David Crockett State Park

Our trip to Montgomery from Livingston, TX was uneventful with good weather as a drought is in that area. We spent about a week and a half at the Fleetwood Travelcade Club rendezvous in Montgomery. Haven's Landing is a lovely campground but rather expensive. However we had a lovely waterside site which wasn't too far from the convention hall. The first few days kept me occupied with Radio talk-in and Parking duties. Also there were enough activities, visiting, etc to keep us busy. However Loretta developed a problem in one hip which kept her from much participation again. I contacted a chiropractor which came in to his office to treat her on Saturday which gave some relief. However after several visits, he decided to X-Ray her back and hip. Although her back was still a bit out of alignment, he felt that she had bursitis and recommended Aleve for relief. This helped some, but she has had to use a cane to get around since the problem started. Therefore we didn't do any of the tours at the rendezvous, and I drove her to the convention hall the times she did go. She missed some excellent entertainment which made me feel badly.

On Sunday, 15 October, we moved to Arlington, TX where we parked at the Wee Bee Bus Company. This is the home of friends of Gil and Bonnie, and Gil converts passenger busses to custom Motor Homes. We arrived to find that pulling out of the steep drive at Haven's Landing RV Park had resulted in a bent stabilizer jack. So I installed a replacement and used Gil's shop to straighten the bent one for future use. We were given a tour of their new house. Gil designed it and used industrial weight H-Beams for the supporting structure and metal for the rest of the framework. What with that, the heavy construction materials and brick exterior, I would say it was one Heck of a Job for the 2 of them to do since our last visit a couple of years ago. Also Gil had knee surgery and the zoning board held them up several months.

Their place is only 5 miles from the home of Loretta's uncle and aunt in Arlington which made commuting very easy. They kept us busy with visiting and trips to several attractions including the museum at American Airlines which was very interesting. A wheelchair was furnished for Loretta so she was able to enjoy the facility also. Also of course several meals both at their house and restaurants. Last time we introduced them to the game of Joker, and of course they wanted to play that every visit.

I assisted Gil a bit on work on their personal Bus and a wooden walkway. I also assisted Dick (Loretta's uncle) on some computer software. They had purchased a new computer, and are sending their old one back with us to Sharon's daughter's family. So I will have some work with that when we get back to Circle P Farm.

We had made plans with Dick and Anne for Tuesday, so that meant we would have to leave Wednesday morning as Loretta had to drop off a test sample for the kidney doctor this week. Weather was getting iffy, so we put our large slideout in before going to bed. Good thing as it rained some during night. It was heavy overcast when I woke Wednesday, so I hurried around and we got secured and hooked up. By the time we said farewell to Gil and got on our way, it started to rain. It rained all day, mostly a drizzle, but enough to make for unpleasant driving. Plans were to drive to Little Rock, AR - over 300 miles, but I gave up near Texarkana which was only a bit over 200 miles. This left well over 400 miles for Thursday, however the rain was even worse then. By dark, we had gone over 375 miles and I gave up. We located a Wal-Mart in Savannah, TN and spent night in heavy rain.

Yesterday we woke to more of the same. A call to daughter Sharon resulted in the word that it was supposed to rain today too. They suggested we head straight there, but knowing I would have to pull onto a grassy slope and back into our parking space, was worried about getting stuck. We opted to find a campground and selected this park as it was right on the way. We registered, parked and got electric hooked up. Then went to Columbia to deliver the test sample. The rain finally let up by time we got back mid afternoon. So we did our setup and spent a rather gloomy afternoon catching up on inside things and listening to acorns that sounded like baseballs hitting the roof. Fortunately they stopped falling by bedtime. A voicemail and emails provided the sad news that long time friend and helper Dave Woodburn N2ODU had passed away. This was not unexpected as he has suffered a multitude of service related medical problems for many years, but still a shock.

This morning the sun is shining, skies are clear and a nice breeze blowing. We are parked in a beautiful wooded area. It is peaceful enough to stay here, but expect to move to the farm as soon as it dries off somewhat.

Till later
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta

Rainbows End - Livingston, TX

Clubhouse at Rainbows End

We enjoyed our visit with former Avion Travelcade Club members Jim and Pat near Ferriday, LA. Jim gave me a tour of their extensive grain and cotton farming operation. This included one of the most beautiful locations I have ever seen on the banks of a bayou. We also shopped some in Ferriday, enjoyed a small cafe in Spokane and took a personal ride around the area.

On Sunday 17 September, we moved to the farm of our friends Craig and Paulette south of Crowley, LA. We missed a turn on the way and got the opportunity to travel through some of the timber country on Louisiana. Craig told me later that timber is the biggest agricultural crop in the state which was a surprise to me. They have switched from rice and Crawfish to an all Beef operation. They may grow rice again in the future, but prices are too low to make it attractive at this time.

He also operates a semi truck with which he hauls grain, and rice hulls to an electrical generating plant in Lake Charles, LA. I rode several trips there with him the last time we visited, and this time went on a trip to get rice from a field north of Alexandria, LA. I had discovered a loose bolt on the front right cab mount. I suspected that the vibration insulator was damaged. I hadn't found one at shops we had visited, so I had Lingo International in Lafayette order one for me. Craig helped replace that and the bolt. It appeared that the only problem was that the bolt had never been tightened properly, but we installed the new insulator anyway. We also discovered that one of the Mor-Ryde rubber springs was weakened. I had a replacement with me, but that was more than we had tools for. So I took it to Jimmie Smith Repair nearby. He has a small shop at his home where he works on vehicles and farm machinery at a very reasonable rate.

I assisted Craig with several tasks around the farm, and last Saturday went with he and Paulette where I assisted on a 4H demonstration project at the school where she teaches. As usual, we enjoyed several of the fine Cajun eateries in the area as well and shopped some. Loretta didn't feel up to doing any sightseeing, but she did prepare dinner for the four of us. Of course Craig prepared some of his excellent meals.

But good things have to end, and all too soon it was time to leave. We could have stayed 2 more days, but wanted to visit Rainbows End, the home park of the Escapees RV Club near Livingston, TX. Yesterday we moved here, it was a fairly short trip but by the time we got here and set up in the heat, I was beat. It was also a bit late for the welcoming social here. Today we enjoyed a delicious luncheon here at the campground. I spent the afternoon unloading the storage compartments on the trailer, sorting and repacking some of the STUFF and reloading. It was really too hot, so I had to cool off and unwind afterwards. We went into town to shop and have supper at an excellent seafood house here.

Tomorrow we move to Montgomery, about 60 miles away for the Fleetwood Travelcade Club rendezvous. One of our neighbors stopped by today to tell me they are heading there too. Don't know if we will travel together or not. We are workers, so are scheduled to arrive early.

Till Later
Loretta and Andy