Petersburg Campground

March 21/18 Well we never made it to the brewery. 

Heading over the Appalachian Mountains 

Deciding instead that Furgy was much more important.  She needed an oil change, rear light replaced and the tires checked.  We drove an extra 40 miles to the Camping World in Henderson North Carolina then to the Walmart at Travelers Rest (yes this is the name of the town) for the night.  We had supper at a very good Mexican Restaurant just down the hill that sold the biggest pints of beer anywhere, 32 ounces.

When we parked at the Walmart parking lot the RV was a little tilted and in the morning a little worse so we drove around to the Walmart shop bay where the very nice staff filled our tires for us, no charge.  One of the dual tires in the back was totally flat and the other 20 lbs low.  So much for Camping world checking our tires for us!  I did call them and complain as it could have been disastrous if we would have had a blow-out on the highway doing 65 mph. So not only did they not check the tires but they did not fix the rear light either.  Not going to Camping World again!

Campsite 1

Then a short drive to Petersburg Campground (US Army Corp. of Engineers) on Thurmond Lake, Appling, Georgia, for a week.  We thought.  The campground here is lovely and affordable.  It was a good thing too.  

Campsite 1 view

With all the storms going on, on the north east coast we decided to stay an extra 2 days and give the journey north a try then.  Then with the 4^th nor-easter hitting the northern coast we went up and paid for another week.  

Happy tethered kitties

We were moved to another site on a little peninsula for the second week right on the water.  

Campsite 2 view

I have loved it staying in one place for 16 days.  Tyler not so much as we have no cell service at the 2^nd site and he has to bike to the boat ramp across the campground to check the mail and download anything he needs.

Tyler looking for bars

We have biked, walked, driven into Augusta, Georgia for a day.  We’ve laid around, relaxed, barbequed, walked the kitties and watched the otters play in the lake.  

on the trail....well resting!

Woke up in the middle of the night to rescue the outside table and chairs to the most beautiful sheet lightning storm I’ve seen in ages.  

Fellow travelers

Talked to the Canadian geese that come to visit us daily (they are waiting to fly home too).  

Wisteria growing wild

We’ve taken pictures of the flowers and trees.  

Honeysuckle

We’ve enjoyed the kitties on their daily walks and laughed at them watching the variety of colourful birds and grey squirrels. Played video games when it rains so hard we couldn’t go outside.  

Devil Scorpion

Tyler has been teaching himself to create creatures for gaming; I’ve been playing with resin and jewelry making.  

Local pond

We are content with waiting for the weather to change for our move north, and our new home for the next few years.

Having fun playing with my dremal 

Starting North

Mar 1/18 

NASA Manufacturing Plant

  We were both happy to be on our way again and looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet.  But first we had to stock up on groceries and a few staples.  

We drove the back roads out of New Orleans to get to the coast road Hwy 90 to stop at Walmart at Pass Christian, Mississippi. 

Sunrise over the Walmart parking lot.

A wonderful spot right across the hwy from the whitest sand beach I have seen in a long time, Long Beach.  

Pelicans at Long Beach

After doing our duty and stocking up we walked the beach for a few hours deciding to spend the night there.  Thanks again Walmart, you were a quiet and restful spot with a beautiful sunrise to greet the next day.

Very narrow bridge

Deciding to see some of the inland areas we wondered this way and that in an easterly direction on narrow roads, through swamps and flooded areas. 

Flooding Bayou in Arkansas 

Cotton fields

Picturesque Farms

Through beautiful farmlands to the Barkley State Park, which was full so Tyler found another about 40 miles away and we wandered this way and that until arriving at the Magnolia Wildlife Reserve.  

Lost shoes on the beach

Early morning at Magnolia Park

man made lakes at Magnolia Park

Furgy all tucked in for the night

 It was quiet and almost empty.

A very serious job, bird watching

Here is our harbor in the storm that we stayed at for 2 nights, slept, and rested, rode the bikes and got ready for the journey back towards Canada.

New Orleans

Feb 27/18   - Moving out of New Orleans was a god send.  I don’t think either Tyler or myself slept for the whole 7 nights we were there.  The RV Park that we chose may have been very affordable but there were many reasons why it was not the place to be.  Number 1, it was right beside a Daiquiri hot spot (New Orleans has a thing for daiquiris and you can buy them everywhere) that the party buses would come to and boom box for hours.  This meant it was a favorite place for every local kid (or not so kid) to bring their hot cars and boom boxes to party in the parking lot.  Which was 20 feet behind our RV spot; with lots of really bad loud base, revving engines, squealing tires, and sirens. Lol

Number 2, the bathroom.....omg do people not realize how bad their bathrooms are?? I took a bucket of sanitizer in and sprayed the shower down just so we could use it.  Just don’t touch anything.  I know it was a unisex bathroom/shower and that a lot of working men used it but really folks??

The best part about the RV place was that the restaurant (Smily’s) beside it was great.  Lots of good food, very affordable and cheerful staff.  The pecan waffles and chicken (served together) was my favourite on the menu and perfect for breakfast with enough left over for lunch or a snack after coming home from downtown.

 

Band playing at 11am next to the market

 We did have a wonderful time down town on the 4 days we caught the bus down and spent the day.  

We ate, drank and walked all over the French Quarter.  

Music everywhere

Strolled down Bourbon Street and found great little pubs in many of the back streets.  

Bourbon Street was $19.50 for 2 beers but 2 blocks off either way and you could find wonderful little places with $4 or $5 beers.

Meeting the locals

We ate alligator, Cajun craw fish, blackened fish, steak, the worst plate of nachos ever.  

1922 Street Car

We talked to everyone, got a little tipsy, and rode the oldest street car (96 years old. 

Put into service 1922) to the Garden District and drooled over all the beautiful southern houses and mansions.  

Riding the street car

Houses along the street car route

Wonderful and very fun lady we met
on the street car

Beautiful and so well kept

We walked the outdoor markets, walked the river walk, did a little shopping, and really enjoyed all the street bands and music.  

Hard to choose which ones to post

Tyler even had to pay a hustler $3 within the first 5 min of hitting the Quarter.  

5 min on Bourbon Street 

It was so funny but only happened once.

So my thoughts on New Orleans...... pay the extra and stay right downtown. 

The Swamp

For me, 4 days would have been perfect with enough time to see the Quarter and the Garden district.  

Mardi Grais tree

Try the local fare, walk the markets and enjoy the people.  

Hob Nob's Pub

Then go find a nice quiet place to sleep for a few days after.  You definitely won’t in New Orleans.

Even Sammy was pooped after New Orleans.