Louisiana to Arkansas

So, let’s get everyone caught up as to who we’ve seen, where we were and where we are today (May 24).

First everyone remembers, we went to Alexandria, Alex for short, that’s what we Louisianans' call it, so live with or get over it, either way.
Why, well not because it’s their but to see my Aunt Joy, my dad’s sister. Enough of this as you should have already read all about it.

Ok, so on a Sat. May 18th to be exact we hit the road at 6:55 am, yep, we were on the road before 7am and heading for Louisiana  Hwy 167, but it is really not Louisianan Hwy, but a U.S. Hwy 167.

U.S. Route 167 runs for 500 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62/US Route 412 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana. Wikipedia-Clicky

Our first stop – well after 70 miles it was time for a coffee break, off in the distance was a town called Winnfield. Good place to stop except no coffee shops were either open or around. We pulled into a Walmart and we said to ourselves, wait, we live in our home. We can make our own coffee. Which is what we did. In about 30 minutes, Dakota & Tilly walked, coffee made and in our cups we were off aging heading north.

Where you might ask?
Ruston, Choudrant, Louisiana to be exact. To see Dick and Trish Albritton.

Not to have work done, but to see friends. While we were there, we talked to Ronnie, met Jody his wife and even caught with with Mark and Cathy Finnesgard. Whom we have not see, or me remembering, in 2 years.
Now you know me, I just cannot always sit still. So neither Ronnie or Dick needed help, so that left me with time on my hands.

But 1 thing Dick had was a old Generac Generator, with a good generator inside. I should have known better, Dick was giving some instructions, lightly, me listening, not much, and the next thing, I am out there removing the generator from the assembly. Only 2 small items did he forget to say. While applying pressure to the pulley, and then hitting it with a hammer, WATCH OUT, as the pully will come flying off one way, and you the other way. That was fun to watch. And much laughter could be heard. The next thing? Well someone forgot to tell me the flippin generator weight over 60 lbs, I almost fell over picking it up.

Well I got it out and apart enough to get dimensional measurements on it. So I can now start looking for a replacement for the Alfa community.

Well we all had a good laugh on this one. Among the many trips to town I saw first hand the damage done to Ruston by a Tornado about 1 month ago, where 2 people loss their lives.

Ok, so where were we heading to after Dick’s?
After some discussion, we learned of Glupha Springs CG in a National Park, next to Hot Springs, Ar. So, on Wed., 22nd of May, we headed out. And this is where we are as I write this. Not to worry, I will catch everyone up on what we are doing or think we know, what we are doing.

Safe Travels and Journeys 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.

We have Left Texas - Finally

Our final goal ? Get out of Texas. We have achieved our Goal.

Current location ? Alexandria, Louisiana. Specifically Alexandria Rv Park.

Alexandria RV Park - Clicky

Our first time was in 2018, when we found this spot. It is a family own park with about 10 sites. Within 5 miles of Alex.

We came because of family, specifically to see my Aunt Joy, the last remaining linkage to my father:

Since we were so close, why not, as she will be 91 years old this year. Along with my 2 cousins (Ed & Mark) and their wives (Shelly and Rhonda). Wed., we gather with Ed & Shelly for food and talk, then Thur., with all for dinner and talks.

While we were here, we planned a trip to Baton Rouge to drop off our old Level Legs system.

Sightseeing - none, visits - lots. Plus a day spend at the gravesites of the Prichard's. Normally it is only Susan and I that go and spend time; Cleaning up and visiting. However this time we asked Joy, if she would like to come with us and she did. We all enjoyed a trip out.

My pet peeve on cemeteries ?    Once you've in the ground, spend all the money, very few ever visit, and then no one ever comes. So why spend the money that way. Enjoy it while you live.

Back to real life:
On our way to baton Rouge, we enjoyed a stop at a in an old fashioned truck stop for breakfast and art.

Driving over we stopper in for a cup of coffee and became time travelers.

We continued our journey to Baton Rouge 

Along the way, we spied a Tiger on the prowl.

There are a few ways to and from Alex to Baton Rouge: Then there is DaGirls way: One of them is not being the fasted.

However it was time to leave but not until 1 additional day with my aunt. But Friday evening came and Saturday we broke camp very early (6:55) and headed north to La 167. Our destination; Ruston, where we had friends waiting and a chance to meet another Road Runner, Mark & Cathy Finnesgard.

Just outside Winnfield, we went looking for coffee, then realize this; hey we live in an rv, so we pulled over to a Walmart parking lot, walked Dakota and Tilly and made a pot of coffee. Once that was completed, we hit the road again, inverter on, keeping the coffee warm and continue your journey to Ruston.

Guess what, did you catch the part about Levelegs System? Yes we got a new system installed. More on the New System later.
For now, it is time to say
GOOD MORNING LOUISIANA 

Safe Travels and Journeys
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
And Keep an Eye on the Rear View Camera

Finally - Getting out of Texas

Today was the today, prepping to get out of Texas. Finished helping Josh with Slide gear assembly.

Out new leveler system has been installed and working.

Break in the weather - Sunny and in the 80's.

Our destination, Beaumout, Tx. Elk's lodge. Funny thing though, this lodges rents out to NON_Elks. I don't mind this, but when there are no spaces for visiting Elk members, this is contrary to the requirement. MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE ELK"s.

I understand the need to bring in funds, but, the lodge should keep 3 to 5 spaces available for Elk members. I definitely, will be sending in a bad review to the Lodge Trustees and ER.

Our route took us from Pipe Creek onto TX-16, then southeast to San Antonio (SA). Where we took 1640 east loop around SA. Thanks Ray for the suggestion. This route was east and free of traffic.

Our first stop was a rest stop, where we switch drivers, (Susan taking over). We continued onto our next stop, refueling station. Where we picked up fuel for $2.71/gal. 

Our next stop was a Buc-ee's gas station. I always wanted top see one of the largest re-fueling station in Texas. Boy is it large

So, picked up some coffee along with 2 sandwiches, then back to the coach and lunch.

I promise to do a writeup on how our new jacks are working - later.

So we arrived at the Elks in Beaumont, Tx. Nice place BUT, they do not have spots for traveling members. All the sports are taken by LONG TERM NOT MEMBERS. 

So, we have a grass spot with no sewer. 

Safe Travels 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota & Me

Keep an eye in the rear camera

Maintenance

Maintenance - Plug to Receptacle;

Recently Susan and I relocated to Round Rock, Tx., specifically to the Old Settlers RV park. A City Park with Full Hookups split with 30 and 50 amp sites. Be aware this is a no-frills park, with sites just big enough for a Alfa with slides out, without the awning. Upon setup, nothing abnormal was notice, plugged in and life was good. As we were leaving I notice this:

What I did not take was a photo of the plug looked like. When I remember to take additional photos, it was in the replacement process. The photo showing the damage to the plug, was a sight to see.

If you notice very closely, the Red wire (Leg 2) had come completely out of the terminal. The Green wire (safety ground) was burnt through the insulation.

As this was a Sunday, we knew we needed a replacement; we located a Camping World in New Braunfels. We arrived just as they opened and of course had to spend time looking around. Our destination was the Elks Lodge in Kerrville, Tx.

So, it was time for replacement of the damage plug and cord.

In replacing the plug this time, I had some wire sleeves, which I installed over the stranded wires. This allowed a firmer connection.

So, what is the take-away from this experience? Always look closely at both plug and receptacle.
What can cause a burnt plug – receptacle?
Loose connection, wire to terminal, inside the plug or the receptacle.
Loose connection, wire to terminal, circuit breaker.
Bad plug - receptacle.
Not being inserted all the way.

What can you do to prevent this?
Prior to plugging in, look closely at both the plug – receptacle.
Are the blades clean, is it a tight fit when plugged in. Is it inserted all the way?
Has your plug been replaced? If yes, have you opened the cover and ensure connections are tight.
Is the insulation of the cable pulled away from the strain relief? If it is a molded plug to cable, then replace it.
If it is a replacement plug, remove the strain relief, remove the cover, using black electrical tape (Not Cheap tape), wrap a few layers around the cable. 

Cost: Less than $30
Time: 1 hr.
Out of the way of our travels? No
 

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Waco, Gerogetown and Hutto

Our time spent here in Round Rock, has allowed us to visit some unique places. Like the birthplace of the Dr. Pepper soda and bottling plant, Texas ranger museum and a stop in at the Chip and Joanna Magnolia store.

Dr Pepper is America’s unique flavor and was created, manufactured and sold beginning in 1885 in the Central Texas town of Waco.

History of Dr. Pepper - Clicky 

A few photos, of our visit:

From there we also stopped into the Texan Ranger Museum. I normally do not take photos inside museum. This is due to light and the glass:

Along our walk downtown we always run into some fun finds:

Along our road trips took us to the Town of Georgetown. North of Round Rock, about 10 miles. Our walk this time took us to a famous courthouse. Famous by being the first place to win a court case against the KKK.

Your Honor

Another unique place was this church, it is open to the public and on certain days a docent is available. Jus too many thing to remember all about it.

The above photo of this Bible, long with other items will no longer be available, as the items will be transfer to another museum. Once there they will no longer be made available to the public for handling.

Our final stop was a town just east of us. To hear about it, you assume it was a large historic downtown area. The biggest draw? Hippopotamus. Yes, Hippopotamus. It seems the town is overrun with Hippos. I just had to see this unique place, Oh, history you ask?

History of Hutto - Clicky  

At this point, you may be asking: “what’s up with the hippos?” Local legend says that a hippo escaped from a circus train that stopped in Hutto in 1915. The hippo nestled itself into a local creek and the ensuing romp to recapture it would change the town forever. Soon after, the town’s high school adopted the hippo as its mascot, and today Hutto is the only municipality in the United States to have the animal as its talisman. In fact, there are as many as 4,000 hippo statues throughout town, including Henrietta, a 14,000-pound concrete statue that stands in Hutto’s Old Town.

Oh no, Tilly is Hippo Bait.

Susan Saved her just in time. 

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me