Piggly Wiggly

Because we're fans of Jeff Foxworthy - we had to visit a Piggly Wiggly and of course, we purchased a souvenir bag to take to our high -styling King Sooper grocery store at home. We are celebrating New Year's Eve with Johnsons in Evans GA, a suburb of Augusta. We had a great time at Hilton Head SC, and are now beginning our trek West. Happy New Years to Ya'll!

Creepy Cheapy Sleepy Hollow

Traveling on I-10 through the panhandle of Florida - we decided it was time to find a spot for the night. We landed in Madison well past dark, and found our spot at an obviously run down looking facility. It was just a place to catch a few zzz's and hit the freeway in the morning so we weren't too picky. Just as we were drifting off to sleep, we heard some coyotes howling in the not too distant. When daylight broke and revealed our neighbors, we were relieved that we had lived through the night as others had obviously not faired as well. The surrounding trees are covered in Spanish Moss, which add to the creepy look. We decided that this RV park had a Bad Sam rating - wouldn't recommend it!!!

Beach Bum'n

Family of five featuring the wind-blown look

It's a small world . . . someone that works in this RV park in Destin FL graduated from Sweet Home High School with Scott. They saw our address on the registration, and came to introduce themselves.

We've discovered that Maren is a whiz at concentration/memory. She has whooped (southern for whipped) us all at it several times. The worst part is she really celebrates her victories and it is most humbling to lose to a 5 year old. I was giving her hints at first, but I quit after she beat me for the 3rd time.

We're not too sure who this angelic little girl is, but decided we'd better snap a picture.

Our personal sand groomer. Not one to laze around on a beach, Sten decided to beautify our stretch of beach with his contraption. Patent Pending.

What trip to the beach would be complete without burying a family member? Look at that big grin on Milah's face!

Holiday Greetings - Florida Style!

No shoes, No Shirt, No Problem . . .

Yes, we're experiencing a white Christmas, Gulf style.

Louisiana and Beyond . . .

We have determined that the official shoe of Louisiana is the rubber boot. There is water and mud everywhere. Many people store their rubber boots upside down between the cab of their truck and the bed.

This character is a friend of Mr. Johnsons (our family friend). After Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Johnson spent several months, helping where needed. He happened by this man's neighborhood called the Irish Bayou with some extra food. Apparently about the time Mr. Johnson showed up, poor Gene had lost 30 lbs and he was hungry! We enjoyed his stories of alligators and hurricane damage. Mr. Johnson definitely made a friend for life with his generosity. He sends warm greetings to the Johnsons. He is pictured with his wife, Vivian -

We drove through some of the areas that were most devastated by the hurricane damage, and it is quite sobering. There is nothing left, but a few snapped trees, and concrete staircases or bits of foundation. And . . . the destruction goes on for miles. A little further in, entire apartment complexes and shopping centers are completely abandoned and boarded up. It has been 3 yrs since the disaster, but it doesn't look like some places will ever return to normal?!

Due to the high water table, the cemetaries are vault style rather than grave style, like we're used to seeing. The high water table is obvious with water EVERYWHERE! Makes one a little leary that every puddle of water could potentially be home to an alligator.

We found a restaurant called, "Mila". We didn't choose to dine here, as their menu looked a little too adventurous for our taste buds. We did try alligator soup for dinner at the seafood place we chose.

After walking for about 4 miles, we gave our tired legs a break and hopped on this trolley down St. Charles Street.

We enjoyed the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Everything looks just like the pictures . . . but it was really neat to be walking down the streets - ones that could tell many stories, I'm certain! I can't imagine how crazy it must be during Mardi Gras - not something I would care to experience.

YES! The famous Bourbon Street! We need the help of our French speaking relatives to pronounce some of the street names as I'm sure we are slaughtering the beautiful French language.

Scott and the kids on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain

Rednecks on the Road

Here's the latest (and I hope nearly final) addition to our camping equipment. Scott whipped us up some steaks in the "Big Easy" tonight. We've traveled about 1200 miles since leaving at noon on Saturday. We are nestled up to the I-10 freeway in downtown New Orleans, so this will prove to be an eventful night. I guess if you have to sleep under an overpass, this is the best way to do it.

Our first night was fairly restless. We stayed in the little town of Dalhart Texas, where we determined that EVERY train in Texas rambled through during the night. Not only did they buzz just behind the RV park, but they must've had a whistle blowing contest as they were passing thru the little burg.

We are feeling like we should've shown our passports when we came into Lousiana. Scott came from the gas station with a puzzled look on his face after asking the attendent some simple directions. He shook his head and said, "I didn't understand a single thing she said?!"

We are planning to head to the French Quarter and surrounding areas tomorrow. One of the things we "have" to eat is some kind-of donut/pastry that has a plastic baby baked into it. If you get the baby in your bite - you have good luck for the next year. I don't think we'll let Sten take any bites, as he has a history of getting things stuck in his throat.

We're Off!

Our pages are dog-eared, and we've exhausted one of our favorite websites, Trip Advisor. We're off on an adventure tomorrow - with stops planned in Dallas, New Orleans, Destin FL, Hilton Head and Charleston SC, Augusta GA, and home through OK City. We are very excited about the stop along the beach in Florida - apparently the beaches are some of the best with white sand and clear blue/green water. They are having 80 degree weather right now, but I don't think it's supposed to stay that nice. Our camper is neatly packed and looking quite organized - somehow it's difficult to maintain with all of us rooting around in there. I suppose after 2 weeks of togetherness and over 3000 miles in such small quarters, we'll come home and promptly set it on fire in the driveway.

Vegetarians, Hide your Eyes!

At Scott's office Xmas party, he offered to bring a ham. A 25 lb ham - we cooked it on 300 all night and about 4 in the morning, the smell was divine. I wanted to beat on my chest and come sink my teeth into this big porker like a starving savage. Grunt Grrr Grunt!

Maybe the voracious appetite is due to our previous diet of late. Hmmm, vanilla pudding and immodium - with a banana, grape juice or popsicle thrown in as our systems could handle.

M-MMM, Good

We've been a little under the weather at this house and we had "worker/family" company this weekend as Kim F was here. I have never fed the workers top ramen, but Milah offered to cook and none of us complained. Kim wasn't feeling too good either, so a cup of hot soup was just what she ordered.

Overworked and Underpayed

So, Maren (the 5 year old) has 3 household jobs, besides attempting to clean her room. One is putting a new garbage bag in the trash when necessary, one is feeding the dog, and the last is unwrapping and placing a dishwasher tab in the dishwasher. After one such chore - she stood with her arms folded across her chest and informed me that she "does all the work around here"! Hmmmph.

Papa, Nana and Shelly arrive!

The Gang's All here!

We tried a new restaurant tonight and Sten would really like to dine there every night, but it's definitely not in the budget. It looks like we are standing in a giant pizza oven, or are the guests at a castle. The poor California girl is freezing here in Colorado.

Milah and Aunt Shelly

Leslie, Shelly and Milah

Milah anxiously awaiting their arrival this afternoon

I think this calls for some Hot Chocolate

We awoke to about 8 inches of snow this morning and it's still coming down! This is the most snow we've had at our house since we've moved here. We were supposed to be at Denver Special Meeting today, but we took one peek outside and decided that we weren't attempting the drive North. After taking a look at the webcams on I-25, I think we made a good decision.

We might have to find a good sledding hill today, and our driveway clean-up team is going to stay busy.

We feel great pity for those Thanksgiving travelers that are going home today - what a miserable trip.

Don't you feel sorry for us?

Old Man Winter visited last night and throughout the day. This is the pool we've been enjoying - apparently it's the 2nd largest hot springs pool in the world, the first is Glenwood Springs. It was neat to be swimming while it was snowing today.

The Beavers play a crucial civil war game tomorrow and if they win, they will be headed to the Rose Bowl. Our thoughts will be with poor Sherman and Mr. J as they sit on the 50 yard line, just 17 rows up.

Best Part of Thanksgiving - RELATIVES!!

Here's some favorite relatives from long ago - the Hilton crew, Marlys and Kenny and their daughters and their spouses. Also one of Maggie VDB and her little leach, Maren. It's great to see them, catch up, and reminisce.

We also loved seeing Uncle John and family, along with "Old" Grandpa and Grandma. They were enjoying being at their old home and even took a nap in their old bedroom.

Wonder how many are getting up at 3:30 in the morning tomorrow to go stand in line and fight other adults for toys? I don't think we'll be there. Good night!!

The Turkey Speaks!

I have never understood

why anyone would:

Roast the turkey

and shuck the clams

and crisp the croutons

and shell the peas

and candy the sweets

and compote the cranberries

and whip up the gravy

and shape the rolls

and bake the pies

and clear the table

and wash the dishes

and fall into bed

When they could just sit

back and enjoy a hamburger.

We are having Thanksgiving today and the turkey is roasting beautifully in the oven (poor little guy) Mmmm, can't you just smell it? Tomorrow we'll be enjoying turkey sandwiches at Telluride, some of us snowboarding and some of us spectating. We are waiting for a light snowfall, but so far the weather isn't cooperating with our wishes.

Ouray, Part II

A few more pics . . .

Box Canyon is an incredible place - I could go there everyday and still be impressed. It is difficult to get a good shot because it is so dark in there. A river shoots out of a hole in the rocks and falls 150-200 ft into a canyon. The sound is deafening and it is beautiful - you just have to go there. They are dripping water on the canyon walls to create ice for (suicidal) climbers. I don't think that we'll be returning for that activity.

Fun on the Western Slope

Enjoying being together and visiting our old haunts here in Ouray. We went to Box Canyon yesterday and the Hot Springs pool. Visited "Old Grandpa and Grandma VDB" and saw Kim F on Sunday.

Squaw Maren

Maren had a POW WOW today with the entire kindegarten class. She's pictured with her "boyfriend" Jeffrey, whom she has kissed (she informed us). After the Pow wow, they had a corn feast. She had one line in the play - "Indians help their new friends". She panicked a bit when they handed her the microphone and she said, "Ummm", but pulled it off just perfect. She has her little baby on her back in a papoose.