April 14, 2014 (See pictures below)
Yey, we have internet access today so I am going to play catch up.
On April 11, 2014 we took a chance and went diamond mining again, let me tell you it is really hard work. We did not have any luck but met some interesting people and to us this is what this trip is all about. In the afternoon we took off and explored the town of Murfreesboro (which took all of three minutes, LOL) the town is not very big, but the store they had was just filled with stuff. We found a gas station that sold diesel for $3.69. We thought we hit pay dirt and at this point finding diesel at this price was like finding a diamond (well close). We got back to the camp and realized we had no electricity, some of you know the history of our luck so we immediately thought it was the fifth wheel. It turned out that a limb fell down on one of the major roads and took down a power line which started a fire, we had power before dark.
April 12, 2014 we went to an Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village. Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village is the excavated site of a pre-historic mound-builder village. The museum and other displays in the village highlighted the history and artifacts of this 1,000-year-old site. There were 7 mounds that were excavated to reveal burial sites. The skeletons are castings as the skeletons that were unearthed were reburied in another ceremonial site. There was one burial sight that contained two bodies. One was a chief and a younger male that was a sacrifice. Some of the skulls are deformed do to a rawhide band around the head when they are very young forcing the head to grow in a defective shape. This practice was considered a mark of tribal importance.
We went back to the camp and I decided to go for a walk/jog. I opened the camper when we got back went in to change. Jim was outside so I shut the door (huge mistake). When I got back Jim asked me why I took the keys and I said what keys. He proceeded to tell me that the 5th wheel was locked. At this point I swear we have a ghost living with us as I had gotten locked in the shower the day before and had to yell for Jim to come and save me (we should have called this the misadventures of Jim and Debbie, lol). It turns out when we got back I opened the door okay but when I took out the key I accidently turned the key to lock the door don't ask me how I did this, but I am not allowed to open the door anymore. We proceeded to try and call a locksmith and we were having no luck. Our knight in shining armor was our neighbor Trent who is an Air Force pilot. He came over with a small screw driver and a bobby pin that we borrowed from our neighbor on the other side. Trent was able to pick our lock and all was good.
April 14, 2014 was a travel day. The weather was not great but by the time we arrived in South Lake, TX we were able to set up with clouds clearing. Jim called his cousin Bob and they had dinner waiting for us. They have a beautiful home with an awesome yard, pool and outside barbeque area. Their home is also equipped with a home theater room which includes a small kitchen.
Debbie (Bob's wife) loves her antiques like I do. She still has her Tiny Tears doll from when she was younger and her metal Tom Thumb register. Debbie said the guy that moved them from CA back to TX in December told her that she had made his record of most boxes moved, she had 369. We enjoyed touring their house and listening their memories.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
April 10, 2014 (See pictures below)
April 9th was a travel day from Mississippi to Crater of Diamonds National Park. Most of the roads we took to get here were back roads which sometimes takes a little longer but you can not beat the view. This is the nicest state park we have ever been to you and the people are so friendly.
April 10th was diamond mining day. We did not have any luck but had tons of fun, except for my cold intolerance decide to flair up as I had my arms in water sifting the clay and the wind was cold so both of my arms blew up like balloons from the hives. My arms were so cold that I did not realize anything was going on until the lady across from us saw that my arms were not normal. Went and purchased some Claritan as I forgot my Benydrel at home and stayed out of the water, my arms finally cleared up. As you can see by the picture below the place is huge and there are days that go mind that not one diamond is found, however, the day before we arrived there were 4 diamonds find. This is definitely one of those places where you have to be at the right place at the right time. Jim and I walked a natural trail down to the Little Missouri River and were adventurous on the way back as I wanted to see a Bob Cat, needless to say we did not even see a Squirrel. LOL
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April 9th was a travel day from Mississippi to Crater of Diamonds National Park. Most of the roads we took to get here were back roads which sometimes takes a little longer but you can not beat the view. This is the nicest state park we have ever been to you and the people are so friendly.
April 10th was diamond mining day. We did not have any luck but had tons of fun, except for my cold intolerance decide to flair up as I had my arms in water sifting the clay and the wind was cold so both of my arms blew up like balloons from the hives. My arms were so cold that I did not realize anything was going on until the lady across from us saw that my arms were not normal. Went and purchased some Claritan as I forgot my Benydrel at home and stayed out of the water, my arms finally cleared up. As you can see by the picture below the place is huge and there are days that go mind that not one diamond is found, however, the day before we arrived there were 4 diamonds find. This is definitely one of those places where you have to be at the right place at the right time. Jim and I walked a natural trail down to the Little Missouri River and were adventurous on the way back as I wanted to see a Bob Cat, needless to say we did not even see a Squirrel. LOL
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Monday, April 7, 2014
4-5-14 See picture below
Today we spent with our friends the Sherhouse's. Curt made the most amazing tacos. Kim and I use to work together and had not seen each other in four years so we had a lot of catching up today. Jessica Kim's oldest daughter has grown up into a fine lady and Kaitlyn is a little lady who is really smart. We had a great day with our friends.
Today we spent with our friends the Sherhouse's. Curt made the most amazing tacos. Kim and I use to work together and had not seen each other in four years so we had a lot of catching up today. Jessica Kim's oldest daughter has grown up into a fine lady and Kaitlyn is a little lady who is really smart. We had a great day with our friends.
4-7-14 See pictures below
Woke up to clouds but no rain. We started out at old downtown to look at old homes built in the 1800's. One house was used to hold a ball for George Washington. One of the homes we wanted to view is said to have a cannon ball stuck in the wall from the Civil War, but the house was not open to the public today. We then an old train station that was filled with models of iron clad boats from the Battle of Vicksburg and models of paddles wheelers. The museum showed a film of the Battle of Vicksburg and what the people endured for 46 days of battle.
We then drove to the Vicksburg Memorial Cemetery and where the battle of Vicksburg took place. It was such a surreal feeling to stand on the same land where a war took place. We also got to see the ironclad boat the Cairo that was sunk in the Mississippi river before the battle of Vicksburg ended. This boat sunk with over 175 crew members on board and not a life was lost. In 1960 two men took it upon themselves to raise this boat, unfortunately 1 of those men drowned in the Mississippi river before the boat was raised. The boat was finally raised in three pieces and put back together.
I end our post with our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of a 9 year old girl that was swept away by flood waters in Yazoo County (county over from where we are staying.
Woke up to clouds but no rain. We started out at old downtown to look at old homes built in the 1800's. One house was used to hold a ball for George Washington. One of the homes we wanted to view is said to have a cannon ball stuck in the wall from the Civil War, but the house was not open to the public today. We then an old train station that was filled with models of iron clad boats from the Battle of Vicksburg and models of paddles wheelers. The museum showed a film of the Battle of Vicksburg and what the people endured for 46 days of battle.
We then drove to the Vicksburg Memorial Cemetery and where the battle of Vicksburg took place. It was such a surreal feeling to stand on the same land where a war took place. We also got to see the ironclad boat the Cairo that was sunk in the Mississippi river before the battle of Vicksburg ended. This boat sunk with over 175 crew members on board and not a life was lost. In 1960 two men took it upon themselves to raise this boat, unfortunately 1 of those men drowned in the Mississippi river before the boat was raised. The boat was finally raised in three pieces and put back together.
I end our post with our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of a 9 year old girl that was swept away by flood waters in Yazoo County (county over from where we are staying.
On to Vicksburg, MS
4-6-14
Today was in interesting traveling day weather wise it was not the best. We started out in sprinklers to torrential downpours. This did not damper the beautiful scenic route we took though. We drove through some old towns. We saw two older gentlemen sitting in rockers on an old front porch and it reminded us of a scene in Secondhand Lions. We ended up setting up the 5th wheel in the rain. The county we are in ended up having a tornado and flood flash warnings by evenings end. We look forward to some nicer weather tomorrow so we can do some sight seeing.
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Today was in interesting traveling day weather wise it was not the best. We started out in sprinklers to torrential downpours. This did not damper the beautiful scenic route we took though. We drove through some old towns. We saw two older gentlemen sitting in rockers on an old front porch and it reminded us of a scene in Secondhand Lions. We ended up setting up the 5th wheel in the rain. The county we are in ended up having a tornado and flood flash warnings by evenings end. We look forward to some nicer weather tomorrow so we can do some sight seeing.
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Saturday, April 5, 2014
Day 2
4-4-14 (see pictures below)
A beautiful day in Pensacola. We went to the Naval Air Museum today, what a fantastic place. It ranks in the top 10 tourist destinations in Florida. We saw war planes used from World War I to present day. Jim saw the engine and plane that his dad fixed and flew as a Flight Engineer and Crew Chief. We also saw an amazing IMAX film (the screen was 7 stories high) about the training of a fighter pilot. There were two huge buildings just filled with war planes plus planes to view on the tarmack. The museum is free and runs on donations and corporate sponsors. They do charge for the film and the chance to ride on a jet simulator. We passed as the movie was enough to give you the feeling for being in a jet and that was enough for two people over 60. LOL.
The base did have a nice RV park right on the bay but unless you are retired military you can't use it.
There is also an old lighthouse on the base that you can visit for a fee. Climbing to the top you got a good view of the base and the bay.
We met our dear friends the Sherhouse's for dinner at the Mellow Mushroom and will go to their house Saturday for a barbeque. This trip is about new adventurers and visiting family and catching up with old friends, so be careful we will find you. LOL.
A beautiful day in Pensacola. We went to the Naval Air Museum today, what a fantastic place. It ranks in the top 10 tourist destinations in Florida. We saw war planes used from World War I to present day. Jim saw the engine and plane that his dad fixed and flew as a Flight Engineer and Crew Chief. We also saw an amazing IMAX film (the screen was 7 stories high) about the training of a fighter pilot. There were two huge buildings just filled with war planes plus planes to view on the tarmack. The museum is free and runs on donations and corporate sponsors. They do charge for the film and the chance to ride on a jet simulator. We passed as the movie was enough to give you the feeling for being in a jet and that was enough for two people over 60. LOL.
The base did have a nice RV park right on the bay but unless you are retired military you can't use it.
There is also an old lighthouse on the base that you can visit for a fee. Climbing to the top you got a good view of the base and the bay.
We met our dear friends the Sherhouse's for dinner at the Mellow Mushroom and will go to their house Saturday for a barbeque. This trip is about new adventurers and visiting family and catching up with old friends, so be careful we will find you. LOL.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Hi Everyone,
The adventure began at 8:30 this morning. Had a beautiful ride from home to Pensacola. We realized that stopping for gas and something to eat in a 5th wheel is anything but easy if you can not find a truck stop. One lesson learned. We did stop at a nice rest area and made us a sandwich which was much nicer anyway. We are set up and ready to do some sight seeing tomorrow and have a barbeque with our dear friends the Sherhouse's. We will leave here Sunday to head for Vicksburg, Mississippi.
The adventure began at 8:30 this morning. Had a beautiful ride from home to Pensacola. We realized that stopping for gas and something to eat in a 5th wheel is anything but easy if you can not find a truck stop. One lesson learned. We did stop at a nice rest area and made us a sandwich which was much nicer anyway. We are set up and ready to do some sight seeing tomorrow and have a barbeque with our dear friends the Sherhouse's. We will leave here Sunday to head for Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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