Wed. Mar. 31st Millwood Landing

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August. 2006

naw its ok,  I didn't want to swim anyway       Bright and sunny again, just the way we like it! Putter about, chat with the neighbours then we go for a bit of a drive. Millwood Steamboat Landing was where supplies were once  unloaded from New Orleans up the Mississippi along Little River to here. A long way by boat its now a nice community with a private launch ramp and beautiful homes.       We drove east thru Millwood state park, and across the dam to the village of Saratoga, not much here other than a High School, and beautiful countryside with a lot of logging trucks on the roads.       On the way back we passed a so called "subdivision?" Rail Car Apartments which as the name applies is a bunch of old rail cars dropped in the woods beside the highway. As you can see not very appealing, but a different concept. Talk about recycling.       Back home we were able to sit in the sun and shade a bit and read before supper of Chicken wings, fries and veggies with dip.     Wed. Pics. Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Tues. Mar. 30th Millwood Landing

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August. 2006

same weather as yesterday we could get used to this       Well just look at the weather again today, same as yesterday. So what did we do today? About the same as yesterday, enjoy the sunshine, warmth, fresh air, the scenery, relax with a book, chat with some new neighbours and walkabout, even a fresh strawberry shortcake in the afternoon while sitting in the shade. Remember the movie Groundhog Day?       Then we BBQ'd a marinated pork loin with boiled potatoes and a tossed salad for supper.        Does it get any better than this? same picture as yesterday Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Mon. Mar. 29th Millwood Landing Arkansas

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August. 2006

Now this is more like it. The sun rises at 7:00am with clear skies all day, 80f (25c) from 9:00am till 5:00 pm then the sun sets at 7:30pm. Nice long warm sunny days, can I wish for the next 7 months to be like this and then get nice?       I took a drive to Texarkana (25miles away) to purchase some beer. Apparently we are in dry county and there is over 35 dry counties in Arkansas alone, but you can buy a beer in the clubhouse in our resort. It was a nice drive and I stopped at the tourist centre for local information, then Berkshires for a few groceries.        Back home we had lunch and puttered around out side in the sun and shade. I polished our coach for a while then we sat in the sun reading a bit and chat with a few neighbours.                For supper tonight we BBQ'd a ribeye steak and mushrooms, some grande shrimp from Mexico, baked potato and broccoli w/cheese sauce, heavenly! but no room for strawberry shortcake, maybe tomorrow. Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Sun. Mar. 28th Millwood Landing

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Sunday another day of rest for my cameras, even us too!  It was cloudy, overcast and breezy today and only about 60f (15c). So in order to go outside we actually  had to put warmer clothes on!!         This was an enjoyable treat for us. We puttered about a bit  mostly inside, got caught up on computer stuff, planned some future travels,  relaxed and read for a bit in the afternoon. It seems like forever since we have done this.         For supper I made chicken enchiladas and spanish rice, then strawberry shortcake for desert and a couple of tv shows.        If you have noticed the adds at the side and bottom of the posting, I  had google add these and if visitors, (like you) click on any of these we actually get paid!!! not a lot, pennies per click, we won't get rich on it but thought that I would try it out anyway, maybe make a few bucks. the adds change all the time and seem to reflect the content of the Blog. So explore and click away! Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Sat. Mar. 27th Millwood Landing Arkansas

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August. 2006

fishing boat       Nice and quiet here in the bush by a small lake, in a Golf and Country club resort, Millwood landing. Birds chirping and the sun rising over the trees in the morning. We know this is the back country because everywhere you look the guys are hanging out with their pick up trucks towing high performance Bass Boats, wearing camouflage clothing and fishing gear even at the Walmart in Ashdown when we went there this morning. We even were stopped at a rail crossing for 2 pieces of very strange looking equipment coming down the tracks. And had our first sighting of colourful spring tulips.       We drove around a bit then back home for lunch. A nice warm day so I took the time to wash our coach and car, getting some of the grime off from road travel and get some nice fresh air and exercise. We read for a bit then chatted with our Saskatchewan neigbours  a while, before we made supper of a hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy, asparagus and broccoli for supper.       Then some TV shows and early to bed. Sat. Pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Fri Mar. 26th to Ashdown Arkansas

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394 miles today          Parking at the flying J is always interesting, stretch limo beside us and a Huge horse trailer, with accommodations up front, including a slideout, fridge, stove,furnace, air conditioning, roof deck and satellite tv, that I assume is not for the horses.  Huge horse trailer         Over night at the Flying J in Tye Texas, we are up waiting for the sun to rise a bit then hit the road driving into the glare. At 7:50 am we are off  with good roads and no traffic. Thru Abilene before we knew it then towards Fort Worth/Dallas.  well designed interchanges      Well the drive thru these twin cities took one and 1/2 hours, on the interstate at 65 mph (110kph) over 80 miles across, I sure would not want to do this in rush hour!!!        lane mover       One thing that we saw was the HOV lanes are moveable and this amazing machine drives along the interstate moving the small sections of concrete barriers very efficiently and quick to create another lane.       We made good time today no delays, just a stop to make a sandwich fro lunch and refuel our coach, we arrived at Millwood Landing Resort at 2:45pm, setup on a nice concrete pad overlooking a few cabins and the lake. This resort also has a clubhouse, restaurant and 18 hole golf course.       Neighbours beside us were from Saskatchewan and were delighted to chat with fellow Canadians so we spent the afternoon becoming acquainted, then at supper time they suggested the restaurant that has catfish on the menu. And we all love catfish. We all walked over to be disappointed that sorry but we have no catfish today!!!! So we ordered other items and no matter how much we tried we could not make it taste like catfish.        After this we headed home and turned in for the evening.  Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Thurs. Mar. 25th On the road

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good road with sand drifts       "On the Road again" from White City Campground, at 8:00am we went thru the city of Carlsbad New Mexico, and sat at a rail crossing for a bit watching a long train pass by.        Taking hwy 180 east a real good 2 lane hwy with a speed limit of 70 mph (115 kmh) we made good time. No traffic, no trucks, great scenery of this magnificent country.  Thru New Mexico and into Texas, past fields of oil rigs, irrigated crops, a few small towns and many miles of wind turbines.              We got to I- 20 and headed towards Abilene Texas and stopped at the Flying "J" at Tye, to fuel up and settle in for then night. There was a nice old car on a trailer parked beside us. Arriving here at 2:00pm (3:00pm local time).  Set up our TV , checked email and decided to indulge in the restaurant for supper.  Free camping for the night so why not?         Then we watch a bit of tv and call it a night, heading east on I-20 in the morning.        In the morning we will travel thru Abilene to Millwood Landing Golf and RV Resort in Ashdown Arkansas where we will spend about a week. Thurs. pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Wed. Mar. 24th Carlsbad Caverns

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August. 2006


I have added a couple of youtube videos to give you a feel for this adventure. Plus lots of still pics from our own tour below.

Wow all we can say is nature is so absolutely beautiful. We did 2 more tours today of the Carlsbad Caverns. We left our site at 9:00 am and drove to the visitor centre. Took the elevator down to the 750 foot level and waited there for our 10:00am guided tour of the Kings Palace. Our tour guides met us there (about 40 people) and explained more interesting facts about the Caverns.       From here it was an easy walk past the iceberg rock thru the King's Palace (829 ft below the surface). This is an amazing room that could be a Kings Palace and has been used for weddings, town hall meetings and even a few motion pictures. Mind you this has damaged many thousands of years of cavern development. Now accessible only via guided tours. From here to the Queens chamber and Papoose room all with different formations and astounding decorations. By 11:30 our guided was done so we made our way back up to the lunch room at the entrance level and had a bite to eat and rest for a bit.        After lunch back down the Elevator to a self guide tour of the BIG Room. Now this is a truly big room, one and one have hours of a steady walking on a paved trail around the perimeter of this 8.2 acres big room. At one point the ceiling is over 278 feet high. So much to see and look at with each site more astounding than the next.  This was definitely an amazing adventure and worthwhile sight we would recommend for everybody to see.        I took a lot of truly amazing pictures that don't do the real experience justice, if you care to take a look click below. Such huge rooms and the flash only goes about 15 feet, next time a tripod and a more leisurely tour. Hope we don't bore you too much. Wed. Pics  thurs morning we are on the Road to the Flying J in Tye Texas Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Tues. Mar. 23rd Carlsbad Caverns

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Natural Cavern Entrance       A bright sunny morning today and we plan to tour a bit of the Carlsbad Caverns  today, that we have heard so much about, thanks to Debra and John from Stone Island, Mexico. We had camped at White City RV park right at the entrance to the caverns. Just a 6 mile drive to the visitor centre. This was no doubt named after a cowboy Jim White who explored and  began to publicize these caverns in the early 1900's. Jim Whites Bucket       Arriving about 9:45am we purchased our tickets for the Natural Entrance route. This is a self guided tour that descends 750 feet into the earth. Beginning at the huge opening is an Amphitheater for observing the Bat Flight that happens from early spring to mid October in the evening and can last from 20 minutes to 2 and 1/2 hours. We followed the paved trail winding down with a stainless steel hand rail, down, down we walked , about 1 and 1/2 hours to travel one mile of trails to a depth of 750 feet.        Absolutely breathtaking sights and wonders to be seen. The pictures do not do it any justice at all. The huge hole and the depths that we went to, the amazing formations, and the size of some of theses rooms was astounding. By the time we reached the 750 foot level we had a choice to tour the Big Room Route ( an immense 8.2 acre room, one and one half hours more) or take the elevator back to the surface and tour again tomorrow. The second choice was voted for so we returned to the surface and made our way back home for a late lunch, relax and research a bit more. In preparation of a guided tour on Wednesday of the Kings Palace Cavern.        Today we did a roast beef in the slow cooker to enjoy for supper, after an interesting busy day. Can't wait until tomorrow! Wed. Pics   Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Mon. Mar. 22nd Benson to White City

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411Miles today       A nice bright sunny day and we are heading out to White City at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. A long drive so we were on the road at 8:00am heading east on I-10. Thru Arizona to New Mexico, El Paso Texas, then 62 & 180 to Carlsbad, back in New Mexico.  An amazing site to see was the thousands of acres of Auto Recycling dealers (scrap yards) outside of El Paso, just one after the other for miles.       All good roads and no traffic problems, except slow going climbing the mountains, we arrived at White City Campground at  3:43pm, 4:43 local time we are in a different timezone.        We got set up, checked out  local information and had some of our homemade Mexican Lasagna. that we had in the freezer, with a tossed salad for supper, then relax with a movie. Mon. Pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Sun. Mar. 21st Benson AZ

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Wow, sunday is a day of rest. Well looks like thats what we did at least for the cameras anyway, I didn't even take one picture!!!!!!        I repaired a light fixture, flushed our fresh water tank and drained the sewage, Suzie vacuumed and dusted and generally tidied up. I went to the store for a few items then we chatted with a few neighbours for a while and read in the shade. A very nice day sunshine, no wind and about 85f  (30c).       We are on the road monday morning for Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, another place for us to explore, We will spend 3 nights there then on to an area near Dallas Texas.        Because we are leaving we will have one more feast of the delicious Broaster Chicken from Junction Express next door, and probably have to wait until next fall to have it again. Then a bit of TV before bedtime. Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Sat. Mar. 20th Tombstone AZ

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A bright sunny day and a bit cooler. After a walkabout, watching the quails skitter about and chat with some neighbours we headed for a nice drive 25 miles south to Tombstone. We have been here a few times before and always enjoy our time there. Yes it is touristy, and commercialized but it is always a fun daytrip for us. We walk the boardwalks, check out some of the shoppes, people watching all the cowboys, shady ladies, horses, wagons and stage coaches. We have found the best time to visit here is on the weekends, yes its busier but everything is open and much more atmosphere.       We usually check out one of the attractions or a gunfight. This trip we will visit the Bird Cage Theatre , a bordello that operated only from 1881 to 1889, with a very lively, colourful and interesting history. The likes of Doc. Holiday, Wyatt Erp, Johnny Ringo and more legendary characters from the past have walked these streets and entered this theatre.       This was followed by a delicious lunch at Big Nose Kate's our favourite Saloon. We have always had good food and service here with the feel of an old town saloon, a singer on the small stage and  cowboys wandering about. We even had the same friendly waitress that we have had in the past as well. The overstuffed rueben sandwich has been my favourite and Suzie tried the steak quesadia both were delicious and filling.       After lunch we walked a bit more about town then stopped at Boot Hill Cemetery   to stroll thru the grounds and read the interesting headstones of some of the 250 people reportedly buried here.       After the short drive home we puttered around outside, chatted with neighbours and sat in the shade to read for a bit.           Not much for supper tonight just a small hot dog after our    hearty lunch. Then we read for a while and watched a couple of our  crime scene tv shows.           I hope you enjoyed Tombstone as much as we did, the pictures give you an idea of what its like. Sat Pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Fri. Mar. 19th Benson AZ

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Before After       Above is the before and after pictures of Suzie's wooden Roses that we had purchased here in Arizona in 2006. Very reasonable and sturdy but the colours have faded from the sun. We have been looking to replace them and have been unable to find them anywhere so far this year. So I purchased some red fabric die and made them red again, now refurbished they don our steering wheel table in their original glory in the hand painted vase we purchased in Mexico 3 years ago.       When downtown Benson just the one main Street runs a few blocks beside the rail line with colourful buildings and signs, a very friendly town. With everything you could need, even guns and ammo at a good price.       Back home we puttered around for a while, a walkabout, with the weather changing from sunny and hot to overcast and cool and back again, no winds, strong winds, and quiet.        We then had a nice supper of chicken cacciatore and fresh potato buns then read for a while and some tv. Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Thurs. Mar. 18th Benson

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Yes it fits !       A nice sunny morning and a few things to take care of, fill our propane tank and oil change for our coach. We would normally do that when we leave the campground but we are leaving monday morning and this place is closed on Monday. We have had at least one oil change done here for the last four years they are quick, thorough and reasonable and our coach fits inside with 3 inches to spare. We even got a free automatic car wash thrown in as well, for return customers.       So while I did this, Suzie went to 3 book exchanges to recycle our books for some more new, used ones and even a bit of shopping at Walmart.        Back home we puttered around , chatted with neighbours from British Columbia, read in the shade and watched the Gambel's Quails rummaging in the creosote bushes behind us. Then enjoyed a nice supper of BBQ'd pork chops with fried rice, coleslaw and a movie.  there is quails rummaging there, they move too fast! Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Wed. Mar. 17th

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Cane Cholla Cactus       A fantastic view from our site overlooking the Valley, desert all around us with creosote bushes and varieties of cactus. Like this Cane cholla cactus beside, us next to the wash (a dry creek bed or gulch that temporarily fills with water after a heavy rain)       Today was a relaxing day, I picked up a few groceries, walked about a bit then a couple of loads of laundry. Suzie made a few reservations for our journey home. It was nice and sunny around 85f (30c) so we sat in the shade for a while and read in the afternoon.       Supper tonight is fish filets from Mexico, fried rice and fresh asparagus, then a bit of TV. Wed. Pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Tues. Mar. 16th Benson

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"Beer 30" is an expression I have used for years which means its time for a beer.  And at the corner store next to the campground in Benson they now sell it under that name. Not bad a beer too, is it Beer 30 yet?       A nice sunny day and got up to 80f (25c) by noon. We puttered around a bit, chatted with some neighbours then read for a while in the sun. Supper tonight was chicken wings and frys with veggies and dip then we got to watch some TV shows we have not seen for a long time, NCIS,CSI,Law and order etc.... Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Mon. Mar. 15th Benson AZ

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Bright and sunny morning today a nice day for as drive. We are heading east to Benson AZ about 2 hours away stopping in Marana for fuel then I-10 thru Tucson we stopped at Camping World for a couple of items. This is a large store but a huge RV dealership Beaudry RV  here with hundreds of large trailers, coaches and everything to go with it. I counted at a glance 26 service bays. They also have a very nice RV resort behind the dealership.        The interstate here is a good road and with signs along the road telling you "not to stop Inmates picking up trash" great idea. We saw a few of these crews dressed in bright orange coveralls earning their keep.       We arrived at Valley Vista in Benson about noon and got set up on a beautiful site overlooking the park and mountains in the background with some desert scrub behind us. Putter around a bit, then sit in the sun and read for a while. Then to Junction Express at the edge of the park to pick up some mouth watering Broaster Chicken, fries and coleslaw for supper, that we look forward to everytime we are here. Mon. Pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Sun. Mar. 14 th Relaxing

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Again sunny and warm, we putter around a bit most of the day, with a walk about, book exchange, check out the Texas Hold'em games at the clubhouse. Then sit in the sun and read for a while, with a bit of a happy hour. Followed by BBQ'd a steak and baked potato for supper, say goodbye to Spud and Jan as we get ready to head east in the morning to Benson Arizona for a week. Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Sat. Mar.13th, St Patricks Dinner/Dance

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Another bright sunny day and its slowly getting a bit warmer. We puttered around, Suzie updated Steve's computer and I did a few minor repairs. We sat in the shade and read for a while in the afternoon until Spud picked us up with his golf cart at 5:30 pm for a ride to the St. Patrick's dinner/Dance at the clubhouse.        Everything decorated in green and a good turnout for the corned beef and cabbage dinner, then the dancing started from 7 to 10 pm. Lots a good songs and dancing, even Jerry (92 yrs old) was up dancing a few fast songs with Ginny. And a chance for us to socialize again with people we have camped with for the last 4 years.       Now tonight the clocks are turned ahead just about everywhere except Arizona, so now we are 3 hours behind Ontario. Sat. pics Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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Fri. Mar. 12th Mesa Swap Meet

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Its signs like this that make you feel welcome.       Nice and bright and sunny again and a bit warmer. At 9:00am we drove to Mesa with Steve and Barb, about an hour north of here and east of Phoenix Arizona. Mesa Market Place Swap Meet (Flea Market)  all under cover with hundreds of interesting vendors. We walked and walked some more, stopped for a hot dog snack and listen to a very good singer in the food court. Then we walked some more, until about 1:30 then we hopped in the car for a nice drive back home, just in time for happy hour in the sun.       When the sun went behind the peak we cooked a nice supper of chicken breast in mushroom pasta sauce served over yummy spaghetti squash. Then back out to sit on Spuds deck, chatting and listening to some country tunes for a while. Until it got too chilly. Sat. Pics   Visitor Number Notice the controls for this New Map on the left side, you can zoom into different areas of the map and see where we are or have been.

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