Houston We Have A Problem!

I am sitting here enjoying a paper cup of Lucky Duck Riesling that we picked up at the Wal-Mart (it actually is not bad for cheap wine). We just spent a hour at the campgrounds pool/hot tub.  I am very happy that we actually made it to Houston today because I was not so sure this morning! 

As we were preparing to head to Houston, Doug noticed that the Suburban was leaking oil- badly!  This was NOT GOOD!  Here we are in a strange city, pulling a camper, with car troubles.  It was like having a blinking sign across our foreheads saying "Sucker!"  The first mechanic recommend to us by the campground was closed on Saturday, so we made our way to the Chevrolet dealership in Kenner, LA , about 25 min. away.  They were able to take a look at the truck, so we went to the customer lounge and waited, trying not to worry about what "it could be".  After about 20 min we were told that it was just a loose oil filter - Thank God!!!!!  They only charged us $6.42 for the oil- no labor!

So then we were ready to head to Houston, about 2 hours behind schedule....  We finally made it to Texas and found Space Center RV Park with some creative directions from my GPS (we call her Jessie) which took us through a lovely neighborhood just to put us back on the highway.  Who knows what she was thinking???? It was a long hot drive  (temperatures reached 100 degrees today!), but we survived.

The good thing is that we are here!  Doug's back is still giving him trouble but the campgrounds hot tub helped him out a bit this evening.  I am fighting a cold , but we have cough medicine and Vicks vapor rub to help me.  Maddie's sore throat has subsided, and Hailey's ears are slowly mending.  We are having fun, in spite of the few problems and are enjoying this trip a lot!

River Boats, Jazz, and Lots of Fun!

As I write this in the camper alone with Doug and our glasses of wine, I realize how much I love the 15 minutes of peace we get when the girls go to the bath house every night!  I love spending this family time together, but the few moments of calm is incredible!

We had another wonderful day in NOLA!  This morning we took the campgrounds shuttle into the French Quarter.  The driver told us some interesting tidbits about the city, its traditions, and legends.  It was pretty cool to learn more about the city.

Once in the city we walked towards the French Market and took some pictures of the various statues, and monuments that we came across.  Then we visited the French Market, the girls bought a few trinkets including an alligator claw key ring for Maddie and an Alligator head for Hailey which she has named Jerry.  Doug purchased an eel skin wallet, and I drooled over a purse that I was told by all three I ALREADY HAD TOO MANY! So I settled on a black and grey fedora, which I look exceptionally awesome in, even if I do say so myself (LOL).

We then made our way on the moon walk towards the Natchez, Riverboat, where we took a two hour cruise and had an awesome New Orleans Style lunch!  We had a great time!  There was plenty to see, and cool jazz band, and the food was very good.  It was a great excursion for everyone!!!

After the boat docked, we went to the Old Mint Building.  We attended a very interesting presentation about New Orleans Jazz musicians.  Doug and I both found it very interesting; however, Hailey and Maddie preferred to play with the cell phone games (at least they were quiet!).  After the presentation, we toured the rest of the Old Mint.

After that we stopped at Aunt Sally's to have some pralines and then went to the Gazebo Café for a drinks and to listen to the band play.  It was very relaxing and a great way to cool off in the 95 degree heat.

We then walked to Jackson Square to look at the various artisans.  Maddie loved seeing the different kinds of art.  We ended up in the Tabasco Hot Sauce shop where Doug sampled every type of hot sauce they had.  We bought a few bottles to take home along with some pickled green beans (something we both liked from yesterdays Bloody Mary).  It was then time to go wait for the shuttle to take us back to the campground.

On the ride back to the camper the shuttle driver took us past several cemeteries,  a park and some plantation houses.  It was a nice way to wrap up our time in NOLA.  Once we got home we went to the pool, we were so hot it was a great way to chill out!  We ate dinner and had ice cream for dessert, a perfect ending for a great day!  

NOLA

Today was awesome!  We went to the Cajun Swamp Boat Tour and everyone had a great time! We saw alligators, raccoons, and turtles.  It was really cool seeing alligators so close up in their own habitat.  We got to hear about some of the legends of the swamp and about the ghosts that are said to haunt the waters.  We listened to Cajun music, and learned about Cajun and Creole history and the history of Louisiana.  The best part was having the chance to hold a baby alligator.

After the tour we went into the French Quarter for some sight seeing. We had beignets at Cafe' De Mond, and did a little shopping.  Doug has pulled his back out so we took it easy as we walked around.  He did indulge in a Bloody Mary (for medicinal purposes) as we walked.  We made our way to Bourbon Street and took the girls on and "educational field trip",  they were amused by the sights.  They kept telling Doug to stop looking at the scantily clad women, and were speechless when it came to how many of the other characters were dressed. 

We met up with a friend from high school and his wife for dinner at Desire Bistro and Oyster Bar for dinner.  It had wonderful food.  We had a great time catching up and swapping stories.  It truly was a great evening. 

Getting back to the campground was another adventure into it's self!  The GPS had a difficulty maintaining a signal, and we ended up driving in circles.  Once we finally got a lock on our route we ended up at the airport and I had to drive through the pick up lanes until we could get on the right direction.  By this time the girls were so tired they were slap happy and laughing hysterically at the GPS voice and ended up naming her Heneretta.  Although getting turned around in a strange city can be nerve racking this was funny as well.  Now we are settling down for the night and preparing for tomorrows adventure.

National Naval Aviation Museum

Well we spent all of Tuesday driving from Tybee Island to Pensacola Florida.  It was a very long drive,  the girls watched several DVD's, I took 3 separate naps and our fearless leader Doug, drove us safely to our destination (about 11 hours). Crossing into the Central Time Zone threw us off a bit, but we adjusted. We did stop at Waffle House for dinner, and enjoyed grits and smothered, covered, chopped, and chunked hash browns.

 

We spent the night in a Wal-Mart ParkinglLot that was about 5 minutes from the museum, which enabled up to make it to the museum when it opened at 9am.  Doug was in Aviation Geek Heaven.  It was an awesome museum.  We went on three separate tours, and saw a lot of historical airplanes.  It was really cool to see the before photos of some of the planes, many of which they pulled out of the water to restore.  We had lunch at the Cubi Café in the museum, which was very cool.  It is decorated with real plaques that were displayed in the officers club in the Philippians.  We spent about six hours at the museum, and saw most of it.  My back was hurting and the girls had lost interest so we left.  Doug could have stayed until it closed.

 

 

After we left the museum we went to the Pensacola Light House Museum. It was really cool, we wanted to stay longer but it was beginning to downpour so after a few photos we left for our four hour drive to New Orleans.



 

Juliette Gordon Low & Tybee Island

Today was wonderful!  We drove in to Historic Savannah and toured the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace.  Maddie and Hailey are both Girl Scouts, so this was a real treat, and it had a lot of meaning for them.  It was very interesting and they were able to receive a special pin to wear on their uniform that shows that they have been there.

After visiting the Juliette Gordon Low House we went to a small café for lunch.  It was a very nice lunch and the best part was the café had wonderful sweets (including a gluten free peanut butter chocolate marshmallow blondie).  Both Doug and I shared a treat and so did the girls. 

 

Once we got back to the camper, we changed and headed to the Tybee Island Beach.  It was a beautiful day, blue sky and 85 degrees.  The water was warm and the beach was not very crowded at all.  Hailey and Maddie loved splashing in the waves and playing in the sand.  Doug even joined them for a while.  I loved watching them.  I did go in a bit too!

 

My favorite part of the beach visit was seeing the Tybee Island Light House.  I LOVE Lighthouses.  This one was very cool and right behind where we set up on the beach.

 After the beach we walked back to the campground and swam in their pool.  It was a nice way to wind up the day before dinner.  Hailey, Maddie and Doug all got into a water battle.  It was a lot of fun!



 

Now I am sitting by the campfire listening to the frogs and locust make noise, while I drink my "Mommy Juice".  We just had dinner, and it's time to relax!  We have a long drive ahead of us tomorrow as we make our way to Pensacola Florida.

 





 

GO!

Doug and the girls picked me up this morning from the hotel and we drove to Tybee Island.  We are staying at a campground called River's End Campground.  It is a nice rustic place in an old beach town.  Unfortunately we have already had some issues,  Hailey appears to be suffering from swimmers ear because she did not wear ear plugs when she was swimming, and Maddie has a sore throat.  The refrigerator in the pod is not working either so we are using ice in a cooler.  Murphy and his Laws strike again.

Once I was picked up everyone was eager to tell me about the milk drinking contest that Maddie and Doug had as an effort to use up the milk that would have gone bad in the fridge.  She matched him shot for shot until they were both bloated.

They also really seemed to like Stone Mountain Park Campground, where they stayed the night.  They all want to visit there again.  Evidently there was a lot to do and even had fireworks at the base of the mountain.  I am glad that they all had a good time while I was at the NEA Rep Assembly. 


Now that I have my laptop and some down time I will post some pictures from my fun in Atlanta as well as some of the pics Doug took on his way to meet me with the girls. 

Ready Set...

I've been in Atlanta since Sunday. I went to Coke World, a Braves Game and Atlanta History Museum with my TABCO friends. I also had tea at The Swan House. Both were a lot of fun. The weather this week has not been so great, lots of rain. I did go to the Flying Biscut for breakfast, which had the most wonderful grits I have ever had. I also ate at Teds Montana grill and loved the bison burger, as well as the brots at Bier Garten. Tonight I went to the Metro City Diner, it was nice too.  Tomorrow is the last day if the Rep. Assembly, and then our family trip begins.  Doug and the girls began the drive to meet me today, leaving the house and animals in the care of our house sitter Aaron (Thanks Aaron!). They plan to drive to North Carolina and spend the night in a WalMart. They will be in Atlanta early  tomorrow, I do not know exactly what they will get into while I am in my business meeting; however, I am sure they will find something fun to do. I am looking forward to starting our adventure.