I was first

Momma and Dad decided today was a good day to run a couple of errands and to wash all the rain/road grime/dirt off everything.  

If you must know, I have my chest puffed out 'cuz I was first......to get a wash job.

I know I'm loved.  I mean a full body massage, nails trimmed, and oatmeal shampoo.  That tells the whole story!!  The only thing better is a full belly .... and I scored on that as well.

Hickory
....on the road again

Texas Welcome...where everything is bigger...including the ants

Dad drove in the rain today....sometimes just a sprinkle and sometimes a bit heavier...but never reaching torrential state.   With the rough roads (good ole I-10 as soon as we crossed the state border into Texas), construction and damp roads, it wasn't what you could call an ideal traveling day.  Dad really had to stay focused.....rather tiring for sure.  
On a positive note:
1.  Our nose was clean and bug-less unlike Monday's mess

yep, love bugs

2. We didn't have to set up in the rain as it held off when we arrived at the RV park

BUT unfortunately, our welcome was a bit too aggressive as far as Dad was concerned. Oh yes, the fire ants gave him a very aggressive welcome.  He didn't notice the hill of ants right below the bay door until they jumped on him, gave the signal and all attacked at once.  Ouch!!  I was glad to be waiting in the back seat of the Dodge while Momma and Dad juggled the cords, hoses and ants.

Today was a great day for me for sure.  When they let me climb up the steps and enter the 5er, I noticed that my treat bowl was still resting on the floor where it had been placed for the bumpy ride. I didn't bother to wait for Dad to make his coffee.  I started coffee break without him.  Yum!!  Self serve works for me😋💜💜💜

Hickory

....on the road again

You paid how much?

Monday was travel day with a grand lunch on the schedule.  You see there is this meat market that also has a cafe with to die for boudin balls as well as catfish, chicken, meat pies, and the list goes on.  Now they tell me that the 'appeteaser' that gets you salivating when you walk in the door is the feast your eyes fall upon.   All the refrigerated cases of meats just waiting to be purchased. Deboned-stuffed chickens, stuffed pork chops, ribs.  Did I mention that you have a choice of stuffing?  Jambalaya, cornbread, crawfish.....  Lovely cuts of beef as well as sausage.  Too much to list!!
And then it hits you.....the smell of the prepared, ready to dish up, scrumptious foods in the serving section attacking your senses and that means of course you just have to have a plate of food at the round oak tables with the high backed oak chairs.  What puts this scenario over the top is the HUGH parking lot that will hold large work trucks with trailers as well as ....yep, the Hime Dodge towing the Open Range 5er.  It just doesn't get any better. (Well, I suppose they could let dogs inside!)   After you fill your belly, you fill your rig's freezer standing by in the parking lot.

Usually Momma likes to stay at Cypress Bend campground not far from the meat market in Iowa, La BUT.... she went into shock when she called to make a reservation.  $46 for one night....and that is WITH  the Good Sam discount.  Just think how many pounds of meat or how many boudin balls could be purchased with that $46 ...maybe even a few 'frills' for the no frill campground??

Well, needless to say, Dad said, "No way".  Not for THAT place and the search as on....and what a treasure they found.  There it was, just over 30 miles away in Sulphur, La...about 10 miles off of I-10.  A gorgeous public park with real personality.  It sits right on the Intercoastal waterway near the drawbridge.  

The gravel RV sites are level and spacious with 50amp electric and water.  Dad picked our site because he just knew I would love all that luscious grass behind us.

And for entertainment, we watched the little tug boats push the heavy barges up and down the waterway.

  There is even a boat ramp, fish cleaning station and further down a playground for kids when they aren't fishing.

And would you believe.....all Momma paid for this delightful RV site for the night was.....$6...yep that's SIX DOLLARS.
Now the next time we stay here it will cost us $12 a night because they are going to begin on-line registration on April 26 and they won't be honoring the 50% off Golden Senior Pass any more.  Dad said that's still a great deal!!   We'll add this to our 'to return to' list.

Hickory
....on the road again

Beignets

Dad says no trip to New Orleans is complete until you have had at least one beignet.....with coffee of course.

Momma says she prefers hers with a mango freeze.



The gal at the cooking class said you don't have to fight the crush at Cafe DeMonde in the French Quarter to get good beignets.  At City Park, you can visit Morning Call.

They decided to take the ferry from Algiers Point to New Orleans instead of driving over the bridge.  Just $1 for seniors.  What a deal!!

And that of course means using public transportation. For $3 you and purchase a Jazzy 1 Day pass and ride the trolley all day, hopping on and off. 

The trolley is even air conditioned.  

Now the day was fun and different BUT Momma said she sure is glad she doesn't live where she has to depend on public transportation.  Can you imagine how many trips you would have to make to the store just to bring home groceries?  I mean, you can only carry so many bags at a time.  And when you exit the trolley, you have to carry those bags to your final destination.  She said she saw a couple of riders loaded down with a few bags, but not near what she would have had in the trunk of her car.  I wonder what size dog food bag she would purchase if she had to bring it home on the trolley?  Hmmm....  

But we don't live in the crush of New Orleans where parking is a premium ($25 to park for 3 hours yesterday).  But just look at the view on the those narrow streets decorated with balconies.

And of course you would have to love yellow and purple if you were a true Louisianian.  

But I personally think some people just get carried away.....

Yep, their rig has been painted with purple and yellow swirls.  WOW!!  I wonder what their underwear looks like??

Hickory

...on the road again

NOLA

I didn't get to go into NOLA...New Orleans, Louisiana, but I have been on duty, guarding the rig at Bayou Signet State Park in Westwego, La just over the big bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.  I haven't let a single armadillo or rabbit get too close. 

Momma and Dad have been having way too much fun in the 'Big Easy'.  They were entertained and fed at a cooking class.  This time they went to Crescent City Cooks.  The gal wielding the roux spoon was a language arts teacher for 17 years in a middle school until this past October when she found her 'dream job'.  You can tell she sure enjoys cooking and sharing her knowledge!!  She learned it all from her grandma.

deep brown roux turned into chicken fricassee below

. 

Check out the overhead projection screen.

The chicken fricassee was to die for....according to Dad.  I didn't even get a sniff.  I would have even enjoyed the shrimp creole I think, although I have never tried shrimp before.  Dad did bring home a praline that he wolfed down without a thought of me. But I made him feel guilty with my baby brown eyes and I did get some 'cookie bones' at coffee break. Ahhh...I have him trained well.  Coffee and 'cookie bones'  ALWAYS go together.  I'm so glad Dad enjoys lots of coffee!!

Hickory
....on the road again

Eeeewwwwie

Now talk about a great view.  Just join me as I look our my front door.

But check out all those two-legged waddlers.  

Now Momma and Dad are ready with 'THE BAG' whenever I make a dump.  Someone forgot to scoop after these guys which means.......if you don't want 'jam' between your toes, you need to pay attention to where you step.  Eeeww.  

These guys have definitely been across the road and pooped in my 'yard'.  Can you just imagine what Momma would have to say...heck, what Dad would say....if I pranced in the rig with jam between my toes?

Oh well, only here in Alabama for one night.  We are sleeping in Louisiana tomorrow.

Hickory

...on the road again

Smokin' Hickory

Well, Dad finally did it....or should I say Momma did.  You see, every time Dad got out our grill, we would wind up with 'warm, uncooked meat' that we would finish off on someone else's grill.  Dad tore the grill apart, cleaned it up and thought now we're cookin' only to discover the only improvement was the shine to the grill...not the heat quality.
Well, the day before we left home a BIG box arrived with pieces and parts that Momma ordered.  Now luckily, the Big Brown Truck came early in the day so Dad had lots of time to create a sharp looking grill out of that mess.

Oh my, what smells come from this grill.

You see, this isn't just a grill....it also has a small tray for wood chips and a third knob for a smoking setting.  Wouldn't you know, Momma picked up some wood chips that share my name...but I KNOW I don't smell anything like those Hickory chips of wood as they are steaming/burning in the smoking tray.

I was just dying to get my teeth on a WHOLE, big, juicy burger all to myself, but alas, it was not meant to be.  Just a sample is all I was treated to, but I savored that hickory smoked chunk of meat.  I can't wait until the next time I see that grill come out of the bay storage.

Hickory

....on the road again.....