Tuesday, November 19, 2019

A productive day......



Our Location: Lincoln Parish Park, Ruston, Louisiana
 
We've enjoyed our past couple of days here at the park, it's been quiet and sunny, getting warmer by the day. Today we reached 'put your shorts on' weather. Our thermometer reached 80F/ 26.6 C, now it was in the sun but it was still very nice and warm. 
 
Two sites right outside our door. Both of these are back in sites.

You can see they are big enough for almost any rig.
 
Yesterday and today we ran a couple of errands and managed to get an annoying issue handled. Since shortly after I had the fuel filter changed I've noticed a noise, not constant and not something I could point to and say,' That's it.' but there was something.  Yesterday we stopped at a locally recommend auto repair shop and had the fella take the Dogsled for a run. Like me he couldn't really say it was a wind noise but thought that was the most likely culprit. Sure enough a look underneath and we had a broken engine shield (plastic of course), along with the fender skirt (from the fuel filter change) seemed to be loose and a couple of other loose pieces from having some work on the bumper this summer. 
 

A pull thru just like ours.

This path leads down to the water's edge and walking path around the pond.
 
This morning we returned to the local auto shop, the fella took us right in, and within about 30 minutes for less than $90 USD we had a brand new engine shield ($45) and he tightened bolts, strapped a couple of floppy pieces that seemed to have pulled from their assigned spot with no apparent way to hold them firm, and the noise seems to have disappeared, his labour was  right around the $40 USD mark, add tax and we're finished. Tomorrow we'll give the Dogsled a bit of a run and check it out. Broom Automotive just a mile from the park was the place we used. Friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Definitely use them again.
 
Day use picnic area.

Day use picnic area.

 


Yesterday and today Riley and I have been walking the park and walking path. We've managed to put in our steps but are still not back into our walking stride. We will manage I'm sure and it was encouraging to walk in the sun both days as well. While Riley was walking today I made lunch which was Stuffed Green Bell Peppers. Filling and tasty, they hit the spot.

 
Lots of turtles in the pond too.
 
 
Sleeping with the vents open tonight and have had the Igloo windows and doors open pretty much all day and still open now as I write this even with the sun going down it's warm enough to have them open yet. Miss Kitty has enjoyed watching the squirrels and the leaves from every vantage point she can find. She's not happy that the squirrels chatter at her but don't come close enough for her to give them 'what for' right back. She's a pistol. 
 
This pic is for Lorne, not a bathroom but the shower stall. Haha.

 


All photos have been taken with my phone, the other camera is too heavy to carry while I'm walking around the pond. Perhaps I'll take it for one trip tomorrow. We shall see. 

 
The bathhouse, located at the tent camping area.

 


In the last few days I've talked to sister Jan, SIL Janet & BIL Dennis, Dad, daughter Courtney, friend Linda and friend Ron. Always nice to catch up on the news. Leah (married to nephew Jason) bagged a big buck yesterday on the first day of deer season. Also cousin Barry managed to bag a scrawny, tick infested, mangy deer that begged to be shot. Hahaha...just kidding Barry. He did manage to get his deer, not as nice as Leah's but still a good sized doe. Brother Rick opted not shoot at the two he managed to see. None of these folks hunt with each other, just in case you were curious. So a good first day of the hunt on the Island. 

 
The clubhouse, it was locked so I couldn't get inside for photos.
 
Happy Birthday wishes to my BIL Dennis on his special day today. Dennis and Janet are in Indian Wells, CA enjoying the sunny, hot weather. They own Buttercup Ridge in Roseneath, Ontario where we usually spend some time coming and going on our travels. Dennis is an avid golfer and manages to golf pretty much 6 days a week. Happy Birthday Dennis. 
 
It is very pretty here.
 
A need to clarify something posted in my last post. The girl at the check in building was mistaken, it is not first come, first serve, and you can make reservations. HOWEVER the reservation only guarantees you a spot, not a SPECIFIC spot. On that issue it is first come, first serve. You cannot save your spot either by coming early and leaving something to block it from use by others unless you bring your trailer. So the locals can't book a reservation and then leave a chair or stool in front of the spot indicating it's taken. They must leave their rig in the spot to 'reserve' it for when they arrive. However if you have only a motorhome, or van with no towed, then you can certainly put something there to SAVE your spot while you are out and about. The manager cleared that up for me yesterday and I thought I'd pass it on. So on that note I'm going to sign off and say good night. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 
 
Until next time... take care, be safe, 
 
Deb
 
 
 

12 comments:

  1. Nice blog and pictures Deb! We so enjoy your blog again :) Happy Birthday Dennis! Sounds like a wonderful lunch Riley made...yum! Nice to be waking in warm temps for sure!

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    1. Thanks Shirley. I've started to settle back into my travel routine and so it's easier to blog. The summer months aren't really filled with much other than mundane things and so I stop blogging.
      We are enjoying the park and the walking is more enjoyable in warmer weather. I'm hoping the dry desert will make it even better.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  2. Good to hear that the deer hunters were successful, nice to have meat in the freezer!

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    1. The family party consists of dad, my brother and his two boys. They always seem to get at least 1 but most often 2. Jesse is also an avid duck and goose hunter. Jason enjoys moose hunting. Jason's moose hunting party doesn't always bag anything but they sure have a good time anyway. They always give us a taste of whatever they have in the freezer. We enjoyed a bear roast this summer given to us by a cousin. I prefer it much more than venison.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  3. Hope to get to Louisiana one day, that park certainly is lovely. Great that you got that noise taken care of for a fair price but sad that others may have caused some of the problem.

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    1. It's a beautiful park Contessa. We are enjoying it very much. Shoddy workmanship is something we all deal with and hopefully we can issue free for a while now.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  4. Glad you three are enjoying Louisiana. Unfortunately, my memory of Louisiana is as a soldier in training at Fort Polk. Finally figured out what sil and bil mean. I'm not real quick.😀

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    Replies
    1. My memories of Louisiana are wrapped up with some of my memories of great times with my late husband. WE always enjoyed the southern part, mainly New Orleans. Sorry I should have been more specific, Sister in Law and Brother in Law. I guess I am getting lazy in my old age thinking we all know what things mean.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  5. Good to get things taken care of as you notice them and having a low bill and good service makes it even better!
    Looks like a nice park for sure and it is nice that there are no 'chair/traffic cone' type reserves, that isn't fair.
    Lunch sounds good, I'm never that creative.
    If you remember Rob and Pat - they are also at the Hunt Camp and yesterday morning got a doe and a large coyote! Not our life but many enjoy it so I'm glad they are having luck. :)

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    Replies
    1. Congrats to Rob & Pat. The deer they can eat, the coyote, I"m not sure I'd give that a taste. LOL. I'm not a hunter either but I do enjoy a change of taste every once in a while.
      We are happy to have the noise issue remedied and without feeling I've been fleeced.
      The park manager explained the reservation system here when we went in to extend our stay. For fellow Canadians, they have trouble with their card machine and it takes some work to get them to work. I think the machine needs to be cleaned or serviced. We used two cards elsewhere shortly after with no issues of any kind.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  6. Looks like you have a scenic spot there. Nice to see you guys on the road again.

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    1. Thanks Al. I think you'd enjoy the walking opportunities here, some great photo opportunities as well. I'm not much for carrying my camera some days and so my phone works okay for me but I think you and your cameras would enjoy it. Pheebes maybe not so much. ALL DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES. No exceptions. Fines of $500 or 30 days in jail are applied to the owner.
      Hopefully you and Kelly will make it out of the winter weather for a while this year as well.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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