California…Here we come

By: Minuet in G…”MinnieG”…a 1977 Argosy made by Airstream that is excited to be on this adventure with Vannie and Dave…

Destination…THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE…Pasadena, California…Oh, my goodness, there is so much to see on the way. I’m going to be taking you on an adventure out west…so hang on to your hat, and let’s hit the road.

HILLSBORO, TX

NTAC (North Texas Airstream Community)…right off I35 and State hwy 22

After leaving Louisiana, Vannie and Dave headed to Hillsboro, TX. They were only there two days, but both days were packed. Two Christmas cantatas (Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro and First United Methodist Church in Clifton, TX)…a down-to-the-wire beanbag baseball game at NTAC , followed by a surprise birthday party for V and D’s friend, Jennifer Hicks…and Church and Lunch in downtown Clifton with good friend, Connie McCrary

    SAN ANGELO, TX

    SAN ANGELO STATE PARK…Mercedes Road…next to O.C.Fisher Lake

    Temp in the 30’s…I was feeling very spiffy. Ashley and Diane (V and D’s son and daughter-in-law) had helped give me a new coat of paint. Sometimes a girl needs a make-over, especially when she’s going to California. On their morning walk, Vannie found a deer hoof and Dave discovered some mistletoe. Vannie decided not to save the hoof, but Dave hung the mistletoe in me…for obvious reasons. …Christmas is in the air.!!!

    FORT DAVIS, TX

    Davis Mountain State Park…Hwy. 17…Near Big Bend

    Vannie and Dave almost canceled the Davis Mt. State Park because of the cold cold temps. But at the last minute they decided to go ahead and risk it. They were so glad they did. Dave said that if you haven’t been to David Mt. State Park…put it on your bucket list right now. Beautiful and lots to do in the area … We had a delightful pull-through campsite with our very own red-headed woodpecker doing what woodpeckers do (peck) right next to me. The formations in the mountains seemed like they could play music. They were so majestic. Vannie said she could almost hear the Star Spangled Banner seeping out from the cracks. The locals called these formations hoodoos. V and D had seen hoodoos at Bryce Canyon in Utah a couple of years ago. They were a little different, but definitely related.
    The McDonald Observatory…A must see…It is part of the Universitiy of Texas at Austin. It is an research unit of the College of Natural Sciences. We arrived Tuesday, and luck would have it, the ultra exciting Twilight and Star Party was that night. We checked in at the park at 4:50 and the Party started at 5:30…way way up the mountain. Dave unhooked me in speed demon fashion…they jumped in the truck and high-tailed it up to the observatory. Vannie said that even though the temp outside was 18 degrees, the program was incredible. Thank goodness, they had some extra clothes in the truck to add to the layers they already had on. ***TAKE SPECIAL NOTICE TO THE LAST PICTURE IN THIS GROUP…IT’S DAVE UP FRONT AND IN CHARGE…THE SCIENTIST ASKED FOR VOLUNTEERS TO DEMONSTRATE THE PLANET ROTATIONS…DAVE VOLUNTEERED FOR MERCURY…HE DID A GREAT JOB AND VANNIE WAS BEAMING.***
    The Indian Lodge…an adobe-style hotel built in the 30’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is located in the park…just a hop, skip, and jump from the campground. This time of year they only serve breakfast and lunch…so V and D enjoyed a delicious breakfast on the morning before they left. It was 7:00 am, so they were excited to see this gorgeous sunrise.
    Come on, Folks…The scenery is beautiful…This great country of ours has loads of stuff to see. Love traveling with all of you.

    I have more to catch up on. The internet is sketchy in some places. Davis Mt. State Park was almost none existence. Next post will include Marfa, TX, Scenic Overlooks, El Paso, TX, and Las Cruces.

    Louisiana November Part 4

    By: Minuet in G

    MinnieG is a 1979 Argosy made by Airstream that felt upstaged by the turkey.

    I might be tiny, but Vannie and Dave have learned to navigate inside me just like Snow White living with the seven dwarfs.
    A few adjustments just have to be made…then everyone is happy.
    The to-die-far brownies and mother-in-law pumpkin pie were made ahead.
    Dave started wrapping Christmas presents for the grandkids. V and D are going to be in California for Christmas, so this year was a Thanksgiving/Christmas combo celebration.
    Vannie and Maddie always LOVE a project. Since the Salvagio crew arrived the night before the festivities, there was plenty of time to do some cutting, gluing, and putting together.

    Yes…we are thankful…family, friends, fun, food, festivities, feasts, fall, favorite things, famished, full

    V and D’s son, Ashley…daughter-in-law, Diane…daughter, Emilie…all pitching in to complete the Thanksgiving meal…

    FYI…we are not having dinner in “me”, as if you hadn’t noticed. A friend of Emilie’s had gone to Destin, FL with her family and had offered her house so that we could all celebrate together. A blessing, for sure.

    Everyone was stuffed after dinner…so it was time for a walk to the park. Fall was busting out all over…golds, yellows, oranges, greens, browns.

    Time for a little Christmas

    Maddie (7)…Cooper (14)…Vincent (10)

    After everyone settled down, the puzzle came out of the box.
    The “real” kitty fit in perfectly with our puzzle choice.
    Trying to get all 3 grandkids and Vannie and Dave to cooperate in a group photo session was a teeny bit exasperating. Especially when the participates are a teenager, a preteen, a little girl and 2 senior citizens.

    After everyone settled down, V and D got a good one with Vincent and Maddie…

    …and then on another day, they took Cooper out to lunch and to the star show at the planetarium…and got a delightful photo.

    Vannie say that sometimes you just have to go with Plan B.

    V and D wish for each and every one of you ………………………..Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas

    Gobble…Gobble…A Peeping Tom…(Get it…LOL)

    …And that’s a rap for November…

    …V and D are heading to California to attend the Rose Parade Airstream Rally…Lots of great adventures coming up. Stay tuned.!

    Louisiana November Part 3

    By: Minuet in G…MinnieG (a 1979 Argosy… made by Airstream…who is so happy chillin’ in her spot in New Iberia (Sarah’s and Sadie’s house).

    Good Morning…today Vannie and Dave woke up bright and early. Vannie told me that they were headed to New Orleans for the day. They were going to visit their adventuresome cousins, Kathryn and Jay. They are hanging out in an apartment in the heart of the French Quarter (the Vieux Carre…which means old town) for about a year. Bucket List … check.!!!

    After driving for 2 hours down Hwy 90..thought Franklin, Morgan City, Houma, Bayou Cane, and Thibodaux, V and D were excited to see Jay waving to them from the balcony of their apartment. Dave couldn’t believe they had lucked up on a parking meter right on the street. Those are few and far between on Royal Street. Just have to remember to feed that hungry meter every 2 hours. Vannie said it was totally worth it.

    Kathryn and Jay’s “space” is to die for. Vannie said that each little nook and cranny was unbelievably charming. From the outside hallway, to the kitchen nook, to the banana trees in the back courtyard, to the bathroom curtain depicting New Orleans sites… Even the “old school” security system (embedded broken glass on top of the wall between the courtyards) was mesmerizing.

    Heading down the street…enjoying the sights and sounds of the city…
    Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe is their first stop…Decatur Street…a delightful little gem not to be missed
    Lattes…blueberry scones…almond croissants
    Window Shopping…Art Alert
    Vannie is always looking for a new idea for the perfect art project.
    Here are three very different ideas…a wonderful oil painting, an unbelievable project created with a sewing machine, and a cloud (at least it wasn’t black)
    Can’t go to New Orleans without hanging out a wee bit in the French Quarter…
    St. Louis Cathedral…the oldest cathedral in North America…founded in 1720…located next to Jackson Square and facing the Mississippi River.
    Pralines…Yum Yum Yum…Vannie said you can not leave the city with getting a praline.
    Pralines…a smooth, sweet substance made by boiling nuts in sugar…the perfect sugar rush.!!!
    End of a perfect day…
    Cousins…fried chicken (fried on the spot from Matassa’s Market, Dauphine St.)…Blue willow dishes on the balcony…
    Inspired by all the art in New Orleans…Vannie had to put her spin on the day…
    Watercolor pencils…small little projects that fit perfectly in me…
    I’ve been patiently waiting all day for V and D to return with the stories of their adventure.
    Smile…Smile…Smile

    Hope this post has “wet your whistle” to visit this exotic city.

    …to be continued…Part 4 soon…

    Louisiana November 2019 Part 2

    By: Minuet in G (a 1979 Argosy, made by Airstream…MinnieG loves being in South Louisiana where the sugar cane waves, the people are oh so friendly, and the fresh seafood is plentiful.

    The sunset out my front window is always spectacular.
    The sky, the sugar cane fields, the planted rows all spark a sense of magic in the air.
    Of course, family plays a big part of why Vannie and Dave travel to this part of the world.
    Their son’s birthday is November 5…so time for a celebration.
    Son, Ashley…Daughter-in-law, Diane…Grandson, Cooper
    …And the newest member of the Harris Family…Bob the Cat…
    Bob doesn’t know he is a cat…and, quite frankly, Vannie said that she secretly thinks Bob is a human in a cat suit.

    Ashley has the green thumb in the family. This beautiful gardenia and hibiscus were in full bloom. Vannie said that Ashley inherited the green thumb from her dad. He always had a beautiful garden.

    Dave said seeing grandson, Cooper, marching in the Carencro High School band was a real upper.
    Vannie and Dave were band members back in the day.
    Vannie played the sax and Dave was a tuba player.
    Cooper’s the one on the right…with the saxophone.
    Cooper’s right in the middle…V and D thought he was the best one, of course.

    Vannie and Dave lived in Lafayette for 42 years…and visited New Iberia on many occasions…but never really got to know the city until this November. New Iberia is really a delightful place. Downtown is alive and well, unlike many small towns around our great country. The small tamale stand has wonderful tamales, according to Vannie. She likes to stop there after her Weight Watcher’s meeting on Wednesdays. The tamales fit right in with her eating plan…or so she says.

    Dave says that when you have lived in a place for 42 years, you have a bunch of really great friends. These are just a few of the ones we yucked it up with while we were in the area.

    Large picture…Jim and Nancy Underwood, Vannie and Dave, Jan and Chester Baudoin…This was taken at Alesi’s Pizza in Lafayette. A 25 year tradition for this group is to eat at Alesi’s once a year. Check out Alesi’s…always a good place for Italian food.

    Smaller Picture…Beverly Whitaker…They met at St. John’s Restaurant on 203 N. New Market Street, St. Martinville, LA. St. John’s has wonderful daily specials, and any seafood dish you can dream up. Bev, Vannie, and Dave sat on the enclosed porch and enjoyed the view of the Tech River.

    When there is sugar cane fields in your front yard…and they start cutting the cane and then burning the fields…small little critters show up. This little one was in love with the flour, sugar, raisins, and oatmeal in my pantry. But he wasn’t around for long. There is just not enough room in a 22 foot Argosy for two adults and a tiny little mouse. Nope…not going to happen. Dave put on his superman suit and got rid of the little bugger.

    If only Bob had been around…he could have had a very nutritious meal. This guy had an appetite for the healthy stuff.

    Sunset
    Orange, Yellow
    Shining, Glistening, Radiating
    Peace comes over me.
    Day’s End

    …To Be Continued…Watch for Part 3 …

    LOUISIANA NOVEMBER 2019

    By

    Minuet in G (MinnieG)

    (a 1979 Argosy, made by Airstream, that loves to travel with Vannie and Dave)

    November

    Leaves falling…colors changing…even in Louisiana

    Vannie and Dave began their November journey from the northern part of the state in Ruston, LA and ended up New Iberia, LA…making stops along the way…Harrisonburg and Pineville.

    Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston is right off of Interstate 10. It is beautiful in every way…a glorious lake with very friendly ducks, easy to maneuver camping sites (pull-throughs and back-ups), delightful walking trails, club house, picnic tables, and a very welcoming staff.

    See how happy I am. Not a care in the world. Just hangin’ out, lovin’ my new adventure. I had been in Texas all summer waiting for Vannie and Dave to get back from New Mexico. They always take Gypsy when they go there, because she is bigger than me…31′ compared to 22′. Guess that does make a difference when you stay in one place for 4 months. She is in Texas now…and I’m “on the road again”.

    Heading down LA Hwy 167…Turning on Hwy 8…Traveling through Fishville to Jena….heading to Rhinehart. We stopped at a delightful small campground. Vannie and Dave needed to walk around a bit. They think the name of the campground was Old Riverroad Campground…but not sure.

    The cypress knees were “knocking”.

    Can you see me? I’m peeking out through the tall pine trees.

    Reflections…Leaves of yellow, green, and brown…November

    On to Cousin Emmilee Green’s beautiful home right on the Ouachita River…

    \

    Always a treat looking out of Emmilee’s kitchen windows…after eating some of her delicious cooking, visiting until our tongues were tired of wagging, and laughing till our sides were aching.

    Time to move one “down the road”…next stop…Pineville, LA…Aunt Robbie’s house…Aunt Robbie was married to Vannie’s Uncle John, her mom’s youngest brother.

    Don’t I look adorable.!!!
    Vannie said that Aunt Robbie has lived in the College Park area forever.
    She’s 91 and still enjoys visiting with Vannie and David.
    As for me… I enjoy people watching while they visit.
    Did I say “people”?
    Well, I think these guys think they are people.
    They sure are not worried about the traffic.

    Bye, bye Pineville…New Iberia move over…Minnie G, Vannie, and Dave are on their way.

    Check out this honey-of-a-spot.!
    I have my own cover and free fruit (satsumas) in the yard.
    Vannie had that tree practically free of free fruit in a few days.
    Not really, but she does love her fruit.
    Dave…not so much.!

    We have sugar cane fields in the front of us…

    and beautiful horses in the back…

    What a magical spot!

    Lousiana November …to be continued…

    Vannie is working on moving all the old blog postings over to this new setting. Give her a few more days to figure it out.

    Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

    This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

    You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

    Why do this?

    • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
    • Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

    The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

    To help you get started, here are a few questions:

    • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
    • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
    • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
    • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

    You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

    Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

    When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

    Design a site like this with WordPress.com
    Get started