Texas & Louisiana - Family & Memories

Friday November 8th, 2013

Today we remember Bryan's dad who died three years ago.  We miss you Dad/Pops, Love Kent & Lulu. xxxx

Bryan, Dad & Ryan

We got packed up and got on the road to Beaumont, Texas.
We decided to take the toll road around Houston as we didn't want to drive through the middle on a Friday afternoon.  As we hadn't been on a toll road for a long long while, and never in the motorhome towing a car, we weren't sure how it worked but knew they charged by the axle.
We stopped at the first toll, it was $5.25 so we thought Ok that's not bad.  What we didn't realize was that there were  another 3 toll stations before we had to get off the toll road and we had to pay $5.25 at each one!!!  I think it was about every 5 miles.  We were still trying to work out whether we needed to pay at each one or whether the first payment covered us for the whole trip.  I know, we were a little naive about this.
"Bitchin Betty" our GPS kept telling us to keep to the left when we approached the next toll station and so we were in the left lanes and once we realized we had to be in the right lanes to ask if we had to pay it was too late and we had to go through.  Oh well, we stopped at the next toll booth to get clarification.  The lady was very nice, probably thinking how stupid are these people, as she explained to us that yes it is $5.25 at each stop and we would get a bill in the mail for the one we missed as a camera records your number plate.  She also gave us a number to call if we wanted to pay by phone and told us another route we could go that would mean we would avoid the next toll.  We decided to take her advice and get off the toll road.  She was extremely helpful to us, she could probably tell how confused we were and how stupid we felt, ha!! ha!!
By avoiding the toll we had to go over this bridge, helppppp!!

It looked worse from a distance than it was, thankfully.  Remember we have a 38 foot motorhome towing a car.

We had a nice view from the top 

We arrived at Hidden Lake RV Resort in Beaumont.  It is a very nice campground and a lot, lot better than last nights, thank goodness.  On top of that, with our Passport America discount it is also cheaper than last night.  Bryan discovered that he had left the surge protector at the last campground and so I called them and they went and looked and found it.  They also had a key handed in which turned out to be our spare for the car that we had been looking for. Unfortunately, we will have to drive back to get them as we really need the protector and it was quite expensive.  We really didn't have a good time at that campground did we????   We will drive back on Sunday. 

We called Patrick to let him know we had arrived and he told us he would pick us up and take us to dinner tonight.  

Patrick, Karen and their daughter Taylor picked us up and we went to eat at a Mexican restaurant.  It was so good to see them again and we chatted and had a good meal.  They took us home and we arranged to see them tomorrow at their house for a barbecue.  Thanks for the meal and company we really enjoyed it. 

Saturday November 9th, 2013

We didn't do much this morning except go to Home Depot looking for a tap (faucet) for the motorhome which we didn't find.  We went to Patrick's this afternoon.  CoCo came with us so she could have a run in their back yard.  Needless to say, she thoroughly enjoyed herself playing in the yard.  We sat out chatting while Patrick barbecued and Karen's parents came over to join us. It was fun catching up and seeing CoCo enjoying herself.  We had a great meal and cake made by Karen's mom. All too soon our visit was over and we left for our little house on wheels.  Thanks for the good food and company.  Unfortunately, I was very bad and didn't take any pictures!!!  It would have been good to have some to remind us of our visit.  I guess next time will have to do.

Sunday November 10th, 2013

Today, we had to go back to Wharton, Texas to get our surge protector and key that we had left behind.  It was a four hour round trip in the car, we avoided the toll road this time and the trip was uneventful.  

I got a picture going into Houston. It looked as though we were headed into the ocean but I think it was actually the smog hanging over Houston!!

Monday November 11th, 2013

We were supposed to leave today for Louisiana but decided to stay an extra day because of our drive yesterday. 

Today is Veterans Day.  Thanks to all who served or are currently serving, including our youngest Ryan. 

We thought about taking advantage of one of the many restaurants offering free meals for veterans but decided against it as we didn't want to battle the crowds.  We did a little shopping before returning home.  Patrick came to visit and say goodbye.  CoCo had been sulking all day, probably because we were out most of yesterday and she missed Patrick's back yard.  She wouldn't even wag her tail.  As soon as she saw Patrick she jumped up to say hello, tail wagging!!!!  She definitely has a new best friend.

Tuesday November 12th, 2013

We got on the road as as early as we could as we have quite a long drive today.  At least, long for us.  

We crossed the border into Louisiana.  A lamppost got in the way of the welcome sign!!! 

We went on the Seven Mile Bridge on the way to Baton Rouge. 

And then crossed the bridge in Baton Rouge.

We arrived at Lakeside RV Park in Livingston, Louisiana.  This park is even nicer than the Beaumont one.  Hooray, two nice parks back to back. 

We got settled in and called Mom to let her know we had arrived.  She had made a roast for dinner and so we headed over to the house.  It was so good to see her again and we are looking forward to spending time together.  We had a wonderful dinner, thanks Mom & chatted a lot.  Her house always looks so immaculate and she has a wonderful knack with her decorating.  I just love it.  All too soon it was time to leave but we will be back tomorrow.

Wednesday November 13th, 2013

We got Mom and went to Camping World to get a new tap (faucet) for the sink to replace the one that I broke when we left Kingsville.  We had fun looking at all the different things in Camping World.  Got a couple of bits of shopping and then went for BBQ at Voodoo BBQ in Denham Springs.

Thursday November 14th, 2013

Bryan started to clean out the shed at his Mom's today.  His Dad had every sort of tool imaginable and the last time Bryan was here, him & Patrick had sorted a lot of it out.  He is determined to get it finished this visit.  We were reminiscing, as Mom & Bryan remembered his dad as they found different tools and bits and pieces.  

By the end of the day there was a keeping stack, a stack for the neighbor, a stack for scrap metal and a trash can for things that were no longer any good.  Bryan felt as though he had accomplished something.  

We had dinner and spent some time chatting again and looking at old houses on the computer.  

Friday November 15th, 2013

 We spent the morning trying to sort out insurance bills and paying the toll fee that we missed in Houston.  

Then we went to Moms.  Bryan sorted out his box of tools and parts that he had put together from his Dad's shed and I started to write my blog while Mom worked on her computer and we chatted.

Mom & Bryan

We had dinner and it quickly became dark and we realized that we had forgotten to leave a light on for CoCo, so we left Mom to have a quiet night and went home.

Ryan was awarded a NCM (Navy Commendation Medal) today.  I haven't spoken to him yet and so don't know what he received it for but here is a picture of the group that received them.

Way to go Ryan & everyone.  Hooyah!!

That's it for now.  Take Care everyone. xxxx

Special Olympics, Halloween & Family

Thursday October 31st, 2013

Today was a special day.  We got to see Lee Anne bowl in the Special Olympics.  This is something she does every fall and in the spring she competes in track.  The event was held in Corpus Christi and we had to be up early, well early for us these days, in order to get there in time.
We headed out, the weather was miserable and it rained on the way there.  We got there just before the school bus bringing Lee Anne and so we got a hot drink and waited.
Once she arrived they got their shoes and found out what lane they would be on.  The first lane they were assigned didn't work and so after a frustrating few minutes we were moved to a lane that worked, yeah!!!
Lee Anne obviously was enjoying herself, even though she is very hard on herself when she doesn't do as well as she thinks she should.  Some of the Stewart stubbornness in there I suspect!!!

They bowled 4 bowlers to a lane and she was second in the scores, although after they added the handicaps taken from prior bowling games she ended up winning GOLD!!!  We were so proud of her. It is the first time she has earned a medal in bowling.  WAY TO GO, LEE ANNE  xxxxxxxxx

After bowling we went to CiCi's for pizza.

We arrived just in time as a lot of the other bowlers had the same idea.  By the time we left the volunteers had also arrived and there was a line waiting to get in!!!

We went to the mall after lunch and walked around looking in the stores. They were already decorated for Christmas!!  After that we drove home and rested before going out tonight for Halloween.  

The girls were dressed up as Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss.  Brenda does a good job with creating their outfits.  She is very artistic and enjoys making things, including amongst other things bows, earrings, and cakes.  We are boring as usual and are not getting dressed up, sorry!!!!! 

John, Brenda and the girls went out trick or treating in the neighborhood while Collette, Bryan & I stayed at the house and handed out candy.  We had a continous stream of children in many different outfits and before we knew it the girls were back and we were out of candy.  

We went inside and had dinner and chatted before leaving for home after a very long but exciting day.

Friday November 1st, 2013

We spent most of the day trying to find campgrounds for our trip to Florida in January.  Think we are almost there but it is difficult planning that far in advance.  Unfortunately, Florida is very popular in the winter and the campgrounds get booked very quickly so if you want to stay in a place for longer than a couple of days you have to book in advance.

Bryan went with John, Brenda, Collette, Lee Anne & Aimee to the Brahmas football game in the evening.  The Brahmas are his High School football team and he played for them way back when, so it was a nostalgic evening for him.  

Lee Anne got the cheerleaders to do a special cheer for her.

And here is a video of it.

As well as being Seniors night, Lee Anne and all of the Kingsville Special Olympics kids got to go on the pitch with the team. 

Here is video of Lee Anne going on the pitch with Brenda, Special Olympics participants and the Brahmas.

Thanks to John for the picture and videos. :)

The Brahmas ended up winning 71-27.  Way to go Brahmas.

Saturday November 2nd, 2013

We went and watched Aimee's soccer game in the morning.  They lost but it was fun watching her.  After the match we came home and did some work on the motorhome before going to dinner at the Greene house.  Thanks to Collette for the Orange Chicken, it was delicious.  We chatted for a while before leaving for home.  It is good to catch up on everything that has been going on.

Sunday & Monday November 3rd and 4th, 2013

We spent both these days working around the house and making phone calls to sort out insurance, and campgrounds amongst other boring things.

Tuesday November 5th, 2013

Today we picked up Aimee from school and brought her back to the motorhome for a while so her mom could go to Lee Anne's therapy with her.  It took us back in time to be waiting outside a school waiting for our kid again!!!  We took a walk around Walmart with her and found out all the toys she likes.  It was fun and when we got back to the motorhome we did Sudoku and colored.  I was amazed at how good she was at Sudoku and it was her idea to do it when she saw the puzzle book.  I wouldn't have dreamed that a six year old would have wanted to do it but she did and we enjoyed working out the puzzles between us. Although in this picture that Bryan took it doesn't look as though we were enjoying it, ha!! ha!! 

We were all going out to dinner at Chilis tonight and so when the time came we left and met everyone there.  We had dinner, unfortunately there was a delay with the two girls meals and they ended up getting them when the rest of us had almost finished our meal.  Not ideal to keep the children waiting, especially when they are tired.  

We dropped them off at home and arranged to see them tomorrow for our last night here. :(

Wednesday, November 6th 2013

We started to clear up and get ready for our departure tomorrow.  Bryan took all the covers off the motorhome windows.  Brenda and John came for a quick visit on their way to lunch. It started to rain in the afternoon and was pretty miserable.  

On a good note, I managed to get a campground booked for January near Tampa, Florida and Bryan booked the motorhome in to an RV repair nearby for them to look at the awning.  We can manage without it until then.

We went to the Greene's for a farewell dinner.  Thanks to Brenda for the Potato Soup.  I loved it. Yummy.  Bryan is not a fan of Potato Soup so we got him a Texicali from Youngs.  We had been here for lunch last week, it is an old haunt of Bryan's from his school days and they have good food.  

When it was time for the girls to go to bed I read them a story from Dr. Seuss.  

All to soon it was time to say "au revoir", not goodbye as we will return.

Thursday November 7th, 2013

We got packed up and headed out at 10:30am.  Unfortunately, the first thing that happened was that I hadn't put the covers on the sink and they moved and knocked the tap off.  So we will have to replace that.  There is always something!!!!  Oh well, it could have been worse.  We arrived at TeePee RV Park in Wharton, Texas at about 1:30pm.  We registered and got our site number but when we went to start the motorhome engine it wouldn't start so we couldn't drive to our site.  Bryan determined it was the battery for the engine and so we took it and got it replaced.  Once we got back and put the new battery in all was well and the engine started right away.  So today was proving to be quite expensive!! We drove to our site and I thought there was someone in it so we went back to the host and she showed us our site.  It was half on the grass and half on the road.  It appears a road has been made through where there are actually two sites.  As they are full apart from this site we had no choice but to stay here.  It is muddy, cramped and generally not good but we will persevere for the night.  Here is a picture of the teepees that they have for motel rooms.  Bryan  had a look at them and they just have a double bed and a bathroom with a shower in them, so nothing fancy inside but look cute from the outside.

That's it for now.  Tomorrow we should be in Beaumont, Texas for the weekend and will visit with Bryan's brother Patrick and his family.