Our last leg of the 2016 trip

On November 12th we drove to Kingsland, GA and stayed at a campground. We weren't too impressed with the campground so we changed our departure time to head to Florida. While we were in Georgia we drove up to Skipper's Fish Camp that we liked so much when we were there a year ago. Yep, it is definitely one of those restaurants that we will go back to as often as we can. Louie had flounder and I got Brunswick stew.

When we got done eating we walked around a little. We have already seen Darien but we just love this area.

The next day we drove over to the Historic St. Mary's. What a neat little area this is and Louie has decided this is a contender of an area where we could live eventually. He really liked the swings at the park that overlooked the bay where you can see the boats come and go. This is also the Cumberland Island National Seashore and where you get on the ferry to go over to Cumberland Island. The day we were there the tide was 2 feet above normal and so the tide came out in the road and they had some roads blocked off.

We thought this was interesting. The trees where in the road.

Louie liked the sign in the bar window,

Later we went back to Jekyll Island and stopped by the Horton house and a cemetery across the road. The one person is from the 1700's. We just love this island and this is another contender of where we might live some day. But one thing is for sure, is if we camp down in that area again we will have to find a better campground to stay at.

We made it back it our second home of Carrabelle on the 14th. It was like we had never left. We missed everyone and can't wait until the rest of the snow birds get here. We had a welcome sign from Jen when we got in.

Louie finally decided to surf fish with his bass rod and caught a small hammerhead shark and the second day he spent 30 minutes trying to get in a huge red fish just for a Nerf shark to come in and eat it. So he went and got himself a bigger rod.

Just to let everyone know, we probably won't be doing too much on this trip but if we do anything I will update as it all happens. Until next time.

Happy Camping!

Back at it!

Here we are in November and finally back on the road where we belong. We sure have missed it.

We got both, Jordan and Colton married off this year and we took a trip to Vegas (Las Vegas, NV not Las Vegas, NM). And now we are in South Carolina.

The Vegas was a nightmare trip from the beginning. We had plans on taking a train out and had our tickets to go. Louie contacted Jesse (a friend of ours we were going out to see) to see how far the train station was from him. Come to find out there is no train station in Las Vegas, NV but we were going to be going to Las Vegas NM. When I booked it, it didn't give me a state and I just assumed there was only one Las Vegas. Who knew there was one in New Mexico. So I called to cancel that trip but she wanted me to go ahead and just add to what we already had. That would include another 12 hours on a train plus a 3 hours bus trip into Las Vegas, NV on top of the already 22 hour train ride out and 3 hour car ride to the train station in Chicago. We just decided to fly out and take a train ride (on our bucket list) another time. Well we got the last flight out of Indianapolis on a Friday night. Well our flight was delayed due to a broken handle on the cargo door. That took 4 1/2 hours to fix so we missed our connecting flight in Minneapolis. (Worse flight ever.) So when we got to the gate they were supposed to have new flights for us the next day. They put us on different flights arriving different times. I wasn't having any of that. We got that fixed then our seats weren't together (not on the first flight either). They gave us a hotel voucher and there was supposed to be a shuttle waiting on us. No shuttle so we stayed in the airport all night. We tried to get the first flight out the next morning on stand by but every flight that went out on Delta was over booked. So we just waited for our next flight. Luckily the rows we were in they didn't put the couples together either so we were able to move. We finally made it to Vegas 12 hours later then we had originally planned but we made it. Jesse and Rosell were there to pick us up. What a welcoming site they were. We got to our hotel and got settled in. Well our hotel was under construction so the pool was closed (we had plans of sitting by the pool all day in a cabana one day while we were there) and all the shops inside our hotel were closed as well. We got to see mostly everything in Vegas we wanted to see (the Bellagio Fountain during the day and at night, took a gondola ride at the Venetian, seen all the lights at night, went downtown, Louie got to get his picture taken with Elvis, and seen a show). On Sunday, we had a cookout at Jesse and Rosell's and Brad and Chante came down to see us from Utah. We had a wonderful time catching up and laughing. Our flight back was a much better experience and we made it home without and snags.

We headed out on our winter trip on November 5th. We stopped in Kentucky for a night and then in Tennessee for 2 nights. The campground we stopped at was close to a trail head for the AT so we wanted to take advantage of hopping onto it for about a mile and coming back. Well that will be an experience I will never forget. We got about a quarter of a mile in when what appeared but a BEAR!!!

I don't think I have ever been so scared for my life. But needless to say that was the end of our hike on the AT this time.

We found out how much we are out of shape when we had to climb these stairs at the beginning of the trailhead and it was pretty much straight up the whole short hike we took.

The hike was so stressful we had to go get something to eat. We drove into Gatlinburg and ate at Crockett's. We had eaten here before when we went last year. Louie decided he needed to get the skillet breakfast and it came out like this and all that food. He ate most of it. We also ran into one of Jordan's friends (Brady Wiles) while we were there. It really is a small world sometimes.

We were asked if the trees where still in color. We didn't miss all the colors but they were about done. The mountains are so beautiful in the fall and we were so glad we got to see them again this year. They never get old.

Now we are in South Carolina near Hilton Head Island. We are at a really nice campground (it's new). We are backed up to the lake on the property. Louie has fished everyday that we have been here. No luck the first day but last night we were able to catch some blue gill with dough. This morning he caught a few bass. He is loving that he can still fish in November.

This tiny house is parked permanently here at the campground. On the other side it has solar panels on the roof. It is cute but I'm not too sure if I could live in something quite that small.

Yesterday we drove over to Hilton Head Island. We seen the lighthouse and walked around a little. Drove over to South Beach and another beach. We weren't too impressed with one of the beaches because it had a huge pipe that ran down the whole beach and just wasn't attractive.

The island is still cleaning up from Hurricane Matthew. I guess they just recently opened it back up to the public. So we seen a lot of the damage that they are still trying to fix. However, we have decided that the island is way too big for us and way too busy. I can't even imagine what it is like during peek season. We like the smaller not so busy islands.

Today we went to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. We weren't sure if we would see much wildlife since it is November but we did end up seeing a few butterflies and birds. Oh, and I almost stepped on a snake. Let's just say it scared me a little bit (caught me off guard). My nerves are still a bit touchy still from the bear incident. But it was a nice little hike this morning (we hiked about 2 miles in). After that we stopped at the outlet mall to pick up a few things before we head out Saturday. Tomorrow we are running to Camping World over by Savannah to pick up a few things we need as well and maybe go out to eat for Veterans Day.

Happy Camping!!!!

Back in Carrabelle

Just wanted to give a quick update. We have been back in Carrabelle for two weeks. We are so happy to be back. It just feels like home here. We had to move sites today and everyone thought we were leaving. But they were all happy to know we weren't going anywhere other then the other side of he park. We haven't done much since we have been back other then enjoying the weather and getting in our daily exercise. We drove to Tyndall AFB one day, and to Alligator Point and St. George Island to look for shells. Just complete relaxation before we head back home for the summer to get ready for the big wedding in September.

Our welcome signs when we got back to Carrabelle. Or should I say the dogs.

 Some pictures from our morning walks on the beach.

 This is the kind of beach we had when we were in Mississippi. However the beach across the street from the campground we were at was just a cement barrier. They weren't as nice as the one we have here in Carrabelle.

 The Friendship tree in Mississippi. We almost forgot to go back and get a picture of it before we left.

 Drove passed the USS Alabama when we drove to and from Mississippi. However, we weren't able to see it on the way because it was too foggy.

Last week in Mississippi

We have managed to get everything done we wanted to while we have been here so we don't have to come back. It really has been a rough stay this week. We had to worry about possible evacuation for a fire and then Louie trying to handle the French Quarters and driving in New Orleans. But we made it through and completed the list.

Sunday, the 7th, we were going to so to WWII museum in Ocean Springs but we were afraid of getting stuck in the middle of Mardi Grad festivities. So we stayed in and just waited for the Super Bowl to come on. Pretty happy that the Broncos won, not that we are Bronco fans but for Payton Manning.

Monday, the 8th, we went to Bay St. Louis (which is just a couple miles down the road) to check out the little shops. Just our luck they are all closed on Monday and that was the only day we had opened to do this. So went to the historic train depot where they have a small Mardi Gras museum. Believe it or not but when Katrina came through they used the depot to house all the people who came to help do rescue and clean-up. Just a fun fact that we learned. Then we were going to go back into Waveland to see a War & Peace museum until I figured out that it had nothing to do with War & Peace, instead it was just a persons private collection of model cars. So, we can say a lot of the things on my list were duds this time.

 The King and Queens outfits for one of the Mardi Gras parades. They can be very extravagant.

 The historic train depot.

A Catholic cemetery by the depot. Just thought it was neat.
Tuesday, the 9th, was Fat Tuesday and there was no way we were getting out this day in fear of getting caught in the crowds of anything Mardi Gras. However, we did decide to go the Louisiana welcome center to get brochures of things to do while we are close by and in New Orleans. The people in there were so helpful and full of information. We did drive to Slidell to check it out and ended up going to Hobby Lobby and may have or may not have bought some stuff for Jordan's wedding (LOL).

Wednesday, the 10th, we made our first visit to New Orleans. This was not a real good way to start out our New Orleans experience. The traffic was backed up and some guy cut us off and almost hit us and the car beside us and then when he decided cut back across traffic to take the ramp because he was very impatient, he proceeded to flip us off all the way down the ramp and while he was sitting at the light waiting for it to change. I wonder why he didn't have the balls to do it when he knew we could confront him. So that accelerated Louie's anxiety and made the rest of the day exhausting for him. Good thing we only had one place to go to this day. We made to our location at Villalobos Rescue Center. This was a scary drive down in what looks like the bad side of town, But you can still see a lot of the devastation from Katrina. So many places are still abandoned and just left to rot. It really is sad to see. But the tour of Villalobos was neat. We got to see Tanya while we were waiting to check in. Earl from the show gave us our tour (Sui also gives the tours). I can't believe they can tell you the history of every dog they have considering how many they have. You just want to take them all home with you. Hopefully they will all get loving homes someday.

 Earl cleaning before our tour.

 Some of the employees walking the dogs.

 Earl and I.

Thursday, the 11th, we went back to New Orleans and visited Mardi Gras World and Aquarium of Americas. At Mardi Gras World we took a tour of the warehouse (I believe she said they have 5 more full of props). This is where they make most of the things they put on and decorate the floats with for all the different parades during the Mardi Gras season (I think there are like 50 some parades). It is so neat because the people who own the floats just rent all the props that is put on them so they can be revamped and used again for later years. The people let them know right after Mardi Gras what their themes are for the next year and they start on designing them from a sketch, to black and white, then to color, and then onto the actual project. A lot of them are made and carved out of Styrofoam. Other things are made out of wood and they apply paper Mache to make them smooth so they can be painted. They also do all the cows at this location for Chick-Fil-A and do somethings for Disney as well. They had brought some of the floats in from this years parades already to be taken apart to start on their new look for next year. The ones we got to see were so bright, detailed and pretty, I would hate to take it all apart. But that is what they do, so there is something new for the next year. After this we headed over to the aquarium. It is ranked as one of the top aquariums in the US. It was a very nice one although I haven't been to many. We thoroughly enjoyed it. There were so many neat fish and even an albino alligator.
This is the day we came back to a fire close by that we were warned of a possible evacuation. Luckily, 6 hours later they were able to get it under control.

 Some of the different props from previous years floats.

 Of course the Lombardi Trophy.

 We got to try on the outfits they wear in the parades and got some King Cake and watch a short movie on the history of Mardi Gras.

 Louie wasn't feeling anything anymore after taking his anxiety pill. This is what happens to him and why he hates to take it. (He'll probably kill me if he finds out I posted this.)

 One of the employees working on a prop that they are revamping for something.

 Another employee putting on some new paint on an old prop.

 Some Disney statues that are going to get a new paint job.

 All the bright floats that were waiting to get torn down.

 The front of one of the floats. Look at all the detail. It must take forever to get them to look so good. This is why they keep them and just restore them if they work for something else for another year.

 Look at all those beads.

 A water feature at the Aquarium in the entrance.

 A bright colored eel.

 These fish hide in a hole in the ground. You could watch them go in and out. This one had just came out of his hole.

 Some really neat stingrays.

 The albino alligator.

 A white paddle fish.

 Jellies

 I've never seen a trolley so I had to take a picture.

This is a cemetery we drove by. They look much different then back home.

The fire that almost caused us to evacuate.

Friday, the 12th, we attempted the French Quarters. I never guessed this was going to take Louie back to Iraq in Sadar City. He said so much of it reminded him of it, the smells and the narrow roads with builds close together or attached. So, it was a rough day for him. We were able to walk around a little and see a few of the main sites and I got to get my Beignets. We tried to walk down to Bourbon Street but didn't make it 1/2 block before we had to turn around. This is where we had to end our visit and head back home.

 Washington Artillery Park

 St. Louis Cathedral, this is the oldest active Cathedral in the US, over 280 years.

 Inside the Cathedral, it was so beautiful.

 Jackson Square

 An artist on the street. Louie wanted me to take a picture of her bike. It was all decked out in Saints.
The streets were lined with all types of artist and in front of the Cathedral were all these tarot/palm readers. It was little too freaky for me. We also got to hear some of the street musicians.

 Waiting in line for my Beignets.

The second fire.

Those last 3 days we tried to hit 3 different restaurants that were on our list to eat at while there but they were all no goes. The first one had a huge line and was in a sketchy area of town with no where to park. The second one was more on a main street but also had a long line. (This means to us that it will be packed inside, won't be able to sit where we want, and will be loud: all no goes for Louie.) The last one was down the street we started walking down but had to turn around. So these will just have to be marked off the list of not able to try.

Saturday, we just stayed home to let Louie re-coop after the last 3 days of stress for him. We just have one more day that I want to go back to New Orleans. So I knew he needed this rest. Oh, and another fire started down the road but in a different location. This one didn't look as bad but they said there are many around due to the dry conditions here. It burned for about 2 days though.

Sunday, Happy Valentine's Day, we headed back to New Orleans for our last day there. We checked out the WWII museum. What a neat place. There are 5 building and are working on building another one. The fifth building is only open on certain days and this was not one of them. We watched a 4D movie that was pretty intense. The museums were just great and well worth the cost to get in. I definitely recommend you check this out if you are ever in the New Orleans area. You can even look up people that earned Medal of Honors, and you get a dog tag that you use throughout the museum for interaction of certain people during the war. I got a female pilot who was part of WASP, and Louie got an Artillery Man. Then you can use those dog tags to look up what you learned when you get home.

 My Valentine's Day gift. It came from the heart that's for sure.

 An airplane hanging in the main building.

 Exhibits in the museums

 Had to take a picture of the mortar tube of course. (Louie was a mortar man if you didn't know).

 This is a very true statement.

 More exhibits in building 4.

 A wall column from the north tower of the World Trade Center

 The Civil War Memorial Hall. It was closed.

We drove passed the Superdome.

Tomorrow, the 15th, we start getting things ready to leave on Tuesday. We are ready to head back to Carrabelle before he head home for the summer. We sure aren't going to miss the trains that run all hours of the day near our campground here in Mississippi. Until next time......