March 15 - Beaumont to College Station

To avoid Houston and see some sights, I headed north toward the Big Thicket National Wildlife Preserve. Met some nice people at the visitor’s center including a metal art professor and two friends who were just heading out for an overnight backpacking trip. I considered going along (I have my gear) but the trip was 15 miles in two days, which I’m afraid would be too much for Sunny. We walked the first part of the trail into the thicket with them before taking the loop back to the parking lot.

Travels went well and it was interesting to get into hills that were more substantial than a man made bridge rising over a river. Called the park I was hoping to stay at and discovered they were full. Asked for a recommendation of another place, called there and reserved a space. Arrived about 5:30 and checked in without seeing anyone, just using and envelope and drop box. The park appears to be mostly permanent residents and they put me in a pace that was only about 25 feet long so the truck has to go along side the trailer once in place. Neighbors were not around until late in the evening and pretty much kept to themselves

March 14 - St. Martinsville to Beaumont, Texas

Looking at the map, feeling like getting some miles under my wheels and getting out of Louisiana today I decided to take I-10. It was not a lot of fun traveling with trucks and cross winds. Note to self - stay off expressways when possible. Arrived at Gulf Coast RV resort in Beaumont Texas mid afternoon. Sun was beating down and it was hot! Got set up and put the awing out to have some shade to sit in while researching travel brochures.

Talked briefly with neighbors who had just moved into their RV full time after some unfortunate life events. They were having power problems and were clueless as to a solution. I offered a couple suggestions and they got the power back on. After walking Sunny I was getting ready to head out and find dinner when they neighbor came over with a plate of BBQ ribs, chicken, baked beans and potato salad as a thank you for the suggestions. The BBQ ribs were great.

March 13 - St. Martinsville

St. Martinsville is famous as the place where the characters in Longfellow’s Evangeline met. In downtown there is the Evangeline oak, which is reported to be the most photographed tree in the country.

The first Louisiana state park was the Evangeline-Longfellow Park where they have a museum and old homestead. While talking with one of the employees, who was dressed in period appropriate clothing, he expressed that his may be the best job because everyone who is there to see the park is there because they want to be so everyone is happy and friendly. Makes a lot of sense.

There was a local craft show/farmers market at the park and I spoke with a couple vendors who had bird houses and some nice wood boxes, bowls and turned vases.

March 12 - Morgan City to St. Martinsville

Up early and it was a bit chilly but nice for a early morning stroll. The sunrise over the lake was beautiful. I had heard about a 106’ tall bell tower nearby on the lakeshore so went and found it. Very interesting history. They have pictures of both the bell tower construction in progress as well as the bells themselves being cast. Talking with the host at the visitor’s center, I learned that they have no one who knows how to play the bells anymore so they only play pre-recorded rings now.

After leaving the bell tower, I swung through downtown to fuel up. Got back and packed up to get on the road.

The route I chose to travel is one which is listed in a book my brother gave me before the trip called 120 scenic drives in America. The road basically followed the Bayou and many large old homes were visible along the way.

I arrived in St. Martinsville and had trouble finding the campground so I called. I looked at the map and needed to turn around. Unfortunately I was on fairly narrow roads with open ditches and short drive culverts. I drove a little ways until I found a slightly wider drive in an area with good sight distance and threw it in reverse in an attempt to push the trailer into the drive and turn around. I was able to do it without incident and made our way to the campground. The place is not only a campground but a fishing pond which they stock with catfish.

After setting up, I met a neighbor and took sunny for a walk. Word had it that no gators had been seen in over a year around the ponds. After walking about halfway around the ponds, Sunny wanted to swim. The banks were too steep and we were in the area where people fish so I wouldn’t let her. We walked some more and came upon a pond with shallower banks she could walk out so I let her jump in. She proceeded to swim along the shore probably 50’, then headed towards the middle of the pond, then back towards me and along the bank again before finally getting out. She hasn’t swum like that in several years! When we got back to the camp she was acting like a dog 5 years younger, playing and dancing around. It was great to see.

I had received a recommendation for dinner and Cajun music at a place called Mulate’s in Beaux Bridge. It was very interesting to see the large, family style tables and people gathered for dinner. Shortly after arriving the band started and immediately a couple was on the dance floor two stepping. A few more songs and the dance floor was packed. Of course I don’t think there was a hair on the floor that wasn’t white but there were younger people in the place and suspect that as the hour gets later the more experienced folks head out and the younger crowd takes over. It’s obviously a very family oriented culture.

March 11 - Morgan City

Walked sunny in the morning. Started talking with the neighbor when we returned. Shortly thereafter her husband got back from checking his lines with two big baskets full of catfish. The proceeded to skin and fillet the live fish, cleaned and rinsed the meat, showed me how they batter the fish with mustard, salt pepper and fish fry and cooked up a big batch. I can honestly say it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten fish that fresh. Since the fish were only filleted, some of them wer literally still breathing in the bucket while we were eating it. Talk about tasty. After packaging the remaining fish, they gave me 5 half pound packs for the freezer.

In the afternoon I went to the Rig Museum. It is the actual first offshore drilling platform which is now in the water on the bank of Morgan City. The rig is named Mr. Charlie and was fascinating. It is now a school as well. Students can come and live on the platform while taking classes in order to get a feel for the lifestyle, before being ‘trapped’ off shore. The guy that bought the rig in 1993 was my tour guide and is also a civil engineer. It was a fascinating tour.

The town is protected from flood waters by what is known as the great wall. It’s a 21 foot high flood wall running along onside of Main Street. They put a walkway along the top where great views of the river and town are available. Several movies have been filmed in town, most recently scenes from the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

After grabbing some groceries I discovered I had locked my keys in the truck along with Sunny. No problem, I’ll just call Onstar. I’ve only used it once in the past three years but it worked as advertised. When I spoke with the Onstar representative, they could not communicate with my truck and therefore wanted to send roadside assistance to unlock. A few minutes I received the automated call from roadside assistance indicating the locksmith would be there in 3 hours and 25 minutes! I understand I’m in southern Louisiana, but over three hours? The passenger side window was cracked so I kept trying different items to lift the door lock. Finally, I got a pry bar with a hook on the end which I was able to open the lock with and get on the road.

When I got back to the campground, the neighbor was pulling back in from checking his lines again and hollered for me to come over if I wanted to see a big catfish. Well he had one and it was 42” long and weighed 45 pounds. It was the biggest I’ve seen in person and interesting to see him bleed and fillet it all while hanging from a tree. I’m sure I’ve never seen a fish big enough that it needed to be hung to be filleted.

The evening cooled down just enough to windows open at night. Sunny and I both slept great.

March 10 - New Orleans to Morgan City

There was a thick fog hanging in the campground in the morning. Got around and headed to the welding shop. Stopped and got a new bolt and saw a redheaded woodpecker up close and personal. Spray painted the fresh welding and put it all back together.

I took off for Morgan City in southwest Louisiana. Travel was rough on the Louisiana roads. Had some cross winds and just plain old roads through some of the small towns and along the bayou. Saw many houseboats and it is clear that the fishing and oil industries play a huge part in the local economy.

The park is alright with friendly neighbors. I got a fairly tight spot requiring me to back between two trees. The park has a small marina which some house boats are stored in. We walked around and visited the waterfront. There are a ton of birds. Used the AC for a little while in the evening. Took a quick tour of downtown Morgan City and came across several impressive historic homes.

March 9 - Crossing Lake Ponchartrain

Got up to indications of a storm coming so got the trailer hooked up, visited the neighbors until the rain came and went inside the trailer to wait out the storm. It was a hard rain but only last an hour or so. Once it stopped all the birds came out, most prominently a lot of robins and cardinals.

Got on the road towards the north side of Lake Pontchartrain. The logical route crossed the Mississippi on the Howie P. Long Bridge which I had not yet crossed. It was two narrow lanes in each direction. After the fact, I learned the bridge was constructed in 1932 when cars were a little narrower than my trailer. Slow and steady (and maybe a little ‘taking my half out of the middle’) and we made it. Next came the 23 mile causeway/bridge crossing the lake. Pretty stiff cross winds but the trailer pulled fine.

Arrived at Fountainbleau State Park and discovered a problem with the spare tire carrier on the rear of the trailer. Upon inspection the head sheared off one of the four bolts holding the bracket to the trailer. After removing the bike carrier and spare tire, the steel mount was showing signs of fracture as well as the bolt. I headed out in hopes of finding a welding shop still open at 4:30 but got hung up watching deer on the way out of the park then arrived at the Abita Brewing Company before finding a shop.

I stopped in and had a great almond encrusted catfish dinner veggies and smashed potatoes with an Abita IPA. I got a referral for a welder and headed back the campground. There were a lot of insects which sounded like crickets singing in the woods.

March 8 - New Orleans

Out of clean socks and with access to the park’s free GE font load washer and dryers, this morning was time. Visited with campground folk at the ‘washateria’ which what they call laundromats down here.

It's still a little strange having manual gates across the dike. Here's a picture of one half of one near the campground.

Early afternoon (when people would be around as it was rumored to be a sketchy area) went to find the famous St. Louis Cemetery No.1. It was very interesting and a little eerie but safe enough. I learned how they re-used or added additional remains to tombs. One estimate is that as many as 100,000 people have been entombed in that one block area! Wandered down to Café du Monde for their special powdered sugar covered beignets.

Feeling the need to get some seafood, I found a small owner operated place called Westwego Seafood. They had boiled crawfish on special so I asked some locals how to go about eating such a thing. Not difficult but can be messy. I got a pound and sat down at the counter with work-traveler named Jesica from Georgia who was also enjoying crawfish for the first time.

March 7 - New Orleans

Walked to canal and was amazed to discover manually operated gates on the flood control wall which allow cars to pass to the river side of the wall. Obviously these gates must be closed by hand if a flood is expected. Wow. There’s also a huge pump station located in the park to lift flood waters over the wall. From talking to locals, the station here is a small one. Wow again.
A neighbor, Louisiana native, invited me to join them form some Jambalaya they made at camp for lunch. Very tasty.

Headed to see the Lower Ninth Ward where the worst of the Katrina damage was reported to be. On my was exposed to some additional ethnic diversity – a minivan came along side me that was blaring some sort of Muslim sounding music very loud and had a large sticker on the rear window written in Islamic text. It was a middle aged woman driving with a couple younger kids in the back seat. Got into the lower 9th ward and saw a many block area of missing, destroyed and re-built homes. There was a strange traffic jam on the small torn up streets in the area of the environmentally friendly houses constructed by the foundation Brad Pitt is involved with. I overheard someone say that Spike Lee was a block over filming something and there was a large group of people gathered together waving flags. That may explain the sports car in the picture.

The destruction was somewhat shocking. Amazing the power water can have. I learned the original breach of the dike protecting the area was caused by a run away barge that broke loose.

Drove to the Garden District, found a parking spot and Sunny & I went on a walking tour of the area. Lots of beautiful old houses with ornate iron work. Saw the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, which has the typical New Orleans above ground graves, but the gates were locked since it was Sunday.

Heading back across the river on the bridge, I ran into a traffic jam. Pretty interesting to sit on top of the bridge over the river. As I got to the far side of the bridge the cause of the traffic jam was a wrecked minivan laying on it’s side. I saw a sticker on the rear window which told me it was the same van I had seen a couple hours before….

Traveling along the expressway through Gretna I saw a cemetery which I thought I had read about so I backtracked to find it. Stopped, walked around and took pictures. Turns out it was the Hook and Ladder cemetery located in Gretna. Very interesting. Headed back to the campground and caught just a glimpse of the white tails of a couple swamp rabbits.

March 6 - New Orleans

Got up and had to change campsites since I have not been making reservations and the campground didn’t have the same spot available for both Friday and Saturday nights. The armadillos are very bold at the other end of the campground. They'll walk right up to the campsite looking for food. When I say right up to, I mean they don't run away from people or dogs. Sunny REALLY wanted to try a bite of one...

With plans of heading back to the French Quarter I researched the Algiers’ Ferry, which would allow me to park on the west side of the river and get off the boat at Canal Street in the French Quarter.

The neighborhoods on the way to the ferry were very historic and mostly well cared for. The homes were maybe three feet apart with front porches adjacent to the sidewalks. Terrible roads. The ferry ride is free for passengers and one dollar for cars. I parked and took the free route.

Very impressive how massive the Mississippi River is this close to the mouth. A LOT of water and very visibly powerful currents.

Once arriving in the French Quarter, I made my way to the New Orleans School of Cooking. They put on a two hour class where we were taught how to make three dishes and got to sample the end result. So much fun. It was a cooking, comedy and history class all in one. We made Shrimp and Artichoke soup, Crawfish Ettouffe’ and Pecan Pralines. Go to this class if you have the chance!

After class walked around some other areas and saw Jackson Square along with many street performers. Saw and talked to a lot of people, ran into a Phi Gam from Auburn and was lucky enough to have a parade in the French Quarter just after sunset. It was an Italian celebration of some sort and was unique. Took the ferry back across the river after dark and got to see the City and Bridges with the lights on.

March 5 - Biloxi to New Orleans

Sunny seems fine today and is walking basically normally. Got on the road heading west on highway 90 which took me through Gulfport Mississippi, and along the Gulf Coast. Miles of beaches. Rolled into Louisiana and was unhappily surprised that the roads are extremely rough in south Louisiana.

Stopped at Fort Pike near the mouth of Lake Pontchartrain, to see a very old and historic site. An unusual feature is the fort has a moat. The Seminole Indians, when forcibly removed from Florida, were once held here while en-route to Indian Territory to the west.

Got through New Orleans traffic alright, crossed the Mississippi river and arrived at Bayou Segnette State Park. Registered, got set up then cleaned up and drove into the French Quarter to get dinner and wander around. It was about 7 pm when I got near my destination.

A couple blocks from the restaurant parking was backed up so I pulled into a parking structure where I was, knowing it was maybe a little farther from the action than I may should have been.

I went ahead and grabbed a spot at the bar in Deannie’s, had a great fried seafood dinner with a cold mug of Abita Amber ale then went for a walk in the French Quarter. Lots of people having fun. After strolling around, taking in the sights and talking with party goers, I headed back towards the truck.

A couple blocks from the parking structure the street became deserted except for a middle aged 'gentleman' carrying a bucket with window cleaning supplies. He was walking just ahead and a little slower than me so as I got along side I initiated a conversation and we chatted for a half block or so. As we were crossing the next street, walking side by side about 5 feet apart, we were suddenly split by a car which whipped onto the street we were crossing. We had to literally jump out of the way to keep from getting hit. I jumped forward, across the street in the direction I was heading so as my window washer ‘friend’ began screaming at and berating the driver, I swiftly made my way on down the block to the parking structure. As far as I know, nothing became of it and I made it back to the campground without further incident.

March 4 - Biloxi

Up early, walk and coffee. Breakfast then wanted to tire Sunny out before heading out for the day and wanted to walk her somewhere besides just around the RV park. We jumped in the truck and drove down the coast until we saw an abandoned boat harbor with some fishermen that seemed like a decent place to check out. It was interesting to see the remains post Katrina. Lots of garbage and broken glass around so after just a short walk, we headed on down the road to find a better place. Pulled into one of the many beach parking areas and headed towards the water. The rules sign #1 was no dogs on beach so there was another abandoned site next door we walked over there. Eerie seeing the interior floor covering on the slab with no building left. Clearly there was a huge destructive force that rolled through here.

About halfway around the maybe half mile walk we set out on, Sunny had a problem. Her hind legs were not working right and she was falling, struggling to get up and clearly not understanding what was wrong. When she was up she would try to walk and somewhat hop with her hind end. I made her stop and did my best to massage the areas most likely causing the problem and for her to cool/calm down. After a few minutes of R&R we headed towards the truck more successfully walking than previously but still with a significant hitch in her gitty up. Returned to camp and she seemed alright. Took a big nap all sprawled out in the sun. I put her inside and headed to the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library. The estate was also severely damaged by Katrina. The house and many historical artifacts have been restored and were very interesting. The library was destroyed and is currently being rebuilt.

After leaving the Estate, I headed to the Maritime and Seafood Museum which was reported to be very interesting and have a huge aquarium with local sea life. I found it. Unfortunately it was also destroyed by Katrina. They have a temporary ‘room’ on a pier where Schooner tours are available. They have a platform on the roof of the pier building which provided a nice view.

Drove through the VA and Biloxi Veteran’s Cemetery. Quite large and full. I was surprised to see how many graves were from the last couple decades. Headed back to check on Sunny. She was sleeping soundly but woke up and wanted to go out. While on a short walk, she obviously wasn’t 100% but didn’t stumble like before.

Decided to head out for dinner but didn’t know where. I had driven by a particular place a couple times and thought it looked promising. Got on line and it came up very highly reviewed so I went. It was McElroy’s on the Bayou and I had a wonderful piece of broiled Red Snapper with crumbled crab and Cajun sauce while overlooking the bayou at sunset. The bottom picture was from my table.

On my way back and just at sunset drove through one of the oldest and most unique cemetery’s in Biloxi with many old and notable people. Did I mention there was a confederate cemetery at the Jefferson Davis estate? Seems like I’ve seen quite a few cemeteries lately…

Sunny walked alright except for one time near the beginning when it seemed like something in her rear end locked up and she stumbled a little. We’ll be taking it easy on big walks for the next few days.

March 3 - Mobile to Biloxi

Knowing we were hitting the road a big walk was in order this morning. We went through the campsite, down a trial to an old cemetery, another trail to a boat launch, through the woods along the river then back to camp. Met a neighbor in the campground, the one with the trampoline and speed boat. Turns out he’s a pipe fitter from Mobile who walked away from his house three weeks ago. He is very discontented with our government and monetary policies. Can get work in the shipyards but hates shipyard work. Would prefer new building construction. He, his wife and their old, big chocolate lab and their toys are staying in the campground for now.

Broke down camp and headed out towards Biloxi. Used the expressway to get around Mobile, then pulled onto the two lane highway which runs closer to the coast. Found the campground fine and met a lot of nice folks. My neighbors are traveling with their Airstream club. I learned that each star on their trailer stands for 5 years in the Airstream club. This guy had 6 stars for 30 years!

Researched things to do in Biloxi, walked Sunny and took a drive around town. There are miles upon miles of groomed white sand beaches. Caught the sunset and saw the Biloxi Lighthouse, a cast iron structure built in 1848. Ended up going to a place called The Shed for barbeque. It has been featured on the TV show diners, dives, and drive-ins. Eclectic, self service atmosphere, sweet tea and great ribs. I’d go again.

March 2 - Pensacola to Mobile

Got up and debated weather, downtown Pensacola historical stuff and getting on down the road. Decided to head for Mobile so found a campsite and broke down. We got about 2” of rain the previous night and everything was still wet. My site and trailer were fine thankfully. Headed to gas station just before hooking up the trailer, got cleaned up and on the road by around 11. Windy drive on I-10 but trailer pulled fine. There’s a long bridge leading into Mobile with fairly strong cross winds that made sure I was paying attention but no real problems.

As we entered town, GPS sent me towards a tunnel. The sign said 12’ clearance but I did not have a good feeling so took the truck route around on the bridge. All was well until I took a turn a street too soon near an expressway bisecting a community. The community of Prichard. Suddenly I thought I was driving a residential street in Detroit, rough, pothole filled, poorly draining roads, run down houses, stray dogs EVERYWHERE. The only real difference is probably 80% of the houses were occupied as opposed to 10 or 20% in Detroit. I would have stood out anyway but pulling the trailer and being lost was like whistling Dixie in this neighborhood. I guess it was pretty much what I expected from rural Mobile. The entire rest of the drive to the park was on similar streets until getting very close.

Got to camp, set up and headed for the Battleship Memorial Park. Took about 20 minutes of driving through the 'real' Mobile again to get to the downtown area. Saw several historic buildings and a cemetery on the way. Passed through the tunnel GPS had sent me towards and it would have been possible to make it through but the lanes were narrow and rough so I’m glad I made the call I did. The USS Alabama is a battleship which you can walk through. There is also a submarine, the USS Drum, dry docked and open for walking tours as well as an impressive aircraft collection, include an A-12 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft that was incredible to see up close.
It was my first time on such large military ships and, although self-guided, was a great tour. As expected, the battleship is much more spacious inside than the submarine although space was most definitely utilized carefully.

Headed out and went downtown to see some historic buildings, which there are many. The architecture seems fairly square with mainly iron accents and details. Many have second floor porches. Downtown seems to be reasonably vibrant with many small business and a bar stretch in a few block area. Found a grocery store and returned to camp. Ate and wrote. I seem to have discovered it’s easier to write when I don’t have an internet connection. That leads to a deep thought for the day: in this case does reduced input = increased output???

Sunny chased us out of the trailer with her gas for the first time tonight. Unfortunately, smart money says it won’t be the last…

March 1 - Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum

Headed out to the National Naval Aviation Museum located in on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. It was very impressive. Many, many aircraft and artifacts on display. So many that good pictures were almost impossible because it was hard to get far enough from one before running into or having the view blocked by another. Such was the case with the four Blue Angels hanging from the ceiling… There several actual cockpits you could sit in, including a Blue Angle cockpit. Pictures don’t do the displays justice. Four planes in the collection were salvaged from Lake Michigan and restored. There’s a short movie about the aircraft carrier pilot training school which took place in Lake Michigan off Chicago during WWII. I could go on and on... Great place.

Saw several of the "Just Drive" signs on the Naval Base. What else needs to be said? Happened to catch the historic lighthouse in this pic with the sign.

Returned and took Sunny for a walk. Headed to a diner for dinner about the time the rain started. Returned to camp, watched 24 and crashed listening to the rain and howling winds.

February 28 - DeFuniak Springs To Pensacola

Got up, coffee, walk, found new campground destination in Pensacola and broke down camp. Traveling took about an hour and a half on the two lane roads. Travel was smooth. Saw the first stretch of FL HWY 90 paved in brick. It’s been preserved as a pedestrian path with the modern road running alongside.

Arrived at the campground and checked in with a gentleman named Wendall Williams. The campground is relatively new and located on property shared by his brother’s nursery business and he told us we could walk wherever we wanted on the property. Sunny and I both enjoyed that although the nursery does not appear to be well cared for and there was a lot of junk and debris around. Lots of places for rodents to hide and entice Sunny! At the campsite met a neighbor named Linda who is an archeological student from SE FL.

February 27- DeFuniak Springs

Woke up to no heat. Time for more propane. After coffee and a walk we headed into town and found propane refilling available at the largest Ace Hardware I’ve seen. They even have a grain elevator for feed. Big sale too – 20% off anything in the store.

Ran into the campground owner when I returned and settled up for last night and tonight. He’s got a great little workshop behind the house and is a tinkerer. One of his passions is power. His current project is build a wind turbine from scratch. I saw the jig he used to wrap the copper wire, the plates on which the magnets will go, the pvc pipe he’s cut longitudinally to form blades, the contraption he’s designed and welded to pivot the thing into the air on a 30’ pole for now. He drew me a dimensioned sketch of the design for an easily erectable 60’ tower with guy wires. Pretty interesting guy and he certainly enjoys working on his projects. He’s got parts and plans in the workshop for a solar air heating system.

Did a load of laundry, communicated with friends, paid bills online and cooked dinner. Making plans for moving onto Pensacola tomorrow.

February 26- DeFuniak Springs

Up for early morning coffee and a cool walk with Sunny. Met another neighbor in the campground who has been around the world with the military. He had a lot of stories and ideas of places to see.

Worked on contact list and caught up with Bill Anderson. Headed into another of the local’s favorite diners – Ed’s “home of the pub burger”. It’s a monster 10 ounce burger with all the fixin’s. Sunny loved her half! Returned to trailer, called a few people and sent out email to friends.

Feeling the need to get a line wet and with sunset approaching, I grabbed Sunny and we headed over to the damn. There’s a lot of bank area to cast from so I figured we should give that a shot first. Beautiful afternoon but no fish. We returned to the campground to try casting from the dock before dark. Another camper had pulled in to a site on the water with a deck and was taking pictures of the smooth water near sunset. We talked for quite a while and he shared some stories and ideas of things to see. I kept fishing until the lake claimed my lure. Returned to the trailer and sent email to Facebook friends.

February 25 -DeFuniak Springs

Up relatively early. Made coffee and walked Sunny. Called the local Chevy dealer and got an appointment for an oil change at 10:30. Dropped truck off and took Sunny for a walk around town, by an old caboose, into a nice city park on a lake, talked to a very nice lady who runs an antiques store, picked up truck and went for lunch at another place Bill recommended, M & H Hotdogs. It’s been in business for over 65 years. Good cheeseburger and met a nice couple who sold a commercial construction company in Fort Lauderdale about two years ago and retired to DeFuniak Springs. They eat at M & H once a week and even set up a Facebook group for the place. Clearly fans if the place.

Got back to the campground and walked Sunny. Met Newt and Jan, full timers from North Carolina, and their dog Tanner. Did a load of laundry and vacuumed the trailer. Set up fishing pole for adventures chasing big bass. Went to Cat Island and got a line wet for a little while but it was too windy and cold for this novice to spend much time trying if no fish were biting, which they weren’t. Back to camp and worked on blog and email list. Ran into town and looked around a little before grabbing dinner.