A travel day...

 Our Location: Walmart, Vicksburg, Mississippi

We woke to very cool temps, fog and the sun trying valiantly to burn it off. Breakfast, a walk to the dumpsters, hooked up and we were off before 9 am. We needed a few directions at the local gas station as the GPS wasn't cooperating but we were quickly back on the straight line we needed to be on. A new toll road is in place that I don't recall the last time we were here. 

 

Morning fog at Lake Lurleen SP, Alabama

We basically just pointed the Big Dog's nose southwest and let him go and go he did. We rolled along on I-59/20 until we were in Meridian, Ms where we turned west and let I-20 lead us in the right direction. We stopped at a few rest areas and stretched our legs but still made it to our destination by around 2 pm. 

One of the rest stops.

References for me and you both, I-59/20 in Alabama was good, a few humps and bumps but nothing extreme. I-20 West in Mississippi leaves something to be desired. Many parts are good but the  bridges are difficult, very bumpy and the expansion joints are close enough or far enough apart to make it a rough ride, add to that some rough joints at the end of the bridge to the roadway and you get the idea. Some were excellent but some were very terrible.  Not a lot of construction and no real slow downs of any kind. Mississippi has beautiful rest areas and allows overnight parking with security, just for future knowledge. Fuel (we are looking at interstate prices) range between $5.50 and $4.82.

Still blooming here in MS.

Weather warmed up as we came west, from 43F/6C this morning to 70F/20C by our pull off time of 2 pm. Tonight will be a low of 12 or13C/ low 50's F. We'll take that happily. 

A military cargo plane winged by.

A chat with my sister in law Barb last night after finishing the blog had the news that Wayne's surgery was over and they expect him home today. Good news. Wayne of course is her dad. He is having trouble with his eye. A long drive to Toronto for this surgery and all follow ups too. 

Just down the road from the Walmart.

Talked to my dad today after settling in here, they had some snow on the ground this morning but it's not staying. He said they had sun shine this afternoon and it's the nicest day they've had since we left on Oct 11.

The Walmart here has a very large lot, easy in and out, and pretty close to the interstate, maybe a minute or two away. Tomorrow we will cross into Louisiana about 10 minutes after leaving this lot. Our goal will be in Texas.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

Until next time...

Take care, stay safe, 

Deb

Our last day here...

Our Location: Site #5, Lake Lurleen SP, Coker, Alabama

We have enjoyed the park a great deal but tomorrow we are heading out for points further west. We have two travel days ahead of us before we stop for a few more days. 

 

A few things to do here at the park.

And a few more things to do.

We took a few walkabouts today just to get out of the Igloo and stretch a bit, it was too cold this morning to do much of anything outside with the cold wind but the afternoon warmed up considerably. 

 

Some fellow Canadians here at the park.

The ducks don't like the Canadians.

 Our high today reached 60F/15C but with a cold wind until late this afternoon. Now it starts warming up again everywhere we are looking to go. We like that. 

 

They have things everywhere...

Lots of playground equipment too. 

 Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

Until next time... 

 Take care, be safe, stay healthy, 

 

Deb

Much cooler today....

 

 

Our Location: Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker, Alabama

We woke this morning to much cooler temperatures but it was still warmer than temps when we left Ontario, so no complaints. 

 

I think this may be a regular here.

I don't think they're related.

 Today was a good day for walking and we did that a few times, trying to stay to the sunny patches. We dropped into the office and chatted with Debbie (park entrance ranger) and she asked us to stop by before we pull out so we can chat again. 

 

Hollie Hocks just coming into bloom.

More decorations...

 I called my sister again today, and we chatted for about an hour, laughed a lot and just passed the time for a bit.  Today would be my 36th wedding anniversary and I was feeling a bit down, so chatting with my sister helped. Thanks Jan. 

 

Lots of decorations everywhere you look.

A nice young ranger readied the taps for cold weather.

 Did a few little chores outside today, even though it was coolish with a brisk breeze. Highs today were around the 56F/13C, much warmer than our summer spot but still a bit colder than we hoped. A few cold days and it will warm back up again. 

 

I sat on that picnic table and chatted with my sis.

It is a pretty view, isn't it?

 I called my dad tonight, he mentioned that Del Budd had died a few weeks ago. Mr & Mrs Bud were from Owen Sound, Ontario and travelled to Long Beach, Mississippi every year for the winter, the trip took 4 days he told me. Mr Bud was 96 on his last trip to the Magic River park there and with the pandemic  hadn't been able to travel for the last couple of years. He passed away at the age of 98. Mrs Budd is a young 89. They enjoyed the casinos and could be seen leaving their rented trailer, dressed pretty spiffy heading out to dinner and then to gamble while the rest of us much younger folks were sitting around the campfire getting ready to call it a night. A very  young at heart couple. 

 

Thanks for dropping in, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

Until next time.....

 

Take care, be safe, stay healthy, 

 

Deb

A restful day...

Our Location: Site 5, Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker, Alabama

 

 

A quiet, peaceful day with lots of walking and picture taking.

 

Dad, this was your spot years ago.

Looking over the lake.

A cooler day today, only 72F/16C and a bit of a breeze but sunny. We'll take it happily.

Pirates landed on the beach.

 

View of the water near picnic area.

The Grim Reaper and Sidekick.

The butler did it.

I believe lunch will be limb soup.

 

 

I cleaned the BBQ today, we did dishes, made meals, etc but nothing strenuous. Showers in the nice bath house before breakfast. 

 

 The photos and writing are disjointed because Blogger keeps losing my photos and so I decided to just write and fit things in where they fit. 

Dad's spot on our way back from the dumpsters.

We are up in those trees.

Can you see us now?

 

 

The park is well decorated for the spooks. Lots of lights and air machines, and a couple of pavilions are well decorated as well. 

 

Happy Birthday to Linda. She is an amazing lady and I've known her for a very long time. We chatted for about an hour this morning and kind of got caught up a bit. 

 

Also talked with Janet and Dennis for a few minutes. Dennis just had a hip replacement due to a fall and their winter visit to California was in question. However all things have been worked out and they will be leaving on schedule on Oct 30, flying Toronto to LA. However Dennis can't golf until at least the beginning of the new year. It will be a challenge for him as he is used to golfing EVERY day while in the desert.  

 

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the visit. 

Until next time....

 

Take care, be safe, stay healthy,

 

Deb

We've settled in for a bit...

 

 Our Location: Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker, Alabama

 

The lot at Walmart, Franklin, Tn was quiet, very quiet all night. A few others pulled in, parking in places that weren't designated for parking but oh well. We were up and out the door, on the road before 8 am this morning under cloudy overcast skies. Temps were 63F/ 16C (approx) and a bit of breeze. We managed to turn around and get heading out the right driveway, we turned right on to Malory Lane and another right onto Cool/Cold Springs Blvd, the Interstate was right handy there. As we headed off down the road I noticed all the exits were the same...exit only, which used to mean there was no way back on the interstate from that location. However this one seems to have meant that only the inside lane was an exit lane and no other possibilities. Strange and confusing to me. However maybe some of you already knew that and I'm behind the times but now I know too. 

 

The Alabama Welcome Center.

We crossed into Alabama about 9:30 am and the temps just kept climbing. Our high today reached 83F/25 C. Sunny with cloudy intervals and 15 drops of rain as we left Franklin, Tennessee. Roads were good, Alabama allows only 'resting' with no overnights at any rest areas. I filled the Big Dog from just over a quarter full to the very tip of his lip for $138 and change. I was certain it would take a great deal more. Diesel was $4.83 a gallon at the Speedway just near Tuscaloosa.

 

The sign says it all.

 Friendly folks and always ready with a smile here in Alabama. We stopped a few times and just kind of ambled along until we arrived around 1 pm. We managed to snag a pull thru site (#5), with water and electric. We are staying put for 4 nights and are going to enjoy the warmth, the sun and the rest. I would suggest if you are going to choose this park you do two things, first check college football schedules and choose an away weekend to come, and second make reservations, either on line or by calling. The park is bit far off the beaten path if you end up not staying. Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker, Al, near Tuscaloosa. I'll post some photos when the connection is better. 

These things are huge.

A call home to my Dad netted me some more local news and a few laughs. We won't be chatting with dad now for a few days as we are settled in. Also called my sister for a quick chat and to see how they are doing. It seems all is well on the big rock in Lake Huron but fall is definitely in the air, cold, damp, damp, damp and cold, did I mention that?

 

Our spot for 4 nights.

So now you are up to date again. The connection is slow and I may not be posting pics every night but just know we are truly resting and just soaking in the heat. 

 

Out our door.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

Take care, be safe, stay healthy, 

Deb