As you can see off hand I never know the date and often the day or time. I don't have Alzheimer's yet that I know about but I do live in the moment which has no connection to dates, or times. I know we had Xmas and we are soon to have New Years. I hope anyone reading this had wonderful holidays. I also hope your new year is full of prosperity and good health.
We got to San Antonio as I think I mentioned. I didn't like Houston but I really like San Antonio and our park is in the Mexican section too.
So let's see. We got here and of course the next day I washed clothes. They have an incredible laundromat and it has a tv so I ended up watching rodeo girls, can you believe that. Hated to see the wash finish. Ha ha.
The next day we cased the joint and figured our way around, got groceries, and etc.
I have lost track of the sequence of what happened when. This is a great park, great people and always something to do. Exercise room, game room and activities all the time. They have breakfast on sat ams so we caught that last week but over slept this week. Then they have a Xmas parade so we dug out Iris' cart, got some garlands and decorated it with garlands and tinsel and a small sock and a bed on the base decorated with Xmas colors and put diesel on the cart in the bed in a little Xmas coat and away we went. We certainly were a hit and iris was ready to go with that cart. She has really decided she likes carting. Sally and Leroy walked to and sallee had a bit of xmas fleece scarf on and Leroy wore a red shirt, as he doesn't have his Santa suit along. They had golf carts decorated and kids on scooters it was fun. Pretty imaginative I thought.
Jeff came on the 24th about 6 so we picked him up and went to supper. Xmas day we had dinner here at the park. They had quite a pot luck with turkey and ham. It was really good. Then Jeff and I played some games in the game room and then we all drove down to the river walk downtown area. Xmas day evening Jeff started coughing slightly well by thurs he was full born sick with the flu. By the time he left guess what, so was I. I ended up with bronchitis because of my asthma but it's the first one in almost two years. And, it hasn't been terrible. Iam on the road to recovery today so should resume normal activities tomorrow. I have been doing lots of sleeping. It will hang on, it always does but I can deal with that. Neither Jeff nor I got flu shots this year, dummies!
I forgot to say that the park is in the middle of the river walk. It is 10 miles long and one day before Xmas we rode our bikes to the end opposite the town. The path runs on both sides of the river.
We can also catch the bus from here too. It's it an excellent location.
Today I managed enough energy and we went up to the mission closest to us. We had already seen the oldest one on our bike ride that is at the end of the trail. It was such an interesting visit. We listened to the ranger give us the history and we learned about all the indigenous tribes that lived here in the 1700s. Then afterwards she told us about the stray dogs we had noticed around there. She said San Antonio has the largest problem with strays in the state. She said it is was worse in this area cause it's all poor and it's the indigenous generation decendents and Mexicans and they just cross it off. She said the shelters are full and the city won't bring money here but will spend it on the white communities. She was really passionate about these people and I have to say they certainly have been nice to us. She told us her first year she cried evey day it was so sad. We learned about the missions and the history and walked around and envisioned it. It was amazing, especially as I have been watching old west movies and movies about the civil war and the Spanish war and the Alamo and etc. I have to watch again now that I have learned more. It was a great afternoon but I was shot by the time I got home.
Hopefully tomorrow I can go to the Alamo.
Oh yeah one day I was going outside, slipped or something and went crashing down on my back, I really slammed that shoulder which was the main thing that bothered me but things always show up later on me and I have developed a really sore lower back and left hip. Never a dull moment.
We have the fenced in dog park across from us which as really been nice and the dogs have walked a lot with Leroy on the river walk.
There are lots of laughs every day but can't remember to tell any by the time I write. My birds were crazy for about one week when I ran out of there regular food and they had to eat just seeds and stuff that isn't good for them. Thank god I got the regular food and they have finally settled down. Just like kids if you let them just eat junk food.
All for today. I am ready to crash.
Ps. I can't seem to get all the way back to the beginning to fix my spelling and grammatical errors so hope you can make sense of it.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
12/20 Fri
Well Galveston was nicer than i expected when i got there. Its a great beach and we were almost alone the times we went down. The gulf is a great place. I found some treasures on the beach too.
We met nice people in the campground also. Lots of full timers we have met that have a similar story to ours, and tho, a lot are our age, some are younger and work from the RV. Perfect life.
I forgot to mention, this is mainly for Donna's benefit. The houses in the south are not painted as boring as the ones in the NW. Many bright colors, pastels, and especially on Galveston Island there were uncountable numbers of Purple or Lavender houses. As we get into Texas you get into more stone as hardwoods are harder to find in the southern states and i suppose more expensive.
We left Galveston and went to a place north of Houston and met up with a collie friend and went to an agility class. We had so much fun. I will post pictures. She has Iris' brother and half brother. She looked like a baby next to those two boys. And for Annie's benefit, she kinda hit the nail on the head about Iris and her training. i will tell you more when we talk. Getting there was a nightmare as I am a terrible navigator, poor Leroy,
Then the next day we went up to La Grange where we stayed the nite (another nightmare navigation event that put me in tears and destroyed my confidence in doing it at all). I went to the Texas Quilt Museum today before we left and a quilt store next door. The museum has only been around two years and its really nice and needs all the support it can get. It had a show of antique star quilts and a show in the back of quilts (new) from New Mexico. It was well worth the visit. The quilt store had a full line of Kaffee Fassett fabrics and since they carry yarn they had some of his yarn as well. I walked in that store and literally got goosebumps and was overwhelmed by the explosion of color. It was magnificent. I could spent $$$$$ there that's for sure, but walked out with only a present for Donna and a fat quarter for myself. Having more fun shopping for her than myself since i don't need anymore fabric and have no place to put it.
So after the visit there we are on our way to San Antonio. We have reservations at a place that I hope turns out to be nice and we will probably be there a week. Jeff is supposed to come for a few days so pray the weather doesn't change that, and there are things to see there and we are two days ahead of our schedule. We will see, for us plans are subject to change by the hour. We have always traveled that way when we did get to travel and this time its no different.
Everyone asks, how is it going? Is it hard living so close, is it claustrophobic? Well, it is not claustrophobic, and that is coming from someone who is severely claustrophobic. It really doesn't bother me or seem to bother Leroy at all. I still lose it and swear at things and get mad cause things don't work right or what ever it takes for me to lose my cool but its no worse, in fact its less, than it was in the house. We are getting along, probably the same as in the house. We or should I say I, still pick fights, and cause problems and drive him crazy and can't keep my mouth shut but its not the trip that is doing it, its just Me unfortunately. I am a bitch and that doesn't change with the settings. Now Leroy may have a different take on it as its a smaller area to put up with me in but he seems to handle it. I have always said he and my mom are the only two people that could ever understand me and put up with me. Part of living in this small setting is the fact we have animals which really lighten the atmosphere. Plus with the dogs are, we are outside with them copious times a day. We are never in this traveling house except in the evening and then we either watch TV and sleep or go to different ends and each do our own thing, like computer or reading, or etc.
So if God continues to bless us with good health and an uneventful journey with the RV we should do fine. I hate the thought of it ending really. there is a reason we are out here and we may not know it for a while. I am certainly learning things about myself, not all do i like either.
We haven't celebrated Xmas for a few years now so the holiday spirit is not with us. I was going to send out a letter but haven't gotten it done.
We met nice people in the campground also. Lots of full timers we have met that have a similar story to ours, and tho, a lot are our age, some are younger and work from the RV. Perfect life.
I forgot to mention, this is mainly for Donna's benefit. The houses in the south are not painted as boring as the ones in the NW. Many bright colors, pastels, and especially on Galveston Island there were uncountable numbers of Purple or Lavender houses. As we get into Texas you get into more stone as hardwoods are harder to find in the southern states and i suppose more expensive.
We left Galveston and went to a place north of Houston and met up with a collie friend and went to an agility class. We had so much fun. I will post pictures. She has Iris' brother and half brother. She looked like a baby next to those two boys. And for Annie's benefit, she kinda hit the nail on the head about Iris and her training. i will tell you more when we talk. Getting there was a nightmare as I am a terrible navigator, poor Leroy,
Then the next day we went up to La Grange where we stayed the nite (another nightmare navigation event that put me in tears and destroyed my confidence in doing it at all). I went to the Texas Quilt Museum today before we left and a quilt store next door. The museum has only been around two years and its really nice and needs all the support it can get. It had a show of antique star quilts and a show in the back of quilts (new) from New Mexico. It was well worth the visit. The quilt store had a full line of Kaffee Fassett fabrics and since they carry yarn they had some of his yarn as well. I walked in that store and literally got goosebumps and was overwhelmed by the explosion of color. It was magnificent. I could spent $$$$$ there that's for sure, but walked out with only a present for Donna and a fat quarter for myself. Having more fun shopping for her than myself since i don't need anymore fabric and have no place to put it.
So after the visit there we are on our way to San Antonio. We have reservations at a place that I hope turns out to be nice and we will probably be there a week. Jeff is supposed to come for a few days so pray the weather doesn't change that, and there are things to see there and we are two days ahead of our schedule. We will see, for us plans are subject to change by the hour. We have always traveled that way when we did get to travel and this time its no different.
Everyone asks, how is it going? Is it hard living so close, is it claustrophobic? Well, it is not claustrophobic, and that is coming from someone who is severely claustrophobic. It really doesn't bother me or seem to bother Leroy at all. I still lose it and swear at things and get mad cause things don't work right or what ever it takes for me to lose my cool but its no worse, in fact its less, than it was in the house. We are getting along, probably the same as in the house. We or should I say I, still pick fights, and cause problems and drive him crazy and can't keep my mouth shut but its not the trip that is doing it, its just Me unfortunately. I am a bitch and that doesn't change with the settings. Now Leroy may have a different take on it as its a smaller area to put up with me in but he seems to handle it. I have always said he and my mom are the only two people that could ever understand me and put up with me. Part of living in this small setting is the fact we have animals which really lighten the atmosphere. Plus with the dogs are, we are outside with them copious times a day. We are never in this traveling house except in the evening and then we either watch TV and sleep or go to different ends and each do our own thing, like computer or reading, or etc.
So if God continues to bless us with good health and an uneventful journey with the RV we should do fine. I hate the thought of it ending really. there is a reason we are out here and we may not know it for a while. I am certainly learning things about myself, not all do i like either.
We haven't celebrated Xmas for a few years now so the holiday spirit is not with us. I was going to send out a letter but haven't gotten it done.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
12/18 tues
Well it is a beautiful sunny day here, in the 60's and people dressed accordingly except i don't show that much skin. Of course, the sweating will help me lose weight right?
Having the rv washed today so that should save some work, injuries, and pain for us.
Leroy is going down to the beach to fly kites. We were already down there to run the dogs. Boy they know it, they get squealing for joy when we get close.
Missing our friend Jerry, as he has to leave town all of a sudden. Maybe hes leaving cause of us, you think?
this is me holding a bearded lizard
This is me holding a lizard, a tempae or something like that. Skin as smooth as silk
Here I am holding baby aligators
This one above is where the astronots sleep, strapped in standing up or whatever the position is.
These three are also from the cockpit of the capsule they live in. It is SMALL
Having the rv washed today so that should save some work, injuries, and pain for us.
Leroy is going down to the beach to fly kites. We were already down there to run the dogs. Boy they know it, they get squealing for joy when we get close.
Missing our friend Jerry, as he has to leave town all of a sudden. Maybe hes leaving cause of us, you think?
this is me holding a bearded lizard
This is me holding a lizard, a tempae or something like that. Skin as smooth as silk
Here I am holding baby aligators
Monday, December 16, 2013
12/16 Mon
OK, we made it to Houston. Stayed in a petty nice park for about three or four days. It was next door to the largest flea market I have EVER seen. We drove around Houston some. Looked for a quilt shop but didn't feel good so I gave up. We had dinner with a good friend (dog friend) who is the owner of one of Iris' siblings and cousins. Hope to get together with her again, maybe wed class this week. That should be fun. Her ex husband was going to get together with us while we are here too but he has to leave town for a while so we may not catch him, but we have others to see. I don't think we saw anything marvelous. Its a pretty big city and man it takes days to figure it out. Oh, I forgot, we did go to the Houston space center for one day. It was very interesting and educational, more so for Leroy than myself, but i had fun and it was rather enjoyable.
I already have a bum right arm and for some reason i must have torn the right shoulder rotator cuff somewhat and for a couple days all i did was walk around with two limp arms and pain. The left one is better today.
Then we headed for Galveston on sat. Sun we went to church. We walked on the beach with the dogs and they got plenty of running. Today we just took it very easy. We were leaving tomorrow to go see Jerry but since he will be out of town guess we will stay another day. Then Thurs we will set out for San Antonio need to be there by sun.
i will consider this just a update with where we are. Nothing much has happened here that is worth talking about. Getting my pictures caught up so will try and post them or at least the ones that might be of interest.
I already have a bum right arm and for some reason i must have torn the right shoulder rotator cuff somewhat and for a couple days all i did was walk around with two limp arms and pain. The left one is better today.
Then we headed for Galveston on sat. Sun we went to church. We walked on the beach with the dogs and they got plenty of running. Today we just took it very easy. We were leaving tomorrow to go see Jerry but since he will be out of town guess we will stay another day. Then Thurs we will set out for San Antonio need to be there by sun.
i will consider this just a update with where we are. Nothing much has happened here that is worth talking about. Getting my pictures caught up so will try and post them or at least the ones that might be of interest.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Delay
we are waiting to go to Houston. Contacted a friend and even got in on her agility class tomorrow. BUT the dumb panel must have a short and can't get jacks up or the extension in so can't go anywhere till its fixed. The insurance company sends a tech out from Houston (1 1/2 to 2) hours away vs getting a local guy and then we have to wait for him to get here and fix it and then we can all drive back to Houston. Makes so much sense don't you think?
Monday, December 9, 2013
Louisiana pictures
12/9
OK, here i am again. We left Louisiana and entered Texas and stopped at Beaumont. We have been here a couple days while we caught up on wash, saw a couple things and watching the weather. Great park, a dog run, a great laundromat, and only $20 a day with our discount And they have a free breakfast too.
But this little town isn't to bad. We have looked around. We found some good parks, a leash free dog park with agility equipment, we went to the Texas fire museum (really nice and interesting) but best of all today we went to alligator country. It is a rescue organization and spent at least two hours with the head guy who has amazing skills and education. His whole point is education and man we learned a lot. no one else was there so he let us in for free. I learned about alligators and alligators vs crocodiles. I held a baby alligator, squirmy little devil but they are so cute and are really different looking than when they get older. I learned all about them, enough to teach others when the occasion arises. We learned all about snakes, pet some and i got to hold an albino python. OMG she was so soft, and neat. If I was going to have a snake I would have one of them. Amazing. We saw a rescue HUGE Boa that was so so overweight it will die soon is it doesn't lose weight. the man fed the snake 3 pigs a week and they usually only eat once a year. We met and held some other reptiles and learned about lizards and held them. We decided we should have a bearded lizard, as they eat bugs, don't bite and are really cool pets. We also met one that is such a baby she fell asleep in my arms. We learned so much that our attitudes on things are really different. He answered questions about rattlers and the dogs and what to do, he was a wealth of information and had the training and schooling to back it up. It was so exciting, man i was just jazzed when I left. I love learning new things. I learned about turtles. The have an alligator snapping turtle down here that can weigh up to 400lbs and 1000 lb pressure with their jaws snapping. Can you imagine that.
We haven't gone back to school but we are just loving going around and learning new things and seeing the country and learning about it before we die. We live in an amazing country that has things all over that people are going to other countries to see and we have it here. We have a history too, maybe not like Europe but did you know Texas was under 6 different flags in their history, Mexico, Spain, France, USA, and the confederacy, oh and an independent state.
I am playing with new hairstyles since my hair is getting longer. Trying to find a way of camouflaging a face that suddenly to me looks homelier than it ever was. I guess it didn't happen overnight but it sure snuck up on me.
Weather here has been in the 40's and some rain but not bad like all over the state. Tomorrow we try to head to Houston and find a nice spot that Jeff can join us for Xmas.
Most of you that care may have seen my picture on facebook that i am teaching my birds to ride a skateboard. i have them standing on it after three trys, now to get them to do that easily and then i will try to move it and keep them on it. Then i have to figure out how they teach them to move it. Lots of people have taught this trick so i am still working on it.
I think that is all. I am going to try and download some pictures and maybe get them posted. Getting all cleaned up and ready for another adventure.
We keep finding pennies around and that was a bit of a story about my mom and my brother in law Floyd, so i guess they are following us and trying to keep us safe. Nice to know they are with us.
But this little town isn't to bad. We have looked around. We found some good parks, a leash free dog park with agility equipment, we went to the Texas fire museum (really nice and interesting) but best of all today we went to alligator country. It is a rescue organization and spent at least two hours with the head guy who has amazing skills and education. His whole point is education and man we learned a lot. no one else was there so he let us in for free. I learned about alligators and alligators vs crocodiles. I held a baby alligator, squirmy little devil but they are so cute and are really different looking than when they get older. I learned all about them, enough to teach others when the occasion arises. We learned all about snakes, pet some and i got to hold an albino python. OMG she was so soft, and neat. If I was going to have a snake I would have one of them. Amazing. We saw a rescue HUGE Boa that was so so overweight it will die soon is it doesn't lose weight. the man fed the snake 3 pigs a week and they usually only eat once a year. We met and held some other reptiles and learned about lizards and held them. We decided we should have a bearded lizard, as they eat bugs, don't bite and are really cool pets. We also met one that is such a baby she fell asleep in my arms. We learned so much that our attitudes on things are really different. He answered questions about rattlers and the dogs and what to do, he was a wealth of information and had the training and schooling to back it up. It was so exciting, man i was just jazzed when I left. I love learning new things. I learned about turtles. The have an alligator snapping turtle down here that can weigh up to 400lbs and 1000 lb pressure with their jaws snapping. Can you imagine that.
We haven't gone back to school but we are just loving going around and learning new things and seeing the country and learning about it before we die. We live in an amazing country that has things all over that people are going to other countries to see and we have it here. We have a history too, maybe not like Europe but did you know Texas was under 6 different flags in their history, Mexico, Spain, France, USA, and the confederacy, oh and an independent state.
I am playing with new hairstyles since my hair is getting longer. Trying to find a way of camouflaging a face that suddenly to me looks homelier than it ever was. I guess it didn't happen overnight but it sure snuck up on me.
Weather here has been in the 40's and some rain but not bad like all over the state. Tomorrow we try to head to Houston and find a nice spot that Jeff can join us for Xmas.
Most of you that care may have seen my picture on facebook that i am teaching my birds to ride a skateboard. i have them standing on it after three trys, now to get them to do that easily and then i will try to move it and keep them on it. Then i have to figure out how they teach them to move it. Lots of people have taught this trick so i am still working on it.
I think that is all. I am going to try and download some pictures and maybe get them posted. Getting all cleaned up and ready for another adventure.
We keep finding pennies around and that was a bit of a story about my mom and my brother in law Floyd, so i guess they are following us and trying to keep us safe. Nice to know they are with us.
Friday, December 6, 2013
12/2 fri. Second post, read nlast one first
I have problems doing this on the tablet. I can't always get the corrections done and it hides stuff. The tomb was madam laveau. And the other glaring error I saw was cremation. Some of the others are just my language.
Any now after my hair we went on a long walk in a park, looked up a music store so I could get a Doug Kershaw cd. Then we went for a drive up and down Charles st. It is the garden district and is full of old mansions. I swear I took a million pictures. Then back the French quart for our date nite, ha ha, and we went for supper, went in and out of bars and music halls, drank a beer in the streets just cause I could, saw lots of performers, met lots of locals. Then we decided it was time to go home. 830. Oh, big excitement with crazy wild people. Ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!
The things that totally excited me about the city was the architecture, unbelievable, i couldn't absorb enough of it. The wrought iron on the railings and balconies, I am at a loss for words. The balconies would be rounded while the building was square. Amazing. Different types of architecture. A great place for an architectural student vacation. Also I saw a couple of whom I took a picture and I will post it. They were the epitemy of the genteel south. I also was walking down bourbon street and it was regular noise but quiet and a lone sax or clarinet was playing. It was like a movie. The acoustic in those streets make music sound like nothing else. The people were great, warm, loving, inv iting, creative, struggling to make a living like everyone else,just interesting. I fell in love with New Orleans and am taking a part of it with me.
We met a couple that sold their ranch in northern cal and for the same reasons we did. They have two dogs that are used to running free also. They bought an RV and are do ing what we are doing. You would not believe the number
of people that are like us, we aren't
just a crazy minority. Well we are crazy and I guess all of us are still a minority but at least we know we aren't the only ones.
Today we are making our way down the LA gulf coast towards texas. It was 82 and then all of a sudden it was 52. That made me change clothes. The weather has been hot and humid. Since we still have minn blood we acclimated to the humidity fast and actually I am having no more problems with the heat than I do at home. Tho I need to find a blood center so I can donate some. That cools me down.
Well I think it sums it up. I need to find us a place in Lafayette to stay and then hopefully tonight I can post pictures. It's raining here right now.
God. Less all of you, he certainly has and is blessing u s that's for sure.
Any now after my hair we went on a long walk in a park, looked up a music store so I could get a Doug Kershaw cd. Then we went for a drive up and down Charles st. It is the garden district and is full of old mansions. I swear I took a million pictures. Then back the French quart for our date nite, ha ha, and we went for supper, went in and out of bars and music halls, drank a beer in the streets just cause I could, saw lots of performers, met lots of locals. Then we decided it was time to go home. 830. Oh, big excitement with crazy wild people. Ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!
The things that totally excited me about the city was the architecture, unbelievable, i couldn't absorb enough of it. The wrought iron on the railings and balconies, I am at a loss for words. The balconies would be rounded while the building was square. Amazing. Different types of architecture. A great place for an architectural student vacation. Also I saw a couple of whom I took a picture and I will post it. They were the epitemy of the genteel south. I also was walking down bourbon street and it was regular noise but quiet and a lone sax or clarinet was playing. It was like a movie. The acoustic in those streets make music sound like nothing else. The people were great, warm, loving, inv iting, creative, struggling to make a living like everyone else,just interesting. I fell in love with New Orleans and am taking a part of it with me.
We met a couple that sold their ranch in northern cal and for the same reasons we did. They have two dogs that are used to running free also. They bought an RV and are do ing what we are doing. You would not believe the number
of people that are like us, we aren't
just a crazy minority. Well we are crazy and I guess all of us are still a minority but at least we know we aren't the only ones.
Today we are making our way down the LA gulf coast towards texas. It was 82 and then all of a sudden it was 52. That made me change clothes. The weather has been hot and humid. Since we still have minn blood we acclimated to the humidity fast and actually I am having no more problems with the heat than I do at home. Tho I need to find a blood center so I can donate some. That cools me down.
Well I think it sums it up. I need to find us a place in Lafayette to stay and then hopefully tonight I can post pictures. It's raining here right now.
God. Less all of you, he certainly has and is blessing u s that's for sure.
Fri 12/6
Well here we are leaving New Orleans and I didn't even get a post in. That is because I wrote a rally nice one and some how lost it. Shall try again.
When we left the diamond mine we headed to Texarkana. We stayed overnight there at a really nice KOA . We met people there that lived in Costa Rica. They had moved there to help their son with a resort business and when it was successful they came to states, bought an old RV and decided to tour this country and visit people.
Then we went to the Paragon Casion near Marksville for 2 nites. Did nothing special there.
Then we came to New Orleans. Now we came in, bot turned around and Leroy drove the 40 ft rig with car attached down the narrow (very narrow with cars parked on it) streets in the French quarter. He drove it like a pro. We had reservations at a gated RV so pot in the middle of the quarter. Nice spot, very safe, clean and nice. Not cheap but nice. We got in about three. We grabbed the dogs and headed for the French quarter and walked around, had pizza and soaked in the atmosphere. Then we walked home. Next day we got up went down with the dogs to the French quarter again, found a guide that gave us a tour in a horse (mules as they to tolerate the heat better and are more dependable) carriage. Dogs included! So we all had a nice ride, she was a great guide and tho I could repeat things piece by piece like Donna could I remember the jest of it and remember more as time goes by. Has to ruminate a bit! We must have walked about 15 miles that day. I was particularly interested in the cemeteries. They can not bury below ground. They have build tombs and the person is put in there. Then after one year and a day the tomb can be opened and another family member can be buried when needed as the body has completely decomposed and naturally cremated. They push it to the back and place in another one. There are large tombs that have looked minded people in so they don't have to have a family tomb, like I found one that was musicians. Now days they are mostly doing typical burner cremqqtionw unless you can afford to buy one. Nichole's cage bought one for the tune of $250000 If a family member dies before the year and one day then they are put in a temporary wall tomb for that year and one day and then can got in the families tomb after that. It works here due to the heat. I think it is pretty neat, natural cremation. What could be better..
We saw madam bavue tomb. She brought voodoo to the area. But she was no dummy, she crafted the trade to make money to buy slaves and set them free. Shel herself was free.
That pm we again hit. Our on street. The next day we went down to the farmers market, walked the dike and then got in the car and drove down to almost the tip of Louisiana. We bought fresh oranges. Then we were determined to stop at Popeyes, well that was quite the escapade. There were dozens of them but when we wanted one couldn't find one. We got lost, were crabby, tired, hungry, and couldn't get any gps to work. Finally we stumbled across one cause by then it was we aren't going home to l we go to one n matter what. You know the feeling. It was almost funny.
Damn I almost this a second time.
Yest I had an appt at a salon to have my hair redone. She did a nice just got a bit to much purple in it. So at least you guys can't see it and have stuff to say. Here people think I should look like this. I will post this before I lose it and continue on another.
When we left the diamond mine we headed to Texarkana. We stayed overnight there at a really nice KOA . We met people there that lived in Costa Rica. They had moved there to help their son with a resort business and when it was successful they came to states, bought an old RV and decided to tour this country and visit people.
Then we went to the Paragon Casion near Marksville for 2 nites. Did nothing special there.
Then we came to New Orleans. Now we came in, bot turned around and Leroy drove the 40 ft rig with car attached down the narrow (very narrow with cars parked on it) streets in the French quarter. He drove it like a pro. We had reservations at a gated RV so pot in the middle of the quarter. Nice spot, very safe, clean and nice. Not cheap but nice. We got in about three. We grabbed the dogs and headed for the French quarter and walked around, had pizza and soaked in the atmosphere. Then we walked home. Next day we got up went down with the dogs to the French quarter again, found a guide that gave us a tour in a horse (mules as they to tolerate the heat better and are more dependable) carriage. Dogs included! So we all had a nice ride, she was a great guide and tho I could repeat things piece by piece like Donna could I remember the jest of it and remember more as time goes by. Has to ruminate a bit! We must have walked about 15 miles that day. I was particularly interested in the cemeteries. They can not bury below ground. They have build tombs and the person is put in there. Then after one year and a day the tomb can be opened and another family member can be buried when needed as the body has completely decomposed and naturally cremated. They push it to the back and place in another one. There are large tombs that have looked minded people in so they don't have to have a family tomb, like I found one that was musicians. Now days they are mostly doing typical burner cremqqtionw unless you can afford to buy one. Nichole's cage bought one for the tune of $250000 If a family member dies before the year and one day then they are put in a temporary wall tomb for that year and one day and then can got in the families tomb after that. It works here due to the heat. I think it is pretty neat, natural cremation. What could be better..
We saw madam bavue tomb. She brought voodoo to the area. But she was no dummy, she crafted the trade to make money to buy slaves and set them free. Shel herself was free.
That pm we again hit. Our on street. The next day we went down to the farmers market, walked the dike and then got in the car and drove down to almost the tip of Louisiana. We bought fresh oranges. Then we were determined to stop at Popeyes, well that was quite the escapade. There were dozens of them but when we wanted one couldn't find one. We got lost, were crabby, tired, hungry, and couldn't get any gps to work. Finally we stumbled across one cause by then it was we aren't going home to l we go to one n matter what. You know the feeling. It was almost funny.
Damn I almost this a second time.
Yest I had an appt at a salon to have my hair redone. She did a nice just got a bit to much purple in it. So at least you guys can't see it and have stuff to say. Here people think I should look like this. I will post this before I lose it and continue on another.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thanksgiving day
Well happy holiday to all of you out there in quilted collies blog land. Ha ha.
Couldn't put any notes out the last few days as we lost our internet access. If saw on Facebook we were able to catch the little dog I mentioned and send him to a nice home. A maintenance man here at the park took him and came and got him the minute we called, after that is he went out and prepared the place for him. Last I heard he was doing well and starting to play with the other pups tho still skittish of humans. That may take a while it the Larry I think can tame him. In fact Leroy had the dog on his lap when Larry came to get him. Once he couldn't get away he relaxed considerably.
We didn't find any diamonds at the mine but we decided we weren't sent there to do that. We were sent there to find and catch the dog, learn about rocks and minerals and learn to look at the earth in a much closer way.
We went around town before we left and took some good pictures. There was a house that had Halloween/fall decorations and Xmas decorations. Think they were saving time and hitting them all at once. We saw a brick house that had add ons on both sides and the back, beautifully done, and it covered a 1/2 block. Many angles to it. It was newish add ons and very tasteful and beautiful. The add ones were wood and replicated the theme of the brick salt box style.
So anyhow that was about all we did. I did some more hiking on a long trail. Leroy did some more mining.
Last nite Leroy must have gotten the flu as he was so cold, chills, achy and such. Sent him to bed and this am he didn't feel any better so I drove today, towing car and all. I did pretty well I think. Took it out of the park and thru some small towns. Then when we got here to Texarkana Leroy decided that would be to hard and insisted on taking the wheel. I am here to say it would have been fine. He can't let go unless it's to his benefit and I need to, then it's amazing how much I can do. We are here at a KOA which isn't the cheapest place in town but we will probably just be here tonight.
Not sure where we are headed tomorrow. Leroy didn't was to to eat so I went and got my much needed coffee and a chicken sandwich. Mainly just to get away.
Washing the last load of dirty mining clothes and then feed the dogs and take them out again for a nighttime stroll.
You should have seen the sunset. It was distinct swaths of color of orange, pink lavender, blue, and other shades but it was so beautiful.
Couldn't put any notes out the last few days as we lost our internet access. If saw on Facebook we were able to catch the little dog I mentioned and send him to a nice home. A maintenance man here at the park took him and came and got him the minute we called, after that is he went out and prepared the place for him. Last I heard he was doing well and starting to play with the other pups tho still skittish of humans. That may take a while it the Larry I think can tame him. In fact Leroy had the dog on his lap when Larry came to get him. Once he couldn't get away he relaxed considerably.
We didn't find any diamonds at the mine but we decided we weren't sent there to do that. We were sent there to find and catch the dog, learn about rocks and minerals and learn to look at the earth in a much closer way.
We went around town before we left and took some good pictures. There was a house that had Halloween/fall decorations and Xmas decorations. Think they were saving time and hitting them all at once. We saw a brick house that had add ons on both sides and the back, beautifully done, and it covered a 1/2 block. Many angles to it. It was newish add ons and very tasteful and beautiful. The add ones were wood and replicated the theme of the brick salt box style.
So anyhow that was about all we did. I did some more hiking on a long trail. Leroy did some more mining.
Last nite Leroy must have gotten the flu as he was so cold, chills, achy and such. Sent him to bed and this am he didn't feel any better so I drove today, towing car and all. I did pretty well I think. Took it out of the park and thru some small towns. Then when we got here to Texarkana Leroy decided that would be to hard and insisted on taking the wheel. I am here to say it would have been fine. He can't let go unless it's to his benefit and I need to, then it's amazing how much I can do. We are here at a KOA which isn't the cheapest place in town but we will probably just be here tonight.
Not sure where we are headed tomorrow. Leroy didn't was to to eat so I went and got my much needed coffee and a chicken sandwich. Mainly just to get away.
Washing the last load of dirty mining clothes and then feed the dogs and take them out again for a nighttime stroll.
You should have seen the sunset. It was distinct swaths of color of orange, pink lavender, blue, and other shades but it was so beautiful.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sun 11/23
Well I guess it is time to come on and tell you about our time here at the diamond mine state park in Murfreesboro Arkansas. I should also tell all of you reading this that I hope you have a really nice holiday.
We will be leaving here on thanksgiving. We will have been here 14 days. We have stayed here so long because the people in this town and park and area have been so nice and the weather has been pretty good. At first they were just beautiful days and you would go out on the diamond field and roam around and meet people and just sit in the beautiful sunny day or visit or pick thru rocks you had sifted. Now me who can never relax has found this the most relaxing time. My doc would be proud of me. We have a beautiful campsite with full hook up surrounded by trees and except for fri and sat, out of state seniors get a nice low rate. We have washed windows, cleaned out the basements of the RV, rearranged stuff, tossed out stuff, cleaned other other cupboards and rearranged. It's really been nice as after you are in these things a while to find out what you don't need and better ways to arrange to make life easier. About the first of dec. it will have been one year in this RV. We have a pretty good rhythm going now and praying that we won't have any unforeseen problems we are doing well. I really like not having all the tethers one has or that we had. Leroy seems to be adjusting better also. I think this will have been a good experience for us.
Murfreesboro is not much more than a blink in the road except for this park. I may have told you about the mine so won't repeat that. So far we haven't found any gold tho they are finding it around us, guess it's just not in our future. But we have learned a lot about rocks, found some other gems and in general had a good time. The dogs enjoy it also when we go out there. The staff is incredible and we have gotten to know some of them fairly well. The young ones always gravitate to us. Down here it doesn't take long it seems to meet someone and develop a friendship. So yest I baked them a co uple dozen sugar cookies and took them down to them today. That was worth hugs to go around.
There is a estuarine in town that is called buddy's hWg house. The food is pretty good and the people are delightful. One young waitress one nite said when I ordered a diet coke to go with my already bad for me meal "do you really want diet coke, it's not good for you and it's full of aspartame". She then in her sweet young innocent southern accent voice proceeded to tell us about the dangers of aspartema. Leroy and I then had no desire to order it and settled on lemonade(of course I hesitates to tll her how bad that was for me). She was the sweetest thing. The next time we went in there we met another little gal. It was breakfast time and she was tired and punchy from not getting enough sleep secondary to her young 9 mo old daughter. She was talking about the news and made some comment about the fact somebody was old (70's). And Leroy couldn't hold it and he made some smart remark and she turned red and then she just kept digging her hole deeper. Then she recovered and talked about her old parents (60's) and came over and squezzed me. She was stunned Leroy was 70. Anyhow it was so cute, so innocent, it just made the whole place laugh. She then proceeded to come and sit with us and visit. We found a guy who hooked up our dish receiver and he told us all about the tax base and anything else we wanted to know. Had a couch in his work area and people just sit down and visit. I met this cute young man here and tried to adopt him but he has nice parents and didn't need anymore. These people go out of their way for you. I had to get my glasses fixed and they go way out of their way for you. It's just nice to have your faith renewed in people.
It's nice to remember how friendly people can be, we do not find that in the northwest.
There is as >13" beagle loose in the park. He has been dumped and probably abused. He has been here all summer and no one an get close to him. One of the maintenance men is going to take him if someone can catch him. Well guess who is doing their damdest. Leroy. He hangs around us,loves the dogs and we have almost grabbed him a couple of times and almost got him in the crate once. He is so lonely and now with the cooler temps he shivers. I think I may have told you he steals shoes. So possibly we can catch him before we leave, otherwise possibly we have made some in roads for catching him. People down here do have an antiquated atitude towards pets and handling which is a bit hard for me but you do what you do and that's all you can do.
Weather here was rainy for a few days, not like the nw but heavy downpour type rains. Then a front went thru and it is getting colder every day. High20s today.
Well that's about all for today. I probably repeated stuff. When we leave here it look so like we will be headed to Shreveport Louisiana bq
We will be leaving here on thanksgiving. We will have been here 14 days. We have stayed here so long because the people in this town and park and area have been so nice and the weather has been pretty good. At first they were just beautiful days and you would go out on the diamond field and roam around and meet people and just sit in the beautiful sunny day or visit or pick thru rocks you had sifted. Now me who can never relax has found this the most relaxing time. My doc would be proud of me. We have a beautiful campsite with full hook up surrounded by trees and except for fri and sat, out of state seniors get a nice low rate. We have washed windows, cleaned out the basements of the RV, rearranged stuff, tossed out stuff, cleaned other other cupboards and rearranged. It's really been nice as after you are in these things a while to find out what you don't need and better ways to arrange to make life easier. About the first of dec. it will have been one year in this RV. We have a pretty good rhythm going now and praying that we won't have any unforeseen problems we are doing well. I really like not having all the tethers one has or that we had. Leroy seems to be adjusting better also. I think this will have been a good experience for us.
Murfreesboro is not much more than a blink in the road except for this park. I may have told you about the mine so won't repeat that. So far we haven't found any gold tho they are finding it around us, guess it's just not in our future. But we have learned a lot about rocks, found some other gems and in general had a good time. The dogs enjoy it also when we go out there. The staff is incredible and we have gotten to know some of them fairly well. The young ones always gravitate to us. Down here it doesn't take long it seems to meet someone and develop a friendship. So yest I baked them a co uple dozen sugar cookies and took them down to them today. That was worth hugs to go around.
There is a estuarine in town that is called buddy's hWg house. The food is pretty good and the people are delightful. One young waitress one nite said when I ordered a diet coke to go with my already bad for me meal "do you really want diet coke, it's not good for you and it's full of aspartame". She then in her sweet young innocent southern accent voice proceeded to tell us about the dangers of aspartema. Leroy and I then had no desire to order it and settled on lemonade(of course I hesitates to tll her how bad that was for me). She was the sweetest thing. The next time we went in there we met another little gal. It was breakfast time and she was tired and punchy from not getting enough sleep secondary to her young 9 mo old daughter. She was talking about the news and made some comment about the fact somebody was old (70's). And Leroy couldn't hold it and he made some smart remark and she turned red and then she just kept digging her hole deeper. Then she recovered and talked about her old parents (60's) and came over and squezzed me. She was stunned Leroy was 70. Anyhow it was so cute, so innocent, it just made the whole place laugh. She then proceeded to come and sit with us and visit. We found a guy who hooked up our dish receiver and he told us all about the tax base and anything else we wanted to know. Had a couch in his work area and people just sit down and visit. I met this cute young man here and tried to adopt him but he has nice parents and didn't need anymore. These people go out of their way for you. I had to get my glasses fixed and they go way out of their way for you. It's just nice to have your faith renewed in people.
It's nice to remember how friendly people can be, we do not find that in the northwest.
There is as >13" beagle loose in the park. He has been dumped and probably abused. He has been here all summer and no one an get close to him. One of the maintenance men is going to take him if someone can catch him. Well guess who is doing their damdest. Leroy. He hangs around us,loves the dogs and we have almost grabbed him a couple of times and almost got him in the crate once. He is so lonely and now with the cooler temps he shivers. I think I may have told you he steals shoes. So possibly we can catch him before we leave, otherwise possibly we have made some in roads for catching him. People down here do have an antiquated atitude towards pets and handling which is a bit hard for me but you do what you do and that's all you can do.
Weather here was rainy for a few days, not like the nw but heavy downpour type rains. Then a front went thru and it is getting colder every day. High20s today.
Well that's about all for today. I probably repeated stuff. When we leave here it look so like we will be headed to Shreveport Louisiana bq
Friday, November 15, 2013
11/15 fri ps
This is some more of our time in arkansas. Sorry the last one was so long.
This is Little Rock the nite we got there
One of the hikes we took was across this walking bridge. The longest walking bridge in the country. It is called The Big Dam Bridge
This was it at nite, we only walked a bit of it as it was late and we were tired.
This is a picture taken from the bridge. That is the Ozark Mts in the background.
fri 11/15 ps
I did forget to tell a couple of things. We didn't come here from Branson. We went to Little Rock and stayed there for about 3 days. It is an old city and has lots of historical buildings. We walked across the bridge which comes out at the Clinton library. I got some shots of that I will include but we also had a lovely delight because Heifer International is right there. So we got a tour of the building and site and it is totally green. Let me tell you money that goes to them goes to the spot it should. I have tried to support them in the past and constantly swear I am giving to them and sending that to people for presents but haven't gotten around to being that brave. So don't be surprise if you end up getting a card that says you gave a flock of chickens to someone on in a third world country tho they do things her in the USA also. Anyway that was so inspiring.
We also went to Central High School where the 9 kids were escorted in by the guard to go to school. They are in their 70's now and they make mention of how it felt. Can you possibly imagine what it felt like to sit in class with kids and teachers you knew didn't want you there, and then walk in the halls or eat in the lunchroom with them. None of the kids were in the same class even. How horrible. Now you see the kids roughhousing and laughing and talking together, all races. The building is an architectural marvel.
This the Clinton library
This is just such a neat building, I couldn't pass it by.
This is the central part of this building. It kinda curves forward on the sides and then there are two spots in front that curves toward the building. It covers about 3 blocks by 5 with the foot ball field and track.
This is the left side that attaches to the picture above. The trees have grown up so it doesn't show as well as it did then.
This is the right side from the first picture.
This is the part that curves toward the building. It is to the left of the front door. There is the same thing on the right.
This is above the front door.
This is a quilt that honors Bayard Rustin, a civil rights. He is being celebrated this year with the Medal of Freedom. There is more to the explanation, but its a summary.
This one is called Racism is a Weapon. Its about the subtle, sometimes intentional and sometimes clueless comments directed toward her. Its hand embroidered on what looks to be a linen or woven like that material.
This one is called Guardians of the Land. It is about people being connected to the earth and being guardians of the environment. Our responsibility, and the fact that changes affect us all.
This is called Esperanza. It is about migration as a natural process and how only humans create and recognize borders.
This is called Women's Foundation for Peach. This was created in response to the war on Iraq. About women serving and not recognized. Her grandma always called a bra as a foundation garment so she used it to form a peace symbol.
This is called Dirty Laundry in the U. S. its about hate crimes. It becomes a way of life and usually begins with bullying. It identifies the most targeted groups and what constitutes a hate crime.
This is called Si Se Puede! Dancing at the Revolution. It celebrates community activists, change makers. Emma Goldman's statement, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution"
This is called the Divine Nine. The first president had 9 slaves and it is to celebrate the 9
. It was built in 1929 and it is still in use and doing well today. No changes have been made, and bla bla that we always seem to have to pay for as the schools don't hold up or are to small or etc. This thing is so huge and so beautiful. I will try to include pictures but not will do it justice.
But when i went into the visitors center, low and behold was a small art quilt show by Sabrino Zarco. "an award winning Chicana queer artist, cultural worker, and educator. As a Latina with autism she uses her unique way of experiencing the world to create visual stories around social justice. Her art utilizes re purposed items and found objects in unconventional ways fused with cultural influences. Sabrina is the co-founder and original director of the center for artistic revolution in Little Rock" says her bio. The quilts were thought provoking and i will try to put on the ones i took that came thru the best. Those few quilts took me forever to look at as they truly are thought promoting art quilts.
Aren't I just having the most amazing experiences. God is good, no doubt about it.
Oh yes, we also took a trolley ride around Little Rock and North Little Rock and was that ever a nice and very cheap way to get a guided tour of the city.
We got off in one spot so we could have lunch. I ate a restaurant and had the absolute best BLT that is even possible to make. That made my day. But then we came across a lecture and book signing for an author that had his bus there and is on tour with this book. The Proof of Living I think it was. I have seen it in stores. A neurologist who dies and comes back to life. Anyhow I am sure it was by ticket only but we got right in but Leroy was to uncomfortable to stay i think plus we didn't have the time, as it was just starting.
Its so easy to do stuff like that, no wonder terrorism gets such a chance. No one even noticed us.
We also went to Central High School where the 9 kids were escorted in by the guard to go to school. They are in their 70's now and they make mention of how it felt. Can you possibly imagine what it felt like to sit in class with kids and teachers you knew didn't want you there, and then walk in the halls or eat in the lunchroom with them. None of the kids were in the same class even. How horrible. Now you see the kids roughhousing and laughing and talking together, all races. The building is an architectural marvel.
This the Clinton library
But when i went into the visitors center, low and behold was a small art quilt show by Sabrino Zarco. "an award winning Chicana queer artist, cultural worker, and educator. As a Latina with autism she uses her unique way of experiencing the world to create visual stories around social justice. Her art utilizes re purposed items and found objects in unconventional ways fused with cultural influences. Sabrina is the co-founder and original director of the center for artistic revolution in Little Rock" says her bio. The quilts were thought provoking and i will try to put on the ones i took that came thru the best. Those few quilts took me forever to look at as they truly are thought promoting art quilts.
Aren't I just having the most amazing experiences. God is good, no doubt about it.
Oh yes, we also took a trolley ride around Little Rock and North Little Rock and was that ever a nice and very cheap way to get a guided tour of the city.
We got off in one spot so we could have lunch. I ate a restaurant and had the absolute best BLT that is even possible to make. That made my day. But then we came across a lecture and book signing for an author that had his bus there and is on tour with this book. The Proof of Living I think it was. I have seen it in stores. A neurologist who dies and comes back to life. Anyhow I am sure it was by ticket only but we got right in but Leroy was to uncomfortable to stay i think plus we didn't have the time, as it was just starting.
Its so easy to do stuff like that, no wonder terrorism gets such a chance. No one even noticed us.
Fri 11/15
Well, we are now in murfreesboro Arkansas. I forgot to tell you that we went out to eat one nite in Branson. Usually we live on fast food (i know bad for us) or whatever we can scrap up here at home. We try to eat or fix one good meal every few days. Normally we eat 1 maybe 2 meals a day. I know, its a terrible way to eat but if we eat 3 squares a day we gain weight even with all our activity. I know its the food and the portion that does us in, but anyhow. We ate at the Fish Shack which is a restaurant owned by Bass Pro Shops. It sticks out over the river so we decided to go in. I had great trout and Leroy had, hell I can't remember, BUT Leroy ordered alligator tails for a starter (can't spell the other word). They taste like chicken, ha ha Tom, they really didn't taste like anything but the batter and I guess can be kinda tough and chewy which these weren't. So i tried something new. Yeah for us.
We left Branson the next day and headed for here. its a state park with an open diamond field that you can mine diamonds in yourself. it is the only one in the world and some very large diamonds have come from here. Arkansas is known for diamonds I found out and the diamonds here are very superior as they usually don't need to be cut as they come out so perfect. Well we got here yest afternoon and then today we went over to the field. We got some nice rocks, some stuff to sift thru here at home but at this point we didn't find diamonds. We learned some techniques from the old timers and some full timers and I think our next trip over there will be better. We didn't really know what to do or how to do it today but we spent 6 hours there and for $14 we had a hell of a lot of fun, met some great people and got some good laughs. We did get some other nice minerals tho. it is amazing to think that there are 8 or 9 of these tubes that have erupted in the area and this is the only one active now. They blew up (volcano) and the areas around are full of diamonds. They tried to make this one a productive commercial mine but it isn't enough or consistent enough to make it worth while so the state bought it and turned it into a state park and opened the fields to the public. How cool is that.
So we now have mined for ameseth in northern Minnesota and panned for gold in Washington and now hunted for diamonds in Arkansas.
Anyhow, guess we will stay here for a few days. It is so beautiful. It is so peaceful. We have hiked some trails already and today came home from the field exhausted but had to take dogs for their walk. We walked about 2 miles cause it is just so rejuvenating. It is so beautiful and peaceful here. Walking at sunset, crickets chirping, birds nestling in for the nite, I cam back so relaxed and refreshed. Leaves everywhere to walk in, and they crunch when you walk in them not squish. This is a beautiful state. It is so not hectic. So think we will sit and relax here, get some things done we want to do, hit the diamond field again, and just chill. Very few campers around, but great sites. I plan on taking a few pictures tomorrow.
Today, I was walking in the field, lost my footing, as the ground has been plowed, wobbled around, and down i went, bounced around on the uneven ground, saw my feet go up over my head, and laid there laughing on my back as i felt like a turtle. A very nice Iraq veteran came by, laughed and offered to help. I told him this is not unusual and i should be able to get up. I got up in my unlady like stance that I need to use and as i stool there with both hands and feet on the ground I realized I would need help as I wasn't standing on flat ground. So I lifted one arm for him to steady so i could stand, he said, i can't lift you with that one, switch, so I had to switch arms,and lifted the other for him to use.. (Now at this point I had not met or looked at this young man) Tho it wasn't easy for me, he grabbed the arm and helped me straighten up. I then find out the young man had the other arm blown up with a tank shot at he has limited use. He then tells me, don't worry, no one saw it and i won't remember i helped you in a couple days. That part of my brain is gone and doesn't work anymore. I laughed and told him, that's what old age is like and he is just getting an early shot at it. He said, my grandpa says that, and hes 91. I later found out, Leroy had met the guy and had a veteran to veteran chat already. So it was an interesting afternoon to say the least, and that was just a bit of it. One guy was mining and talking to me and I almost fell flat into his area and messed it all up, I slid into the water. So needless to say, I really need to wash clothes soon. I was a total mess when i got done.
There is a beagle cross dog here in the park that was abandoned about 2 months ago and the warden won't come and get him unless the park or someone catches him first. So that is my goal in the next couple days to see if I can do my dog whispering to him and get him in and safe before I leave. We will see if I am any good or not. ha ha.
So, we are at Murfreesboro, AR for a few more days.
We left Branson the next day and headed for here. its a state park with an open diamond field that you can mine diamonds in yourself. it is the only one in the world and some very large diamonds have come from here. Arkansas is known for diamonds I found out and the diamonds here are very superior as they usually don't need to be cut as they come out so perfect. Well we got here yest afternoon and then today we went over to the field. We got some nice rocks, some stuff to sift thru here at home but at this point we didn't find diamonds. We learned some techniques from the old timers and some full timers and I think our next trip over there will be better. We didn't really know what to do or how to do it today but we spent 6 hours there and for $14 we had a hell of a lot of fun, met some great people and got some good laughs. We did get some other nice minerals tho. it is amazing to think that there are 8 or 9 of these tubes that have erupted in the area and this is the only one active now. They blew up (volcano) and the areas around are full of diamonds. They tried to make this one a productive commercial mine but it isn't enough or consistent enough to make it worth while so the state bought it and turned it into a state park and opened the fields to the public. How cool is that.
So we now have mined for ameseth in northern Minnesota and panned for gold in Washington and now hunted for diamonds in Arkansas.
Anyhow, guess we will stay here for a few days. It is so beautiful. It is so peaceful. We have hiked some trails already and today came home from the field exhausted but had to take dogs for their walk. We walked about 2 miles cause it is just so rejuvenating. It is so beautiful and peaceful here. Walking at sunset, crickets chirping, birds nestling in for the nite, I cam back so relaxed and refreshed. Leaves everywhere to walk in, and they crunch when you walk in them not squish. This is a beautiful state. It is so not hectic. So think we will sit and relax here, get some things done we want to do, hit the diamond field again, and just chill. Very few campers around, but great sites. I plan on taking a few pictures tomorrow.
Today, I was walking in the field, lost my footing, as the ground has been plowed, wobbled around, and down i went, bounced around on the uneven ground, saw my feet go up over my head, and laid there laughing on my back as i felt like a turtle. A very nice Iraq veteran came by, laughed and offered to help. I told him this is not unusual and i should be able to get up. I got up in my unlady like stance that I need to use and as i stool there with both hands and feet on the ground I realized I would need help as I wasn't standing on flat ground. So I lifted one arm for him to steady so i could stand, he said, i can't lift you with that one, switch, so I had to switch arms,and lifted the other for him to use.. (Now at this point I had not met or looked at this young man) Tho it wasn't easy for me, he grabbed the arm and helped me straighten up. I then find out the young man had the other arm blown up with a tank shot at he has limited use. He then tells me, don't worry, no one saw it and i won't remember i helped you in a couple days. That part of my brain is gone and doesn't work anymore. I laughed and told him, that's what old age is like and he is just getting an early shot at it. He said, my grandpa says that, and hes 91. I later found out, Leroy had met the guy and had a veteran to veteran chat already. So it was an interesting afternoon to say the least, and that was just a bit of it. One guy was mining and talking to me and I almost fell flat into his area and messed it all up, I slid into the water. So needless to say, I really need to wash clothes soon. I was a total mess when i got done.
There is a beagle cross dog here in the park that was abandoned about 2 months ago and the warden won't come and get him unless the park or someone catches him first. So that is my goal in the next couple days to see if I can do my dog whispering to him and get him in and safe before I leave. We will see if I am any good or not. ha ha.
So, we are at Murfreesboro, AR for a few more days.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
more missouri picts
some pictures are on my camera and some are on my phone. I didn't have them both on before i made the last post.
The above is picture from the Lewis and Clark museum
The above is a picture from the Purina Farms stadium we trialed in.
The above and below are one of the amazing Clydes Don't you love my butt shot.
This is a beautiful cathedral in St. Louis, but not the Basilica.
These are from the basilica. The red ceiling,in fact all you see, is tiny pieces of class. The red is breathtaking. The artist destroyed the left over glass and dye after he finished this ceiling.
These designs are all tiny pieces of glass, and the faces actually have expression, can you imagine that. And doing it all on your back. They had to draw the design in reverse, then place all the pieces of glass on it, then put plaster on the ceiling and then take this piece of paper and press the design into the ceiling. I can't even fathom it.
The pulpit above. The below is the floor in the quiet sanctuary spot where Pope Paul came and had his private prayer. The floor is what ......... a quilt pattern.
This is a window where you come in. it is Tiffany glass. One of the few places in the world where any is left anymore as the Germans bombed the churches in Europe and destroyed it.
This is looking into the room with the red ceiling.
This is the major pulpit where the priest stands during big or special services like big weddings or funerals of big shots where no other spot is big enough.
Isn't this ceiling just incredible. I was just in awe the whole time. It truly gave you goosebumps.
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