Update

Well.... we got to Baton Rouge and got the phone call that "Big Al" was not doing well and as I said before we thought it best to head home. A very quick 1200 miles later we arrived in a snow storm ugh!!! Al has had quite a time...a new defibrilator and pacemaker combo was installed....he is now in an assisted living facility and not very happy about any of it. We have been busy helping him as we can but our travels will have to wait for awhile. Things are somewhat stable for now but we will try to keep this blog up and hopefully be on the move soon.

New Orleans

We left Art and Jane Monday morning and traveled up the coast from Fort Meyers trying to pick out some side roads but found we were not making as much time as we wanted. We did stop for lunch at a little roadside park that just happened to have a old railroad engine in it.

Old wood burning steam engine


After lunch we moved on and found a little fishing village that is just starting to be developed called Steinhatchee at least it looked like residential properties might be less than $500,0000. It just was a neat looking area and clean. From there we went on to Alligator Point which has a KOA that has just been sold to developers which seems to be a recurring theme amoung closed RV parks. Weather moved in and we really just hunkered down for the storm through the night. And for those of you who commented on my driving skills.... I did not run over or damage anything leaving either River Bend nor Alligator Point.

Tuesday we moved on to New Orleans and met up with my old high school swimming buddy and friend Bud Stringer who along with his wife Lynn took us to dinner at Annadele's in Covington, Lousiana for a wonderfull dinner at an old mansion that is now a resturant and B & B. Check it out at www.annadeles.com

Dinner at Annadele's


Wednesday we had the tour of tours ..... Lynn grew up in the area and Bud has lived there for 15 years or so and they know the area very well. They asked what we wanted to see and tried to do their best to show us everything. We were staying at Fairview Riverside State Park on the Tchefunckte River (actual spelling) which is on the north side of Lake Ponchatrain so we had to cross the causeway to get to New Orleans and the French Quarter. We saw St Charles Street with the Trolley Cars, Burbon Street, Basin Street, had lunch at Napoleons, saw the street vendors and entertainers, the Mississippi River and residential and commercial architecture that was wonderful. and had a Beignit at Cafe DuMonde. Below are just some of the things we saw and appreciated.

View from just across from our Campsite


The Otis Mansion on the river at campground


Typical of the many many many bars in the quarter


One of the unique stores in the quarter


Typical Balcony with stores below and apartments above


Street fortune tellers


After spending the whole day showing us around, Lynn then cooked a wonderfull dinner. They both were wonderful hosts.

Today we left the New Oleans area planning on going part way to San Antonio, but we got word that Marge's Dad (Big Al) has taken a bad turn and we felt it prudent to head for home. We are in Memphis at the moment and hope to be home tomorrow late and I assume the blog will be quiet for awhile. We will keep everyone posted when we can.

Sunshine Key to Riverbend RV Park

Saturday morning we left Sunshine Key RV Resort with with a bang ....literally... I awoke our neighbors Jim and Virginia by runing over their sewer connection which being hard plastic exploded with a loud bang and then scraped our coach seriously on an extension on their pickup truck. Obviously things did not start well!!!! Actually, the embarassment as everyone came out to see what damage was done was worse than the damage itself and this experienced motorhomer was most anxious just to get out of the campground and on the road.

Further down the road in Homestead, I pulled to the side of the road for a moment - which put the coach at an extreme angle - which in turn caused the fuel intake to not draw. Essentially, I ran out of fuel. Now with a gas engine this is not a big problem, but it can be very serious with a diesel. Fortunately, I was able to level the coach with its levelors, and for some reason we were able to get it going. The day was finally turning a bit brighter for us.

Our day really turned bright when we arrived at River Bend RV Resort which on a scale of 1 to 10 rates an 11. It is nice!! No sooner had we arrived when my brother Bob and his partner Tom stopped by(ALSO THE BEST STOCK BROKERS IN TOWN)of HK Group, a Division of Morgan Stanley in Grosse Pte, Michigan (1-888-309-4249) I know this is a blatant plug but Bob is good at what he does and Tom too, I highly recommend them. Thats Tom on the left and me patting Bobs stomach.

Tom, Bob and Me




Thought you all might like to see us nice and tan and relaxed at our newest campsite.

The two of us at our River Bend Campsite



Once settled in we were invited to a fantastic dinner with Art and Janey Armstrong who had wanted us to stop and see this place. Sunday, Dave and Linda Gierhart joined us and we had a wonderful brunch at the River Clubhouse, then we cruised the Caloosahatchee River on a pontoon boat. The weather cooperated and we had an absolutely wonderful afternoon. I also was very pleased to see what my Dad had enjoyed so much. If ever you get a chance to cruise the river do take the time its quite beautiful and relaxing.

The River Clubhouse at RIver Bend RV


Docks at River Bend RV Resort


Returning after the river trip


We also received some disturbing news today with Marge's Dad being hospitalized again. We hope that things improve for him and check with him daily. Tomorrow morning our plans are to head to New Orleans to visit another old friend from high school. Will keep you posted.

Next Stop?

We have been here in the Keys now for 6 weeks which is why some of these posts are as spread out as they have been. While we're busy and enjoying a laid back life, there hasn't always been enough interesting to pass on. One thing we have been doing is trying to make plans for our trip west to our daughter's for our grandson Garretts 2nd birthday.

Our first stop will be in Fort Meyers to meet Art and Janey Armstrong who had been down here at Sunshine Key but then moved on up to Riverbend Motorcoach Resort on the Coloosahatchee River near Fort Meyers. We plan on staying there with them at that resort a few days. While there we are planning on a day trip up and down the Caloosahatchee River on a boat with the Armstrongs and Gierharts who have a place nearby. Its our understanding the Manatees are in the river and quite a site to see. This river is also one that my dad used to go up and down on a rented Grand Banks Trawler to Lake Okeechobee just to be on a boat again ....He was on Navy destroyer in the Pacific during World War II. I know he enjoyed it thoroughly and I am anxious to see what he enjoyed so much.

Next will be New Orleans. Another old high school friend, Bud Stringer and his wife Lynn, are being gracious enough to show us the French Quarter and some of their favorite areas of the city. Lynn grew up there and they say they have some special spots to show us. Bud has come up to the Woodward Cruise to relive old memories of "Cruisin Woodward" each year with his T-Bucket hot rod. Its been fun for all.

After New Orleans will be San Antonio, Texas We want to see this city for ourselves and walk the riverwalk along the San Antonio river. We both have read and seen pictures of the area and are anxious to see if everything is as the brochures promote.

Next stop is up in the Air! We tried to get into Big Bend National Park in West Texas, but were unable to, as this is apparently one of the spring break areas and the area is booked. We are now waiting to hear from Grand Canyon National Park and their reservation system. We may have a decent chance to get in there as it is just the beginning of the season and its still cold up there. Funny....people seem to like warm climates?

We plan on leaving here Saturday for Fort Meyers and we will bring you up to speed shortly as to our continuing plans.