Arriving in Dallas

Thursday, August 30:  So into the very big state of Texas we arrived about noonish and now looking forward to getting to our campsite in Arlington.  But first, let's stop for some good Texas bar-b-que and found a place in Canton, Texas called Backwoods Bar-B-Que and we weren't disappointed.  Gretchen had her first Texas Bar-b-que sandwich with mashed potatoes and the bestest ever white gravy.  Yum, yum.

Picture:  Roger driving and munching on his twizzlers.  He's soooooooooooooo handsome.

Picture:  Hurricane sign saying:  Hurrican Isaac shelter info call 211.  We live in a great country where we are always here to help our brothers and sisters.

Picture:  Roger raising the Michigan flag at our campsite in Arlington.  There are Alabama fans and a group of Michigan fans next to us.  Check out our party.  Wish you all were here.

Picture:  Bill arrived about an hour after us and he was so pleased to see us since he has been away for 3 months and hasn't seen a familiar face since he left.  He did met a lot of nice campers but nothing like Roger and Gretchen!   But FIRST a trip to San Leon (south of here) for oysters!  More on that later.

Pictures:  booze galore, more booze, shooters of UV vodka and red bull, and guitar music.  Yes, Roger gave us his rendition of a George Jones song while Gretchen harmonized.  It was great! 

So we showed Dave (our new Michigan friends across the way) Blue's tricks.  Dave to record the "tell me a story" and get it onto You Tube.  Will advise when this is done.  But now it is time for bloody mary's and the pool.  It is a little overcast and 80 degrees at 8 o'clock in the morning.  Going to be 99!!!!!

Wed, August 29th

Wednesday, August 29 was spent in Arkansas at Pecan Grove.  No we did not find any pecans!  But we did find a snake withering around the next morning.  Yuk and good thing that Blue was inside.  Don't know if poison or not but it sure gave Gretchen the creeps.  Good bye and onward to Texas.
Doesn't Blue look so pretty sitting there???

Wednesday, August 29th

Wednesday, August 29:  have been through Arkansas and today entered Texas where we are staying at a beautiful Good Sam Park. Has a pool but it is 105 degrees out there so cocktails are in order in the air conditioned motorhome.  So we added two more states and now are in our 28th state. 

Let us say that though this trip has been semi ugly.  No scenery to speak of.  Picture of the road is Natches Trace Parkway which was just of trees but quiet without a bunch of cars and no trucks are allowed. This Parkway is 444 miles long. 

So how much are you spending on gas?  We have spent $3.43 to $3.73/gallon.  They just cannot get the price to be consistant.

Isaac:  no problem yet.  Today is very windy but no rain and it is 105 degrees here.  We did see a line of Texas utility trucks heading east so we guessed that they were going to Louisana to assist there. 

Oh yeah, that picture of the water is of the Mississippi.  Gretchen had to take that since in 2009 she actually walked across the beginning of the river in Minnesota.  She is so silly.

Sunday, August 27: Elvis

Sunday, leaving Bristol.

We have left a tremendous party time at Bristol.  Gretchen had Danica and Jr in the pool but to no avail.  However, Gretchen got her Danica visor and may begin to even like Nascar!

Before we started this trip, we had visited with the Motorhome 25 states.  Ladies and Gentlemen, look at number 26 which is Mississippi.  We are on our way to Tupelo where "the King", Elvis was born. 

We arrived in Tupelo on Tuesday after spending another night at a beautiful KOA in Georgia.   A little bit of history:  Tupelo Hardware is where Elvis got his first guitar when what he wanted was a rifle.  But mother, Gladys, said no and the employees there handed his his first guitar.  And so began the Kings journey down gospel and on into rock 'n roll. 

The picture of the car is a replica of a 1939 Plymouth that Elvis and family took to move from Tupelo to Memphis.

The picture of the white house is Elvis birthplace.  Just a two room house with no water or electric that his father,Vern, borrowed $180 to build but was repossed because Vern could not repay the loan.

The picture is of the church where Elvis worshipped and sang.

"Thank you very much........................"

Bristol, four nights:  Well, it has been seven days without internet so here goes to get up to date:

Bristol on Wednesday consisted of us getting to meet our new friends that we had met at Myrtle Beach in May.  Jim and Darlene are from North Carolina.  Then along came Ricki, Bud and his grandson, Westin.  Just a note right now that Wes is in the 7th grade and has aspirations of going into the service (Army or Navy) to serve our country!  We thanked him now for his devotion.  He said that he has wanted to do this since he was five!!

Wednesday night was for the Roger, Sam, and Jim to go to the truck race.  Girls did not mind as we enjoyed a quiet night.  Pork chops, green beans for a wonderful supper by Kathy and Sam.

Thursday began began with breakfast:  grits (what else!), country ham, cheesy eggs.  What a feast.
Thursday night was Roger's pulled beef and three bean dish.  Another feast.

Friday:  Roger's breakfast casserole and "special" orange juice which was Orange Vodka and Orange juice tasting like an orange popcycle!  Whippee!!!  More of a feast.

Friday dinner was spaghetti - all homemade by Ricki including herbs from his garden.  Special visitors were Gretchen's brother Al's bestest friends who live in Bristol:  Karen (Carebears) and husband Eric and two friends.  We really enjoyed the visit and then THE STORM which was lightning, thunder and a bunch of rain. 

In the meantime, another camper arrived (Danny and Sheila) and sometime Susan and Robin joined us.  It seems that people kept coming in and perhaps we cannot remember everyone at this point in time!.  Even met some Michigan friends who flew the banner.  Gretchen was more than happy to visit.

Pictures of that special jar was homemade North Carolina peach moonshine and apple pie.  Keep in mind that this stuff was at least 190 proof!!!!!!!

Did we mention the guitar concert by Rickie and Roger Saturday night?  well, it happened and Gretchen was great harmonizing!!!

This was such a tremendous time with new friends and a wonderful camping time at Bristol that we are going back next year.

Bristol:  This was the greatest weekend of all weenends:  We had met Darlene and Jim in Myrtle Beach and subsequently were invitited to Bristol, Roger's weekweend of racing.  We haven't met so many gracious people and had so such a wonderful time.  It started with the {guys" going to the race"} and finishing with with the grand finale on Saturday.

We must mention the wonderful, great food that was served;.  We had everything from grits, eggs, sausage, breatfast casserole, pudding, pork chops,  and everything southern.  It was a wonderful feast that never stopped.  Ane we very much enjoyed our food and company.

Gretchenn and Roger met up with special visitors from Bristol who are Gretchen's brother's best frends (Karen and Eric).  And the rained poured in, and then lightinging, and then thunder and then they left and then the storm stopped so the race contined.    Missed them but certainly enoyed the "dry" race.  

Pictures:  haven't figured how to put "tags" on the pictures...............so enjoy in silence!!!

Briston August

Tuesday, August 22

Tuesday, August 22 found us arriving in Bristol and ending the night at a beautiful KOA.  This is  not where we will be staying for the race which we will be leaving for tomorrow.  Getting excited as you see everywhere the "welcome race fans" signs.  This KOA is probably the most beautiful that we have been too.  Our site had a big wooden deck, picnic table, bistro table and chair made out of wood, and a fire pit.  All surrounded by two shade giving trees.  We want to stay!  Blue even has a doggie park where he can run off leash. 

Roger began his cooking of pulled beef and three bean dish that we are serving to our new friends on Thursday.  So the place is a mess!  You know it takes him two days for the pulled beef but it is out of this world.  Guess I need to tell you, however, that after joining Gretchen at the fire and having a beer, he burnt the bacon.  The motorhome smelled aweful and he had to start over again!

Tomorrow off to Bristol and will be there thru Saturday.  May not have internet connection.  So watch for us on TV.  We will be wearing the Portage Lakes Pirate shirts so you can find us!!

Monday, August 20th

Monday, 8-20 was spent driving through West Virginia.  What a boring trip.  Only hills, trees, and more hills, and trees.  We did find a pretty campsite (called Ruby Lake) that was quite empty so it was a very quiet night.  So we just called this our rest night and went to bed  by 9:30p.m.  After a summer of partying at the Lakes, we needed this solemn night in prepration for Bristol.