Lake Corpus Christi State Park

After a ruff few days we are at Lake Corpus Christi State Park  TX. The park we where camp hosting at was flooded out two days after we arived.  We decided  not the return because of all the water damage. All the electric boxes where under water and we did not want to hook out camper back up and have something go wrong even though  the  park said it would be back  up and running in a few day.  Do not think they where planning on changing  any of the boxes just drying them out.

On a much happier note we are camping at a really nice park just out side of Corpus Christi.  Have a great view of the lake from our site.  There is a good chance that we might be here until the end of December. Will will know in a few days. We are looking forward to checking out the area.

Flood update

This is our camp flooded out after all the heavy rains we have had and more to come later this week.

Campground Evacuated

After a night of heavy rain and high winds and more on it way they evacuated our campground.  It sits on the San Marcos river and they said it could flood to 25 feet above normal before this bad weather is all done. So now we are sitting in a parking lot in Fentress Texas  waiting to see if we are going to have a campground to go back to. The staff at the campground  moved the mini cabin to higher ground ( this has happened  before ) so they are prepared for it. Might be headed. to Arizona a lot sooner than  we planned.

Frist full day in Texas

This is our frist full day in Texas. We made it to our campsite yesterday afternoon.  Today we finished up getting  unpacked  and mostly just took it easy. I did get the satellite dish set up and then we took a little walk down buy the river. We are on the San Marcos river.  Nice little campground.  Not very full now but will change this weekend.  I like how they have their  mini cabins set up. Hoping  to getting a little  sight seeing  in tomorrow.

Made it on Texas

Well we are finally in Texas. We made better time then we thought we would even with a break down on the 5th wheel. Yesterday after we left Pine Crest RV Park in New Orleans we made it about 10 miles then lost all the brakes on the 5th wheel. We pull in to Steve's RV to have it looked at and after finding the problem ( there was 2 of them ) but that is another story, they had us back on the road after about 3 hours. After getting back on the road I drove for as long as I could but after a already long day decided to just pulled into Walmart for the night as we where not near the next campground. Asked the on duty manager if over night parking was allow and he said no problem and hoped we would do a little shopping while we where there. Not a bad nights sleep for staying in Walmart parking lot.

This morning we pulled out of Walmart hit I10 and let it roll. Must have hit the Huston area just at the right time because traffic was not bad at all and was smooth all the way. We had  heard how bad the traffic can get in that area. The one thing I have learned is that it is impossible to run 55 and save on gas or in our case diesel, most of the time we where running 65 and 70. Even at those speeds the truck manage to avg 11mpg, I am happy with that.

We are now in Fentress TX where we will be camp hosting for the next few months. We are glad to slow down for a while and get settled in before moving on in a few months. At this point not sure where we are headed next we have a few options and trying to decide the best one but for now just taking it one day at a time. Going to post some pictures soon as I can get then uploaded.

Pine Crest RV Park Review

We stayed a Pine Crest RV Park of New Orleans this past weekend. The park is clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. They gave us the choice of site that was best suited for our 5th wheel to get into. This park was a lot better than most that we looked at, a lot of the parks where nothing more than a parking lot and for the most dumps. The WIFI worked great for us and had a good signal. It was not the fastest but then again it is campground WIFI and better than most parks that we have been in. I would stay at this park again when we are in the area. Would give this park 4 stars. The only thing I found alittle odd was that the office closed at 12:00 on Sat. and the weekend is when most campers are checking in. 

Lazy Day in New Orleans

Having a lazy day today, it is raining to hard and the wind is picking up so cannot do  anything outdoors so we are watching movies on TV. They are calling for rain tomorrow so we may hang around here a few more days and see what the weather is going to do. Do not want to have to pack up in the rain ( been there done that ). Also do not want to arrive in Texas until after the rain and flooding has stopped.

We met the couple camping next to us, they are from Texas. so we when out to lunch together and shared camping stories and talked about what it is like in Texas. They are nice people and alot of fun to be around. We have met a lot of nice people and made some good friends that we are going to stay in touch with on this trip. Going back to watching movies and relaxing. 

Bourbon St.

You can not go to New Orleans without seeing Bourbon St. so that's what we did today. If was a fun time lots of people  and narrow streets. If it is like this in the daytime can not imagine  what it is like at night. Some of the people on the street looked like they already had to much to drink.

The rest of the day was spent having some maintenance done on the truck . Minor issue with the shift linkage on the truck that meeker to be ajusted and then much needed oil change. Spending the rest of the day sitting back and relaxing

New Orleans

Sitting in Rv Park  just outside of New Orleans for a few days to take a break from driving.  Waiting to see what the Strom is going to before heading to  Texas. Wait to see if safe to go in the area we will be going. Hoping to get some pictures  tomorrow, they tell us there are alligators  in the waters next to the park. But for now getting so much needed rest.

Birmingham AL

After a long day behind the wheel we are at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park  for the night. The campground is full Alot of camper here early for  the Halloween weekend.  The Rangers told us Halloween  is a big deal  and a lot of campers  come in early are all decorated and lit up. Will pull out tomorrow headed South.

Another fun day in Sevierville TN.

Today we did a little more  shopping  and just walking around in Sevierville.  We also bid the the moonshine tour  and did a little taste testing. Maybe a little too much trying the free samples but the end I had a good buzz on. Note to self leave the free samples alone next time. After getting something to eat and s little  more walking did a drive in the  Smoky  Mountains. Will be pulling out in the morning  to go a little  further  South.

Monday 19th

Will we pulled out of Big Meadows one day early because of the cold weather. Sunday night the temp fell down in the 20's and the wind was blowing so figured it was time to leave. We had a great time while we where at Big Meadows on Skyline Drive in VA. We managed to see 10 Bear and Cubs. Vince and Nancy where there with us and we had a lot of fun. Camping is better when you are doing it with good friends. They stayed for 2 weeks and then head back to Delaware. Can not wait to see them again at Janes Island State Park ( Crisfield MD. ). We meet them there while Camp Hosting. Here are of  few more pictures of our Skyline Drive trip.

Today we made it to the Knoxville TN. area. We are spending a few days in Sevierville. The drive down was nice. The truck and 5th wheel did great and we where happy to see the even in the hills and mountains and driving 65 and 70 we where able to get 11mpg. The should improve if we ever get on flat land again. Looking forward to a few days of relaxing before moving on South

Bear pics

A  few of  the Bear pics we have so for.

Day 14 in the mountains

Time is going by fast for us we have been here in Big Meadows Campground for two weeks now. We have a mirror break now with the generator the fuel line  cracked so it was not getting fuel. ! But was a easy fix. So for we have seen 10 Bears . Today our good friends Vince  and Nancy headed for home after camping with us for the last two weeks.We had a great time with them. Will be  headed to Tennessee next hoping we will have a better signal when we get there. Maybe then I can upload more of our pictures. Headed back to camp and no signal.

Skyline Drive VA Day 7

For the last few day we have been without cell or Internet service here on the mountain. Yesterday  we took had a lazy day and just hung around the campground.  Today we took a little drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The fall colors are almost in full color. Buy this time next week most of leaves will be off the trees. We have manage to see 6 Bear so for while here on the drive . Will Tru to post more pictures when we can get a better signal.

Skyline Drive Va. Day 7

We are having a great time here at Big Meadows Campground on Skyline Drive VA.  Yesterday we took a lazy day to just hang around the campground  and relax a bit after doing a lot of running the past few day. Today day we took a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway  and stop in at a old home site. Fun to see how things where done before cell phones and internet. We have also seen 6 bear since we got here

Skyline Drive Day 5

Day 5 here on the Drive ,  today we saw  a mother and 3 cubs. The cubs where up the tree and then the the mother went to the top. There was a big Bear Jam on the drive lots of people taking pictures. Going back tomorrow to see if we can find then again.

Fall Colors

Enjoying the Fall Colors on Skyline Drive VA.  Things here are changing more every day. Have a great time at Big Meadows Campground. 

Baby Cub

We happen to see this little Bear Cub in the woods today on our day trip. It was rainy and lots of fog so we could not get the best pictures but we did the best we could. The Rangers where telling us that they have seen the most bear this year than they have seen in a while here on the Drive ( Skyline Drive VA. ) Hoping to see more once we get up to Big Meadows Campground and can ride the drive some more. If we get any more pictures will post as soon as we have a good internet connection.

Front Royal RV Campground Review

We have stayed the last two nights at Front Royal RV Campground just outside of Front Royal VA. on RT 340. The road leading into the campground is fairly long and narrow with a few bumps along the way however we did not have any problems getting into the campground. The staff where friendly, the camp store small but seemed to have most of what one might need. The RV sites are not bad, level for the most part. Some are a little close together if you have noisy neighbors. The park was fairly well kept the grass was cut, showers where clean was well as the bath rooms. The pool looked nice and was clean although if was to cold to get in. The daytime temps are in the 50's.  We did enjoy our stay even if it did rain the whole time we where there and would come back again if in the area. I will try to load some picture as soon as we can get a better internet connection. The signal is poor at best here. It seems AT&T has better coverage is this area, and we are on Verizon. Well be moving tomorrow to Big Meadows on Skyline Drive VA. so the signal there will not be much better so will try to update every few days when we come down off the mountain.

Trip update 10/04/2015

Raining for 4 days  will it ever end? We are at Front Royal RV Campground  until tomorrow then we will be at Big Meadows  on Skyline Drive VA. Maybe buy then the sun will be out.

Travel Update

Looks like we will be leaving Jane's Island State Park one day early trying to beat the pending Strom coming up the cosst. Our trip trip south is not off to a good start with all this bad weather. Hope everyone the a coast stays safe.

Texas Trip Update

One week from today we will be headed out for our trip to Texas where we will Camp Hosting for a couple of months. On the way we will be spending two weeks at Big Meadows Camp Ground on Skyline Drive VA. We are looking forward to seeing the fall colors. From there we will move on to Knoxville Tenn. where we plan on staying a couple days before moving on. After that we have not made any plans, I will drive 4 to 5 hours each day and then stay over for a day or two. We have allowed about 2 week to make it to Texas. On the way we will pass thru Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. When we finish up Hosting in Texas we will be off to the Grand Canyon Arizona if all go as planned. We will sure miss our friend at Janes Island State Park in Maryland, if you have never been there you will have to give it a try it is a great place to spend the weekend or a week. The staff are very friendly and the Parks is one of the cleanest we have been to. Looking forward to return next spring.
Today I finally got around to installing a set of awning lights that we order online. The ones we looked at at the Hershery Park RV in PA. where over one hundred dollars so I decided to look online and found the one I installed for $29.00 + shipping. They where easy to install and work great. I will say the the double sided tape on the back is not the best but if you clean the surface good before you install it should stick ok.
                                                                          

The lights come with a 44 button remote and give you a lot of options as far as changing colors and brightness. It only took about two hours to install. I installed the controller and power supply on the inside of the 5th wheel and ran the remote eye on the outside thru a small hole on the side.

   
So far they are working great will update after we have had a little time to try all the different lighting modes to see what ones we like the best.

Some of the other updates we have made to the 5th wheel to get ready for the trip is added a new bike rack to the rear bumper, new tires and spare, New tire on truck and added a 5000 pound Super Spring Installed  new muffler pipe for the generator and a good wash and wax job, so I think we are ready. I will try to post pictures and updates along the way as long as I can get signal for internet. Not sure how the Hot Spot is going to work in the mountains of Skyline Dr. VA. will have to see. See you on the road.

Winter down South

We are busy getting the rig ready ready for the trip south for the winter.  Putting on new tires, servicing the generator and trying to make more room in the main compartment.  We are headed to Texas for a couple months and then going to the Grand Canyon AZ. Hoping that there will not as many people there as in the spring and summer months. Mapping out the routes  and planning on where stay has been the hardest part to many places we want to see along the way. We will be headed out in 4 week.

Fast Summer

It has been a fast summer for Gwen and I and a lot of things have happend , some good and bad. The good is that we sold the motor home the got  new to us 5th wheel anf F250 truck.  Also we have been planinng to go to Texas for the winter where we will be camp host for three months. Then will be headed to the Grand Canyon before coming back to the East Coast. We will also be spending a couple weeks at Big Meadows on Skyline Drive VA. With our good friends Vince and Nancy who also camp host with us at Janes Island State Park in Crisfield MD.

Now for the bad my sister and I lost our dad this past Father's day. He had been sick for a long time and went down hill fast. He will be missed.

We are enjoying our time here at Janes Island State Park as we always do. We have had  a lot of good cook outs and made some good friends. Guess that is why we come back every year. We will be busy getting the rig ready for the trip South in the next few week getting new tires for the 5th wheel and seeing that everything is in good working order. I will be updating and posting pictures as often as possible. 

July update

We are back at Janes Island State Park and having a great time. A couple we meet last year are here Camp Hosting with us . We have spent a lot of time here this summer and have made a lot of good friends. Will be sorry to see the summer end, but then we will be off for a new adventure. We will be in Skyline Drive with our friends for a few week and then we are off to Texas where we be staying for the winter. Looking forward to be headed to a campground/resort that we have never been. Will update soon.

Air Show

We made it to Ocean City MD. today to watch the Blue Angels practice for the air show it weekend. They always put on a good show. There was a lot of people on the beach and the weather could not have been any better. I try to take some pictures with my phone but the camera is not that great . Will upload some from my good camera  to my Google Plus page and here. Still having s great time at Assateague Island National Sea Shore and have some friends here for 2 weeks.

Out our widow

This was the view from our  site this morning a few  locals just hanging out. The park ranger told us there is a new baby foal just a few months here on the island . I will try to get a picture if possible.