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

Been a bit busy, and a cough...

Our Location: Saddle Mountain BLM, Tonopah, AZ

I didn't forget about you folks, I've just been busy and then yesterday came down with the 'not feeling so greats'. This morning however I am feeling better, a scratchy throat and cough but according to Dr.Riley,  I will live, it's a long way from my heart. So I guess I'll make it. 

I believe that may be the reason they call this area Saddle Mountain. Do you think? 

As I am certain all or most of you know that we have been helping our friend Doug (Miss Adventure Travels) move his living space from Miss Adventure to the White Lion. It was pretty much a one day job but a few odds and sods were also needed the last day or two. I think I can say that he is now firmly settled into the White Lion and we wish him well in his winter home. 

 Riley walked back in this direction yesterday.

Some interesting views if you climb a little. 

Riley and I took a drive westward to the Harquahala (Hark-wa-hal-a) Mountains and took a mosey on down Eagle Eye Road to see about a better spot than our current location. The spots are pretty but the cell service is missing, so we won't be going there, or at least I don't think so. We'll have to check it out again on another day to ensure that our findings were indeed correct. Cell service on the road but the bars dipped and rose with each half second passing. Step off the road, the bars went away completely. Hmmmmm.....maybe a restart of the phones next time. 

 Doug making his way back home yesterday after a quick visit. Can you see him? 

He's in the  middle left of the photo, blue sweater. 

We also checked out the Vicksburg, AZ area. Some interesting spots there as well but very close to the cattle stockyards and so I think we will be bypassing that area as well. While at Vickburg I was going to fill up with diesel and of course the pump wanted me to swipe my card twice, apparently the first one didn't go. Then I had to go inside instead to make it work. Well wouldn't you know it, after pumping fuel I had a fraud message from TD about my card. I spent the next 20 minutes explaining to them it was indeed me using the card, and yes I know it was swiped three times quickly, blah, blah, blah. I was happy that they caught it so quickly but the wait times were silly. Started on the road home and I get a phone call from the same Fraud Squad office about the same thing. So I explained that I had just straightened it out with someone else not more than 10 minutes before only to have the guy on the other end of the phone make it sound like I was wasting his time. Since he called me, I'm not sure how that could be. Summary, it's all fixed and I hope not to have to deal with them again this winter.

We no longer have a wonderful view of this mountain as we haven't been parking more to the west which gives us a frontal view of the mountain. However, I'll take it, it is still very pretty. 


It looks like this may be our last time at Saddle Mountain and the surrounding area, due to flies. Of course everyone is complaining but truly Riley and  I haven't noticed them too badly this year. Not like last. There are a few around but I did a quick spray with RAID on the door and window screen and it seems to have accomplished the trick, so far at least. We shall see how it goes. 

Some 'young' saguaros in our area. 

The photos were all taken yesterday after a short visit from Doug. I will say I didn't get any photos of Doug's moving day as I was busy working. Doug posted a couple on his blog as I don't think he was as busy as I was, since he had time to take photos. Just kidding Doug. I know you worked really hard but you must admit, it's nice to be finished now. 

Our front yard, Doug was parked over in that area a few days ago. 

The days have been sunny but a bit on the coolish side although we have no complaints. The cool weather keeps the flies in check and so we're happy. I don't think we will be getting much hiking accomplished here due to a number of things. Riley managed a nice walk yesterday but didn't take the big camera so I can't even show you her sights. Oh well, it is what it is. 

 Our back yard. 

A quick chat with my dad last night, the weather up north is cold but then again, they are up north, I guess it's to be expected. He's doing well, my sister was there visiting and so we didn't chat long. 

Lots of colour in the desert if you look. I did what you do Deb, and looked down, and see what I found! 

A belated birthday wish to our friend Roger, who celebrated on Feb 7. I met Roger when I first started travelling solo in the southeast a number of years ago. Roger makes his home in Georgia, in the Albany area. Happy Birthday my friend. 

 I'm always amazed at where and how saguaros grow.

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

 Riley coming home from her walk yesterday. Can you see her? Bottom middle of the photo.

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

Deb