Hiking in Turkey Run - Part III

We enjoyed the lush, green canyons.

Hunter and his friend, David

Kara and Keegan on the suspension bridge that crosses Sugar Creek.

To hike most of the trails, you have to cross this bridge.

Keegan was happy and to our surprise he walked the two-mile trail on his own two feet.

Mini Trip to Turkey Run

June 29 we headed for Turkey Run.  Hunter has been wanting to camp at Turkey Run in the summer so he can swim in the pool at the park.  We were able to get reservations for June 29-July 3.  We will then be at home until July 11 when we head west to Fort Collins.  We are on site 206.  We like it better than the one we are usually in.  Kara, Jason and the boys got here at noon on Monday, June 30.  It was hot and humid the first two days but if you sit under the trees and do nothing, you can be comfortable.  Thank heaven for air conditioning so we are comfortable sleeping.  We had rain Monday morning and again Monday and Tuesday night during sleeping hours.  Kara and Jason had a tent and the first night they ended up in their vehicle during the storm.  Wednesday it cooled down and was very pleasant.  We are in Indianapolis so I am able to get Internet so I am posting three days of pictures in two or three postings.

We left these huge tomato plants behind.

They are taller than Hunter and Keegan.

Should be some good eating!

This is the  first year we planted rhubarb and this plant is also huge.

This is where Sandy stays during thunderstorms.

Hunter managed to get a nap on on the way to Turkey Run.

Site #206.

Tennessee Reunion

Betty and I decided to go to Tennessee to visit with our brother Larry.  He and his wife Marilyn have lived in Oklahoma for the past few years but due to poor health, they have moved to Tennessee to live with one of their daughters, Sheri and her husband, Rick.  We got up early and a beautiful sunrise greeted us.  I couldn't resist a picture.  It  took us about five hours to their home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee which is the land of Davy Crockett.  The community has a celebration in September centered around Davy Crockett.

Sheri and Rick live in a beautiful house on four acres of wooded land outside the city.  They have a chicken coop of chickens and tell us that deer, raccoons, and foxes visit frequently.  Our cousin Ronnie and his wife spent the afternoon with us all.  It was a day of eating good food (Sheri can lay out quite a spread), laughing at stories of days long ago, catching up on our families, loving on India Rose (Larry's great granddaughter), and relaxing in wooded hills of Tennessee.  It was a great day.

Sunrise over Salem

Their home in the country.

Rick drives for Ozark and has a perfect parking spot when he is home.

Sheri and India Rose greets one of the many chickens they have.

The siblings:  Betty, Larry, and me.

Marilyn and Larry.  Betty and I

Mini Trip: Midwest Meets Middle East

We took a mini trip to Vandalia to meet family from Salem and Kuwait for supper.  Nathan and Heather and their sons, Caleb and Ben are spending some time stateside with Betty.  We met them all at a McDonalds with a play area (this is VERY important with four boys age 2-8).  Nathan and Heather shared with us about Kuwait and its culture.  They are enjoying their time in Kuwait and after talking to them I knew why it was so enjoyable.  During the adult talk time, the boys were climbing, running, sliding and just being boys.  Everyone had a great time.

Heather, Caleb, and Hunter climbed high in the play area.

Hunter and Keegan sitting with Ronald.

The spiders from the Happy Meal were a big hit.

Betty, Heather, Caleb, Ben, and Nathan.

Keegan  squeezed himself into the family picture.

The spiders got into the picture as well.

First, second and third cousins.

Kara, Hunter, Heather, Caleb, Ben, Nathan, Keegan, and the spiders.

Grandma Betty and Ben, Great Aunt/Memaw Mary and Caleb,  Great Uncle/Papaw Carol, and Keegan.  Can you find Hunter?

Final Thoughts on Louisiana - Part 1

I love the way the people decorate for Mardi Gras.  They decorate for Mardi Gras just like we decorate for Christmas.  This was over the outside door of a business.

This was over an inside door of Pat's Restaurant.

It is hard to read but under this casino sign is the statement "Gambling Problem" followed by a toll free number to call.  All casinos, billboards, radio advertisements, and television advertisements also contain this statement.  I wonder if anyone gives this statement a thought.    I think the idea behind the statement is to remind the gamblers that there is help for a gambling problem but I doubt many people even notice it.

These two blogs wrap up some random pictures and things I saw on our  trip.  The history, diverse culture, and natural beauty of the state makes Louisiana a wonderful place to visit.  What we have seen and experienced the past two years barely scratched the surface of things to see and do.  Looks like we will have to return to Louisiana!

Final Thoughts on Louisiana - Part 2

While we were in Louisiana, we discovered a local radio station out of Eunice, LA.

It is KBON, 101.1 - All Cajun, All the Time.

We loved the Cajun music.  It also played country music sung by Cajun singers.  One of the songs I really liked was a take off on the Johnny Cash song "I've Been Everywhere."   The change was that instead of singing a list of cities across the U.S., it used cities across Louisiana.

Dinosaurs are coming to Cajun Palms and here is the proof.  The resort owns an adjoining 80 acres and are adding to the activities available to campers.  One of those activities is a Jurassic Park with paved paths through displays of giant dinosaurs.    I am 5 ft 1 inch so you can see how tall one dinosaur is.  In addition to a Jurassic Park, they are building a go cart track and surround it with a lazy river type water ride.   Cajun Palms is quite a place!

Two legs waiting for a body.

This one is already in the park.

Can you see the dinosaur?

A side view of the dinosaur I was standing under.

On the Road Again - Part 1

The spare is doing its job.  Carol doesn't like it that the rim does not match the rest, but, hey, it got us rolling last night. The trailer does have some side panel damage from the tire shredding.  It will probably cost $499.99 (just under the $500 deductible) to replace!  One thing Carol and I have talked about is the fact that we did not see one state policeman patrolling that part of I-55 the four hours we sat there.  This morning before we got on the road, we went to the Walmart across from the motel and spent $150 to replace the space.  Putting it back on the trailer will be a project for Carol when

 We get home.