02-31JAN08 - Houma, LA (truly homeless)

We arrived to our still unsold house in Houma right after New Years; but more on the house later. Although nothing was definite, our intention was to stay here for about a month or so (or until after Mardi Gras). The most important thing we had to do, other than sell our house, was “dog sit” Rebecca and Raymond’s “baby” Gracie; Gracie is a seven month old Weimaraner that is the proverbial bull in the china shop. We had been “volunteered” to dog sit while the newly weds went on their honeymoon ski trip to Park City, Utah. And while in Houma we would try to get our annual and semi-annual dental and medical appointments done.

Dog sitting Gracie was a little adventure in itself. Although we have owned Jack Russell Terriers for over 15 years and have dealt with these high energy dogs, we were not prepared for a 75 pound puppy that was all legs and didn’t know the word “NO”. Unfortunately Corrie seemed to get the worst of it, since Gracie seemed to take great pleasure in jumping on her or trying to sit on her lap. As for Gumbo, he would just lay in his bed and growl anytime Gracie came near. The kids made it back from their honeymoon with no broken bones and retrieved their baby, Gracie!
Meanwhile, our realtor called and told us that an offer had made on our house and that we might close in the middle of February. At the same time Dan, who still does some consulting jobs, went to Texarkana, AR, on business for LSU (Geaux Tigers!). For those that don’t know, Texarkana is a town that is split in half by the Texas/Arkansas state border. In fact the border goes right through the middle of the post office, the only post office in USA serving two different zip codes.

http://www.txkusa.org/

Dan’s motel was on State Line Ave where he noted:

---all the car dealers were on the Texas side because the sales tax is less than in Arkansas.

---all the liquor stores were on the Arkansas side, since the Texas county was dry.

---until recently the majority of the population lived on Texas side because there is no income tax in TX; but apparently Arkansas has implemented a special exclusion for their side of the city and people are now buying houses in Arkansas?

When Dan returned from his LSU trip he noted that the beverages in the RV refrigerator were not as cold as normal. A call was placed to the RV Doctor (local repair technician), who determined that refrigerator was not repairable. Looks like another unplanned trip to a repair facility. On the brighter side, we received a phone call from our realtor that the closing on our house would be on the 30th of Jan!

During the last full weekend in Jan was also the start of the Mardi Gras parades in Houma. For the first time since moving to Houma we didn’t watch any. Friday night was rained out, Saturday was too cold, and Sunday Dan was fasting for his colonoscopy on Monday (since he was fasting, he didn’t want to spend four hours around people constantly eating and drinking). As for the medical procedure, at least he didn’t end up in the intensive care unit for three days like he did in 2003. Unfortunately, a polyp was removed, and he gets to do it again next year.

Since our house sale was closing on the 30th of January, we cleaned out the last of our possessions and moved the RV to the Houma Civic Center on the 29th. The morning of the 30th we were awakened by the noise of what sounded like tap dancers walking by the RV? Turns out the Budweiser Clydesdales were in town for the Mardi Gras parades and had set up base at the opposite end of the Civic Center parking lot. What were hearing was the ten horses being walked around the parking lot for morning exercise.

http://www.grantsfarm.com/ClydesdaleStables.htm

That morning we received a phone call from old friends of ours, Steve and Barbara Garrity, from Andover, Massachusetts. Steve is another retired Coastie, who relieved Dan as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard unit in Morgan City in 2001. Seems they were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and wanted to swing by. Since we were closing on the house at 1600, we decided to meet right after lunch. Although the visit was way too short, it was great to see them.

After visiting with the Garrity’s it was off to the house closing. Since we were the sellers we had to sit there for an hour while they went over the mountain of paperwork the buyers had to read (right!) and sign. Then at the very end we get one piece of paper with how much is owed to us for us to sign, and we get our check. Since it was five to five, we jumped up, said thank you very much, and ran out the door to the bank to get the check out of our hands and safely into our account. We actually made it to the bank a couple minutes after five, but they had failed to lock the door.

The next morning, the last day in January, found us once again making the seven hour drive to the Tiffin factory in Red Bay, AL, this time to see if they can fix the refrigerator. We had tried to get it repaired in Louisiana, but no one would return our calls. So we decided to drive much longer than we normally do, hoping that the factory can get to us quickly. During the last half of the drive we (ie Dan) had to deal with driving rain and thunder storms through north Mississippi into Alabama.

http://www.tiffinmotorhomes.com/

01JAN08 - Biloxi, MS

After a farewell cup of coffee with the Guldenschuhs it was back on the road to our empty house in Houma, LA. Although we could have driven straight through to Houma, we decided to split drive into two days and stop in Biloxi, MS. We decided to stop in Biloxi to check out the Keesler Air Force Base Family Camp, and the recently reopened casinos.

As most of you know most of the damage to New Orleans from Katrina was from levee failure and the subsequent flooding. Unfortunately for Mississippi their coast bore the full brunt of the storm surge and hurricane force winds. It is estimated that a thirty foot wall of water came ashore from Pass Christian all the way to Biloxi. Houses and businesses on the north side of US 90 that had been there for decades, and some for over a hundred years, and survived numerous hurricanes were completely destroyed. Biloxi is doing okay in their recovery because four of the major casinos have finally reopened and provide employment opportunities and a much needed tax base, but the majority of the coastal Mississippi communities still look like ghost towns.

After a couple of false turns we found the military Family Camp and set up camp. The majority of the Air Force Base was not damaged by the hurricane, but was without full utilities for several months following Katrina. In addition, since there are almost no rental housing available, the majority of the Fam Camp is employees of the base waiting for housing. After an early dinner it was off to the Casino Beau Rivage to contribute to the hurricane recovery. On our return from the casino, we swung through the Air Force housing at the Falcon housing site so Dan could check out another military house the Ryans occupied in the early 60s when Dan Sr was stationed at Keesler AFB.

http://www.keesler.af.mil/

30/31DEC07 - Navarre, FL (happy new year!)

The next stop on our itinerary was just down the beach highway, US 98, in Navarre, FL. There we were to join up with our old friends Anneke and Chuck Guldenschuh, who also recently became full time RV’ers.

http://goldenshoervtrip.blogspot.com/

We all first met way back in the late 70s early 80s when we were all in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, together (Chuck was Dan’s boss the first time he was stationed overseas). Our paths have continually crossed as both men pursued their Coast Guard careers. In fact, when the CG reopened the Rotterdam office in 1995, Chuck was the first Commanding Officer assigned, and Dan was his first Executive Officer!

As we proceeded from Panama City to Navarre, we could begin to see the remaining after effects of hurricane Ivan over four to five years ago. Since Navarre is very close to Pensacola, it was heavily impacted. Many small business, smaller condominiums, and some houses are still damaged and empty. In fact, we heard on the news that one of the major insurance companies will cancel all their Florida hurricane insurance 01 JAN 08 – Happy New Year?

We made it safely to the RV park and immediately met up with the Guldenschuhs. After a little time socializing, we all headed over to the nearby Army Base, Hurlburt Field, to do a little shopping. Then it was back to the RV park where Dan BBQ’d some lamb and a delicious meal was had by all. The rest of the evening was spent telling sea stories and playing cards. The next morning the Guldenschuhs took us to a local restaurant known for its baked goods (the cinnamon rolls are excellent!) and large omelets on Santa Rosa Island. A quick driving tour of the Island shows about 90% of the homes completely gone because of hurricane Ivan.

That evening being New Years Eve, we all planned on gathering at the Guldenschuh’s daughter, Heather, and her husband, Ryan Baxter, house to bring in the New Year. Ryan and Heather live down the beach in Mary Esther. It turns out that the “party” was evenly split between four “oldies” in their fifties; and four “young pups” in their twenties. First we had a traditional "dutch" New Year's Eve dinner of ertwensoep (dutch split pea soup w/ham & sausage), and ollie ballen (think donut holes on steroids); followed by more card games. Since we were able to watch the Time Square celebration real time (ie East Coast time), we were able to make our good-byes and get back to the RV before midnight local time (ie Central time). Remember every party needs a pooper. Anyway – GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR!!! De beste wensen voor 2008!

27-29DEC07 - Panama City, FL

On Thursday, 27DEC, we arrived at the Family Camp run by Tyndall AFB in Panama City, FL. Upon arrival we immediately noted that everyone seemed to know everyone else and had been coming here for years. And full calendar of activities was already scheduled by the many “volunteers”. In fact we were informed that tonight was penny bingo and Friday was fish fry potluck dinner. We passed on the bingo but signed up for the fish fry. We also noted one of the largest wood piles we had ever seen. Turns out that there is a structure enclosed with vinyl sheeting that has a fire pit in the middle that pretty much burns all day and night. Apparently it takes the place of the office water cooler for spreading rumors. It is the only fire pit structure we have ever seen with window air conditioners?

http://www.tyndall.af.mil/

The next morning we took the toad and back tracked on the route we had driven in on, to explore the town of Apalachicola. Apalachicola was one of the top five seaports within the USA prior to the Civil War. Although it never regained prominence as a seaport, Apalachicola was number one in natural sponges before that market went bust. Today the town is known for its fresh seafood, especially oysters. We wandered around the town to build up our appetites before tackling the famous Apalachicola Oysters. At noon time it was off to Boss Oysters for lunch. Of course we had to start with half dozen raw oysters. Corrie then went with the oyster po-boy that was definitely overloaded with fried oysters. Dan went with a dish supposedly “invented” in Charleston, cheese grits with shrimp; very good, but not heart healthy!

After some more exploring of Apalachicola, it was off to a state museum devoted to John Gorrie who is credited as the inventor of the ice machine. As with most inventors Gorrie built his machine for one purpose, at which it failed, and others saw the potential and made fortunes off it. Gorrie designed his machine to cool the rooms of TB patients in Apalachicola. He reasoned that since TB was more prevalent in warm climates, that if he lowered the temperature of their rooms, those afflicted with TB would get better. Obviously it didn’t work. But others took his patents and perfected the first ice machines. Anyway the entire museum was smaller than our RV and only cost one dollar.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/johngorriemuseum/

After returning to the Family Camp spent the afternoon washing half of the RV. Then it was off to the fish fry potluck we had signed up for at the community center. Everyone, including us, brought one small dish to share. The fried fish was Grouper, which the local waters of the Gulf of Mexico are famous for. Very enjoyable evening.

The next morning we finished off the other half of washing the RV. Of course rain is forecasted for the afternoon. That evening we headed over to our friends, Brad and Debbie Black. Brad and Dan were classmates at the Coast Guard Academy, but ran in different circles. But the last three years of their CG careers (2001 to 2004) they worked and socialized together at the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans. Anyway, after CG retirement Brad started a second career in Panama City. Turns out Brad has become an accomplished raiser of Koi in pond he has constructed in his backyard. For those that don’t know Koi are very large brightly colored fish that are members of the carp family (ie they are not large goldfish like many people think). Debbie prepared an excellent meal and we spent hours talking about the various CG couples we had known and where were they now? The evening was far too short and we promise to return.

26DEC07 - Crawfordville, FL

As we drove from Kings Bay, GA, to the beach area of Fort Walton, FL, we decided to try something a lot of RV’ers do, but we haven’t to date. That is “dry camping” in the parking lot of your friendly super Wal-Mart. We don’t know if you have noticed, but every now and then you might see RVs parked on the outer fringes of Wal-Mart; usually over night or for a few days at most. Wal-Mart doesn’t encourage this, but they don’t discourage it either. The RV’er gets the security of a 24hr facility with security cameras, and Wal-Mart gets a few extra bucks if you decide to do a little shopping.

Spending the night in a traditional RV park has its benefits, but sometimes the services provided are not the worth the money spent for an overnight stay. In reality with the generator running, we have everything we need except cable no matter where we are. And the fuel cost for running the generator all night is much less than the average fee at a RV park. So south of Tallahassee we pulled into the parking lot of the super Wally Mart in Crawfordville, FL, to spend the night and minimizes our expenses.

Bottom line, it wasn’t so bad; except for when the young punk was showing off his new car stereo he got for xmas to his buddies at max volume. Thankfully it was over in fifteen minutes, and we were not disturbed the rest of the night.

22-25DEC07 - Kings Bay, GA (merry xmas)

Saturday 22DEC, we arrived at the military RV park on board the US Navy’s east coast Trident Submarine Base at Kings Bay, GA. We have heard very good things about this facility from several military retirees, and we agree that this is one of the best military recreational facilities we have stayed at. But this being a nuclear submarine and missile facility the security is much higher than other military bases. Two examples – security cars continually come through the campground all night, and every now and then we hear a taped warning played over loud speakers warning that you have entered a restricted area and the use of deadly force is authorized (we think warning is set off when animals set off sensors). To learn more, check out:

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/KingsBay/index.htm

On Sunday morning we headed into the small town of St Marys, Ga, across the river Mayport, FL. St Marys claims it is the second oldest city in the USA. But as in sports, being second gets you nothing and tourists go to St Augustine, FL, the oldest city in the USA. St Marys is also the National Parks access point to Cumberland Island, which was once a private get away for Thomas Carnegie and family. The last Carnegie family members donated their properties to the Park Service in 1971. We toured the visitor center and would have taken the ferry to the island, but they wanted thirty eight dollars for four hours on the island. Plus the best way to tour the island is by bicycle, but you can’t take your bikes because they don’t want competition for the bike concession on the island.

www.nps.gov/cuis

That evening we headed up I-95 to a hole in the wall BBQ place Dan read it about called the GA. Pig (ie the Georgia Pig). The establishment is a nondescript wooden building set way back from the road. In fact if you are not looking for the sign with a pig playing a fiddle, you’ll never find it. One thing this restaurant does differently, is to keep spraying the wood fire with water is to produce lots of smoke. The water spray also tends to fill the whole building with smoke. Regardless, it was great BBQ.

Monday morning we drove south to Florida Beach Highway A1A to see the Atlantic Ocean. First we stopped in the town of Fernandina Beach. The historic section of Fernandina has been beautifully restored; unfortunately all the stores are geared toward “beach” tourists. However, the drive along the beach and then through the inland marshes is very beautiful, and it was a beautiful, sunny day.

Christmas eve we went to the RV park recreation room for hors devoirs that we had previously signed up for, to meet fellow RV’ers. While there we made the acquaintance of Lambert and Sandra Elboeck, and Jim and Ursula Wilson. We had an excellent evening of conversation, and it turns out that all three couples have an “European connection”. As most of you know Corrie was born in the Netherlands, not to mention the fact that we lived there for years as a couple. Well turns out that Lambert was born and raised in Austria before immigrating to USA when he was eleven, and when he joined the US military his first assignment was three years in Munich. Jim met and married Ursula while stationed in Germany. So our conversations were punctuated with bits and pieces of German and Dutch. Did we mention the fact that Ursula brought a bottle of champagne and we were the envy of everyone else drinking sodas or coffee?

Christmas Day was definitely a different one for us. There were no gifts to be unwrapped, or big meal to prepare. In fact we spent the day doing laundry and cleaning the RV. Then that afternoon we headed over to the base galley with our new friends, the Elboeck’s and Wilson’s, for Xmas dinner. A very nice and quiet Xmas as we fell asleep with full bellies, listening to the warnings about deadly force (look out Santa and Rudolph!).

21DEC07 - Albany, GA (semper fi)

After some discussion and time spent looking at maps of southeastern USA, we decide that we would head to the military RV park at Kings Bay Naval Base outside of St Marys, GA, for Xmas. We also considered going to Savannah, but decided that we just wanted a quiet location and didn’t need a big city for Xmas. And Kings Bay would put right on the Florida border and thereby shorten our driving distance to meet with our friends the Guldenschuhs near Fort Walton Beach, FL, for New Years.

Not wanting to drive the entire distance in one day, we decided to stay overnight at the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany, GA. After our disappointment at the Air Force facilities at Lake Martin, this campsite was four stars. In fact, someone even delivered a local paper to our RV door in the morning. It was such a pleasant relaxing location, that we didn’t even bother with our usual trip into town for a walkabout. We are not sure what the MCLB does, but you can check out their website at:

http://www.ala.usmc.mil/