End of the Year

November 16, 2016

We traveled south and set up our tent in Huntsville State Park.  We really liked this State Park for its location on Lake Raven, its tree-shaded campground right on the lake, its nice hiking trails, and the fact that it is very near to my son's family home and also near where my brother, Don, lives.

It was pretty quiet here this time of the year but I can imagine how much activity goes on here during the Summer months.

One day while we were hiking along a wooded path along the shores of Lake Raven we heard a voice.  Looking all around us we could not see anyone.  Then the voice said "Up here" !  We looked up and there sat a young lady on the tree branch with her study guide and textbook (her small backpack sat at the base of the tree).  She told us she enjoys the solitude and quiet of the lake shore while she studies.  She is student at Huntsville State University. 

                   The State Park boasted a nice fishing pier.

         We loved the tranquility of the lakefront campground.

After a couple of nights in Huntsville State Park we packed up our tent and headed south to Galveston.  Always fun to be back in Galveston!

Of course we enjoyed our usual free ferry ride across Galveston Bay to Port Bolivar and back. 

On this night we pitched our tent at Galveston State Park and were greeted by a multitude of mosquitos!  Enjoyed our stay anyway.  Walked on the beach, walked in the surf, ate seafood.

The next morning we packed up our tent and headed southwest along the coastline of Galveston Island, onto Follets Island, thru Surfside Beach, then headed north on State Hwy. 36 to Brazoria, where we made a pit stop at the "original" Bucky's.  Although it was maybe a little bigger than your ordinary convenience store it was no where near as huge as the newer Bucky's you will see along Interstate highways.

We continued traveling northward on State Hwy. 36, crossing over U.S. Hwy. 59 (which goes from Houston to Victoria) and later crossing over I-10 (which goes from Houston to San Antonio) and made our way to the tiny town of Bellville. 

We stopped in to see my childhood friend, Carolyn.  So nice to reconnect with her and chat for a while. 

After leaving Carolyn's place, we continued northward on State Hwy. 36 to the town of Brenham, home to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Creamery.  Yes, we stopped in and although they were not offering factory tours at this time we cruised thru the gift shop and also enjoyed a large cup of delicious Blue Bell Ice Cream.  Yummee!

Afterward we headed eastward to Willis, Tx. to see my sweet little great-granddaughter, Juliette.  I got to hold her, love on her as her Dad, Dylan looks on.

              She is such a cutie-pie!  So curious and busy.....

  My other handsome grandson, Justin, who is a Houston firefighter stopped in to say hello.

Thanksgiving, 2016
We had a little excitement as we traveled to be with my family for Thanksgiving.  Our little red car quit and had to be rescued. 

It would cost more to fix it than it was worth.  It provided us with good service while driving it for ten years; we now have this Nissan hatchback which we love......good fuel mileage and lots of hauling space for all our camping gear.



We were so thankful that my brother Wendall was able to make the  trip from Indiana with his daughters to my mom's for Thanksgiving.  His health deteriorated quickly in 2016 and we would lose him within two weeks after I took this photo of him with my Mom.  So sad!



December, 2016
We traveled to Oklahoma to check on our adopted section of the Ouachita Trail, used a small hand saw to cut a dead tree and remove it from the trail tread, pruned and lopped a little as we made our way 2.5 miles up to Red Spring (the end of our adopted section).

We then drove over to Queen Wilhelmina State Park and picked out a campsite, set up our tent.  Enjoyed a beautiful sunset!

 

The next morning when we woke up the mountain was totally fogged in.  

We decided to hike the 5.3 miles westward on the Ouachita Trail from Queen Wilhelmina State Park to the Okla./Ark. state line.

Once we reached the Stateline Shelter we took a short break....

and then walked up the hillside to the Talimena Scenic Parkway and stuck out our thumb to try and hitch a ride back to the State Park.  Shortly a car passed by us, went a little way, then turned around and came back and picked us up.  There was already four adults in their car but they let us squeeze into the back seat along with the two wives.  We thanked them profusely for picking us up saving us the 5+ mile road walk back to the State Park.

A few days after we got home from that trip my sister Norma along with her daughter Carla and her kids, Holly and Devin, came for a visit.

 Devin who was only twelve and small in stature was a real "workhorse"!   He loved helping his Uncle Tom split some logs.

Devin absolutely would not quit.  he got so tired he could barely lift that heavy splitting maul but he kept on going.  Free help for Tom.  Cheap entertainment for Devin?

 

I know I am WAY behind on updating our blog!  Since Tom quit his job last October 1 we have been on so many adventures!  I have loved the freedom of traveling anytime I have time off from work while Tom is unemployed.

 

More adventures coming up shortly......