Memphis, Tennessee

Friday May 29th, 2015

We went on a coach tour of Memphis with Blues City Tours.  They picked us up at the campground.  I'm not sure we would recommend them as the tour was a little haphazard but we did get to see quite a bit so it served the purpose.

We stopped at the Peabody hotel to watch the famous Peabody Duck March.  They march at 11am in the morning. The pictures are not the best as it was very crowded.

Ducks coming out of the elevator after coming down in it from the top floor

Marching along the red carpet

In the fountain

 They stay in the fountain until they march back to the elevator at 5pm and return to the top of the hotel.

Next stop was Sun Studio,  the birthplace of Rock N Roll.

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Then we stopped at St. Judes Research Hospital. 

Play area

Memorial Garden

Thought of Mum & Dad

We stopped at the National Heritage Area

There were statues of B.B.King and Elvis Presley 

B.B. King had died a few days before we arrived

Outside on the Mississippi River was an old paddleboat

Hernando De Soto or "Dolly Parton" bridge with paddle boat in foreground.

 Next stop was the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel which is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

The motel room balcony where he was killed

The bus waiting for us

Supposedly one of the best BBQ in Memphis, we didn't have time to try it

Then on to Beale Street. 

B.B. Kings

Another BBQ

Toilet Seat for sale.  Good job I don't have a house where this would fit anymore

Last but not least was Graceland, home of Elvis Presley.  We didn't go inside but just a drive past.  

On the way

Graceland behind the trees

Wall in front of Graceland that people have signed

The "Kings" plnes

and car

We were going to go here tomorrow but after our brief visit today decided against it.  It is very commercialized and quite expensive, maybe another time but I doubt it.

On the road again…….Coe campground in Mississippi, Travelling Tennessee and Arkansas

Wednesday May 27th, 2015

We packed up and hit the road heading North toward Memphis, Tennessee before turning West and back to Las Vegas & San Diego.

We crossed the border back into Mississippi and stopped at the Welcome Center to pick up some information.

It started to rain, the stuffed animals didn't mind as they watched the road, all except Milly (the brown teddy in the basket), who decided to look at us and not out the window!!!  Milly was given to us by Ray & Julie.

We arrived at Wallace Creek COE Campground at Enid Lake for an overnight stop.  This is the first time we have stayed overnight in Mississippi even though we have driven through it many times and the first time we have stayed in a Corp of Engineers park.  It was beautiful and our site was right on the lake.  No sewer connection but a good price at $18/night and once I get to 62 next month and get our America the Beautiful Senior pass for a lifetime fee of $10, we would get this site for half price at $9/night!!!!  There are some benefits to getting old.

Our site on the lake

Our picnic area complete with BBQ/Fire Pit

The sun going down

Thursday May 29th, 2015

We got up and left for the short drive to Tom Sawyer RV Park, West Memphis, Arkansas.  I  took a final picture of the dam as we were heading out.  Garfield was soooo excited he hung upside down.

We crossed the border into Tennessee.

And then into Arkansas while crossing the Mississippi River. 

We arrived at Tom Sawyer RV Park, which is on the Mississippi River.

Our campsite

View of the Mississippi River

Long Long Barge going along the Mississippi

Sign for the park

Carved into the tree at the entrance to the campground

Tomorrow we are going on a coach tour of Memphis.

Birthdays, Doctors and Mothers Day in Louisiana

Friday May 1st, 2015 - Tuesday May 26th, 2015

Saturday May 2nd, 2015

Princess Charlotte was born in London to Duchess Catherine & Prince William. Here's a VIDEO of a town crier on the steps of the hospital announcing the birth. So Prince George now has a baby sister.

Sunday May 3rd, 2015

Today is my eldest son Ian's 35th birthday and my little brother Ray's birthday.  I'd better not tell you how old he is but he is catching up to me!!!

HaPpY HaPpY Birthday to both of you.

Ian (1 day old) & Sue

Ray & Mum - Sept. 2007

When we have no one parked in front of us at this campground we have a lake view. I took this picture from inside the RV and so the screens make it look a bit fuzzy.

Thursday May 7th, 2015

I went to the gastroenterologist for my follow up and everything was good, just a few things that they would expect at my age!!!!  I have minor diverticulitis which I will have to watch.  Mum had this and so I have her to thank for it and know I will have to watch it, especially as I get older.  The biopsies they took were all clear and there was no indication of what was causing the anemia.  They did blood work to check where my iron levels are at the moment and the results will be back next week.

I found a flowerpot man at a local hardware store and thought it was cute.

I came across this song which fits Bryan & I really well so had to share it with you all. Free by Zac Brown Band  

Sunday May 10th, 2015

Happy Mothers Day to all American moms out there, especially Bryan's mom.  We spent the day with her and Bryan cooked dinner.  It was nice to be able to be here with her.  Here we are washing up after dinner. 

I found this song by Rascal Flatts during the week and thought this was an appropriate place to share it as a present from this mum to all her kids and grandkids. My Wish by Rascal Flatts

During the week Bryan made a shelf for Mom's computer and she stained it.  The finished article looked really good.  

Mom had been really busy.  She made some new curtains for her kitchen and placed the Old English Roses Tea set that I had sent her when we sold the house, on a shelf she put over the window.  I have had this china since 1970 when my uncles bought it for me as a wedding present when I married my first husband.  

I had a great Mothers Day.  I chatted with both my sons, which always makes my day.  Dinner was delicious and when we got home I watched my recording of Andy Murray's Masters Final on clay in Madrid, against the King of Clay Rafa Nadal and he WON 6-3, 6-2, yay!!!!  This time last week he had never won a clay court title and now he has 2!!!  

Wednesday May 20th, 2015

I found out that my blood tests showed that my iron levels had gone up and the anemia was a lot better so I scheduled an appointment with my cardiologist to discuss the Heart Cath that he wanted me to have.  I asked him if the anemia could have caused the irregular stress test but he didn't think so.  He advised that I should have the Heart Cath but he could do a different type of stress test that would take about 4 hours but he thought I would still end up having to have the stress test so I decided to go straight ahead with the Heart Cath.  He scheduled me for tomorrow!!!!! So spent the rest of the day doing bloodwork and pre op stuff.  We did go for dinner at Red Lobster though to cheer ourselves up, unfortunately wasn't the best meal we have had there.  Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Bryan got a new retired air force flag as an early Fathers Day present. 

Thursday May 21st, 2015

We got up early to get to the hospital at 5am, to get ready for the procedure at 7!!!!  We never get up early anymore so a bit of a shock to our systems but we made it.  The heart unit in Baton Rouge is very new and very clean. I had my own room with it's own bathroom. Could be why they wanted me to pay $3,800 yesterday toward this procedure!!!  Fortunately our maximum annual deductible is $3,000 so they won't get that much.  

Anyway, the procedure didn't last long.  It was a little scary as they put all this plastic up around me but once they knocked me out I don't remember a thing.  Came round a little while later and the recovery took a couple of hours before they would let me out.  Turns out my heart is 100% ok, yippee!!!  Much to be thankful for, although I'm very angry at myself for not insisting the cardiologist did another regular stress test.  It might have saved me from this and the extra expense but no good double guessing myself.  I am alive and there is nothing major wrong with me and I am very grateful for that.  I am now fit and we are ready to go.  After all the medical tests of the last 4 months, they can find nothing else wrong.   My iron levels are back to normal, although they still don't know why they were low.  Heart is ticking along just fine, always was apparently but seems the anemia made everyone think it wasn't!!!  I tried to tell them I thought this was what it was, but hey I'm just the patient what do I know????  Colonoscopy and Upper GI just showed normal aging things to keep an eye on.  

I now have the vertigo which makes me a little dizzy at times, but that's nothing new is it!!!  So, we can now plan our route west and hope to leave next week.  Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and very happy to tell you "normal" business is resumed.  

Monday May 25th, 2015

Today it's Memorial Day and Bryan posted these pictures remembering his Dad. 

Tuesday May 26th, 2015

Three years ago, we skyped with Ryan as he was ashore in Panama where he joined his first ship, USS McCluskey, on his first tour out of boot camp and training with the Navy.  It was so good to speak to him, even though a few days earlier he had been in Vegas with us on leave. 

My wrist is still sore from where they inserted the scope for the Heart Cath and is affecting my hand a bit  but I'm sure it is bruised and the rest of me is ok so that's a relief.  I'm just being careful with that arm which is a little awkward as it's my right hand.

Tomorrow, we start on our travels again.  We will be heading north toward Memphis, Tennessee before heading west toward Las Vegas & San Diego.  

Stay safe everyone.  

Doctors, Special Olympics, a Tornado & Birthdays

April 2015

We spent this month visiting with Mom, doing odd jobs and the doctor visits continue.

Thursday April 2nd, 2015

I went to visit Dr. Walsh, a gastroenterologist, about my anemia and he scheduled a colonoscopy and Upper GI for me for April 21st, which was the soonest they could do it.  They could have scheduled me in at their office sooner but our health insurance insist the procedure is done at the hospital and so I have to wait……….

Bryan went fishing on the lake here and caught this with a worm.  He always releases what he catches as he doesn't like fish and I don't like the cleaning!!!!

Monday April 6th, 2015

Today is the 23rd anniversary of my dad's death.  Still remember it as if it was yesterday.  At least he had his heart attack while playing golf, something he loved, and lived long enough to talk to us.  Mum is with him now and so I am sure they are catching up.  This picture was taken at our wedding, seven months earlier.

Thursday April 9th, 2015

It was Bryan's turn to go to the doctors as his ears have been playing him up and he wanted a referral to an ENT.  Doc decided to try him on some new meds, which ended up giving him bad headaches!!!

Kris posted this picture of Bailey & Kai on Facebook.  They were enjoying a day at a local park. 

I saw this LINK to a lighthouse apartment for sale in Scotland.  Was very tempting but no bedroom!!!


Saturday April 11th, 2015

We have had a lot of rain the last few days and terrible thunderstorms yesterday.

LeeAnn was chosen as a torch bearer for the Special Olympics.  What a great honor for her and well deserved.

She won a gold medal.  Well Done LeeAnn.  We are so proud of her, she makes the best of everything and makes everyone smile.  :)

Today I was determined to try and find some pictures of Andy Murray's wedding to his long term girlfriend Kim Sears.  Well, I did even better than that and managed to find a news report that was showing it live on my laptop.  It was the equivalent of a Royal wedding for them in Dunblane, Scotland and the crowds were out in force.  Here's a newspaper article covering the preparations the day before, including the rehearsal at the cathedral and the bunting that was put up in the High Street.

All around a quiet day but a lovely one.

Tuesday 14th April, 2015

Went to Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge to do the pre-op routine for my colonoscopy and upper GI next Tuesday.

Monday 20th April, 2015

Stayed in as had to do the liquid diet in preparation for the colonoscopy tomorrow.  This is the worst part of this procedure but I have to say it has improved since I did it the last time 11 years ago.  Nowhere near as bad.

Tuesday 21st April, 2015

Had my colonoscopy and Upper GI and I survived and so did the RV toilet!!!!  It went well, have to wait for the results of a couple of biopsies but the doctor told Bryan everything looked good.  Apparently he told me as well but I don't remember even speaking to him after the procedure, ha!! ha!!

We went to I-Hop on the way home for brunch as I was starving.

Wednesday 22nd April, 2015

The latest picture of baby Trystan.  I think he looks as though he's singing.

Thursday 23rd April, 2015

It was Bryan's turn at the doctors, again for his headaches.  Doc gave him some different medication but it is one that he has taken before and seems to have done the trick.  Keeping everything crossed.

Sunday 26th April, 2015

Today would have been my Dad's 89th birthday and we had a visitor.

Freddy Frog appeared as we put out the awning.  You have no idea how happy seeing this frog made me.  You all know how much I love frogs, don't you????  I was like a little kid!!!!  Last year at this time we had a small frog who travelled with us a few stops and then we didn't see him again.  Today as we put the awning out this guy crawled out.  Is he the same frog but now bigger?  Bryan says no and I guess I agree with him but part of me wants him to be the same one who has been with us all along.  I know I'm silly!!!  Sometimes it only takes little things to make you VERY happy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD, thanks………….

Monday 27th April, 2015

We woke up this morning to a tornado warning.  This was our first warning and second tornado watch.  Bryan made sure everything outside was secure. We watched the news to track it and saw that it was heading our way so when it was about 5 minutes away we went to the office/bathroom block to sit it out.  There were a few people there doing the same.  After about 45 minutes we decided it was safe to go back to Lily but it sure had been windy and raining heavily.  Here's some pictures we took when we  got back after the major storm had passed.

We lost power for a couple of hours and the warning went from a Tornado to a High Wind warning.  It got very dark and still and was a little eerie but we just sat tight and by midday it had cleared for the most part.  As the strong winds headed East, this  VIDEO shows a freight train being blown off it's tracks just South East of us near New Orleans.  Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage.  This gives you an idea of what it was like at the campground but everyone was safe and we didn't hear of any damage.  Bryan's mom had some tree limbs blown down but was ok.

Tuesday 28th April, 2015

Bryan went to get his eyes tested and he will need some new glasses, so we will get those in a couple of weeks hopefully.

Thursday 30th April, 2015


Today is our youngest granddaughter Aimee's 8th birthday. HaPpY HaPpY Birthday Aimee.
She has had a busy month.  The family went to see Annie in San Antonio as a joint present with LeeAnne.  Aimee got straight A's on her report card and entered her first chess tournament where she won her first match but lost the next, not bad for a first try. Way to go Aimee.

That's it from Livingston, Louisiana for another month.  We have enjoyed seeing mom and spending time with her but are not really enjoying all the doctor visits.  I have a follow up appointment with the gastroenterologist on May 7th for the results of the colonoscopy and Upper GI and we will see where we go from there.

Stay Safe……...