We've settled in for a couple of days. ....

 Our Location: Laguna Vista RV, Marshall, Texas

We had a fantastic nights rest last night. The Wallyworld at Vicksburg was quiet except for one reefer truck, there was little other noise. The temps were good, about 53F/13C approx when we stepped out the door. We walked the parking lot before heading off for the day.

Crossing the river from MS to LA

A look at the river...

We climbed back on I-20 West and moved out. Our trek today kept us on I-20 West for the entire journey. We stopped at 3 rest areas and enjoyed a good long leg stretch at each of them. 

Welcome to Louisiana

Lineal parking for trucks, rvs and buses at Welcome Center.

Some notes for reference:  Louisiana Welcome Centers and rest areas allow parking overnight and supply a deputy sheriff at the Welcome Center at least, all night. The Welcome Center has linear parking but the rest area near Ruston has a big well defined parking area. We would definitely stay at the one near Ruston in the future if we need a spot. The Louisiana I-20 West from the Mississippi state line were quite rough for about 10 miles and then got better. The remainder of the journey until Bossier City was pretty good with a few rough bridge joints. HOWEVER if you can avoid the 5-8 miles that is BOSSIER CITY you should do so. We slowed down to 35-40 mph and used the emergency flashers for at least 3 miles, otherwise I was worried I'd break something. While it is an overall short stretch it is EXTREMELY UGLY to travel those few miles. From the edge of Shreveport onward the roads were very good. Texas roads are good too, although we are only a short distance into the Lone Star State. 

Parked on the shoulder of the welcome center roadway.

The park is a Passport America park, certainly no frills, basically a very large gravel area with hook ups. We are staying 2 nights and heading south toward Waco and points southward.  The weather here is 82F/26C, a bit of a breeze that seems to be dying now as night approaches. A laundry room and shower/bathroom seem to the be the only amenities, but we're happy with those for a couple of days.

We crossed into the Lone Star State.

Talked to Dad this afternoon, they had sunshine and warmer temperatures today and will for the next few days. 

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

Until next time, 

Take care, be safe, 

Deb

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

We've moved on to Louisiana....

Our Location:  Lincoln Parish Park, Ruston, LA
 

We left Roosevelt State Park in Morton, Mississippi this morning before 9 AM. The skies were sunny, the temperature was a bit on the cool side but we were ready to pull out of the shaded park. 

Our spot at Roosevelt State Park in Morton, MS.

A typical spot at Roosevelt.

We took our time, enjoying the country side and the views. The roads were a bit bumpy in places but overall pretty good. Cement roadways down here tend to be pitted and humpy bumpy. We took our time stopping at the Louisiana Welcome Center where we chatted with a very nice fella that told us about this park and a number of other things of interest around here. We were trying to make up minds about which park to stay at, Lincoln Parish, Lake Claiborne SP or Lake Bistineau SP, all in Louisiana. We decided to check them out in order and we were very happy with the first one, Lincoln Parish Park. 

The view out our door here at Lincoln Parish Park.

It is a first come, first serve park, with a limit 14 day stay. It sits on a nice little bit of water that we can see out the door. Many sites, some of them backing onto the water, about 4 pull through sites, a number of back in sites, all with cement pads but the pads aren’t all level. Very clean, a number of trees but we are able to get some sunshine in our spot. No dumpsters, but numerous garbage cans around the park, every few spots there is another can. Lots of crisp, dried leaves on the ground, a bit of green polking through here and there. A little walk around had us checking out the clubhouse just up the hill behind us. It looked like a craft day with stuff sitting everywhere but not a single person in sight.
 

A different view out our door here at L.P. Park in Ruston, LA.

The price is very reasonable at $25 per day with no tax or other fees. They had trouble with my Visa card, there was no reason for it, other than their machine didn’t want to meet and greet it. It took some time before it would accept my Master Card but apparently it’s a common issue with their machine. Nice young lady at the check in counter couldn’t have been more sympathetic. More information about the park, no assigned spots, you pick the spot and security fills in the front office. So for those that come this way, you may want to check this park out. 

The bridge leaving MS entering LA, over the Mississippi River.

The Mighty Mississippi River.

 

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

A very low flying aircraft as we approached Monroe, LA.

Until next time… take care, be safe, 

The clubhouse out our living room window.

 

Deb

Quiet days.....

Our Location: Roosevelt State Park, Morton, MS

Some rain, some wind which resulted in a bit of debris littering and bouncing off the roof top. Under some pine trees and the cones are loud when they come knocking. We slept well though even with the drumming on the roof from time to time.

 

An icicle hanging off the slide.

The last two days have been errand days, groceries, fuel, laundry, propane, etc. We didn’t do much else because of the cold and damp weather. We even did something we don’t normally do, we grabbed some KFC for lunch on one of errand days. A good, once in a while, type of meal for us but we did enjoy it. 

The Wash House in Morton, MS.

The laundry we found was in the small town of Morton, extremely clean, very friendly and reasonably priced. We made note for when we pass through this way again. We also found a place to fill our propane tanks. Neill Propane on Hwy 80, two tanks, one big, one little for a total of $37.50. Both tanks were completely empty.

Some bright colours here in the park.

We found the Walmart in Forest for a little shopping and I think next time we’re passing through this area we will make that Walmart a night’s stop. Very close to I-20, lots of room for overnight parking and a number of big rigs parked there, I’m sure there is room for a 5’er or two. 

Big pine cones here.

The overnight cold here reached down to around the 20F/ -6.6C and the day time high has hovered in the mid 40’s/ 6.6C. It looks as if the cold front has finally passed and it will begin warming up now. Although tomorrow looks like rain after that it looks to be very nice all along the rest of our route. 

The same pine cone as above.

 A chat with my buddy Ron today has us hoping to have company for most of our winter travels. Of course Doctors appointments will be the determining factor. We will have to wait and see.  

 

The Igloo is way back in those trees, a little thinned out but still under a total canopy.

So some quiet days, a couple of photos and that is tonight’s post. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit.
 

Lots of fallen leaves here at Roosevelt SP.

Until next time…. take care, be safe,


Deb

Catching up with some reading......

Our Location: Roosevelt State Park, Morton, MS
 

Only 3 campers remain here in the quiet, leaf littered park. Very little sunshine here and late this afternoon we had rain drops falling through the tree canopy. Although not enough to get us wet when we took a quick walk around the loop. 

Very narrow roads here.

Very steep.

        

I spent some of the morning catching up on some of my blog reading. I still haven’t gotten caught up with everyone but I’ll read some more tomorrow. Some very sad news in some of those catch up reads. Numerous folks not travelling this year, loss of pets and some medical issues for others. I didn’t read each and every post but I did read many of them. Some of the highlights were new destinations for some, meeting of friends for others, and of course, some were just continuing along the regular lines of winter travel. Some shock, some awe and some smooth travel.

The leaf littered grounds here.

Vines grow every where here. Multiple on this tree.

 
A day to recognize the service and the sacrifice of those men and women that have in the past and do currently serve in the world militaries. We are free to enjoy this lifestyle due to the service of these brave souls. We owe these people a debt that we could not possibly ever pay. Today we remember their service, their sacrifice and their dedication. 

The vines grow big here, and oddly shaped too.

A vine actually growing around a bigger vine.

On that note I’m going to sign off for the day and leave you with some photos I took around the park today. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

It's very steep and narrow.

 
Until next time…..take care, be safe,

 

That's us up there.

Deb

A nice day today, very quite and peaceful.....

Our Location: Roosevelt State Park, Morton, MS

We are nestled among the trees, too many trees in my opinion, with very little sunlight making it’s way to our Igloo. However I understand the trees allow campers to actually enjoy the area during the hot summer months and so it is what it is.

Roosevelt State Park, Morton, MS

The park is very picturesque with an abundance of greens, browns, and a few splashes of fall colours here and there. The park is very hilly and makes walking a bit more difficult as it is constantly up and down hill, with some of them being very steep, while others are steep and long. I haven’t walked any of the trails but I have walked most of the way to the second campground which is a couple of miles away.

Baseball field at the park.

The grounds here are littered with dry brown leaves which crackle underfoot, long brown pine needles, pine cones and regular forest stuff. Under that is of course a bit of grass but mostly sand, a whitish sand which we are used to seeing in our many visits to Mississippi. Not quite the white sand of the beaches on the gulf coast but I suppose we could call it an ivory colour. Here and there are splashes of fall colour but for most part the trees here are still in leaf. Of course some never lose their foliage in this area until new leaves are pushing the old greens off, the Live Oaks come to  mind.
 

Some colour here in the park of mostly green.

The water is so clear you can see the sandy bottom but not the water.

This campground has 4 campers now including us and is pretty quiet overall. A few tenters with a couple of school age children were parked just down the way from us and it was nice to hear the little folks enjoying their warm days here in the park. 

 

The lake here at Roosevelt.

A great blue heron takes off this morning.

I don’t have a lot to share today so I’ll leave you with some photos of the park.

The great blue heron before take off.

Until next time… take care, be safe,

Deb

Arrived in Mississippi....

Our Location: Roosevelt State Park, Morton, MS

I didn’t forget about you folks, honest. I have just been struggling for the past few days trying to find enough time to sit down and write. When we last left you we were waiting for an appointment in the morning at Midway Trailers. I can assure you we aren’t waiting any longer and have journeyed a number of miles since that morning. 

 

 

Sunrise as we are leaving Pyett's not far from Binbrook, Ontario.

We were waiting for the doors to open at Midway Trailer before 8 AM as our appointment was made for when the doors opened. The folks at Midway Trailer couldn’t have been nicer. Brian, Cody, Jesse and a number of other folks all made our wait much easier. Brian explained that what they thought would be a bracket replacement wasn’t actually going to be a replacement but a straightening. They adjusted/straightened the bracket, added a steel brace with support struts to ensure it won’t bend again and we were happy to be on our way. The wait was long but we didn’t mind, we just wanted this issue fixed. By 2 pm we were on the road again having settled what I think was a very reasonable bill. We came in right around the $400 mark. Most of the bill was labour. I would definitely recommend these fine folks at Midway Trailers in Dayton, Ohio. 

Interesting building, I think it's in Cincinnati, but maybe not.

 

We opted to boogie on down the road even though we were just getting started about the time we are usually stopping. We decided we wanted to get someplace much warmer even though the weather wasn’t terribly cold the forecast was looking frosty. We pointed the Big Dog south on to I-75 through the remainder of Ohio, hung a right onto I-71 toward Louisville, KY and just kept going. We managed to catch rush hour of course, but just the tail end and so before long we were steaming along again but this time on I-65 SOUTH. We crossed a time zone here of course and when we landed in Franklin, KY we had gained yet another hour in a few short days. (Daylight Savings having just ended).

 

 

Leaving Ohio behind, entering Kentucky.

 

We had a few ideas about staying in Alabama but silly me I had forgotten about college football. Everything was full until after the weekend in the locations we wanted to stay, so we continued along on our way and headed for our current location of Roosevelt State Park in Morton, MS. We are familiar with Mississippi having visited many times but usually we are further south along the gulf coast and so this area is new to us. We are looking forward to exploring the park’s walking trails and perhaps taking a drive or two around the area to check it out. Or we may just sit and enjoy the stationary part of this lifestyle again for a few days.

You have to appreciate the interstates here in the USA.

 

I have a few little things to take care of before we head out again next week but nothing major. Having installed new bathroom faucets I checked them first thing when we hooked up, everything looked dry but after an hour or so when I checked again I noticed a small leak under my bathroom sink. No problems, we just shut off the water and I dealt with it this morning. Yeah, we’re all fixed and now we can enjoy the rest of the day. 

Interesting, don't you think?

 

The photos are a mishmash and I don’t really know where they were taken other than Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi.

 

We travelled through some rain on our way to Mississippi.

 

Thanks for stopping by, until  next time… take care, be safe,

Deb

Problem fixed, further south, snow, rain and over cast day....

Our Location: Crossett, Ak

 

(Walmart, Unity Road)

 

An early morning this morning. We were both up before 7 am, packed and heading out of Big Buck Resort before 8 am. The weather was cool, right around the freezing mark but the skies were overcast and threatening. We hung a left at the end of Sparks Road heading toward Selmer, TN. We passed through Selmer and on into the fine state of Mississippi where we zipped right past Corinth and on down the road to the town of Biggersville, MS. Officially the repair shop is located in Rienzi, MS but our gps couldn't find it. We arrived at Butch's Repair Shop before 9 am, parked and headed inside to find out where they wanted us. Brandon, Butch's son was there and was very helpful, he even just backed us right up to the doors, let us plug in our heater and they went to work. About an hour and 15 minutes later we were on the road again, on our way south. Josh and Brandon worked quickly and efficiently to find the problem. A possible solution I had mentioned to David next door at Big Buck but he assured me it couldn't be. A blown fuse in the truck panel. David wasn't testing the proper wire in the plug in the truck. So alas, we didn't check the fuses in the truck. Our entire light issue is now solved, along with a new break away cable as well. We discussed the plug in the truck which has a small piece out of the side casing and since it's a factory install I'll simply use the one in the bumper until we get home and brother Rick or my dad will change it for me.  Brandon and Josh were extremely nice young men, very courteous and knowledgeable. The bill was a reasonable $150, which included yesterday's service call to the rig. No complaints here. Butch's RV Repair, 159 US 45, Rienzi, MS38865. 662-594-5048 will get you in touch with Butch.  While 662-664-1442 will connect you with Brandon.  Wonderful service, wonderful people. If you're in the area and you need some help give them a call. 

Butch's Rv Repair near Biggersville, MS

Brandon and Josh, our competent technicians.

 

From there we headed south on US 45 all the way to US 82 West. We travelled about 335 miles/533 km today. We passed over the mighty Mississippi River into Arkansas and continued along under cloudy overcast skies. We had rain, sleet, and snow today on our journey. One can see the snow in the trees and along the country side in fields. Not much but enough to say, yes it snowed. We arrived in Crossett, AK and have pulled in at the local Walmart for the night. Big lot, lots of trucks but we're parked close enough to the store to be using their fast wifi and still in the designated truck parking area. Not a bad deal. The temperature today reached a high of 35F/1.6 C and tonight is predicted to go to 24F/-4.4C. Hopefully it doesn't get that low but we've decided to heat the inside as hot as we can get it before bed, shut off the heater and I'm usually awake through the night and I'll turn it on for an hour or so and that should hold us through until the morning. Tomorrow the temperatures will be warming up significantly from the last few days and under sunny skies we're looking forward to a nice day. Our goal tomorrow is into Texas and then Friday we'll reach the small town of Crosbyton, also in Texas, where we stayed last year. We'll stay for a few days to rest and enjoy the warmth before heading on. 

We passed through Tupelo, MS

Snow on the roof over there, do you see it?

Called dad upon our arrival and gave him an update. He reported they have 5 inches/12.7 cm of snow (approx), very cold temperatures and a warming trend coming that will produce more snow in the days ahead. Lucky he has lots of wood for the winter ahead. 

The bridge spanning the mighty Mississippi River between Mississippi and Arkansas.

The mighty Mississippi River.

 

So there you have it, the fix for our problem, our travels and our catch up.  Thanks for stopping by, hope you had a great day. 

Snow on the trees in Arkansas.

On the roof too.

Until next time... take care, be safe, 

Some nice colour to the sunset as we drive toward Crossett, AK.

 

Deb