Hi all

Moving further south, we skirted around Dallas/Ft Worth and stopped SW of the Metro. Sowell Creek COE on Proctor Lake. Pleasant few days and got the chance to visit Dublin, TX on St Patrick's Day. Visited a couple of local museums, the original Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. Also sampled some wine and beer at Lucky Vines Winery and the Lucky Brewery. Enjoyed the campground and conversations with other campers. Temps are finally getting warmer and we are looking forward to heading further south.

Short travel day into Texas Hill Country and a great parking place at Millie's Cousin's place outside of Fredricksburg, TX. Horses, deer and sheep outside our door. 

Saturday we visited Luckenbach, TX. Dan and Lisa took us to the Mud Dauber Festival and Chili Cook-off.   https://www.facebook.com/events/2997635507150639/?_rdr Fun afternoon with lots of chili, beer and live music. Millie got her first "cowgirl" hat and we both got some sunburn. Temp around 80 and only a light breeze. 

Thanks Dan and Lisa for treating us to this annual event. Back to the RV for a quick nap. Millie and Lisa visited her Dad Mike for a while then we went to the Lone Star Bar and Grill for supper, beverages and some great country music. Music provided by Dan, Dan West Music, another guitar and a fiddle. We so enjoyed the music and a lot of fun people watching. 

Sunday we relaxed around the ranch looking forward to music and wine at the Texas Heritage Vineyard in Fredricksburg, TX. More great music and great wine. When we finished up there we visited Mike, Lisa's Father. Enjoyed talking with Mike, such a friendly happy guy. After our visit we took Lisa and Dan out for some delicious Italian food and wine. Home to bed. During the night a good portion of the area lost power. I just had to do a little switch over since we are used to dry camping. 

Headed out that morning to visit some Thrift stores, a museum, get fuel and groceries. Made a nice day of learning a little and headed back to the RV. Millie baked bread and Dan grilled some fantastic hand raised (by Dan) steaks. Grilled some sweet peppers, sweet potatoes and Brussel sprouts. With some of Millie's sourdough bread and smoked cheese for desert. Neighbors Lee and Mary had joined us and we so enjoyed meeting and visiting with them. All of this around the campfire. After eating, and some adult beverages, Dan brought out the guitar and we spent the next several hours listening and singing around the fire. When the early morning hours came it was time for some well deserved rest. 

Our time with Dan and Lisa was great. Good food, good drink, wonderful music and great conversations. Glad we ventured their way and so happy to have new friends. Tomorrow will be a travel day with a one night stop and then more travel. Total will only be about 350 miles and as you all know we don't go all that far in one day. 

First leg was sort of brutal. Head and cross winds gusting to 40 mph. Glad we stopped at about 150 miles as I am tired. Staying at a dirt lot in the little town of Sheffield, TX. Looking forward to getting on the way and to our destination tomorrow. We will spend a few days there relaxing and soaking up the sun.

See you after the next stop, so please, make your day great and share it with someone you care about.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all

We moved on and crossed a good part of southern Oklahoma. Yes, the wind does blow wild and free. Set up in a COE (Army Corps of Engineers) campground on a huge reservoir on the Red River. This one is a little more crowded than many, and is still a great campground. 

Next day we got together with Tom and Rene at their wonderful property on a point on the lake. 

Tom and I grew up a few blocks apart and attended school together from the 4th grade through graduation. Our families have known each other since our parents attended school in Fargo. It was so wonderful to talk of old times and learn what we each had done since High School. Millie and I also met Rene for the first time. What an amazing person, we all had so much fun going out to eat, thrift store shopping an just being together. Hope to get back this way again. 

The next day Millie and I slept in. Millie and I headed for the local museum, Quilt shop, and out to an Amish store. Millie found some fabric and I got my jar of Sorghum, along with some popcorn and salsa. Fueled up the truck and went back to the RV for left over Fajitas and relax out in the 70℉, sunny weather. Time to say goodbye to Johnson Creek COE Campground as tomorrow we continue our, sort of, southerly direction.

Make your day great and love the important people in your life, while you can.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all

A night in a Casino parking lot and a couple of travel days from Hamilton have found us in Arkansas. Looks like all of our stays will be either COE (Corps of Engineers) or State Parks. Our first stay is in a COE at Blue Mountain Lake. Only going to be here one night and after seeing it I could stay a week. 

Woke here to sun shining through the trees into our big windows. Only 30℉ this morning and will warm up to around 50℉ today. Roller Coaster weather here as it seems to always be in March no matter where in the USA. 

A few hours on the road and we set up near Hot Springs, AR. Started raining about halfway there and sprinkled into the night. Nice park here and mostly occupied. Dark, quiet and cool for the night.

Beautiful State Park on a big lake and nestled in the Ouachita Mountains. Spent the morning getting laundry done, necessary shopping and lunch at Bubba's Catfish and Seafood. 

Absolutely the best catfish, shrimp and fries we have ever had. Anytime you are in the Hot Springs, AR area and you like those items (pretty much all they make) it is worth the stop. After a great lunch and a short nap back home, we headed out for a hike. Only took the 2 mile trail to get some exercise and view some beautiful Arkansas woodlands. The bonus waterfalls added to a wonderful afternoon.

The couple on the left were getting professional photos taken, maybe engagement, I didn't ask. The young lady by the waterfall was just about to wash her hair. I bet it was pretty cold as it was not out of a hot spring. Quiet evening at home and plans to visit the Bath House Row tomorrow.

Pancho and Lefty were champs on the trails and I think the hike tired them out as well. Lefty couldn't even finish the crumbs on the plate.

Bath House Row is the oldest part of Hot Springs. With the buildings that are dated early 20th century. Lots of fun architecture that is still mostly in use. The National Park Service occupies several of them.

We walked the main street, both sides, then walked the Promenade that goes along the backside of the bath houses. So not only a good walk it was also informative with info along the way. Had a late lunch at the Ohio Club, a 107 year old establishment across from the bath houses. 

Filled our gallon containers with hot spring water and then found a couple of thrift stores. And home for desert and rest to tackle another day.

Waiting for the storm today. First I had to get the truck to do a regen. Drove about 50 miles and got a partial clean. Twenty bucks worth of fuel, but the Ford garage would have charged me $250 just to diagnose. At least I know the regen is still working and hopefully getting back on the road again will straighten it all out. Millie has been busy sewing and making quilt tops today and we both took naps in the afternoon. Catching up some from the last couple of days of hiking. Yup, the storm hit and we got about 1-2 inches of snow.

Morning brought so many photo opportunities and I spent an hour walking around capturing what I could. 

Spent the rest of the day taking walks, naps and enjoying watching the snow completely disappear by sunset. The Boyz are so happy to have us and not being left in the RV or the truck and are showing their appreciation by cuddling a lot. Putting items away and preparing for travel tomorrow heading West.

Make your day great and pray for peace.

Tom and Millie