Website fun

 There are a lot of things to consider in planning a trip. Most of them because I worry too much. But because there are height and weight considerations, the fact one cannot back up while towing a vehicle and the fact we are 50ft plus in length. I look at paper maps then get an overhead view via Google earth to get a lay of the land. This has worked well so far but I have found a new play toy via the web. This L I N K will take you to a virtual driving tour of any route you enter. Now bear in mind that the route may have been filmed while driving east to west, while you entered west to east. A great time entering various segments of our planned route, seeing them in advance.

 We will be spending the Christmas holiday at a state park in our home on wheels. Out or curiosity I just checked availability to see if we would have company. Surprise, the park is nearly FULL. While the weather will be cooler than I would like, it should prove to be a fun and different experience.




adventure before dementia...

Update of sorts

Life is beginning to return to normal for us. I have been planning next years trip and thought I would share part of it with you. This MAP shows our planned route and covers from May first till July 22nd. I have made plans past that but have elected to leave them off for now. Should be an epic adventure.

 Before then, a quick camping trip during Christmas and two cruises for Mary and one for me.

Till the next update, thanks for following along with us.


Adventure before dementia.....

epilogue

I hate to leave anyone hanging asking what happened so here you go. Ada had surgery to repair or support an anuersym. That surgery seemed to be successful. However she lived alone prior to this episode, she will not return to her home. Mary is assisting in the transition from hospital to skilled nursing/rehab then on to assisted living. A lot of things involved in that process.

 Our next adventure is a cruise in late January down to the ABC islands plus another couple of stops. Depending on what happens in Arlington, we plan to leave May first for an extended tour of the Pacific northwest.



 A year ago my friend Dan passed away. This year we came close, and may yet, loose Ada. Take time to smell the roses my friends




carpe diem

Update

 Well I did promise an update as today was moving day. But not exactly as planned. Instead of Henderson Kentucky, Mary is in Arlington Texas and I stopped for the night in Hope Arkansas.

 To explain Mary's Mom was admitted to the hospital. CT scan found some issues that are troublesome. Mary has medical power of attorney and we both felt she needed to be there. So I drove her to Nashville, closest airport with a flight to Love field. I then began driving Maggie back to Texas. Ada is doing ok for now but a meeting with a vascular surgeon is planned.

 This little trip ends just as we were getting to the touristy parts. A little sad and disappointing, but the right thing to do.


Going to bed

WTH?

 Today is the first day of fall. Trees here have been loosing their leaves. Then why are the temps in the 90's with heat indices approaching 100? We can get that at home. Came north to escape the heat but guess we brought it with us. Winding down our stay here as we move to Henderson on Monday.


Demographic extremes


 You might wonder what I am alluding to with that statement.


 Back in the RGV it is 98% Hispanic. While shopping we look around and many times we are the only gringos. Had to go forage for groceries and that took us to Benton, closest town with a grocery of any size. While there I noticed a distinct lack of diversity in the shoppers. Came back and looked up the stats. 97%+ white, less than 1% black. Had I not witnessed it I would have argued that those numbers must be wrong. Not a well-to-do enclave, just typical middle class. Surprising...


 Unless something surprising or noteworthy happens, next posting from John Audubon state park on Monday.



Quilting and fishing on the lakeside...

lazy days

 Been pretty lazy, just enjoying the lake.

ground hog

gave my buddy a peanut

nap after lunch

trawler

Queen of the Mississippi

 You can learn more about The Queen of the Mississippi HERE








carpe diem

Question of the day

 We have had new campers arriving today. The first one arrived at 7:40am. My question is where did they start from? Hell even if they lived in Grand Rivers, a whole three miles away that still meant an early start. Check OUT times vary but generally range from 11am to 2pm. Check out time here is 3pm. If someone shows up next Monday wanting our spot that early they are in for a long day. Because we will have a short travel day we plan to leave at 1pm. Where did they wake up to be here checking in before 8am?

 This is a big lake, oriented mainly northwest to southeast. The winds have been very light to calm and the lake is as smooth as glass. Used to love skiing when it is this smooth.

Day 53

 A little site seeing, a little fishing, a little sewing.

carpe diem

Parade of the poor and late day surprise

  Well, maybe not so poor. To the north of our location is the Green turtle bay resort. To our south is the canal that connects Barkley lake and Kentucky lake. Because the dam is just north of the resort, the vast majority of boat traffic comes past our front door. Perhaps best illustrated by this aerial view courtesy of Google Earth.

 Today being Saturday a lot of people had their toys out to play. Early in the day a steady stream then around 5pm they started coming back north. Everything from small bass rigs to one that had to be 75 feet plus. NICE...And as far as the average size, if yours is under 30feet in length, you are barely worth noticing. Some mighty fine power boats. We are planning on renting a pontoon boat for a day to go exploring

 Now for the surprise. Every evening I have been fishing off the boat dock. Every evening a school of striped bass have been feeding in the area. I have lost count but I have landed and released 20 plus fish. Throw in a bream and small mouth bass just to keep it interesting. A ton of fun. But I digress, while fishing I look out to observe a barge going up river and low and behold what is heading down river (north). Say hello to a WW2 hero, LST325

 We learned it is heading to Evansville Indiana which is close to our next stop so we shall meet again. Great weather and a nice spot. Hard to ask for more.




carpe diem

barkley lake

  The view of and from our camp site (#98) at Canal Campground







 Barkley lake was created by damming the Cumberland river. It borders the east side of Land between the Lakes. Kentucky lake was formed when the Tennessee river was dammed. Both of these were and are part of the TVA. The creation of the lake was for flood control and power generation and to create waterways. Barge traffic can come from the Gulf and go all the way to Knoxville. Strange to see barges on lakes.

 They call them "Loopers".

 What is a looper you might ask, I certainly did. One of the other things found on these lakes is a style of boat for power boat cruising long term. The style of boat is a trawler. A couple of examples for you.

  The term loopers refers to those people who cruise the great loop. One can go from the Keys up north, take the St Lawrence seaway to the Great Lakes then rivers back to the Gulf. The Great Loop.

 I think it would be a hell of an adventure, my bride does not agree.


  We are done with quilts, so now comes the time to explore the Land Between The Lakes.





carpe diem

Scenes from Paducah

 Various points of interest in Paducah. By no means conclusive, merely a first glance.

 More to come from Quilt City




come on sunshine!

There may be hope...

 We are in the mecca of quilters. Think all things quilting, sewing and related items. The following picture list but a few

 Our home on wheels is full of sewing machines and fabric. Two or three quilts are in progress now, depending on the whim of the boss. Suspect the existing stockpile will be added to.

 I mentioned hope in the title and so there is. Look again at the above picture, ignore all that girly stuff in the left column. Focus on the center column, half way down. Paducah Beer works is where she will find me. Of course she will have to drive us back to the campground...


 To quote the lyrics of Tom T Hall's song "...I like beer, it makes me a jolly good fellow..."


 A day spent earning brownie points...