http://www.blogger.com/html?blogID=4316350785635987648 Cave Dwellings: Drawing To An End….
Cave Dwellings

Buckhorn Creek, Lake O' The Pines, Jefferson, TX

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Drawing To An End….

  Well, our trip I never thought we would get to take this Winter is coming to an end this week.  Reflecting back on it, I would say it was one of the most anticipated trips ever, but had it’s bumps in the road.  Our first 2 weeks, we were very tempted to turn around and go back home…Nothing was going right and MacGyver and I were floundering around trying to re-learn how to use the Hiker.  I think that we were both suffering from some form of PTSD…Things were a bit stressful just before we left, and the big stressor for me was my health scare/thyroid problem.  Everything else paled in comparison when the heath issues popped up. I still have to revisit that one when we get home..more blood work, and addressing my high BP, which hasn’t come down on this trip. Oh well, “this too shall pass”.  When there are a few worries gumming up your mind, it can take some of the wind out of one’s “vacation sails”..

We will leave Clear Springs CG, Wright Patman lake in Texarkana A.K.A. “the Ark- La- Tex” this Wednesday as soon as the sun is up.  Our drive home to Sandwich, IL takes us up through Arkansas, into Missouri.  That night we will spend at Lake Wappapello in Army Corp campground called Redman Creek. Our next drive will go South of St. Louis and into Southern Illinois..(FYI, this Southern Illinois route is famous for having a “mixed precipitation” this time of year…). If we chose to , we could make it home by 5-6PM that night, but what the Heck is the rush? Soooo, we opt to stay at a place called Ramsey Lake State Park, in Ramsey IL.  From here we can leave about 8AM and be home after lunch on Friday…

We have enjoyed our last week here in Texas.  We  have a great campsite..

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This campground has many campsites. We are in the W & E only, but there are many sites they just redid and they are full hook-up.  This being March and Spring Break, we had a full campground this weekend and lots of families with boats, smokers, kids and dogs…The campfires started in the early AM and went all day.. There is nothing like a campfire first thing in the morning, and Den and I joined right in…That campground had a wonderful smell of wood fires, BBQ and grilling… What a combo!

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Left, you are looking at the full hook up area…and right is one of the big shelters that has a swimming beach and sand volleyball pit.

Last night was date night and we have been having trouble finding a Moose Lodge on our trip…but we knew there was one here in Texarkana, TX. (Texarkana city has an Arkansas side too..).  So  our last date night “on the road” was a cocktail at the Texarkana Moose Lodge. ( This link will be of interest for those who think we are drinking with large mammals…Hey, we ARE !)

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If Mr. Moose looks a little “hazy”, well it’s because, unlike Illinois, Texas still allows you to smoke in restaurants and bars. Now THERE is one, and ONLY ONE, thing we miss about Illinois!! Actually, we did miss a couple things that involved 2 of our Heiser grandkids…Taylor, age 15, was chosen for a part in the Kaneland High School Spring Musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone”…

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Friday and Saturday night and a matinee today..WE ARE SOOO PROUD OF YOU, TAYLOR!!

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And Peyton was a finalist in the Harter Middle School Science Fair, at Northern Illinois University..WOOT! WOOT! PEYTON!!!

Suddenly, heading home to Illinois seems much less painful now…It’s time to get back to “home and hearth”…and a family we have missed very much….!!! As I say to Dennis, “Ice down the cooler and get in the truck!”..See y’all back in Illinois!

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16 comments:

  1. Safe travels when you head out on Wednesday. Maybe now it will warm up in Texas. ;)

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  2. If it does, Judy..I'm coming back and live with you..your worst nightmare!! ;-)

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  3. All good things must come to an end, but then to see the family is pretty darn special. It's nice to have loved ones waiting for you. Safe travels and hope the snow is gone by the time you return :-)

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    1. Backatcha, Ingrid and Al...I'll see if I can find that old prom photo to further humiliate Al...;-)

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  4. When the 'home' switch is turned on there's no going back. It's just time to go home. I always love that last leg of the journey coming down the homestretch to one's own driveway. Can always feel a big load of stress come off pulling up to the house. Love being home.......but only for a couple weeks at most. After that I get a hankering to get back on the road & go someplace again.

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  5. I've enjoyed all your posts from Texas, but I'm with Judy. Please take Winter home with you, it's been here too long.... :-)

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  6. Will do...or NOT! Thanks for the comment, Jerry

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  7. May you be greeted with sunshine, gentle breezes and flowers peeking their wee heads through the soil. Buy a secret phone number just for the kids, screen all other calls. Hugs to you....travel safely on your final legs and enjoy every minute as you have enjoyed your lives together.

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    1. Thanks, Nan...Hope you and yours are well and maybe we can try meeting again !

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  8. What a grand winter it has been!!! You guys have certainly covered some lovely places in Texas!!! Your campsites have been just awesome!!
    Safe travels as you make your way back to that fantastic family!!!

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    1. We have had a great trip..weather sometimes very like Illinois!..It's time to get back to what is really important...

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  9. hard to believe your winter trip is coming to an end already! have a safe journey home!!!

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    1. I know Sue...Feels like we just arrived a week ago here in Texas...This place is our first big stop on the way South ..and back North..Hope you get lots of great camping trips this summer!

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  10. Just a quick note to say hi as we're about to pull out on the second day of our drive home. Safe travels and have a great day.

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