Salina, KS

I cannot believe that it is 4/29 and it has been 9 days since I blogged last. Here is a very quick update on our happenings.

We went thru a tornado watch when we were in Cabella, FL - then Biloxi, MS - well we went thru our 3rd tornado watch in Guthrie, TX. I talked with my sister Robin yesterday morning, I told her that we were headed north into Kansas and she said do not go north go east or west. Well this AM we went north. We hit lots and lots of rain out of just before Wichita KS for about an hour and then it cleared up. We are now in Salina, KS and it is really quite nice. We arrived around 3pm, set up a few things went for a drive - this is quite an old town. Very impressive - about 40,000 population.

4/21 & 22 we stayed in Caddo Mills, TX visited with our friends Katherine & Nel Nelson. We met them in the summer of 2005 in Bayfield, CO and have kept in contact so stopped by to say hi. Nel was in rehab center due to a shoulder replacement. He is 82 years young and doing as well as he can for his age.

4/23 & 25 stayed in Grapevine RV Park in Grapevine, TX what a cute town the RV park sat on a lake. It was very cold and very windy. We then spent 4/26 & 27 in the Iovnelli's backyard. This is also a couple that we met in Bayfield, CO we spent hours and hours playing hand & foot while we were in CO so they could not wait to get things set up and start playing. Again, very cold windy & rainy. But we had a great time.

4/28 & 29 stayed at Pioneer RV Park in Guthrie, TX - 3rd tornado watch - Yikes!!!! I am so very thankful that we do not live in this area. I just do not see how you could live always fearing tornadoes. Oh well.

OK so today we are in Salina, KS. Tomorrow head to Hayes, KS (60 miles what a long day!!!!) to spend 2 days with friends Chuck & Bettye Etzel. They used to live in Carson City just up the street from us. They left Carson 2002 to live on a family farm.

So stay tuned. I have pics to download but am running out of time as Survivor is on in 6 minutes.

Hope you enjoy by blog as much as I enjoy writing.

Natchitoches, LA

We left NOLA at 7a.m. (we had to be out of the park by 7a.m. due to paving of their road). YUK!!! As our normal start time is around 10 a.m. Anyway, we arrived Natchitoches (Nat-i-chek). Nice town - LA State University North Campus is here.

I still sell BeautiControl Cosmetics and have acquired a few orders so thought I would put them together and mail from here. Well I arrive at the local "Mailbox, Etc." with packages in hand and asked how would I like them to go. I stated regular post so she weights my packages (3) and tells me my bill is $8.36 "I said for all three" and she says "$8.36" with no other explanation, so I handed her my CC and wala my packages are in her hand - well I sent two to Carson City and one to Las Vegas. After we walked out Tom stated "are they going by slow boat to China" I laughed and said I just could not get any more information out of her so I paid for them. I called my sister Bobbie and said OK your package is in the mail TODAY please let me know how many days it takes to get to you. I really wanted them to go Priority Mail but we will see how long it takes. You have to laugh - she was a cute southern university student with very limited clothing on and a guy came in to mail a package and she made him so nervous that he was dropping things, knocking packages over - Oh well to be young again!!??

We venture back to the RV park walked the cats, just finished a crab salad and settle in to watch a little TV.

We head for Dallas, TX tomorrow. More to come.

Destin, Fl - Biloxi, MS

Destin, FL our 5 star RV park. Great place one block from the beach, however it was never really warm enough to sit on the beach. It was very very windy as well.

I was going to do a load of wash - went to get the sorted clothes and turned around and here was my Cuddles taking a nap in the washer. That is really really cute, however this is a combination washer/dryer and once you close the door and start the wash it locks and you CANNOT get it open. Thank goodness it is a small washer and you can see BEFORE you close the door.

This was BBQ place that was at the entrance of the RV park that we stayed at in Biloxi, MS. Does not look very good buy OMG was it great food. It was featured on the food network's "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives" Also was part of the "Bama Que" on the food network challenge. The Shed Barbeque & Bluesjoint.

These are carvings that were done in the medium of the highway in Biloxi, MS. There were live oak trees that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. These were sculpted by a very famous saw sculpture.

This is the Memorial for Hurricane Katrina. The live oak tree is over 200 years old. There was a glass enclosure that had dolls, jewelry, purses, shoes, etc. that had been recovered during the clean up. This town has come along way but has alot more to do. You would drive down the highway and there would be a building either restored or destroyed and then you would have 5 lots that had homes or building and they were totally gone.

The last night that we were in Biloxi there was Tornado watches up for the area. There was downpour of rain and the wind was very very strong. We pulled in one of our slides just to be on the safe side. The tornadoes went north and all was well. That was close!!!!

I have several more pictures and will download them to Picasa. We have been in New Orleans since Monday and have visited 7 plantations, ate at a very very local diner and had red beans & rice & sausage. Stay tuned for our adventures in NOLA.

Becky thanks so much for your help with the pics!!

Biloxi, MS

OK I have been sitting here for the last 2 hours trying desperately to upload pictures to my posting and cannot seem to get there.

I always seem to try to do this when I have very little time to play and explore. Can any of my followers please give me insight and help as to how to do this.

We will be leaving here in the a.m. and heading to New Orleans. I have great things to tell you about Biloxi but do not want to do it without the pics that go along with it.

The devastation from the 2005 Katrina Hurricane is still lingering in this town. The beaches have been restored but the buildings across from the beach are either gone, demolished or in the process of being rebuilt.

I will upload the pics just as soon as I can figure it out. We have beautiful pics and stories to share.

Beach time

OK so I was able to get to the beach for just about an hour. The wind is gusting and just about 67 degrees. Doesn't sound too cold but when you are on the beach and the wind is blowing it is not very warm.

Headed to a fresh fish market - picked up some crab and shrimp and made salads for dinner. Very Very good!!!!! Picked up a few dozen shrimp for the freezer.

Went to the pool for about an hour but again not very warm.

Not much happening today. Head to Biloxi, MS in the a.m. So stay tuned for our travels to the west.

Beach sitting

Well the wind did not subside today sooooooo instead of sitting on the beach with my book we took in two museums.

1) Indian Temple Mound Museum - Opened in 1962 as the first city owned museum in the state of Florida. The present building opened in 1971 to house an extensive artifact collections for this area's prehistoric Native American cultures. We spent 2 hours. Outstanding museum. Included with the above museum was:

• The Fort Walton Temple Mound is a National Historic Landmark which stands as a watchful sentinel and gave its name to the impressive Fort Walton Period ceramics.
• The Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum a restored two-room school used in Camp Walton, later to be known as Fort Walton Beach, from 1912-1936. Grades 1-8 were taught in the original one-room building. In 1927 another room was added for grades 9-12. The school is a place where memories can be captures and new ones created. This was breathtaking - when you walked in the door it looked like you stepped back in time. It was set up just like it would have in the 1912-1936 era.
• The Garnier Post Office Museum it houses artifacts from Camp Walton, the post office and voting precinct #19.

2) The Air Force Armament Museum (AFAM) this was FREE. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with Air Force Armament and it's delivery. It was located on the Eglin Air Force Base. Quite a museum we spent 3 hours.

We had quite a day. Now getting ready to settle in to watch American Idol, Biggest loser & NCIS.

Destin, FL

Arrived here in Destin, FL at 2:35 p.m. Windy all of the way. At times up to 28 MPH WOW!!!!

What a beautiful RV resort we are in here in Destin. 5 Star. We do not get to stay in to many like this. Went and had a great SEAFOOD dinner early and ready to settle in and watch 24. Tomorrow going to spend most of the day on the beach with my book. I will take pics and send tomorrow. Could not believe it has been 3 days since I posted.

We leave here on Thursday AM and head for Mobile, AL. Other than rain and wind we have had a great trip.

I found one of my pics. Becky, Neal & Elias was leaving Wolcott and heading back home to Dorchester, MA. We had such a great time and was so very very excited to spend time with Great Nephew Elias, such a joy.

Perry, Florida

Arrived in Perry @ 2:35 pm with the rain. Beautiful part of Florida. Came thru the horse breeding and training areas. BIG and beautiful horse farms.

Took Cuddles & Jinx for a walk to investigate their new surroundings. Jinx was ok but Cuddles was not so sure.

I crocheted along the way and made 1 1/2 dishcloths. Pretty nifty. When I get settled I will start takings pics and posting them. I tried yesterday before I left Clermont to post some of my pics and they uploaded but not sure where they went???? I am not very technical so will start searching for my pics.

This KOA Campground has breakfast for $1 (better than McDonald) so will stop and have a bite on our way down the road. Can't beat $1