Robertsdale, AL

May 12th we pulled into Robertsdale, AL for another 6 days of FUN!! We caught up with Dennis and Darlene too, so now, with the 6 of us together, there could be nothing but TROUBLE!!
The first outing we did as a group was to visit Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores, AL. Construction began 1819, completed 1834. The large brick fort serviced the Civil War, Spanish-American War and both world wars. The weather was great when we left the RV park, sunny and WARM, but the sky got darker and darker the closer we got to the Fort. When we stopped at the entry gate the gal told us to stay OFF the TOP of the Fort IF we see lightning. She also informed us that she could not give us our money back due to bad weather. Well, it wasn't raining at the time so we thought we had beat the storm! NOT!!! Just as we pulled into the EMPTY parking lot it started to rain and by the time we parked, the sky just opened up!! We RAN into the visitor center only to find the air conditioner on and absolutely FREEZING inside! Cheryl and I RAN back out to the car, got our jackets, and RAN back into the visitor center. Just as we got inside the THUNDERSTORM began!!! Needless to say, we overstayed our welcome in the visitor center. FINALLY, the storm blew over and the rain eased up. So we donned our umbrellas and forged on through the Fort.

Not a Happy Camper!!

Has the rain stopped?  NOT

Look at the BLUE sky NOW!!!

I did have a video of the fort that REALLY got my point across, BUT unfortunately the Blog wouldn't let me upload it. We did have a good time at the fort and Darlene really WAS a HAPPY Camper!!!

We decided we deserved to go out to dinner so we headed over to Lambert's Cafe, Home of the Throwed Rolls, in Foley, AL. What a FUN place to eat!! Not only do you get your entree and 3 sides, but they walk around with unlimited supply of fried okra, cabbage, fried potatoes and onions, baked beans, and HUGE HOT dinner rolls that they THROW to you!! Plus you get a HUGE drink!

Rich's roll & fried okra Happy Face

My Pork Steak & 3 sides

Enjoying the ribs

Enjoying the food!!!

We all WADDLED out of the restaurant with enough left overs for 2 more dinners!!!!
I am worn our just writing about it so I will have to continue later!!

And this was only our 1st day in Alabama!!!!

Mississippi

Sorry, but I do have an update to our stay in San Antonio. I saw Fire Flies for the first time while we were there. Cheryl insisted I add this to my blog so I don't forget! LOL

We left Louisiana May 5th and moved east to Pass Christian, Mississippi where we stayed for a week.  While there, we back tracked to New Orleans, LA and did a lot of sight seeing. We went to Cafe Du Monde, the Original French Market Coffee Stand. They are VERY WELL known for their Cafe Au Lait and Hot Beignets (French Doughnuts).   

SOOO GOOOOOD!!

This was the line to get into the Cafe . There was a line just as long for take-out only

Cheryl went in the side door, found an empty table, waved to us, so one of the waiters came and got us out of line and took us to the table!!! But when we were done, she made sure the people standing in line got our table.  LOL

There are some very interesting people walking around New Orleans. We even saw Santa Claus on vacation.

Santa in Disguise????

Parts of New Orleans reminded me of Disneyland!!!!

We took the trolly to Mardi Gras World only to find out it DIDN'T GO ALL THE WAY to Mardi Gras World. So we took the trolly back to the car and DROVE to Mardi Gras World only to find out we could have caught ANOTHER trolly where the first one dropped us off and continued onto Mardi Gras World. Oh well, we are on an adventure after all!!!

Can you tell which one is Norm??

I have no idea what Cheryl is doing!!!!

One of MANY MANY BEAUTIFUL floats!!

And of course, we had dinner in New Orleans!!

Rich & I HAD to share this one; stuffed crab,catfish,shrimp,french fries,onion rings, and cole slaw

Mother's Day we all went to Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, MS.                            for a late lunch/early dinner. Can you believe it, I don't have any pictures, BUT it was a very good buffet. Rich & I lost our money very quickly in the casino, so we left and walked along the beach.

Water was warm!!

Rich walked WAAAY out there & the water was still below the knees

We then drove along the coast and was amazed at the devastation that still remains from Hurricane Katrina. Lots with just the foundations and chimneys next door to houses that were obviously destroyed but are still standing (barely), then you see the Beautiful homes that were rebuilt with pilings underneath.

Rebuilt still at waters edge

We also drove by the Katrina Memorial right there in Biloxi. 

Names of those who died and are missing and a case with items  picked up in the aftermath

Monday, Cheryl and I had a girls day out and went shopping, so on Wednesday the guys had to have a boys day out and went to the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center. I'm including some pictures BUT you'll have to ask Rich to explain them.

Thursday Morning, May 12th, we left Mississippi and drove to Robertsdale, AL. 

So now I will stop and leave you with just a few more words, "To Be Continued".

Louisiana

I'm sorry, but I am just having a TERRIBLE time keeping this Blog up to date.  We are just too busy AND having too much fun! 

April 29th we moved 262 miles on down the road and into Broussard, LA. for a stay at Maxie’s Campground. While there, we had hot humid weather, drizzle, thunderstorm, rain, and absolutely BEAUTIFUL weather.  All in 6 nights!! First full day there we went to the Music & Art Festival where it DRIZZLED the whole time.                         
Later that evening we went to dinner at Randol’s Restaurant & Cajun Dance Hall.  Food and music were GREAT!! Just check out the food!!!

Norm's Seafood Platter

Dorothy's Shrimp & Crab Etouffee

Cheryl's Crawfish Etouffee

Rich's Ribeye steak

As I have stated before, I SWEAR, all we do is EAT!!!!

The next day we went to Avery Island and toured the Tabasco Factory and, of course, the gift shop. Then we drove through the 170 acre Jungle Garden where I saw my first real live alligator!

It WAS in the water, but when I pulled out my camera, it came ashore!

Our last day in Louisiana, the weather was PERFECT, and we took a 2 hr swamp tour. It was INCREDIBLE!!!

Bryan of Champagne's Swamp Boat Tours

The Swamp

Alligator in swamp

Alligator in cleaner part of swamp

Beaumont TX April 26th 27th 28th

Arrived at Gulf Coast RV Resort Tues. April 26th for a 3 night stay. We were really impressed with the campground. All pull-throughs, cement pads, and grass between every space. Not only did they honor the 50% discount with Passport America, but they also gave us the Good Sam 10% discount. Gosh, they ALMOST paid us to stay there. They also had complimentary breakfast every morning which included TEXAS size waffles.  

We Are Here

There was a dog show in the area scheduled to begin Friday so there were lots of dogs in the park.  We met Dave & Gwlynda Irk of Country Ridge Bulldogs. They own, breed, and exhibit English Bulldogs and their Great Dane. They were at the RV park to show the Great Dane and they had a litter of 6, 9 weeks old English Bulldogs with them, and the puppies 9 year old Aunt. Rich said he was really taken by the puppies, but when he realized how BIG they get, reality set in. 

Cheryl and Bo Jangle

When we pulled ourselves away from the puppies we did get some sight seeing done. We went to St. Anthony’s Cathedral Basilica,

View as you come in the doors

Organ Pipes

the Technology Museum,

,

the Fire Museum of Texas

Guys Peeing??? on hydrant 

and, we toured the McFaddin-Ward House Museum

The McFaddin-Ward House was built in 1905 - 1906 in Beaumont, Tx. The historic home is 12,800-square-foot and the furnishings reflect the lifestyle of the prominent family who lived in the house for seventy-five years.  
Then we went to Golden Corral for dinner. YUMMY!!!!

The next day, we went to the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur. Did you know Janis Joplin grew up in Port Arthur, Louisiana???

 This is a replica of Janis Joplin car. The original car is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

 Busts of Janis Joplin

Joplin’s first home was located at 4048 Procter Street. The Joplin’s were living here when Janis was born. Although the home has since been torn down, individual bricks from the original home are available for sale at the Museum of the Gulf Coast. 

Next we drove to Nederland, where we found the Dutch Windmill Museum. This museum was built to preserve Dutch heritage and is housed within a windmill, with 25 foot revolving blades. Artifacts dating from the city's founding are exhibited on three floors; mementos of famed Country Western singer Tex Ritter are also on display. Nederland was founded in 1897 by Dutch settlers (Nederland is Dutch for the Netherlands). It is believed the Dutch were attracted to the flat coastal terrain that reminded them of their homeland (although the heat most certainly did not). Nederland's Dutch heritage is commemorated by the Dutch Windmill Museum.

After dinner, at the Golden Corral, AGAIN, we went back to the RVs  for our last night in TX. Rich & I had to get out last fix of the puppies.

 The Great Dane ready to be shown

 50 pound Aunt to the puppies (REALITY)

Aren't they CUTE?!?!?!