Big Thank you

 Ok, many of you are still reading, looking or laughing at the antics of DaGirls. Well guess we'll continue doing something. I mean something is better then Social Media apps, Right ?

So, on Saturday April 20th, we lander in Alexandria, La. Specifically, Boyce. We found this small 10 unit campground many years ago, in the way CG go, this is one lovely and quiet place. The sites are large, well spread out and full hooks-up. It is also less then 10 miles to where my Aunt Joy, lives.

Let me make one thing clear, no-one comes to Alex except for these reasons:

Work, Passing thru to New Orleans, or you really do have relatives that live here. Seriously, those are the only reasons, I have ever ascertained (Ooh big word: more the 7 letters, sometimes I surprise myself).  

One of the reasons, sometimes I do not post photos, is because even though there are some lovely areas. Big homes, golf courses, and other places. It is still a low income for many of the people. Where the minimum wage is still $10. Home ownership is mainly out of the reach for the greater population. Where people buy houses for fixup and then rent them out. 

And sometimes  just plain forget to, or even carry a camera.

I know, these homes, I can remember by relatives living in house like these. Where the average square footages are less the 1000 sqft. and are older then 80 years. So, what is drawing me back here to Alex?

Maybe it is my remaining Aunt. Aunt Joy, who is 95. Here brother, my dad would have been close to 100 now. Or, my 2 remaining cousins Ed, and Mark along with Ronda, Mark's wife. Who's knows what's the draw is, that keeps bringing me back.

Or how about 3 generations of Prichard's that are buried here. 2 generations in Pineville and 1 in Ball. Which is just down the street. 

Dad and Mom

Great Grandmother

Great Grandma Prichard Right Side

Great Grandfather

Great Grandfather Prichard

Grandfather

Grandmother

Grandfather and Grandmother (Left and Middle)

Or is it the other relatives that are buried here in the Alex area. Come to think of it, most of my relatives', both on my Grandfather (Rev Garland Prichard) and Grandmother (Leona (Yarbro) side, are buried from Louisiana, Arkansas and up to Ohio Valley. Also the family name Prichard. I have 1 relative with it spelled Pritchard, and another spelled Pritchett. This is going back another 3 or 4 generations.

So, when thinking about it, what really draws me back to places like this. Definitely not looking to retire, although here the Atwood clan always have a open door, to anyone relative of not. 

Definitely not the area well, humidity really. Green, you couldn't get more greener grass, trees, animals and lots of Private Land. Private land, well lets say, in the olden days the Wood / Paper companies owned pretty much all the forest. 

Anyway, think about yourself. Do you ever feel drawn back to someplace? Similar to what I just wrote about? 

Oh, did I mention, that the Day we arrived I aged by 1 year to 73. Yep, April 20, 1951 at 0830 in Alex I was born. 73, it was that night, I found out I was the oldest one of the bunch. That's Ed in the background.

My Aunt Joy

There is one thing that keeps Joy going. Sewing, yes sewing. Now, she makes small quilts, about 4 x 4. She uses material that she has or Rhonda or Ed brings to her. She heard there were needs for quilts for Children in Distress. She makes about 20 a month, which are then taken down to a facility. All of her quilts are given away. Friends, family, children in need. 

Mark, by the way, sorry we forgot to take the garbage out. Also I forgot to take a group photo of all of us.  Really messed that one up. 

By the way, my aunt's born name is really LeeJoy, one word. However in all the years, census reports, papers, social security, it was always written down as Joy L. It's funny, how when you go back thru history, someone or many someone's always can get it wrong. Oh, you say what about her birth certificate? Back that far, the certificates were a piece a paper. Given to the parents, or the church would keep a written record. 

Both my father and Aunt had a alternate birth certificate. This required a parent going down and filling out a piece of paper, Then with this item, they could get a. Wait for it..... Social Security number. I know everyone thinks a paper trail was kept. Well guess what, if it wasn't for the church, some official office there would be no paper trail.   

Anyway this wraps it up for now.

Anyway, Dakota was given a bath today, as her fur was getting a little dry. The only problem. There was only 1 set of hands to do all the rubbing with towels. You can Never have too many rubbing hands. 

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Texas State Parks and Why we are Still Here

 So, what's happening. Well we left Bandera on Apr 16, Tuesday for Bastrop, Tx State Park. 1 thing we purchase a Tx state park pass for $70. This allows us to camp full price for the 1st night and 1/2 price the 2nd night. Our primary reason is, Dakota ended up with a eye infection in your left eye. Susan was very fortunate to locate a Animal Eye Care in Austin. This company is affiliated with Animal Eye care in Phoenix. 

So, she is on antibiotics for now. They also stated she needed to be seen again in 2 wks. So, we have appointment on May 1 Wed. We are floating about Texas and Louisiana until then. 

Bastrop State park is a lovely park able to handle a 40ft Alfa. However was you read, is it is suitable for 35Ft or less. Well many of the sites are pull through's. Our site was easy to level and setup. Many thing is to look at the sites on line. 

Press Here for Additional Information on Bastrop State Park 

While in Bastrop we had a wonderful visit with Hank & Ellen Folk. It has been many years, I think 2019 Fredericksburg since we have seen each other. One or another has kept us apart. We do hope we can visit again or enjoy a rally together.

Our next stop was Martin Dies, Jr. State Park. As we left Bastrop SP, we travel up Hwy 

And no the Alfa did NOT fly.

Press Here for Additional Information 

The sites are large and easy to get in and setup. Just remember this is east Texas and the grass is green and lots of trees. 

We are still traveling around, from here we will be traveling to Alexandria, La. Birthplace of 1 Dale Prichard and where my Aunt Joy (95), Mark (cousin) & Rhonda Atwood and Ed Atwood (cousin) live.

More on this later. 

I do hope as you read this you will leave a comment. 

Using the Contact Block

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Wrap-Up

 Our Alfa Owners Chapter Rally, wrapped up last night (Apr 15), with the farewell dinner and gifts. 

We participated in various classes, dinners, early breakfast, just to name a few.

We had 4 Alfa chapters in attendance, but sadly the Mavericks announced they have disbanded, and another chapter announce they are in limbo. Reason, lack of people who are willing to join a chapter, become rally maters or officers in the chapters. Sadly it is these same ones, who cried the loudness, have a rally here. 

Oh well, of the 48 Rv'ers that did attend - had one hell of a fun time. We dance, we played games, enjoyed each others company and even worked on a few coaches. 

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv, Gus Da Bus

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me

Oh what about us? Well we have moved onto Bastrop, State Park, just east of Bastrop, Tx., which is east of Austin, Tx. 

Finally Landed in Bandera, Texas

 Ok today, we finally landed at Twin Elms Cow/Horse meadow. Yes you head that right, this is a horse, cow, rodeo, you name it field.

It is really not that bad, especially after we arrange to move from the meadow to the archery range. The grounds have a slope for drainage, so parking means elevating the front or the rear. This is actually easier then you think. All you have to do is, leave the rv aired up, lower the jacks which is the lowest, and then dump the air. This keeps the one end up while letting the other end be lower. Now you can just adjust according. 

This makes it's especially easier for our super so long slide. 

We arranged our 2 Rv's (Rypma's) and ours with a common area and a shade structure in the center.

We are facing Southeast, we get the sun in the afternoon and Dave gets it in the morning. Sorted like this: Southeast to southwest with the Nose to rear. Today, was sunny and 86, and we expect a low of 56 by the morning. Friday's highs around 79, and lows near the same. 

Currently our local forecast is:

Tomorrow is the big day, everyone is expected to arrive between 9 am and 3 pm.  So, time to get some rest and be bright eye and bushy tail.

Safe Travels and Journeys 

DaGirls Rv and Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me