Wow? Another interesting day on our journey of life. And I made a big bobo...

Where are we today ?

Spiceland Indiana
clic on a pic to enlarge it

        The day started off pretty good. Coffees and a walkabout the large Walmart, computing done so thought we would hit the road 7:30 am. Pulled out of Walmart and missed the turn for the interstate, so made a quick turn and thought I could turn around by a bank machine. Oh no, the turn was too tight! Here we were turned sharp a tree in front of us and nowhere to go! Gotta disconnect the car quickly. Got that done backed up a bit (tree behind us) maneuvered around a few times, over a curb, broke our CB antenna on a tree branch, but we got out. Now that was some dumb move I made. Not the first and probably not the last. I was too teed off to take any pics..... of this mess.
        After that mess we hooked the car back up and on the road 1/2 hour later.  Very strong winds today so we kinda played it by ear. Luckily mostly a tail wind again but we could still feel it. Stopped at every rest area to stretch, loosen my arms and away we go . Another upper body workout today. The winds were 32 mph with gusts reported at 57 mph. Only really noticed it badly when we stepped outside, blow us away.
        All in all was a pretty good drive and just sailed right through Indianapolis no problems there and very little traffic.

not much traffic here in Indianapolis
we lucky

thought this was  WATER TOWER?
not sure what it is

love the quiet roads

        Pulled into the Flying J at 2:15 pm , actually 3:15 here Eastern Time zone. Fuel up and once again great gas mileage, 8.25 mpg compared to the normal 7.2. These high tail winds are good for something. The wind was so strong it blew my credit card right out of my hand and I chased it across the lot a couple hundred feet, but did get it then held on tight.

here we are nice and cozy
for the rest of the day and night

this is the Spiceland Water tower 

that sign was hitting the ground because of the wind

       No need to travel anymore today, a few miles down the road we will be heading north and this tail wind will turn into a fierce crosswind, not fun ! Got parked and relaxing here, just watching the weather at least the sun is shining.
       Now have you ever been on a cruise ship in high seas ?  We have, the ship is rolling with the waves and to walk the hallways etc you stagger like a drunken sailer even when sober. Hang onto things so you don't fall down or bump into the walls. That's what this feels like, bonus we can pretend we are on a cruise ship without spending all that money ya think? We have different scenery every day too as well.
        But now after trying to walkabout outside, time for supper. Tonight the rest of our chicken pot pie from last night and a salad hit the spot. Then we can watch the weather and a tv show and be rocked to sleep, Kinda cool!

tasty supper

       The wind is still blowing at 7:30pm and have some snow fluffies. When it clears up in the morning we will hit the road, or not. Our plans are written in jello.
        But ya know soon summer will be here again, hopefully before we know it.

     Thanks for taking a peek at us today, hope you are enjoying yours day too!

272 miles today

Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Fall and Winter..

Made it!! Suzie and I are together again. Thanks for all your support along the way, it was awesome!

Where are we today ?

New Hamburg Ontario

        Here she is and here I is , finally back together after a whole week apart. That has never happened in the 24 years we have been together. Wow it feels so wonderful! Darn missed this wonderful woman.

        Now the rest of this posting is just about my travel day, just so I don't forget.

329 miles

      Up too early this mornig wanting to hit the road but waiting for the sunrise. So I had lotsa coffee, a walkabout, checking emails and blogs, then at 7:30  am I secured to coach and hit the road.

nice sunrise this morning too

        30 miles up the road I pulled into the Flying J in Lima Ohio to top up our propane tank.

sunday morning, good roads and no traffic

        Made good time crossing into Michigan and stopped at the visitor centre for a stretch. Then flew right past Detroit  and onto I-94 right to Port Huron.

This route is so nice no traffic and an easy drive, 
no messing with the Detroit/ Windsor border crossing.

        Just before there I stop at Marysville, to fuel the coach and stretch again, Get my paper work in order for customs and then 9 miles down the road heading across the bridge into Canada.

just follow the signs easy

gotta love it customs at noon on Sunday, no line up at all

       Now the customs agent was another wonderful human person. 1 st thing he said why are you coming back to Canada now? I smile and said some family issues. Do you have any alcohol? I said yes way too much. Told him what I had about 10 times the legal limit, we had stocked up on sale items in California before heading into the desert for a month.  Told him I left Palm Springs California last Saturday dropped my wife at the airport in Phoenix and proceeded to bring our coach back home.  Then he asked what the family issue was so I told him the way it was. He said this sounds like an emergency trip back home for you. I said yes it was not planned. So he says I will give you a break this time, have a good day. Telling the truth does pay off, there is a lot of nice people out there, even customs agents.

Wind turbines like Palm springs but much colder

        Good roads all the way home, no snow on them, no slush, no rain, perfect. All the way for the last 7 days. Does it get much better than that?  Well yes, my honey could have been with me and it could have been much warmer, and it could be in April instead of January . But the bottom line was I made and we are back together, doing what needs to be done, as much as we can.

still good roads

      This road below is the only road I drove on with snow 1/2 mile into Suzie's brother's place to park our coach.

       Now Suzie and her Dad met me there, and we had a big hug and kiss for each other. Disconnected the car and parked our coach. Grabbed some food, clothes, pillows meds etc. and back to her Dad's for supper. 

       Suzie made me supper! Yes she can cook and is a great cook, but I think this is the first time since we were dating almost 25 years ago. Pork roast potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker.

so very tasty, it was ,
Thanks Suzie

      Well that was it for my/our day, finally here, coach winterized and parked, all is good, except the weather is way to cold.

       Gotta finish this posting and hit the sack. Just want to thank everyone for all thier wonderful comments and support along the way, I sure did not feel alone, thats for sure.

       Thanks for all your positive thoughts that kept the bad weather at bay. No matter much about the weather now our house is parked for? This has been and will be a very interesting winter for us.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle. 

 Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Winter.

Knoxville Tennessee, tonight after another good travel day.

Where are we today ?

Volunteer Park Knoxville TN North

      Cold last night but only down to 22f, got a good sleep so raring to go when the sun came up  and hit the road about 7:30 this morning.

Todays travel only 331 Miles

Nice sunrise and ready to go

       Interstate less then a mile away so hopped on and headed into the blinding sun for a while. Loving the rest areas have found a lot of them have free dump stations, don't need one but nice to see. And I stop at pretty well everyone to get out stretch and check tires etc...

dump station in the rest area

      This my road view most of the day.  Whipped through Birmingham AL. about 12 miles through Georgia.

           Then on  to Chattanooga TN. Moving down the road following I-75 through Knoxville TN. about another dozen miles to Heiskell TN.

       Pulled off here and fuelled up at the Pilot Station (Good Sam discount 3 cents a gallon) $1.90.9 then down the road for a mile to check in to this Park below. Another Good Sam discount with taxes  pull through $25.00 a night 30 amp and water. Don't need sewer as I have winterized our coach and right across from the washrooms.

nice site for a night.

     Got here about 3 pm Eastern time  = perfect. Checked in, set up had a nice walk about checked e mails sent Suzie my expenses for the day. No need to rush cause the weather is pretty bad for the next day or 2 back home, then should get somewhat better.

nice pool but not open too cold!

it is a nice park and pretty buys too

         Now to  heat up some of my rotisserie chicken and and a fresh salad, enjoying a nice tasty supper.

       Shortly after 6 Suzie called and we chatted for a while bringing each other up to date. And post the blog. Gonna watch the tv for a bit and hit the hay.

       Thanks for coming along and we would like to thank all of those wishing me safe travels and sending their prayers. Via comments, emails, google + and facebook.

       Tomorrow hope to get to Ohio for the night and watching the weather carefully, sneak home on Sunday, between the weather fronts. If not ???

       Down to 16f tonight here 1f at home gonna be cold there but warming up a bit come sunday.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle.

 Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Winter.

Left turn at Slidell LA heading north.

Where are we today ?

Sunset Tv Park Cottondale Alabama Just outside of Tuscaloosa AL

      Another great sleep and up at 5am, raring to go. But its 27f with a wind chill of 17 so will wait for the sunrise. Made a pot of coffee in case Billy Bob  showed up for the journey (think not). Got email read, route planned an a nice refreshing walkabout done. Hit the road shortly after 7:30am. making good time, sun shinning, no wind or traffic, just sailed along, listen to the tunes on Sirius. Made that left turn at Slidell and headed north on I-59 and I-20 Tuscaloosa Alabama. Got only 300  miles done today but that's just fine. Pacing myself incase of weather. And because its so cold will pay to stay in a campground with electric .

300 miles

        Mississippi welcome centre is wonderful, free coffee, love the state welcome centres!

they still had the Christmas decoration up

good roads, great weather and no traffic=perfect

Alabama welcome centre, very friendly too

        Only 70 more miles to Tuscaloosa, pulled into Walmart and picked up a wonderful rotisserie chicken. Good deals here only $4.95 and I wil get 3-4 meals from it. Love chicken, almost as good as on my WeberQ. Fueled up at the Pilot ($1.90.0 a gallon) here in town and pulled into the Sunshine Rv park down the road in Cottondale AL. Nothing fancy but clean huge sites and 30 or 50 amp full hookup sites $29.00 a night and close enough to the interstate I can be back on in 2minutes in the morning. No water because of the freezing temps but no matter to me, they have washrooms here.

nice huge sites.

       Got a nice walkabout did some more weather watching and have a route almost planned for tomorrow. If all goes well should be home with my honey sunday afternoon about 4 pm.
        Then I warmed up some of my chicken and a cool fresh salad I made sure hit the spot.

did I tell you love chicken?

      Now the highlight of my day got to chat with Suzie for a while again, so nice to hear her voice. Darn I miss her.

      If read some other blogs should check out this one Sassy's on 'Da Road click HERE. She wrote this wonderful posting of the great visit we had with her at Pilot Knob California before Christmas. Thanks Denise,we were so glad to be able to spend some more time with you and share a meal.

       Now this was a good day, just kinda mellowing out and will be on the road in the morning towards Knoxville Tennessee and I-75 northbound. The weather forecast looks cold but not bad weather so far. I can handle cold (don't much like it) just will not drive in bad weather. 

       Thanks for the visit and hope you had yourself an awesome day too!

       The map below is about the same route almost that we took heading west.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle. 

 Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Winter.

A nice short drive and winterized our coach, deep freeze here in New Orleans!

Where are we today ?

Yogi Bear's Campground Robert Louisiana

           Today I have a relatively short travel day planned, just gonna head to Robert Louisiana and a membership campground for the night. a Coast to Coast membership gets us (me) in there for $10.00 a night full hookups.  Its warmer weather today in the mid 50'sf and sunny. My plan here is to winterize our coach. Drain the hot water tank, fresh water tank, blow out the lines with my compressor and pump in the Rv antifreeze to protect our coach. Now I have never needed to do this since we bought it in 2006. Glad that I hooked up the winterizing system last year just in case. Took a couple hours but got it done and not too cold outside. Would have been nicer and quicker with Suzie here (darn I miss her).

213 miles

morning sun as I left the Welcome centre 

crossing over lake Charles was a nice view

the I-10 across the swamps is cool

      Stopped for fuel in Beau Bridge La at the Pilot $1.79.9 a gallon best price so far. Then at the Camping World in Hammond La (Dixie Rv) for some Rv and windshield washer antifreeze. Went outside to open the rear compartment door and could not get it open ? Check with service and the nice manager said to check with a Tech over in another area. He came out did some checking and said looks like we need a new latch. Need to remove the skin on the door to replace the latch ! Big Job!! So we fiddled for a bit and managed to get it open.(no charge) Now thinking about this, it is the same compartment that I replaced the shock(spring) that holds it open in Desert HotSprings. so a bit later I put the old one back on and now the door works just fine, newer is not always better. Guess I will deal with the door falling on my head! This is the same compartment door that we had the accident with in 2010 in Cullican Mexico and repaired and repainted on ours site one the beach for just over $300.00, was awesome service we got. So not surprising that their could be and issue with it.

nice spot for the night

Yogi Bear here to great us when we arrive.

       Now because of the cold weather here I was warned that water would be shut off at 5 pm. Deep freeze tonight for this whole area New Orleans included. So got these things done in the sunshine had a showers before they turned off the water then inside to turn up the heat, and prep supper.

       Easy supper tonight a breaded Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheese we had in the freezer, baked in the oven. Whipped up a salad, added a few rice crackers and did the trick. Paper plate so no dishes (no water now). 

very tasty

        Then I got to chat with my honey! We use gmail chat so is a free phone call, gotta love it! We musta talked for an hour or so just keeping up to speed with each other. Gave her my plan of attack and hope to be back there by sunday if the weather co-operates.
        All in all was a good productive day, keeping right on schedule so far.
        Thanks for stopping by again and keeping me company sure do enjoy your comments and support.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle. 

 Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Winter.

Helped out Jake this morning, then Boogied on down the road to Louisiana

Where are we today ?

I-10 East bound Welcome Center Vinton La

        Had a another great sleep last night was much nicer this morning at 5am 30f much warmer than in Deming NM. Got a pot of coffee made, checked emails and planned today's route.
        Oh I who's Jake? Waiting for the sun to rise shortly after 7 am I outside with my tire thumper, checking the tires and making sure everything is secure. This nice young fellow walks up to to ask me a question. Me holding an aluminum base ball bat (tire  thumper). He has a problem,  coasted into this rest area a couple hours ago and he is out of gas for his car. Asked for a ride to Sonora (about 3 miles) where he could get some gas and hopefully a ride back. The I thought for a minute. Hmm I have a better solution, I have my 2 gallon gas can for the generator would that help him? He was very thankful showed me that his car was out of gas and even insisted on paying me for the gas, he was on his way to Austin Texas from California. hey Jake glad that I could help you out, hope the rest of your trip was flawless.

That's Jake with a hug smile

        That was done and I hopped on I-10 destination Louisiana if all goes well 490 miles.

driving into the sun is not fun but nice and warm

         Now what to do to occupy myself on the drive hmmm. I don't have this pretty lady sitting beside to be distracted, even though I went to talk to her a few times. Not only that she is my navigator. No GPS, but I can wing it. Just need to watch the road signs. But in the meantime I cranked up the sirius radio tunes from the 60's and just boogied and danced all the way along the highway, much louder than she can stand. ( I tried the Radio classic stories again, but my hearing loss in speech recognition, so I can only understand every 2nd or 3rd word) Hard to follow the stories that way.  Cruise control set, no traffic, tapping my feet, slapping my knees and the steering wheel if anybody saw me would think I was nuts.(and some who know me think I am). But between that and stopping at every rest area along the way got my fresh air and exercise as well.
         Had my banana and apple to snack on and a litre of water, even some dates and black liquorice from Palm springs. The day just flew by.
          Then and even better part I just whipped right on through San Antonio about 10.30 am and Houston about 2:30pm did not even slow down, got  lucky today twice. I was allowing for some traffic to slow me down.

San Antonio, love the lanes marked on the road

      Stopped at the Flying J in Brookshire Texas to fill up $1.85.9 a gallon and with our Good Sam card we save 3 cents a gallon. I like to stop here at the flying J because most have RV lanes, with water air and a dump station and lotsa room. And are almost right off the interstate easy of and easy on, nice when I want to make some time. We do use gas buddy when taking our time but really the Flying J usually (not always ) has the best prices. And with their hand book I can plan my travels from one to another.

$1.82.9

Houston and their fly overs are great

More Houston

so this is my route 490 miles today

       Leaving Texas all 880 mile of I-10 is behind me, I pulled into the Louisiana Eastbound rest area at 4:30pm. Get out walkabout, stretch, email Suzie my expenses and a nice long chat with her so we are both up to date.

rest area

nice lake behind the rest area

        Check emails then a whipped up supper, Salmon burger and a salad sure hit the spot.

yummy

      Then I chatted with Suzie again for a bit and did up the dishes and got to blogging. Check out some more weather and travel plans. Tomorrow think I will stop early in Hammond LA not far down the road. I would like to empty all our tanks and winterize the coach in warm weather is nice.

       Thanks for coming along and keeping us company, it is an adventure, sure glad I like driving. But do miss my honey!
       And also thanks to Betty for the great write up and shout. Glad that we were able to help her out while we were there. You can read her posting HERE.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle. 

 Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Winter.