des Amis 035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9SfNpBVC9I/AAAAAAAAFmQ/2E70kv-c5HM/CafeDesAmis035_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="166" height="246" /></a> </p> <p>This was a  Saturday morning to be remembered forever!!! We laughed and were mesmerized by the music, people and food (and of course each other!)   Yes, indeed, we are going to miss this lovely little part of the world!</p> Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-65550728324001610662010-04-24T22:32:00.001-04:002010-04-24T22:32:46.871-04:00Suire’s Grocery…a special Cajun place<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpoZB48ZI/AAAAAAAAFjc/-5-EOS89c9k/s1600-h/Suires0174.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Suire's 017" border="0" alt="Suire's 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OprLLL48I/AAAAAAAAFjg/u4cezfhztsE/Suires017_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="157" /></a> After a busy day on the Bayou boat tour chasing alligators, we decided a little dinner back at  Suire’s would be just the thing.   Winding thru the crawfish ponds and rice paddies,  we set out to find Suire’s  <em>(sounds like beers)</em> once again and we arrived at the little cajun eatery.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpsJaXf7I/AAAAAAAAFjk/BUBQWIfDo6Q/s1600-h/Suires0164.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Suire's 016" border="0" alt="Suire's 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OptJhuaTI/AAAAAAAAFjo/zAvbYZXe4Ts/Suires016_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> Having eaten here  before and being smitten by the delicious fish and shrimp, we knew we’d be back for more.   Not only is the food fantastic, the people are just incredible.   Joan is the order taker… and she still does it just like her Mama did; the way she’s been doing it for the last 34 years…. and she hopes to  do it for 29 more (her exact words).  She remembered us from the days before, and  with her gentle,  not-quite-French cajun accent, she took our order, and then brought a big bowl of the finest Shrimp Gumbo we’ve ever tasted!!! Brown, smooth and smokey, with lots of shrimp and fresh rice to dump in…..UmUm good!!! Staying to chat with us, she talked a bit about how she and her sister run the store, with her sister doing most of the cooking (she is one fine cook!).   </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpuRS7q6I/AAAAAAAAFjs/GNkfeVjZTVw/s1600-h/Suires0122.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Suire's 012" border="0" alt="Suire's 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpvYOMobI/AAAAAAAAFjw/_A4mVXtFHaE/Suires012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a><em>                                    Bob and Joan</em> </p> <p>On the board  walls were framed write-ups by The New York Times, and several other notable papers.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpwftSGZI/AAAAAAAAFj0/bJI9gInNOqA/s1600-h/Suires0142.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Suire's 014" border="0" alt="Suire's 014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpxPCDD8I/AAAAAAAAFj4/p-B22Y54sy4/Suires014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a>  On the tables you’ll find  salt and crushed red pepper shakers (not your usual pepper shaker!), rolls of paper towels and bottles of hot sauce on top of bright,  colorful crawfish table spreads. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpyQgwG7I/AAAAAAAAFj8/AezMK82xx2Y/s1600-h/Suires0112.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Suire's 011" border="0" alt="Suire's 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S9OpzSxYQlI/AAAAAAAAFkA/Dk_dC5BrxoE/Suires011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a> </p> <p>Shortly after delivering the mouth watering gumbo, Joan arrives with platters of shrimp and fish….some of the best we’ve ever had….and it is just slightly spiced…ever so gently,  that even those of us without a “hot” palate can love it!   Joan continued talking; about the filming crew that was in last week from America’s Heartland, to do a special on Suire’s, and how she had to show them how she “bags” an order.   Just another day for her, it seemed.   Then we asked about a photo on the wall of a vintage truck and RV….it sure did belong to Bob and Jan VandenBorge, whom we had just spent five days with in Boerne….such a small world!!   Joan says to tell them “Hi”!!</p> <p>While waiting for our food, another local, who introduced himself as Howard, chatted with Bob about his  crawfish farm.  He educated us well on the rigors of farming crawfish. Many farmers will alternate planting rice, then after it’s harvested, they will flood the fields and the crawfish, that have burrowed about 18” deep to hatch their young, will then rise to the surface and feed on the leftover rice straw. Howard pulls his crawfish pots  (183 of them) about every 3 days and nets about 1lb. per pot…now that’s a lot of crawfish! The locals here are very warm and friendly and will gladly engage you in conversation, sharing  stories of their work and themselves graciously.</p> <p>Oh, and we returned  yet again, for a last lunch with Joan; we just had to try that Turtle Sauce Picante…..who would imagine that turtle would taste just like slow roasted beef?….it was  slap-yo-mama good!!!  In a robust, satisfying creole gravy that was not-too-hot but just right!!!  They sell this in pint containers, frozen-to-go….but they were out of it…so she just ladled some up and put it in a container for us, to go along with the Shrimp Gumbo that is already traveling along.</p> <p>We  are going to miss many things about Abbeville; Joan and Suire’s is at the top of the list for certain!!  Cajun…. Creole….GOOD!!! </p> Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-33136119456810290662010-04-21T23:28:00.001-04:002010-04-21T23:45:15.235-04:00Albania Plantation on the Bayou Teche<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CApqsQ6I/AAAAAAAAFfU/lIjDr6DOodc/s1600-h/Albania5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Albania" border="0" alt="Albania" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CBtqqmKI/AAAAAAAAFfY/S5f6hsK-7xI/Albania_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="173" /></a> </p> <p>After a busy day with Tobasco, Creole food, and fresh French Bread, we continued on to the little town of Jeanerette.   While touring the  Jeanerette Sugar Museum, the hostess suggested we drive a ways down the road to view <a href="http://blog.nola.com/insideout/2007/09/sweet_inspiration_former_sugar.html">Albania</a> , a  Greek Revival sugar cane plantation.  Although not open to the public, it is acceptable  to stop out front for photos.  The owner, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunt_Slonem">Hunt Slonem</a> ,  a world renowned  Manhattan artist in the abstract impressionist style, purchased the 12,000 square foot mansion about 1o years ago and has beautifully restored it.  He has been known to invite strangers into his lovely home for personal tours.</p> <p>So down the road we went, in search of Albania, and shortly we were parked in front of this lovely home…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CCp57BTI/AAAAAAAAFfc/fxBpwdnY1yA/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20080%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 080" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 080" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CDu8dIVI/AAAAAAAAFfg/O-Bv307L1XY/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20080_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="170" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>…taking photos from the roadside….. and the next thing we knew, TS and Harrell beckoned us into the drive, where we had been invited to come in for a personal tour!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CEuT9lKI/AAAAAAAAFjE/qC0h-KsAFBo/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20087.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 087" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 087" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CFtVRWDI/AAAAAAAAFjM/rVJm1sl0dsY/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="171" /></a> </p> <p><em> Carol, Molly and TS on the steps</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CG-yH98I/AAAAAAAAFfs/WvllII45xjE/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20089%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 089" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 089" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CHpc5mCI/AAAAAAAAFfw/godgX3mIQgc/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20089_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>So, we parked under the canopy of cypress and live oaks….</p> <p>….and were welcomed inside to view this lovely home.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CIp8jKmI/AAAAAAAAFgs/ABv_ETPOjG0/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20091%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 091" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 091" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CJwTIioI/AAAAAAAAFg0/mqJ4iZ37Hqg/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20091_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="193" /></a> </p> <p><em>Harrell pauses in the Parlor of Albania</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CKr6-UWI/AAAAAAAAFhs/HwcZH5a1Gxw/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20094.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 094" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 094" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CLm9r-xI/AAAAAAAAFhw/max7X3iAIc8/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><em>Artwork of Hunt Slonem graces a settee in the anteroom (above)</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CMiXdNII/AAAAAAAAFh0/97FnXH7i0nE/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20098.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 098" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 098" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CN5FDlaI/AAAAAAAAFh8/UQrV36okDE4/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <em>The rear verandah overlooks the Bayou Teche and lush grounds.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CPdsVTmI/AAAAAAAAFiI/p0nIiYL_q88/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20099%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 099" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 099" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CQf4w78I/AAAAAAAAFiM/ewDL8ngBUB8/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20099_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="171" /></a> </p> <p><em>Tommie Sue and Harrell rocking away at Albania</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CRe90OTI/AAAAAAAAFiU/EpAs008Rmkw/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20101.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 101" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 101" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CSW9u1wI/AAAAAAAAFiY/J_6qSqvaDO0/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20101_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p><em>Molly chattin’ up Hunt for a moment</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CTrhgJ9I/AAAAAAAAFik/LW636f3-Iuo/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20103%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 103" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 103" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CUx1OO7I/AAAAAAAAFis/qJR_sjL1lsk/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20103_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="213" /></a> </p> <p><em>A huge sugar kettle guards the side yard</em></p> <p>And this was the parting view of Albania on the Bayou Teche…</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CWCw4gVI/AAAAAAAAFi0/hA3kHghFMmM/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20104%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 104" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 104" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S8_CXNrk6uI/AAAAAAAAFi4/Y8jihcj3t7o/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20104_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="231" /></a> </p> <p>So ended a wonderful and busy day, taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of the Bayou, and a very special one, as Hunt Slonem kindly shared his home with us, giving us a glimpse of  a lovely old jewel in Cajun sugar cane country.</p> Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-33251696842029952292010-04-20T22:45:00.002-04:002010-04-20T22:54:33.584-04:00Down on the Bayou….<p>Heading East after the little Rally in Boerne, we were on the way to the little Louisiana town of Abbeville, and <a href="http://bettysrvpark.com/">Betty's RV Park</a> .</p><p>Betty’s place is more like a Bed and Breakfast than a campgound…with just 16 or so sites, and with her back porch and patio as the daily gathering area, you quickly get caught up in Betty’s web of all things welcoming, friendly and Cajun, here in Vermillion Parish, the heart of Cajun country.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mdcmYI9I/AAAAAAAAFd0/LD-4JkeJU2o/s1600-h/102%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="102" border="0" alt="102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85metnViTI/AAAAAAAAFd4/y8nY-w_OnnI/102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p><em>Betty shows her painting on local Cypress wood</em></p><p>We met Tommie Sue and Harrell and Dennis and Carol here to spend a week enjoying the culture, music and food of the Cajuns and Acadians. We had our first history lesson of the Acadians when we visited Nova Scotia a few years back and learned more about the exile of the French Acadians from their homeland with many resettling to the Southern region of Louisiana. Here they made new homes, preserving their delightful heritage and spicy culture and music, while embracing the local bounties, including crawfish and seafood.</p><p>We had lunch at Suire’s Grocery….. an unassuming country market with the menu painted on the outside clapboards……</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mfl81rWI/AAAAAAAAFeA/FPdYlb6O24E/s1600-h/Boerne%20%20and%20Betty%27s.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Boerne and Betty's" border="0" alt="Boerne and Betty's" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mhTwZoRI/AAAAAAAAFeI/lhBZ2wLo3yk/Boerne%20%20and%20Betty%27s_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="148" /></a></p><p>……which has gotten rave reviews by the New York Times for it’s amazing Cajun country cooking. Shrimp, crawfish, catfish and alligator po’ boys are their specialty so we all had some and it was slap-yo-momma good!!!! With just a hint of the Cajun spices in the lightly fried batter…..Mmmmmm good eating!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y-cQHvMt_TZpRynpM-DPhK85Qtgd7D7wWvzB-7E5PTVHsJYFJ1Idw8mJ0OUh5wW9-aGfUuYjMXG0Vcsps_JtMrFVyGfAUQEi0YXzAVLZYzWc5jn4EHDiEm5yRiqRQ7XP7aTJQkfwx50/s1600/Po+boy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y-cQHvMt_TZpRynpM-DPhK85Qtgd7D7wWvzB-7E5PTVHsJYFJ1Idw8mJ0OUh5wW9-aGfUuYjMXG0Vcsps_JtMrFVyGfAUQEi0YXzAVLZYzWc5jn4EHDiEm5yRiqRQ7XP7aTJQkfwx50/s400/Po+boy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462418543616325058" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>Tuesday we headed out to tour the <a href="http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco_history/avery_island.cfm#targ">Tobasco factory</a> on nearby Avery Island. The McIlhenny’s have been growing peppers and making their famous hot sauce here since 1868.</p><p>And had more Cajun seafood at the Bon Creole Lunch Counter….. and just a little clowning around to go with lunch!!</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mimqo8nI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/smrxXYKi75k/s1600-h/2010-04-20%20Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="2010-04-20 Tobasco and Sugar Cane" border="0" alt="2010-04-20 Tobasco and Sugar Cane" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mjwCKV8I/AAAAAAAAFeY/B-e0UHZdi9c/2010-04-20%20Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="148" /></a> </p><p>Then we headed to the town of Jeanerette, on the Bayou Teche, and a stop at <a href="http://www.lejeunesbakery.com/">Lejeune's Bakery</a>, where they’ve been baking fresh French Bread since 1884.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mk4hAR0I/AAAAAAAAFeg/GvhDDFWlYW4/s1600-h/Lejeune%27s.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Lejeune's" border="0" alt="Lejeune's" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mmTPyFAI/AAAAAAAAFes/D8OmlJSgosY/Lejeune%27s_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="148" /></a> </p><p>The brick oven you see in the center photo is the oldest brick oven, still in use, in the Country. The aroma of freshly baked bread and gingerbread is delightful….so we all left with fresh warm loaves under our arms!</p><p>Next we toured the Jeanerette Museum, where we learned much about the long history of this tiny town, known as Sugar City, because of it’s long association with the growth and processing of sugar cane.</p><p> </p><p>The old cypress house is the Jeanerette Museum….<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mnZRnofI/AAAAAAAAFdM/2HxwGYCrjW0/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20058%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 058" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 058" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85molO03vI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/Q65BRhgB4CU/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20058_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="180" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mqd2LXuI/AAAAAAAAFdU/YlQvvIuiOzc/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20062%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 062" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85msPEWc8I/AAAAAAAAFdY/ePrKArojFTc/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20062_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="175" /></a></p><p>…we dubbed this The Sugar Shack…but it is really the Paymaster’s shed from the Foundry. (Another cypress structure)</p><p>Below, a bit of Southern lore……..</p><p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mtPXizMI/AAAAAAAAFdc/RmTlmB91-MQ/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20061%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 061" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 061" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85muQ676TI/AAAAAAAAFdg/ks7t3UIoTuU/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>…and elaborate Mardi Gras costumes from year’s past….</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mvRO7NHI/AAAAAAAAFdk/EPbq4PLUhXU/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20065%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 065" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 065" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mwz4HDEI/AAAAAAAAFdo/EQA-kGoKnaA/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>…hmm…..wonder where Tommie Sue got those beads??????</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mx5abpvI/AAAAAAAAFds/q6xuGqgoXq8/s1600-h/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20078%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 078" border="0" alt="Tobasco and Sugar Cane 078" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S85mz9nWVTI/AAAAAAAAFdw/zwv4tycCxsI/Tobasco%20and%20Sugar%20Cane%20078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>Stay tuned for the next stop at <a href="http://blog.nola.com/insideout/2007/09/sweet_inspiration_former_sugar.html">Albania Plantation</a> , where our amazing tour guide, Tommie Sue, raises the bar to a new level!!! </p><p><em>Laissez les bon temps rouler!!! </em></p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-83857637956410433932010-04-09T08:07:00.001-04:002010-04-13T12:39:23.094-04:00The 11th Street Cowboy Bar<p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YpWGruAI/AAAAAAAAFW8/u5fZL9EtSkg/s1600-h/Cowboy%20Bar%20145%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 145" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YqW2K_rI/AAAAAAAAFXA/tM9pv-gcWIs/Cowboy%20Bar%20145_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="641" height="484" /></a> In the little town of Bandera, which is known as the <a href="http://banderacowboycapital.com/">Cowboy Capital of the World,</a> you will find The <a href="http://11thstreetcowboybar.com/">11th Street Cowboy Bar</a>. There are some things that are just “purely Texan” and the <a href="http://11thstreetcowboybar.com/">11th Street Cowboy Bar</a> is one of them.</p><p>On most Wednesday evenings in pretty weather, they fire up HUGE charcoal grills…..</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Yrt0SD3I/AAAAAAAAFXE/5Xm69yt4LME/s1600-h/Cowboy%20Bar%20131%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 131" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 131" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Ysuun2NI/AAAAAAAAFXI/Pr64tjHk2qg/Cowboy%20Bar%20131_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> ….and you bring your own steaks to cook on these big, hot, grills. For $5.00, you get a large cooked-to-perfection baked potato, salad with all the fixin’s, and hot rolls. Oh, and a plate to put your steak on!!! (Bring your own steak knife!) Then you gather around and cook your steaks and share a Texas style meal and listen to some of the best Country Western bands around….with lots of two-steppin’ on the outdoor dance floor.</p><p>If you wander thru this Cowboy Bar and Grill, you will find the most unusual decor……</p><p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YuAraSlI/AAAAAAAAFXM/Xq67GOjizrA/s1600-h/Cowboy%20Bar%20116%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 116" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 116" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YvoY_jWI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/2JA-8pLK3Z4/Cowboy%20Bar%20116_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> …..rumor has it that they will give you free beer for your bra…..(thanks, but, No thanks!:) )</p><p>Thanks to some gorgeous weather and great friends, we shared a really fun evening in Bandera this week…..</p><p>Bill and Helen…..<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Ywto_QcI/AAAAAAAAFXU/Bnii7evqnlg/s1600-h/Cowboy%20Bar%20085%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 085" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 085" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YxV9RwoI/AAAAAAAAFXY/xRtM99WQdIY/Cowboy%20Bar%20085_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>Lynette, Gregg, Chuck and Kathy…<img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 086" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YyCFhYpI/AAAAAAAAFXc/TE5Pe-N_p0I/Cowboy%20Bar%20086_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" />A few of the girls checking out the entry to the ladies room…hmmmm….. big grins there :)……<img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 113" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 113" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Yyxt5YcI/AAAAAAAAFXg/MtXHIEGry6E/Cowboy%20Bar%20113_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></p><p>…more of the group waving back at us….<img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 101" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 101" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78YzckPNPI/AAAAAAAAFXk/3uvHt61DiWg/Cowboy%20Bar%20101_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" />Mary and Rich…..<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Y0TJW-pI/AAAAAAAAFXo/9GFXXcoe0Ow/s1600-h/Cowboy%20Bar%20083%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 083" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 083" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Y1OEK48I/AAAAAAAAFXs/k8qcdYPYPiI/Cowboy%20Bar%20083_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p></p><p>..and then it was time to say GoodNite, …Gregg, Bob and Bill, chattin’ up the Indian……<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Y12bDHUI/AAAAAAAAFXw/CpV6FODg3x0/s1600-h/Cowboy%20Bar%20141%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Cowboy Bar 141" border="0" alt="Cowboy Bar 141" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gX_FfoL_ZPs/S78Y2pKqskI/AAAAAAAAFX0/uZIwBLWQVuI/Cowboy%20Bar%20141_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p><p>…it was a night to remember, Texas style for sure! More good memories, made and shared, and lots to be grateful for!!!</p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-76472603511745912622010-04-06T09:18:00.024-04:002010-04-06T11:22:00.237-04:00She's still waiting...we're still rollingAhhh...Rockport days were wonderful ones, but the first of April found us rolling on to the town of Boerne (Ber-nee) in the Hill Country of Texas.<br /><br />However, there were many re-visits to our Heron friends and sure enough, the lady was still waiting patiently....sitting on those eggs.....<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXYihnnsUI5ymEzoM3dS4E-1UhjPjUn18eKYlXNxMv-89v-G09A9vE2b7Kw3IxA0D1Keb1IDEotxzdSrq_snFCLJVvbEM2oJsEeHstjhxTK-cgMuazZKyKVpBBeTGMzxZiRGZPgGwUvQ/s1600/Rockport+again+015.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXYihnnsUI5ymEzoM3dS4E-1UhjPjUn18eKYlXNxMv-89v-G09A9vE2b7Kw3IxA0D1Keb1IDEotxzdSrq_snFCLJVvbEM2oJsEeHstjhxTK-cgMuazZKyKVpBBeTGMzxZiRGZPgGwUvQ/s400/Rockport+again+015.JPG" /></a> </div><br />...and Mr. Heron was still carefully attending her......<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JjQ_RIvtvt_LvWsgOQzlXLA6HekJ7tvEZd689M_4T31V3Ot2B1QpswB0ObiaWin2JG4SZ7pxmVY9lIS7RPW3cXwC6kAuwOjCVquxlBUzr3xUyTRiDXyYwmx_n9ZwWKdpoPux44X8EBw/s1600/Rockport+again+014.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JjQ_RIvtvt_LvWsgOQzlXLA6HekJ7tvEZd689M_4T31V3Ot2B1QpswB0ObiaWin2JG4SZ7pxmVY9lIS7RPW3cXwC6kAuwOjCVquxlBUzr3xUyTRiDXyYwmx_n9ZwWKdpoPux44X8EBw/s400/Rockport+again+014.JPG" /></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiekuDvEGxt1L66VThkBAQzlT0l1LLQjCeMwPlaLoePwgDfXG9m-QZHjvZd4MxDCtk4f2mchOZSs9c76BwnpiF04_IpGBtUYiW-3bUbH8MVzGyl8kkyXiHOtp1WFDomV_G_X6syxAHO6k/s1600/Rockport+again+011.JPG"></a><br /><br />......sure wish we could be here to see those babies hatch!!!<br /><br />To see what's been happening in Rockport, please visit <a href="http://macandnette.blogspot.com/">Lynette and Gregg's blog.</a><br /><p></p><br />Several of us left Rockport in a convoy heading North up I 37 towards San Antonio and on to Boerne....to say it was a beautiful drive would be an understatement, and the photos sure don't begin to show the beauty. Mother Nature's paintbrush was working overtime! The Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, Poppies and many more wildflowers carpeted the roadsides and fields for as far as you could see!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHmHQjGaTnLOKN1iihBZT3ou2Lz2QJU8m7adqAGpo4w19yKqxpc7-WpUZWtxqAM7BKBjmeTQo3QZIYxOHG_18AnFz3dyUNE3i11R8bdG5v8137oW_SAEHp4aj_kPABWQYEm6v-ByyHL8/s1600/Rockport+again+039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457037568280839346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHmHQjGaTnLOKN1iihBZT3ou2Lz2QJU8m7adqAGpo4w19yKqxpc7-WpUZWtxqAM7BKBjmeTQo3QZIYxOHG_18AnFz3dyUNE3i11R8bdG5v8137oW_SAEHp4aj_kPABWQYEm6v-ByyHL8/s400/Rockport+again+039.JPG" /></a><br />It was truly a viewing thru the eyes of Texas....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7exjyx6wrZ03P_JE6jgwMGOyroPUvrqB_8SLo4Ge8wcD-o4e0XROTvCQ-pvCBGY8x5qvJrocfy_mbdgd9LeQDIeKM2aefDr_kl9FzLCw9EL9OBp2L_zWflWNrx-F-oyuwPgKrEzXTY4/s1600/Rockport+again+041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457043211078175106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7exjyx6wrZ03P_JE6jgwMGOyroPUvrqB_8SLo4Ge8wcD-o4e0XROTvCQ-pvCBGY8x5qvJrocfy_mbdgd9LeQDIeKM2aefDr_kl9FzLCw9EL9OBp2L_zWflWNrx-F-oyuwPgKrEzXTY4/s400/Rockport+again+041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYCZSBGzS2NK3wrJcUkudUkrGQfdJfV8lXUIquG-PTgNo4jSCMaudybvh6nkEfXtFCR90zImbuyIREIj54B1EyeoFF7c5VXZ9hv5clFDklTIN6n9Uk0hoZ0ctDv1Du1r5xOBDRW_9JnI/s1600/Rockport+again+074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYCZSBGzS2NK3wrJcUkudUkrGQfdJfV8lXUIquG-PTgNo4jSCMaudybvh6nkEfXtFCR90zImbuyIREIj54B1EyeoFF7c5VXZ9hv5clFDklTIN6n9Uk0hoZ0ctDv1Du1r5xOBDRW_9JnI/s400/Rockport+again+074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457044631759912946" /></a><br />.....those Bluebonnets and poppies in all their glory!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RQvp2DyweKd6Vdh-0_Rso1PUNx9VZP1vLzQfAV02BwdjCx-HdZTNU2fj0z-uUFyJ4Ct6QxydQoObT1hnZrqSRTANjEZeSv-MMqRPgHH3hDX49a7UrR_TlPIGHZYptbEmG30eM8sgfeA/s1600/Rockport+again+059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457038479300344834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RQvp2DyweKd6Vdh-0_Rso1PUNx9VZP1vLzQfAV02BwdjCx-HdZTNU2fj0z-uUFyJ4Ct6QxydQoObT1hnZrqSRTANjEZeSv-MMqRPgHH3hDX49a7UrR_TlPIGHZYptbEmG30eM8sgfeA/s400/Rockport+again+059.JPG" /></a> What treat it was to travel the roads carpeted like a rainbow, all the way up to Boerne!Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7335889545091413203.post-11167531795910638652010-03-31T00:51:00.009-04:002010-03-31T01:56:05.279-04:00The Lady in Waiting...<div align="center">Today was a lovely, bright blue day, and we had planned a beach outing to Aransas Beach....it seemed like a good day to enjoy an early walk over to the waters edge, so I took off and headed down the lane to Aransas Bay. Last week, I had noticed a Great Blue Heron that remained perched in the tall grasses for quite a long time.<br /><br />Sure enough, approaching the water's edge, I first noticed the Heron that flew to a large pile of brush, lingering there....<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TFa1htz3kU0PhJw3pVeOAcDz1XmkQI6ReHNAmhYzjhpk_fTttOXDPCICQ2ynCz-_qrExeu69Yi6RRF86tdHMfDKqicDGPNGNIyuYrEZ8rpuWohjdFCFV1n8LYOCUk4OlwMIl4judNck/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454664131660937330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TFa1htz3kU0PhJw3pVeOAcDz1XmkQI6ReHNAmhYzjhpk_fTttOXDPCICQ2ynCz-_qrExeu69Yi6RRF86tdHMfDKqicDGPNGNIyuYrEZ8rpuWohjdFCFV1n8LYOCUk4OlwMIl4judNck/s400/Beach+and+Birds+227.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>...then I saw his mate, perched high atop the platform above the waters' edge....<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnde7T9WQ68CAjTqDw4KwQQJ-T1ZM7oVdb5NH6y33zE3UQ723f6X1MjFfnFhSBUkLh32PPax68QlcveUaAsNGF3E7k76U95PwBDyE-xFmIFS537UrdDjsmSbQ3vnaoqfe0GvDLSEHtKw/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454660391134203026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnde7T9WQ68CAjTqDw4KwQQJ-T1ZM7oVdb5NH6y33zE3UQ723f6X1MjFfnFhSBUkLh32PPax68QlcveUaAsNGF3E7k76U95PwBDyE-xFmIFS537UrdDjsmSbQ3vnaoqfe0GvDLSEHtKw/s400/Beach+and+Birds+233.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>...she waited, patiently there, as he flew back and forth from the brush pile to the perch...<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2Qbmd8J68cCuxMd9Fl4dTxnE-AZnMpDCiHu188LQguSGcMHLbPqDa4JjMeqQxPQq1VgH-aK4asRnQ6JHcSzBLSresNQgvnK8JjjQf6zUFAwnPbSvbH0Gv3HXjBSDnitry0jXU6h5kOY/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454660180484162290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2Qbmd8J68cCuxMd9Fl4dTxnE-AZnMpDCiHu188LQguSGcMHLbPqDa4JjMeqQxPQq1VgH-aK4asRnQ6JHcSzBLSresNQgvnK8JjjQf6zUFAwnPbSvbH0Gv3HXjBSDnitry0jXU6h5kOY/s400/Beach+and+Birds+235.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>each flight bringing another twig with which to feather their nest.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8BOf5QR9pVzUZRMpBYpNkTcPit-nYhDKdVDVfv8hYbyv3fI2SxNufuzG7CxygZCKalQSB-61QQgUy8aZg0Qi1NlTY_iASwVIcPTmWzIdr2zs47zbI59lu5ti1pGtPZDCVeVfPPrfe0k/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+236.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454659807879447698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8BOf5QR9pVzUZRMpBYpNkTcPit-nYhDKdVDVfv8hYbyv3fI2SxNufuzG7CxygZCKalQSB-61QQgUy8aZg0Qi1NlTY_iASwVIcPTmWzIdr2zs47zbI59lu5ti1pGtPZDCVeVfPPrfe0k/s400/Beach+and+Birds+236.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>She moved hardly at all, staying very still atop the growing nest, as he slowly and surely,</p><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib9GfS_1ioP78GcYISWyXdUxaZyPQlnotC6UUUJiF35GUk_1sGw9L8yBBewl6clwOtILs4JgzeHvRe2roJN62av980CwCqdlMsyikQ0hS_-Bet95-7O27mdonDT_-FU847DnfWbvG8Ko/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+255.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454659005630686658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib9GfS_1ioP78GcYISWyXdUxaZyPQlnotC6UUUJiF35GUk_1sGw9L8yBBewl6clwOtILs4JgzeHvRe2roJN62av980CwCqdlMsyikQ0hS_-Bet95-7O27mdonDT_-FU847DnfWbvG8Ko/s400/Beach+and+Birds+255.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>continued with the nest building. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzOYuWj6qgsQFvI6_2Pq6_hZ0CcIcb3c61aL1iO5p7WiJOlV4RKO3Mc4ypWnl-JOC63n1c2alD-33SOuDZz8Ycytwtwjbc6p6k8dPVXk008p4kz6qDVUgIZuspvk2IrTSmhr5WkAOQbo/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+262.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454658637109126946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzOYuWj6qgsQFvI6_2Pq6_hZ0CcIcb3c61aL1iO5p7WiJOlV4RKO3Mc4ypWnl-JOC63n1c2alD-33SOuDZz8Ycytwtwjbc6p6k8dPVXk008p4kz6qDVUgIZuspvk2IrTSmhr5WkAOQbo/s400/Beach+and+Birds+262.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>We have loved to watch the Herons over the years, living on the River,<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMGYAgxhrRzbEyOlp8DcAjky6A4fh-WyAx6FYCO0YPnSl_1yDExahq_u4NnpU8YpYFhVqMovti1ieifzHKwsI19NBmjasIKFfhsW0HkOUjeHrkunYtp-Xt7IJUpgkmuiC88w7P8K1M3s/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+265.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454658211376687410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMGYAgxhrRzbEyOlp8DcAjky6A4fh-WyAx6FYCO0YPnSl_1yDExahq_u4NnpU8YpYFhVqMovti1ieifzHKwsI19NBmjasIKFfhsW0HkOUjeHrkunYtp-Xt7IJUpgkmuiC88w7P8K1M3s/s400/Beach+and+Birds+265.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>but we've never seen anything like the little drama that unfolded this morning.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFzSiyZBnYcDhd-bOhlwIovyzE0JS_AKSEQ_VfvXvkt2DwOES56fmYwQ5cPSlgccuAmaHKt550prgwKlco2dYht5kvGRuMyRY7B7_vY-eyCfpCpksDNqigGc7fIoiPeeT5sI8rxUBGA4/s1600/Beach+and+Birds+269.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454657743294344498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFzSiyZBnYcDhd-bOhlwIovyzE0JS_AKSEQ_VfvXvkt2DwOES56fmYwQ5cPSlgccuAmaHKt550prgwKlco2dYht5kvGRuMyRY7B7_vY-eyCfpCpksDNqigGc7fIoiPeeT5sI8rxUBGA4/s400/Beach+and+Birds+269.JPG" /><br /></a><p align="center"><br />It seemed pretty clear that his lady was ready to lay her eggs, as soon as he finished their little nest, and he was working diligently to make sure this was going to happen. </p><p align="center"> Amazingly, I had left my camera behind this morning, and I rushed back to the park, collecting it, and Karen treked back with me, to capture their ritual with our cameras!!! </p><p align="center">Then, we finished our walk and headed out to Aransas Beach....Oh, the things in Rockport that we will miss!!!<br /></p>Bob and Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968784000865338452noreply@blogger.com4