2018 Migration - We're Here

Home Sweet Texan Home

We pulled in just after noon. Van is unloaded, some groceries bought, bed made and dishes washed.  I don't know about Wayne but I'm tired.

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The internet service was turned back on today but we have to go pick up some new cable boxes tomorrow.  So no TV for us until then.

We had no unwanted pesty visitors over the summer.  That was a bonus.  A couple of the windows did leak however.  There were some wicked rain storms over the summer.  I guess we need to get new windows installed.  Recaulking them wasn't successful.

It was extremely foggy when we left Victoria this morning.  Couldn't see anything beyond the white line on the road.  Fog lasted for about 2 hours.  Then beautiful sunshine.  It is about 25 celcius right now and it hit 30 degrees earlier today.

Tomorrow we unpack and clean up the patio and shed.  The outside door and landing are filthy.  Well I'm going to relax for a bit and then hit the hay.  Goodnight

2018 Migration - Day 4

Tyler, Texas is known as the rose capital of the USA. Almost all public gardens are planted with rose bushes.

An abundance of rose bushes at the entrance to our lovely hotel.  Such a lovely light aroma as well.

We had a great drive today in east central Texas.  We passed through the Lake Palestine area.  Lots of campgrounds and holiday homes.

On to Victoria and lupper at Mumphord's BBQ.   This is the number one rated restaurant in town.  Locals love BBQ.  So do  we.  Mmmmm mmmmmm.  Sauce was a bit sweet for my taste but the brisket melted in your mouth.  Wayne enjoyed his sausage just as much.

Tummies pleasantly full, we are relaxing in our last hotel room of the trip.  Tomorrow we will be home.  Yeah!

Migration- Day 3

Third day done.  We are a bit tired and sick of being cooped up in the van.  But happy to be in Texas.  We are spending the night in Tyler.  The hotel is a Sleep Inn & Suites.  Very nice.  We have never used this chain before.  Everyone is amazed that we have travelled from Canada.  We even got a gift bag because we travelled the furthest to be here of all the guests tonight.  The gift was a bottle of water, bag of chips and some Lindt chocolates. Nice.

There was a misty rain for most of the morning. So no pictures today.  I was going to take a pic of my supper at the Outback but forgot.  By the time I remembered, I'd eaten my meal already.  Ooops.

Tomorrow is definitely shorts weather.  Warm from here on in.

It's a shorter drive to Victoria so we aren't setting an alarm.  I know that I for one am ready to sleep and wake up naturally.

Going to crawl into my nightgown and relax for the evening.

Migration - Day 2

Safely ensconced at the Holiday Inn, Blytheville Arkansas.  A good travel day, not too sunny or hot - little bit of misty rain near our destination.

As we were driving in southern Illinois, a hawk flew across the road right at our eye level.  A few seconds difference and we may have collided.  It was a very majestic bird.

We started off as dawn was breaking.  Beautiful sunrise.

It was a long drive today - 4 different states.  We started out in Indiana, passing through Illinois and Missouri, finishing up just inside Arkansas.  Most of today's drive was on Interstate 57 with the miles disappearing quickly.

Today was the day to cross the Mississippi River.

Barge coming down the river

We are in the south now.  The cotton fields and bales prove it.  The temperatures don't seem too southern though. Still fairly chilly.

Field waiting to be harvested

Cracker Barrel for lunch.  A tradition for us to dine as soon as possible after we cross the border.  Olive Garden, Chik-fil-A and Whataburger soon to follow.

Tomorrow Texas and capris.

Fall 2018 Southern Migration

It's that time again.  When we pack up our worldly possessions and hit the road for Texas.

Some of the stuff we can't live without. Okay mostly stuff I can't live without.

Wayne woke up at 4 am this morning.  We got out the door and on our way very early. It was still dark when we crossed the border at Sarnia/Port Huron.

Full moon was beautiful.

A couple of sketchy characters at the border.

We left home so early this morning that we arrived at our destination at noon. (In our defence, we did cross over to the Central time zone).  What to do when it is too early to check into the hotel?

Why go shopping at JC Penney of course.  Great deals for me but not for Wayne.  I found 5 tops and 2 cardigans for less than sixty dollars.  Whoo hoo!

Eventually we checked into our hotel at Valparaiso, Indiana.  It will be an early night for me.  Many miles to cover tomorrow.

Gas City, Indiana

We're getting closer.  Back in Eastern Standard Time Zone.

Headed out with the sunrise today.  Severe rain and thunderstorms were forecast.  By leaving early we managed to avoid the nasty weather.  Was a beautiful day -sunny and a bit windy.  Much cooler than we are used to.

Sunrise heading to the Mississippi River.

Lots of flooding near the Mississippi River. Seems to happen here every spring.

I'm not a big fan of the traffic in Indianapolis.  Sometimes we take the interstate through the center of town, sometimes we go around the bottom and sometimes we detour around the entire city.  Today we went around the top.  It was ok.  Less traffic than the southern and central routes and shorter than detouring.  I still prefer the detour but it takes more time to drive.

The hotel tonight is not a favourite.  Bathroom tub needs recaulking and it has a weird smell - especially in the hall.  Makes my eyes and throat burn.  Think it is from the indoor pool.  This hotel is very convenient.  Right off the highway and beside a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

Tomorrow we push on.  Hopefully all the way home.

Halfway Home

We made it to Sikeston, Missouri.  Staying at the Pear Tree Inn by Drury.  This is a new chain to us.  Really nice - clean, attractive and quiet.  We are on the 4th floor.  The chain has happy hour each night with free drinks and snacks.  Lovely.

Supper tonight was at Ruby Tuesday's.  They have a delicious salad bar.

Tomorrow we will be travelling through 3 states.  Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.  Gas City here we come.

Texarkana, Arkansas

Cows, cows and more cows.  Then lots of trees.  Sums up today.  This area of Texas is called the Pineywoods.

Sure is a change from palm trees and cacti. 

Another good drive with not too much traffic and no bad weather.

We had lunch at Denny's and supper at Schlotskys Deli.  Both were good but I'm ready for beef. Maybe tomorrow.

I forgot to mention yesterday, we saw wild turkeys along the side of the road.  Today Wayne saw 2 herons in a pond.  There was also a deer and armadillo.  Unfortunately both were roadkill.

Texarkana is an interesting town or should I say towns.  There is a Texarkana, Texas and a Texarkana, Arkansas.  They share a main street called State Line.  One side is Texas and the other is Arkansas.

Tomorrow we are headed for Sikeston, Missouri.  The home of Lambert's Throwed Rolls.  Wayne says we aren't eating there.  It is very busy on Sunday afternoon.  Lots of buses and church groups dining out.  Fun place though.

Back On The Road Again

We're on our way home after a super winter.  Lots of fun and sun.  Kathy was able to spend more time in the south and we had a great time.  Good to know that we three can cohabitate successfully.

We have headed north a little earlier than normal.  Dad has been having a rough time, in and out of the hospital the last little while.  It seemed foolish to sit stewing in Texas.

So, tonight we are in College Station, Texas.  It is the home of Texas A & M University.  The drive today was not bad, the weather is warm and the roads were not busy.

Gorgeous Sunrise

Stopped for lunch at one of the many Dairy Queens we passed.  Texas is very big on DQ.  It seems that every little town has a DQ.  The food is different than in Canada.  Texas toast and white gravy.  Very tasty.

Cows , Cows and more Cows

There were Brahmas, Angus, Brangus, Santa Gertrudis and even a few long horns.  We saw more cows this year than ever before.  I also think that there was more water in rivers, streams and ponds.  Probably allows the ranchers to have bigger herds.  My theory and I'm sticking to it.

These oil wells were sprinkled along our route.  I don't think oil is booming right now but it still has a powerful presence.

So a good day's travel.  Also a tasty Olive Garden supper.  Now we are relaxing and ready to hit the road again tomorrow.  Next stop Texarkana, Arkansas.