November 1st, we left the wild west to return to Charlotte, NC and Grand Rapids, MI for the holidays but we did make a few stops on the way.
We arranged for two condos and took a break from the Airstream for a few weeks when it was stored in Concord, NC.
PIGEON FORGE, TN
Dollywood showed off 4 million lights, 6 wonderful family friendly professional stage shows, and great food. We had planned to go last year but the fires in the area cancelled those plans. It was a little crowded, but I can't imagine what this area is like during the warmer months. I am so glad we took advantage of this Christmas treat, even though we passed up on the rides.
MASSANUTTEN RESORT, VA
A five hour drive from Tennessee brought us to Harrisonburg, VA and this beautiful and expansive 4 season resort and condo. The staff was so accommodating when our 2 sons and their families joined us for a long weekend. It was warm enough for hiking, but cold enough for making snow on the mountain for skiing and tubing.
Intense tubing for 2 old fogies who left their brains on the top of the mountain.
In the evening, the fun continued in their huge indoor waterpark on the property. Even the adults had a great time. We tend to vacation in the off season with less crowds but all the amenities.
LOUSIANNA and Plantation stop in St. Francisville ROSEDOWN PLANTATION
Louisiana has a number of pre Civil War plantations to visit especially directly west of New Orleans. Since we visited those 2 years ago, we headed north up the state to another plantation area in the city of St. Francisville, LA. Many in the area now serve as Bed and Breakfast accommodations and the tours are not always historically accurate. Rosedown was a beautiful exception.
As one of the richest men in the nation, Daniel Turnbull built the home for $13,000 in 1834 to raise cotton with the help of hundreds of slaves. It is ironic that he was a supporter of Henry Clay, an abolitionists. With such a huge investment in labor, a full time doctor lived at Rosedown for 20 years caring for all who lived on the property. After the war, many freed slaves stayed on as share croppers. The last descendent of the Turnbull family left in 1971 having never installed an indoor bathroom on the property.
GALOPING WEST TO TEXAS
With another storm soon to engulf us, we quickly escaped Louisiana and drove to an Airstream park south of Dallas. It is a lovely park, but the town of Hillsboro, like most of west Texas, does not offer very much. (To our surprise, must of the RV parks were filled with oil pipe line workers from all over the country. ) But an interesting side trip was to Waco, TX.
Fans of HGTV will know of FIXER UPPER, the remodeling show based in Waco, TX where Magnolia store and bakery are a big draw in the city. The store was interesting to see, but the bakery was such a delightful diversion specializing in a large variety of frosted cupcakes. The line is usually out the door and even in 40 degree temperatures, people enjoyed the outside seating with their choices and coffee.
Waco was a a bright spot in our travels across Texas. It also is home to Waco Mammoth National Monument, which houses a huge collection of recently discovered female Mammoths and a nursery. A large building has been erected over the site. Eventually scientists will return to work in the pits as visitors observe. (a flashback to the first Jerasic Park)
This is a life size depiction of the Columbian Mammoth which roamed Texas. It is much larger than the Wolly Mammoth of the northern regions.
Bones are left exposed just like they were discovered in this water and mud bed. Speculation is that a flood event suddenly occurred leaving the females and their offspring stranded.
INTO NEW MEXICO, CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
We are still in winter coats as we search for the elusive warm weather in New Mexico. We were able to tour the caverns one day before the government shut down. I mentioned last fall that caves are not sites we seek out normally, but I am so happy we did not miss this one.
At at least 800 feet below ground, an elevator transports you to series of caverns. One was large enough for the US Capitol Building to fit in. The explored caverns are connected by a series of walkways. The Park Service guide explains how these formations were created. The southwest was covered by water, which seeped through the ground forming the areas which we tour today. The colors are not brilliant, but the massive sizes could never be captured with a still camera. Only 5% of the area is still growing as small amounts of water continue to drip. Climate changes in the distant past halted continued cave growth.
This entrance accommodates those who enjoy hiking into or out of the Caverns as opposed to using the elevator. But just like people, bats seek out caves too. In the summer, when the bats are in residence, it has been described as a black tornado when they exit in the evening to eat. People gather in the amphitheater style seating to watch the departure.
OUT WITH THE OLD YEAR AND IN WITH 2018
After celebrating Christmas in Michigan and Charlotte, we moved back into the Airstream with the a temperature at 9 degrees but with high hopes for warmer weather. The first stop was Santa Rosa Beach, FL for the first Airstream rally of the year.
Folks always gather expecting a great time in chilly weather, and no one was disappointed. When the sun disappeared, the winter coats came out.
FORT PICKENS NATIONAL PARK AND LAKESHORE, Northern Florida
This was another destination on the bucket list and we were fortunate enough to reserve a site for 4 days. Pensacola Beach was not very busy, but the campground was full of hearty souls who wanted to be near the gulf and visit this historic site.
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| The beautiful white stuff is sand, not snow. |
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| Guided tours given by the National Park Service add so much to a visit. |
Built from 1839-1845 as a costal defense, the fort saw very little action in the Civil War. But it still defended our country in WW ll from German U boats patrolling the Gulf of Mexico. In 1947, Fort Pickens became a National Park. Its only additional historic claim is that the Native American Chief Geronimo and his family spent several months under guard here. A narrow strip of land connects Pensacola Beach with Fort Pickens and is often closed during storms and high winds.
HEADING TO THE SOUTHWEST with a few stops in-between
LOUSIANNA and Plantation stop in St. Francisville ROSEDOWN PLANTATION
Louisiana has a number of pre Civil War plantations to visit especially directly west of New Orleans. Since we visited those 2 years ago, we headed north up the state to another plantation area in the city of St. Francisville, LA. Many in the area now serve as Bed and Breakfast accommodations and the tours are not always historically accurate. Rosedown was a beautiful exception.
As one of the richest men in the nation, Daniel Turnbull built the home for $13,000 in 1834 to raise cotton with the help of hundreds of slaves. It is ironic that he was a supporter of Henry Clay, an abolitionists. With such a huge investment in labor, a full time doctor lived at Rosedown for 20 years caring for all who lived on the property. After the war, many freed slaves stayed on as share croppers. The last descendent of the Turnbull family left in 1971 having never installed an indoor bathroom on the property.
GALOPING WEST TO TEXAS
With another storm soon to engulf us, we quickly escaped Louisiana and drove to an Airstream park south of Dallas. It is a lovely park, but the town of Hillsboro, like most of west Texas, does not offer very much. (To our surprise, must of the RV parks were filled with oil pipe line workers from all over the country. ) But an interesting side trip was to Waco, TX.
Fans of HGTV will know of FIXER UPPER, the remodeling show based in Waco, TX where Magnolia store and bakery are a big draw in the city. The store was interesting to see, but the bakery was such a delightful diversion specializing in a large variety of frosted cupcakes. The line is usually out the door and even in 40 degree temperatures, people enjoyed the outside seating with their choices and coffee.
Waco was a a bright spot in our travels across Texas. It also is home to Waco Mammoth National Monument, which houses a huge collection of recently discovered female Mammoths and a nursery. A large building has been erected over the site. Eventually scientists will return to work in the pits as visitors observe. (a flashback to the first Jerasic Park)
This is a life size depiction of the Columbian Mammoth which roamed Texas. It is much larger than the Wolly Mammoth of the northern regions.
INTO NEW MEXICO, CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
We are still in winter coats as we search for the elusive warm weather in New Mexico. We were able to tour the caverns one day before the government shut down. I mentioned last fall that caves are not sites we seek out normally, but I am so happy we did not miss this one.
At at least 800 feet below ground, an elevator transports you to series of caverns. One was large enough for the US Capitol Building to fit in. The explored caverns are connected by a series of walkways. The Park Service guide explains how these formations were created. The southwest was covered by water, which seeped through the ground forming the areas which we tour today. The colors are not brilliant, but the massive sizes could never be captured with a still camera. Only 5% of the area is still growing as small amounts of water continue to drip. Climate changes in the distant past halted continued cave growth.
ON TO ARIZONA FOR WARMTH, AND WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS SENIOR SUMMER CAMP, FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!!
Warm days with cool night, no snow or ice..just sunshine and fun!
WHEN MARCH ARRIVES, WE WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD!
WHEN MARCH ARRIVES, WE WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD!
Yes Senior Summer Camp!
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