Hanging Out With The Family

Bowles Creek Store

On the recommendation of some fellow campers, Mark and I decided to give Harvest Hosts another try. It's a little more expensive than the first time we signed up with them (about double), but their program has improved significantly, beginning with their online booking website and also with significantly more options for "free" overnight camping. I say "free," because there's always an expectation to purchase something from the business offering their camping space-- kind of like shopping at the Walmart when we park in their lot overnight. Still, if we find a good place, it's always a lot more pleasant than a Walmart parking lot. So, on our way from Magnolia Beach to Louisiana, we found a place called Bowles Creek Store, in Overton,Texas (a bit south of Tyler). The owners came over from South Africa about five years ago and brought with them a few zebras and some wildebeests. The wildebeests kept  their distance, but the zebras were not in the least disturbed by our presence.

After a stop at Our Alfa Shop for some needed repairs, we've spent most of the month of April in Shreveport, Louisiana, parked in the Hoffman driveway. 

In addition to our annual A/C service, we had Ronnie repair the underside of the big slide, which was suffering from water damage and rotten wood. He replaced all the bad stuff and sealed it up against the rain. And a good thing, too. We've had quite a bit of rain this spring. 

Shortly after arriving in Shreveport, I hopped in the car and made the long drive to Lake, Mississippi, for a weekend visit with my sister, Doreen. It will be the only opportunity until next spring, since we're going north once we leave here.

Our stay at the Hoffman's has been pretty quiet and peaceful. There were a couple movie nights with the kiddies, and one evening around the fire. The only excursion we took was a visit to the American Rose Center, which is about five miles down the road from their house. (Pictures below.) The roses have just barely come into bloom, so it was fairly sparse, but still beautiful.

As many of you know, I am playing "nanny" to my granddaughter, Sophie, in Nampa, Idaho, for the three months or so she is out of school for the summer. While I'm away, Mark was successful in setting up a workcamp arrangement to keep him busy and bring in a little extra money. He'll be working at Adventureland in the Des Moines, Iowa, area from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. He'll be cooking. 😁

Tomorrow we take off for Minnesota to visit family and friends there before Mark has to be at his post.

That's really all the news I have for now. Until next time, safe travels and God bless you all!

Tiny zoo

Bowles Creek Store

The wildebeests

Pool at the Rose Center