History repeats itself, two years ago we camped at the Padre Island National Seashore and cold winds blew for four days continuously and we moved North to find Wilderness Lakes RV Park near Lake Corpus Christi, this year we planned on a few days at the Seashore, surely it will be different ,four months earlier, no, not to be, after two nights on the Gulf, the winds drove us North again, we had planned on a week in Wilderness Lakes, and welcomed the loss of sea winds! Arrived in time for cocktail hour with Pat & Al, settled in, and really enjoyed Thanksgiving potluck with our American friends! Met many more Americans and a few Canadians.A most relaxing week after the 12 day trip to finally get to the Great State of Texas! Not one person in the park has ever heard of Zapata, where we are headed, we tell them, that's why we are going there!

We seen our first gator after we crossed into Texas, have yet to see one in Louisiana, go figure! We seen many sharks on the ferry to Galveston,  We passed the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. before staying in Galveston Island State Park! 

We are camping near Beaumont , Texas, Andy sent us a weather warning, South east Texas is looking at rain, rain,rain, flooding and possible Tornados, we will settle down here in the campground, high winds also expected. Wednesday the Sun will start shining for six days, plenty of time to get to Padre Island National Seashore, where you are allowed to camp for free, right on the 60 mile beach.

Three very relaxing days with the Laverty's, Lucy and Andy and the LSU Porch are always great, after ten days on the road, we just vegged, along with the vegging we enjoyed, gumbo, surf and turf and etouffe, home made apple cider, Son Adam made the gumbo, and we thank them all for holding back on the spices! We watched LSU (Louisiana State University) and the Saints right on the deck, football is not our forte, but with the right people  it can be interesting! Our one trip to the Wal-Mart will show why we come south, the prices,not just the Sun make it worthwhile, I bought 10 litres of wine and a two four, that alone would cost $140.00 at home, then I got a pie, pop, and ice. The total US was $56.00, add 25% for the exchange and we paid $70.00 Cdn for $140.00 of necessities, it costs half to live here compared to home! 

No matter how hard we try, it always takes ten days to get to Louisiana.  We only accomplished 120 miles the day we went up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, fog, fog, fog, or clouds, clouds, clouds.
We finally went on the Interstate in Tennessee, wasn't too bad. Through Tenn.,then Georgia to Alabama. Stayed in the worst Wal-Mart yet , good ol' boys came down from the mountains to play their favourite game, "My Truck is noisier than your Truck" in the parking lot all night long! Then they were joined by
giant bush  buggies and motorcycles, don't know who won the competition, but we were definitely the losers, Usually it's just reefers waiting for a morning delivery! Down the Natchez Trace for a hundred miles. Across the ippississiM once again and into Whodat country.  

Up and down, got up to the Blue Ridge Parkway turnoff, missed the turn and ended up on the Interstate all the way back down the hill, climbed again just to be met by rain and fog, couldn't see 20 feet ahead ,let alone the 100 mile views, down the hill again to Lynchburg, VA, then to a campground to flush the anti-freeze from our system, hot water now for dishes and sponge baths.  Tomorrow we may break our anti-Interstate law and cruise through the mountains to Tennessee , less climbing , easier on the truck! Can't wait to get to the Natchez Trace, 400 miles of nothing but cattle and horses,right into Louisiana!  

Halfway to Leesville ,Louisiana, four hundred miles in Virginia , mostly on the Blue Ridge Parkway,then through the Cumberland Gap to Tennessee, then down the Natchez Trace,across LA to our American friends and the LSU porch, so inviting and laid back. 

No Saturday night bath, couldn't find a decent motel, but instead of a Wal-Mart, it was a bank parking lot! A beautiful Sunny Sunday, what luck!  Gas went down 30 cents a gallon. I gave Trish a signed promise for a hotel, supper in a restaurant, and a early stop, plus a sticker for the camper that says"Virginia is for Lovers"
Couldn't find the sticker, three out of four ain't bad, Best Western offers (full) free breakfast, plus,we will find the sticker tomorrow before we get on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Tennesse!

A wonderful departure meal with great friends Brian & Dale, bacon wrapped scallops and lobster cakes. We had a great chicken pot pie made by Dale, first day on the road. Two relaxing days in Amherst at Paul's daughters(Karen Anne), pot roast and baked potato, we sure love to eat, oops, we live to eat! Talked to Mike, Sarah, Kenzie and Kaelyn to say goodbye. Drove by their house on our way out of Nova Scotia. Joined the Amherst Legion. Three days of Sunny, Sunny weather,we are in Hudson, New York,probably Virginia tomorrow night. No matter what ,no more Wally Worlds, we will stop at a motel or campground with hot showers, Saturday night is bath night! Bought first box of wine, 5 litres, $15.00, would cost fifty at home, Trish will be a happy camper from here to Texas. Thirty beer, $17.00,and the beer is 6 % alcohol, not like years ago, again compared to $50.00 at home. Gas is two dollars a gallon cheaper, we don't really care about the 25 cent difference in the dollar, it's just down right cheaper across the border!