Farewell to Sweetpea Farm (January 1 - February 10, 2020)

Location:  Kodiak, Alaska

We are in Kodiak getting the boat ready for the summer season.  Because of coronavirus related travel delays, we are later than usual getting the boat into the water.  We are also behind on our blog posts, so we are using this time to catch up on our winter and spring adventures.  We hope everyone is healthy during these interesting times.

Sunrise at Sweetpea Farm, Alabama

While we were in Houston in December, we accepted an offer on the farm.  We spent the month of January moving stuff from Alabama to Texas and enjoying our time with family and friends.  

Trip #1, January 1 - 10, 2020:  We spent the first few days of the new year loading up the flatbed trailer for our first trip from Alabama to Texas.  This load included the International pick-up, the box blade, the disc, a large pine slab for a future fireplace mantle, ladders, ramps, staging, etc.  We loaded up the cab of the International with small furniture, tools and other outdoor stuff and loaded the bed of the Chevy with shovels, rakes, etc. and the back seat with small furniture, artwork and other small household stuff.  We left the farm just after lunch on January 3rd and drove to Biloxi for the night.

The International pick-up ready to load onto the flatbed trailer.

Load #1 ready to go.

On Saturday, January 4th, we drove from Biloxi, MS to Winnie, TX.  Sunday morning we continued our trek west into Houston.  As we were transitioning from I-10 to Hwy 290 on the west side of downtown, a pickup came alongside and told us we had a blown tire.  We pulled off the highway to check it out, then got busy putting on the spare.  

Dave tightening up the lugs after installing the spare tire.

The blown tire.

We got back on the highway and it wasn't more than 15 minutes later when another car pulled alongside and told us we had a blown tire.  We pulled off into a shopping center parking area and called roadside assistance.  We asked them to bring out two tires.

The second blown tire.

We waited about 2 hours for the tire man.  He made quick work of the job once he arrived.

The tire man at work.

We drove up to Salado and unloaded the trailer at a friend's farm then drove into Austin for a visit with the kids and the grandkids.  Monday morning we rented a storage unit and stored our indoor stuff.  Dave spent the afternoon at the tire shop replacing the other 6 tires on the flatbed.

Dave with Archie under the big oak tree.

Tuesday, January 7th, we turned around and headed back east.  We stopped at Casino Coushatta for the night.  Wednesday we drove into Biloxi, MS.  My mom flew into the Gulfport, MS airport and we picked her up Wednesday evening.  We took the day off from driving on Thursday and tried our luck at the Biloxi casinos.  Friday morning we loaded up and drove back to the farm.

January 10 - 27, 2020 - Family and Friends on the Farm:
My mom, Louise, stayed with us for a week.  We spent most of our time packing boxes and putting stuff in the Goodwill pile.  We had our daily walks in the woods and played cards at least twice a day.

Louise and Dave on a walk in the woods.

Louise in the big rocking chair at David's Catfish House in Andalusia, AL

The creek waterfall, Sweetpea Farm, Alabama.

On Thursday, January 16th, we took Mom to the Pensacola airport for her flight home.  While we were there we dropped off a bunch of stuff at Goodwill and picked up some fresh seafood at Joe Patti's.

Our son, Ben, and his friend, Andy, arrived on Saturday, January 18th for a week of hunting and to help us pack and move.

Andy and Ben grinding deer meat.

Ben splitting wood.

Andy, Dave and Ben rolling up the living room rug.

Loading the Uhaul trailer.

Andy, Dave and Ben emptying out the container under the barn.

Thursday, January 23rd, Ben's friends, Rocky and Joe, joined us for the final weekend on the farm. James, the guy buying the farm, and his friend, Gerald, came up on Friday and spent the weekend in Andalusia.    We had a big cookout with them and our neighbors on Saturday night to welcome them to the neighborhood and to say our farewells.  We closed the sale on Monday, January 27th.

Ben, Andy, Rocky and Joe with the Sweetpea Farm sign.

Ben and Andy heading back to Texas towing the Uhaul trailer.

Load #2 on the flatbed ready for the trip to Texas.

The cabin and the barn in the rearview mirror.

Farewell to Sweetpea Farm.

Trip #2, January 27 - February 2, 2020:  After the closing on Monday morning, Dave and I drove to Biloxi with our load of lumber on the flatbed.  On Tuesday, we took a day off and tried our luck at the casinos.  Wednesday, we drove to Casino Coushatta where we spent the evening playing pai gow poker.  On Thursday, we drove to Salado and parked the trailer.  From there, we drove into Austin for the night and had supper with the kids and grandkids.

Sunrise from our Biloxi hotel room.

 Friday we drove back up to Salado and spent the day unloading our lumber from the flatbed.

Our first layer of lumber under the barn in Salado.

All of the lumber unloaded and stored.

Saturday, Cat, our daughter-in-law, and our granddaughter, Maggie, went on a girl scout trip to NASA in Houston.  We spent the time with our son, Ben, and our grandsons, Bubby and Archie, doing projects around the house.

Ben and Bubby with a jack hammer preparing to install a basketball hoop.

Dave and Archie supervising the basketball hoop project.

Trip #3, February 3 - 10:  On Monday, February 3rd, we headed east for our third and final trip between Texas and Alabama.  We spent Monday night at Casino Coushatta and drove to Biloxi on Tuesday.

Pelicans on an old pier, Biloxi, MS.

Wednesday morning we got up early and drove from Biloxi to Alabama.  Charles and Chet met us at Charles' place where we had left the tractor and bush hog.  We loaded two pine slabs onto the flatbed and then drove the tractor and bush hog up.  Rain was on the way so we didn't hang around long before heading back to Biloxi.

Dave driving the tractor up onto the flatbed while Charles gives him a push and Chet stands by.

Charles, Dave and Chet.

We took a day off on Thursday and tried our luck at the Biloxi casinos.  Friday we drove to Coushatta and spent the night there.  Saturday we drove to Salado, unloaded the tractor and the pine slabs, and parked the flatbed.

Dave getting ready to back the tractor off the flatbed.

Dave parking the tractor next to the International.

Dave with Archie and Bubby on the tractor.

We were happy to be finished with the packing, moving and road trips.  We spent Sunday and Monday enjoying family time in Austin.

Until next time...

RVing - Alabama and Texas; Dog Sitting - Louisiana (Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2019)

Location:  Kodiak, Alaska

We are in Kodiak getting the boat ready for the summer cruising season.  We have been offline for a while and are catching up on the blog, reminiscing about our winter and spring adventures.  We spent the month of November on the farm doing chores (see previous blog) then loaded up the trailer for another adventure.

Moon over the Boomtown RV Park, Biloxi, Mississippi

Friday, November 29, 2019 - Sweetpea Farm, AL to Biloxi, MS:  We left the farm and headed south and west to Biloxi, Mississippi.  We set up camp at the Boomtown RV Park.  We relaxed for a while then walked over to IP and played some pai gow poker.  We did pretty well.  We cashed in and walked over to Boomtown.  The tables there were full so we called it a day.

Saturday, November 30, 2019 - Biloxi, MS:  Another day in Biloxi.  We tried our luck at several of the casinos and took an afternoon walk on the fishing pier behind The Palace Casino.

Heron on the fishing pier behind the Palace Casino.

Sunday, December 1, 2019 - Biloxi, MS to Kinder, LA:  Today we drove I-10 west from Mississippi to Louisiana.  We set up camp at Coushatta Red Shoes RV Park, played some pai gow poker, had supper and did some unlaxing.

December 2 - 7. 2019 - Kinder, LA to Houston, TX:  On Sunday, we drove from Coushatta to Houston.  We set up camp at Lakeview RV Resort.  We spent the week doing our annual Houston stuff including doctor appointments, financial check-ups, etc.  On Wednesday, B and her friend, Sheila, had a girl's day on the town including brunch, shopping and pedicures.

December 7 - 10, 2019 - San Felipe, TX:  We still had a few things to do in Houston but we were ready to be out of the city so on Saturday, we moved to a campsite in Stephen F. Austin State Park, west of Houston near the town of San Felipe.  The weather was nice and we enjoyed walking through the woods and along the banks of the Brazos River.

The Brazos River

Our campsite at Stephen F. Austin State Park

Cardinals at a water trough, Stephen F. Austin State Park

December 11 - 18, 2019 - Austin, TX:  We spent a week in Austin visiting with the kids and the grandkids.  We did a lot of fun things:  Ben (Bubby) and Maggie each spent a night with us in the trailer, we went to yoga classes at the Y and hiked in the secret woods.  We played games and went to a pancakes with Santa breakfast.

Dave and Archie studying the phone.

Maggie and Bubby climbing the slide at the playground.

December 18 - 23, 2019 - Austin, TX to New Orleans, LA:  We left Austin on Wednesday, December 18 and drove to Brazos Bend State Park, south of Houston.  We stayed there for two nights and hiked some of trails around the park.

Ducks on a pond at Brazos Bend State Park

Earlier in the month, we had decided that it was time to sell our 5th wheel trailer, so on Friday, Dec. 20th, we drove into Houston and dropped it off at PPL Motorhomes, an RV consignment shop.  From there, we drove to Casino Coushatta for the night.  On Saturday, we drove from Coushatta to New Orleans.  We spent the weekend at a hotel near the French Quarter.  We explored the quarter, walked along the waterfront and had some great meals.

A ship coming up the Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

December 23 - 31, 2019 - New Orleans:  On Monday, Dec. 23rd we started our dog sitting duties with YaYa in the New Orleans Bywater neighborhood.  We took YaYa on walks around the neighborhood and along the riverfront mornings, afternoons and evenings.  We tried a few of the neighborhood restaurants including the Bywater Bakery and Elizabeth's.  On Sunday, Dec. 29th, B drove to Hammond, LA and took the test to upgrade her amateur (HAM) radio license from Technician to General; she passed.  We had an enjoyable week.

YaYa on the couch.

YaYa ready to play with her Christmas present.

YaYa on her walk along the riverfront.

December 31, 2019 - New Orleans to Sweetpea Farm, Alabama:  On Tuesday, we drove from New Orleans back to the farm.  The drive was uneventful and we arrived mid-afternoon.

Until next time...

Fall RV Trip, Branson, MO and Time on the Farm (Oct. 5, 2019 - Nov. 28, 2019)

Location:  Kodiak, AK

It’s been a long time since the last blog.  We had a good fall and winter, then took a spring vacation that lasted longer than originally planned because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.  We are back in Kodiak getting the boat ready to put back into the water. We'll use the next few blogs to get up to date on our travels and adventures.  All is well and we hope everyone is taking care of themselves and respecting the lives of others.  

Seabiscuit on the hard, Kodiak, Alaska

October 5 - 11, 2019 - Kodiak, Alaska:  We spent the week winterizing the boat,  doing projects and enjoying our last few days in Kodiak.  

The Kodiak Quilt Show

The Kodiak Quilt Show

Dave pressure washing the hull

October 12-15, 2019 - Kodiak to Alabama:  Saturday we flew from Kodiak to Seattle via Anchorage.  We spent the night in Seattle then on Sunday flew to Pensacola, Florida via DFW.  We landed in Pensacola, rented a car and drove up to the farm in Alabama.  We spent the next few days getting the truck and trailer ready for our RV Trip.

October 16-18, 2019 - Alabama to Little Rock, Arkansas:  

On Wednesday the 16th, we left the farm and drove to Seminary, MS where we camped for the night at Okatoma Resort.  

Camping spot at Okatoma RV park

Thursday we drove from Mississippi to W. Monroe, Louisiana.  We stayed the night at Landry's Vineyard, a Harvest Host location.  We set up the trailer then went into the tasting room.  Delicious wine and we purchased a few bottles.

Parked amongst the trees at Landry's Vineyard.

Friday, we headed north towards Little Rock, Arkansas.  We stopped for lunch at a small roadside cafe.  About an hour later, I looked out my side mirror and saw smoke and one of the trailer tires at a weird angle.  We pulled off the highway into an abandoned gas station to check it out.  We found that the wheel bearing had failed and was separated from the axle.  We called for roadside assistance and set up to wait for help to arrive.

The rear trailer wheel atilt.

Another view of the rear wheel atilt.

Chairs set up in the shade while we wait for help to arrive.

After many calls with roadside assistance, a wrecker finally showed up.  We knew we couldn't be towed, but they raised up the rear of the trailer, we took the wheel off, chained up the axle and drove to a nearby truck stop.  We parked the trailer there and drove into downtown Little Rock to spend the night at a hotel.  

Wrecker lifting up the rear of the trailer so we could remove the wheel and chain up the axle.

Sunset from our hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas.

October 19 - 25, 2019 - Branson, Missouri:

Our original plan was to take the trailer up to Branson, Missouri where I would meet my mom, Louise, plus Barbara and Marilyn for our annual fall trip.  With the trailer broken down, we had to come up with plan B.  We rented a car and I drove up to Branson, while Dave stayed in Little Rock to do trailer repairs.  

We were kept very busy in Branson, with lots of performances and shows on our schedule.  An overview of our schedule is as follows:

• Sunday, Oct. 20:  Hotel check-in, Supper, Introductions and Schedule review
  
• Monday, Oct. 21:  Welcome Lecture, Morning Tea with DeeDee Lennon of the Lennon Sisters and Bill Lennon, Lunch, Fiddler Lecture & Demonstration, Afternoon Show (We sent to see Legends in Concert), Dinner and Entertainment at the hotel.

Fiddler demonstration with Nathan Agdeppa and Dean Church

Folk music with Nancy and Mike Micham

• Tuesday, Oct. 22:  Sightseeing tour of Branson and the surrounding area, Lunch, Comedy workshop with Terry Sanders - he had us laughing so hard, we cried.  We had free time in the afternoon so we went to Top of the Rock and toured the Lost Canyon Nature Trail and Cave.  Supper with the group and then to CJ Newsom's Classic Comedy & Country Show.

Louise, Barbara and Marilyn on the nature trail at Top of the Rock

Water fall on the nature trail

• Wednesday, Oct. 23:  Tour of the College of the Ozarks, Q&A with Clay and Tina Cooper, Lunch, Afternoon show with the Lennon/Cathcart Trio, Evening show Clay Cooper's Country Express

Lennon/Cathcart Trio

• Thursday, Oct. 24:  Lecture with Barbara Cox - wardrobe professional, Q&A with Josh Carroll, Afternoon show #1 Hits of the 60s and 50s, Supper, Evening show Raiding the Country Vault
• Friday, Oct. 25:  Check out and depart
  

Meanwhile, back in Little Rock, Dave got the trailer wheel repaired and moved into Maumelle Corp of Engineers Campground, on the Arkansas River.  He spent the week replacing the other wheel bearings and brakes on the trailer so that we had a complete new set.  There was a seven day limit for staying in the campground, so at the end of the week Dave moved to Burns Park Campground in North Little Rock.  I met him there after returning from Branson.  

October 26-31, 2019 - Little Rock, AR to Alabama:

We stayed the weekend at Burns Park then moved back across the river to Maumelle.  The Maumelle campground had nice level campsites with lots of space, and we needed a few more days to finish the trailer repairs.

View of the Arkansas River from a trail at Maumelle campground.

Dave replacing the last wheel bearing, hub and brake assembly.

Tuesday, October 29 - Little Rock, AR to Indianola, MS

Time to leave Arkansas.  We hit the road and headed east towards Mississippi.  We arrived in Indianola mid-afternoon and set up camp at the B. B. King Museum, another Harvest Host site.  We checked in, then spent the rest of the afternoon touring the museum.  It's a great place with lots of interactive exhibits, videos and music exhibits.  Highly recommended if you are ever in that area of Mississippi.

B with Lucille, in front of the B. B. King Museum, Indianola, MS

Wednesday, October 30 - Indianola, MS to Cullman, AL

We continued our journey east this morning and drove to Goat Island Brewing in Cullman, Alabama.  This is another Harvest Host site and we set up the trailer behind the brewery.  We went inside to sample the beer.  Dave liked the Hippieweizen the best and I liked the Oktoberfest.

Beer sampler at Goat Island Brewing, Cullman, AL

Thursday, October 31, Cullman, AL to Sweetpea Farm, AL:

Our last day on the road for this trip.  We drove south through the rain from Cullman to the farm and arrived early afternoon.  We unloaded the trailer and settled in to do some farm work.

November 1 - November 28, 2019 - Sweetpea Farm, AL:

We had a lot of work to do on the farm.  This summer was one of the driest since 1984 and the drought killed a lot of trees.  We needed to take those down along with the regular farm maintenance chores.  Instead of boring you with the blah, blah, blah, we'll let the pictures tell the story.

Two does coming out to feed.

The tractor and bush hog set-up near a downed tree.

Dave using the chain saw to take down a dead tree.

Dave and Charles moving tree trunks out of the woods to use for lumber.

Dave trimming tree limbs.

New front brakes for the International pick-up.

Dave getting down from the tractor.

B next to the trailer, ready for the next RV trip.

Until next time...