Keeping RV

When I was MUCH younger, and camping on the Cape, we got back to our tent after partying for a while. These guys we had met were there, and one said, "You girls should be home 'keeping tent.'" Well, that's what I've been doing the last 3 days - "keeping RV." Except for some trips to the ocean, I de-winterized, set up the water and septic, bought things so I can extend the septic hose, washed clothes, cooked, and... Does anyone know how to use a microwave/convection oven? I don't have a manual with it. I can't seem to set the time. So far it has taken me 1 3/4 hours to cook some stuffed peppers, and they're still not done. I thought convection ovens were supposed to be faster. I also read, walked, and relaxed so  much that I had to look up the day and date on the internet.       What a life!!!!! 

The tourist

Since I left Dallas, I have been a real tourist. I have taken time to check out the internet to see what attractions are in the different cities. And I am no longer driving 6-8 hours a day. My main purpose at this time is to enjoy the sites. Last time I was in Louisiana, I drove through, except for 2 days in New Orleans. I remember going over this long, long bridge over swamps - what I guessed was the bayou - and hoping there would not be an accident, because I knew that there were alligators and crocodiles down there. Yesterday, I went over that same bridge and was thinking the same thing, looking for them in the swamp area.

In Shreveport, I visited this great art gallery (looked like a museum to me). Mostly American artists - a lot of Frederic Remington. I couldn't believe I stayed as long as I did, and I had the whole museum to myself, with 6-7 guards. The family (Norton) started this with RWNorton's collection, and still supports it. And it was free!!

In Lafayette I toured an Arcadian Village, and drove by some other attractions. Yesterday and today I have had a good time in Baton Rouge. Yesterday I parked in staff parking to see the Old State Capital, but as soon as I emerged from the car, a guard was there waiting. I guess the Massachusetts plate gave me away. So I drove through the LSU campus, and past a number of beautiful houses, and big old trees. Today I visited a couple plantations - one in the city proper. It is now 16 acres, but was 900, and had a very sobering exhibit of pictures and notices in the slave house on display.  The second was a Creole plantation, which was fascinating. I bought a book about the family - 3 or 4 generations - with all the "juicy" stories. After that, I ate at a fantastic seafood restaurant (thanks, Shannon).

Time to see what's next.

Where did they go?

Where's my deodorant? Shampoo? Comb? These things disappear. And how about my travel cosmetic bag? Today I was complaining as I bought a tube of creme, when I have many, many at home, and had one when  I started this trip. Since I got old, I'm trying to buy as little as possible. And, of course, I have no one to blame for the disappearance of my things. The cat Skittles couldn't move that big bottle of body wash, and the only way she likes to bathe is with her tongue. So, it must be me - leaving things in the states I visit. If you find shampoo, emery boards, or... it might be mine, but keep it, use it, give it away, because I've already bought a replacement.

Lessons learned

The first week of this trip taught me a number of lessons. I don't know if I can remember them all. A main problem - if I can't remember them, have I really learned the lessons? The first night I pulled off the road to a Walmart shopping plaza - open all night - because it was snowing and very windy. While kicking the snow drifts with my boots, I learned to move the RV once in a while to keep from being plowed in. That night I learned my generator really uses a lot of propane, when EARLY in the morning I had no heat, no gas, and no place to get it. So back on the road, holding tight to the wheel, to a great campground in Harrisburg where I filled up my propane, and frequently used the facilities while experiencing Montezuma's revenge and Witch Hazel's curse. Thank God it was only for 24 hours. I gave my car a bath here - the first of 3 this week. I also learned while towing my car, the car battery dies frequently, but I still have not learned why. And I learned when jumping a car - you probably all know this (and I think I did once too) - don't let the positive and negative touch. I learned the brake system I'm using in my car while towing, can be a problem and take more than 20 set-ups to work. But I also learned that when I disconnect the brake system, be sure to remove the clamp from the brake foot. Otherwise you may be pulling your RV up a hill at no more than 20 MPH while the motor strains reaching up to 40,000 RPMs. But then, this might not have been the real lesson. When I had my RV at the shop in Dallas, I learned you can get the RV to shift by pushing the gear shift to the right, and the motor is overloaded with the RV frame on it, and should not be taking on another 3,000 pounds by towing a car. Checking out chat rooms, I learned that a number of people are NOT happy with the Dodge Sprinter. A little late to learn those lessons. I also learned, again, that I love this life. In Kentucky I went to Mammouth Cave and Lincoln's birthplace/memorial and museum. Loved that. And I stayed a week with my cousins in Dallas, which was the very, very most fun. It reminds me how much I love the people in my life. Another lesson I learned there, is that my cat is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Scott had said maybe they should take a security deposit on the cat. They should have. By the end of the week she was banished to the RV.