Day 11 RV trip

Well this is a day for re-supplying and not for going outside unless you have to. Storm came through last night and the temperatures dropped from the mid 70’s to the low 50’s. First thing to do as is true each day is to walk and feed the dogs. Next going to find a store that sells pet food and a few items for the humans. Now using ice/coolers to keep food seeing that the frig does not work at all anymore. LOL…

Went to a local store to get supplies, WOW the people down here are getting ripped off big time. After all the problems of the flood and rebuilding, they also have to deal with paying prices that are way above anything I have seen. Picked up just what we have to have until we can find a Wal-Mart to (yes I said Wal-Mart) to restock everything. Next stop was finding a Bank to get some cash and some quarters, cash for when it is needed and quarter to do laundry. Driving around this city is strange, you see houses side by side one is trashed and the other looks like it was never damaged. Glad I was not here when that storm hit.

Returned to the RV Park relaxed, did laundry, made plans for were to go next. The next RV Park on the list is in FL. As least that is what we are planning..

Day 10 RV Test Trip

Normal morning, up early, walk dogs. After walking the dogs made arrangements to catch the shuttle into New Orleans (French Quarter).

Shuttle left the Park at 10am, only four of us going to town so we got the tour of the 9th Parish. I was somewhat surprised to find so much still to be done after almost three years. Homes have not been rebuilt entire blocks are gone, only the foundations are to be seen. Could not get myself to take any photos, felt like it was wrong to take pictures of someone’s dreams that have ended.

Once dropped off in the French Quarter walked around just doing the tourist thing. Walked around the moon walk area then up and down several streets just rubber necking and taking photos. Asked about a good place to eat and was told about the Gumbo Restaurant. So went there for lunch and had some seafood gumbo, it was very good and I did enjoy it.

After eating it was back to rubber necking this time from a street car. This one went from the water (moon walk) all the way to the cemeteries. The ride itself showed areas of the city that have still not come back. One of the saddest to me was seeing people living in tents under a bridge. Then again we did see signs of recovery, new homes being built and banners advertising help wanted.

Once at the cemeteries, took a short self walking tour just to look around. One of the markers had my family name and was still being cared for, so I guess I “might” have some distant cousin living in N.O. LOL…

By the time the street car returned to the French Quarter it was just enough time to find something to take back for dinner and catch the shuttle back to the RV Park.
Day ended as it begun by walking the dogs, before eating and now writing this.

Day 9 RV Test Trip

Well today we once again woke up at 0630 thanks to someone on a motorbike riding around the park. We are now awake so might just as well take the dogs out for a walk, only problem Shelby got out and almost attacked another dog. The only thing that stopped her was I was able to step on her leash just before she was able. Then to make things more fun Pepper (black cat) escaped from the RV and had to be found and caught. He really came back on his own and all we had to do was open the door to let him back in.

After taken the dogs for a walk the RV was unhooked and made ready to travel. Today was mostly a drive day to the next location, New Orleans…. Arrived in an out of the way RV park at 4pm, set up camp, had dinner and waiting to see what the weather will be like tomorrow. We are hoping to go into New Orleans French Quarter for the day. Just have to wait and see…

Oh did I mention we stopped at aWal-Mart, to get coolers? Seems the frig in the RV is not working. LOL…

Day 8 RV Test Trip

Well today we woke up at 0630 thanks to someone on a motorbike riding around the park. We are now awake so might just as well take the dogs out for a walk. Took a nice long walk around the water and got a few photos of some birds I can not ID. Will have to look for a bird book next time we are in a Wal-Mart. :) lol.

In order to get connected to the internet I have to sit out side, because the signal is not strong enough to work when inside the RV. Glad it is not real cold, but it would be nice if the sun could come out. Sitting in a fog bank to work on this. That is ok, it is a challenge and sort of fun (this time). I will however talk to the office about this..

Interesting lunch, we decided to try crawfish only to find out it is not available except on Wednesday and Fridays, we missed it by a day. Some other time we will be in the right place at the right time. Today was a day of walks for the dogs, pictures of birds, ( as seen) and checking out the internet for were we want to go next. Still undecided at this time...

Turned out to be a very nice day, not what I would call warm but at least it is not cold so that is really good..

Day 7 RV test trip

Today is Feb 29th Leap year. We have decided to go further south and see what we can find. We checked Parks on the internet looking for something that would suit us. Several that looked good ended up not wanting pets or just too expensive. After a few hours we decided on a park just south of Houston, price is still a tad high but we need to move. Hope the next one will be better; we are still learning this game.

This was an easy move, even with a lunch/fuel stop it only took around three hours. Check in was easy and the place is friendly, clean, and close to a “Wal-Mart” LOL….
You guessed it we went to Wal-Mart this time got a small Television to use when the weather gets bad.. Also picked up some vital supplies (ICE CREAM)..

Well we may not be at a lake or the beach but we do have some water close by. Took several photos that I like, see above. Not sure if it is the move to a new location or just getting used to things, but I am starting to enjoy this life. One thing that does have to change is the amount of money we are spending. Get that under control and this could be fun..

Day- 6

Well still at the same RV park as day three, so much for seeing different parts of the country. Staying because we need a fax for some papers that have to get done.

The day starts early again 0700, it is cold in the RV today, heater is not working.. Decided to take it to the RV repair and have it looked at, but first we have to return the rental. So I drive the rental back do the paper work, the fax number is gotten from the office. Checked in the the repair place and told we have to bring it back at 13:00 to have it looked at. Guess this will be another day shot at this park. So far I have not done a thing here that I could not have done in Ky… We go shopping, and sit around waiting… Still have not seen a beach or a lake to walk the dogs.

Well after going to the RV repair found out the reason for the heater going out was due to turning the gas on and off causing air to get in the line. Fixed was to cycle out the air and telling us not to shut off the gas. Man was nice and did not charge, but it did cause the loss of another day.

I think this trip needs to have it name changed to Wal-Mart visits, because that was were we went next. I am not sure but believe we have been to a Wal-Mart at least six times in the nine days I have been off the boat. From they we went to the lake, yep got to see the lake from the road because did not want to pay $6 just to drive up to it and leave. So now I have seen the lake.

Tonight after I finish this I will do laundry just to have something to do, I do not have to do it yet, but will.

Our park neighbors seem to watch us like hawks, see above photo. Drive up and someone comes out to look. What is with that??? Liking this less and less.

Tonight will make the forth night in this park.. I will bet right now if we go to a place I like we stay no more then two night’s tops!!!!

Day- 5 RV Test trip

Today was an early morning wake up, 0600am.. Had to feed the perros, Gatos and ourselves, take los perros for a walk, and unhook by 07:30 to get to the RV repair place by 0800. I am moving slow today d/t the old hip going out, this is painful and causes me to move very slowly.

Made it to the repair place no problem, filled out the paper work (work Order) secured cats in restroom and have dogs on leashes. I am now waiting for someone from the car rental office to come pick me up. Called the office at 08:10 to check and was told someone is being sent, called again at 08:40 and told he should be they any time, called at 09:10 told he should pull in any second, ride showed up at 09:30. Went back to the office to fill out paper work (7 min to get to office) and back to get everyone else. We were on the road to Houston by 10:05.

Stopped at a flying J to fuel up and get information about all the location in the country for future use. I have always liked the J truck stops, easy in and out not to mention most have RV sections and good food. So after filling up, we are on our way to visit Katy Tx, just West of Houston to go to Camping World.

Arrived in Katy at 13:00 pm, looked around several different places, had lunch, and headed back to pick up the RV for 16:30. Just made it back in time (really 5 min late)
Took the RV back to the RV park then took the rental into town to do some shopping at the local Wal-Mart. By the time this was done and we returned to the Park another day was shot.. So far RVing has not been much fun to me, not to mention the cost..

See what tomorrow brings.

RV Day-4 Test Trip

Day- 4 Feb. 26, 2008
Woke up took the dogs for a walk, found out that the older part of this park is much nicer. I believe it was built for comfort and pleasure not so much to make the dollar. After my walk I went to the public shower (we still have no working water) and had my first shower in four days. The shower room reminded me once again of when I drove a 18wheeler, it was just about the same as using one of the nicer truck stop showers. So far this is a good day, would be better if I could get a real breakfast with some real coffee, but do not see that happing.

Late Morning we took a trip into town to set arrange to get some work done on the RV. Will drop her off tomorrow morning at 8am to have a tune up, oil change, filters, and get the water line for water fixed. This means having to rent a car for the day or sit around waiting. Renting a car sounded better so found a rental we will have starting in the morning until the next day if needed. By the time all that was arranged it was lunch time.

Found a very nice place called the Courthouse Whistle Stop Café had an excellent meal and got my coffee. From here we tried to find a Campers world, only to find out the closes was over 100 miles away, Not today.. Went back to the RV camp, walked the dogs and it is now time to start thinking about dinner. Problem is I am not hungry so may just wait and have a snack later.

So another day comes to an end. Not a bad day, but still want to go to a beach or someplace were it does not feel so crowded. We will see what happens after things are fixed on the RV.

RV Vacation "Test Run"

Well I have been hearing about, and reading about the RV life so, to see what all the fuss was about. Got an old used RV (test) loaded it and off we go. First we get delayed d/t a couple that came over to look at the farm and stayed for four hours. Let me introduce my friends, Big lab is Shelby, Black cat is Pepper, PIA is the small cat next to Shelby, and last but not lest is Spencer. Now back to the story, Driving was a lot like when I drove a rig for a living, go until you are low on fuel then stop to fill up and eat. Get back in and drive some more until you can not drive anymore. Stop on the first day was at a KOA that must have thought it was a Holiday Inn, cost $47 dollars for one night.. Not to mention due to our own fault we had to eat out. Oh did I mention the water line in the RV does not work so we have no water.?? Can not take a private shower..

Day two was lots more driving and stopping the night at a Wal Mart for the night. Okay this was a long day and once again had to shop for food due to lateness of arrival.

Day three we arrive at our destination Escapee RV Park in Livingston Texas. Let me tell you that this is NOT the place I want to be. People are not friendly at all. Walked my dogs and said hi to folks as I walked by, not one said hi back. Best not forget to have your Popper bag with you or you will get a lecture!!! If staying here you best love crowds because it is like a parking lot, one RV next to another.

All in all I have to say if I was to hold court today about the RV life style I would say it is only for the rich and insane... Still have two more weeks so lets see if it gets any better..

Done at last

Been in the Gulf of Mexico for the last five weeks plus, and just had to get my thoughts out about this last trip.

Trip in review

Day one…. Travel to the boat was by Bus, none stop so that we could meet the boat at the dock. Well we could have taken a restroom/snack break with no problems, we waited at the dock for 30 min before the Boat even showed up and then had to wait another two hours before we could get on…

Next fun thing was leaving Dock because this boat could not move into a different slip. This delayed supplies by two days when we were already out of minor things like drinking water. Also when we left dock we ran into a nice little storm (our first of many)

Not going to break each storm down one by one lets just say we have had far more shitty days of seas over 8ft then we have had of 7 and under. See photo above, it was taken just as the storm hit, it got worse. This has meant a lack of sleep d/t the rocking and rolling of the boat.

Lost three crew members to sickness, injury, and family leave. This hurt us because we were a small crew to start with (12 to start 9 still here). We all have had to do extra duty to pick up the load.

Now for end of trip, for the last 3-4 days what the office wanted this boat to do seemed to change daily. Then to top it off we did not know if we would be getting off on time to go home or not.

This crew is worn out… We need our break, do not want to stay over knowing the other crew ends up with a longer break yet again… So far this year we have done two five week trips on the boat and two four at home, the other crew has been 4wk trips on the boat and five at home… Speaking for myself I want my five week break!!!!!

Guess what the crew change for us did not take place on the 18th as it should have. Once again our crew gets the short end of the stick. When it was time for the other crew to change after ***Four weeks** the gear is pulled on and off to port, because the weather is not looking good for crew change... We have now been out for five weeks and counting… BEST we can HOPE for is some of us to get off only one day late the others two days late... And crew 1??? Sitting in the hotel rooms getting $70 a day plus full sea pay.

Well about half of us got off only one day late and feel lucky to be off, but that still leaves half the crew out on the boat for at least one more day.. I will get home two days late for start of break, but it could have been a lot worse.