Where are you from? What did you do for work?

          Our walk out the pier to the Marsh 

Questions we often ask, and are asked of us when meeting someone new. I try to stay away from asking, but after awhile, sometimes I do, It's s interesting, but sometimes takes the conversation down a trail I just wished I had never took, as this turn opens a door that is one way, and no going back. Our conversation then is all about work and the good and bad of the job, and there we are stuck talking about the hassle of the job, or something that kinda kills conversation. 

Do you ever think how the conversation is going, and let's just change this up, we are headed for a dead end here, let's take a turn! Before we get to the ahhh, shit end LoL. 

Well I do, and have made that turn, and most of the time the turn in the thoughts is acceptable, and we all start getting away from "the job" but sometimes a person just really wants to stay there, and that's when I wished I had never asked. 

Our job, job's, are not us. They are a part of our lives, but just a part. If I'm talking with another person I'm just getting to know them, there is so much more to know about them, other than their "job". Family, friends, interests, their lives. Yet if we ask just one question, "what do you do?" The whole conversation after goes down that trail! 

Yesterday I met a guy at the education center of Tyrrell park, Beaumont, Texas. Lee Ann knew of this park, and took us there for a look at the marsh. The day was cold, wind was cool, we walked out on the Pier that was over the water, saw so many different birds, it was really beautiful, but when we got to the end of the walkway, brr, let's go back. 

 

   We saw these 2 Model A's in the parking lot

That's when Lee Ann asked, would we like to check out the mash education center, was right beside where we had parked. Up the stairs we climbed, and into this building on 10' tall, 12"x12" beams we went.

 

Well here we were warmed up, as we walked in that was the first thing that greated us, warmth, then the two young men welcomed us in. In a short time we realized this was a great place to learn. 

Was so interesting, they both told us much about the marsh, and the park. After awhile, and many questions I realized one guy was more interested in conversation, than the other. He was a very good guy for the job, He showed us photos he had taken first, then told us much about the park, then explained how we could see more, just outside the park, and exactly where on the map on my phone.  Birds were a favorite of his I could tell. His photos were fantastic, alligator was his first, that was what started our look at his photos, we asked about alligator's here and Brutus was the capture. We were all taken by the wonderful photos. So many birds, some really good photos. 

I could have talked with him for hours, so interesting, so much to learn about this area, he showed me a couple websites that help identifying birds, and one that can identify a bird by the sounds they make. By this time the girls had left, I was still gathering knowledge. Back to the car I went, they were sitting waiting for me, I wasn't too long, we drove back towards the entrance. 

Lee Ann asked do we want to look at the visitor center, yes for sure, was an old building that had much history here. So about stop, and into this building, was another good stop, but the guy was not as interesting to me. His layed back meeting of us kinda turned me off to start, looking like he wasn't about to get outta the swivel chair, kinda almost laying in it😴

But he did get up, and show me about the building, talk about the proposed future changes, and what had been done. Was built in early 1900s and of brick made here off the beach. Mostly was empty, as funding was applied for, but not given yet. 

Was a nice visit here, but my mind kept going back the the other building, and the guy there that knew so much about this area. 

The guy here did talk with the girls, he talked about the display pieces that were for sale, mugs, butterfly's 🦋 in boxes, visitor center kinda stuff. All way overpriced Polly said, I agreed with her. 

All in all, was a very good visit we had, Hannah, Lee Ann's pup came along with us everywhere too, as we were going out that night to a casino in Louisiana so she would have to be home by herself. Was a great start to our day. 

I'm thinking now we might just have to stay a couple days more, and check out the marsh on a warmer day. Weather is supposed to warm up again, we have friends coming east towards Memphis, maybe catch up with them on their way past. Always building plans, that intersect with other's, makes this journey just a little more interesting 😃♥️🤗

Laptop post, Interesting, Frustrating. Aaaggg

  A rainy day here at Crooked Hook RV resort                     Cleweston, Florida 

 Ok, Laptop is odd, this is way different, no spell check coming all the time, and keys I do remember where they are, but very weird. My first blog for many years on the laptop, feels like a very foreign device, the lighted keys go out if I stop and think too long, I'm sure I could change in settings, I tried, to much looking around, I gave up.

Our first day was great 👍

These animals we passed by on our way to the Lodge, we were all amazed at first sight.

 I think this was an eagle, our first bird we saw.

 

    Thompson's Gazelle's 

     Giraffe's we're our favorite 

    Wildebeest were not in herd's

This bush was the first thing we had pointed out when we were guided on our short tour from the airport to our rooms. Whistling thorn acacia, we saw many of these on our Safari here in Kenya. Our guide Mako explained the symbiotic relationship the plant has with ants, that they use each other, the ants get a nest and some juice it needs from the bush, and the bush gets the ants to help make the plant less appetizing to grazing animals.  

     Showing the ant's coming out of the hole 

     You can see the ant 🐜 here look close 

Seemed to me the thorns would be enough to stop animals, but the ants are needed to stop other smaller animals from eating the plant, mice and grass hoppers. Mako was very good about showing us many small bits of information, as we traveled to Cotters camp. 

         Mako was our guide the first day 

   Land cruisers we're our mode of transport 

          

       Our walkway to our "Sand" tent

Our tent was huge, we had company the first night, but Carla made a change and Heather got her own tent for the rest of the time. 

This is just the first 1/2 day at Cotter's Safari camp, in the afternoon we went for another drive amongst the animals, Polly hoping to see a Lion, but that day we didn't. We did see many giraffe, Zebra, Gazelle, Impala, and in the evening a leopard. 

Today we are in Texas, I realized a few blog posts I had written were not published, here is the second one today. What to say, we've been busy 😃

Enjoy, I have many photos on the laptop I will get to at a much later date, travel does make me less likely to takeout the laptop and get to making a post. 

Monday we travel again ♥️🤗

      

A line in the sand

Our first day on Safari at Cotter's was great, we saw so much in one day, is just hard to comprehend. The area, the animals, the people, the camp, along with jetlag, and just trying to be comfortable, looking back now prepared we thought we were, but WOW, was so much to take in. 😳

The tree below we all stopped at for a sundowner after our evening safari tour, was a great place to checkout the area, enjoy the views, and celebrate our first day of adventure.

            B&W gives a different look 

Notice the marker on the left, Tanzania/Kenya 

          Taking the plane to the wash area

         Hand rinse is the normal here 

      Once in the plane I noticed this, UN Air 

   Some planes in pieces here 

  Looking down on our way to Cotter's airstrip 

          All the circle's are homestead's 

                  Very defined circle here

         Sand river is the one we explored on 

              our second day of safari 

     Scars on the land, cattle and game trail's 

     Cotter's Landing 🛬 strip ahead

           Leopard eating his catch, Goat

       Our trip organizer Carla giving a wave

      Always a smile from this guide, Joseph 

           DikDik a very small antelope 

  Zebra's always looking so awesome 

I wrote this Blog after our trip to Africa, but never posted for some reason, I'm thinking I had a FB post, so didn't post here. Looking back now after travel from Florida to Texas, and all we have seen and done since Africa, I feels like such a long time ago now. Maybe because was such a short time we were there really, and we saw and did and learned so much during our time there. 

Anyway, here are some photos and thoughts 😉🤗♥️

Waiting with a sore 👂 ear for the druggist to administer the prescription the doctor ordered and the receptionist sent. 😜

      This is a test, this is only a test of your patients under the pain of a sore ear. 

Went to the Dr finally, after treatment myself with eardrops since we were in Florida, I thought I had it kicked, but the pain came back, and not sure the process, I talked with Polly, then Lee Ann, and decided to call the medipac insurance company. 

The decision was to go to the Dr, today, as was hurting bad. Reception was good, the doctor was great, shook my hand when I came in just like my Dr at home, looked in my ear, then told me was outer ear infection, need antibiotics and some drops. We talked abit, he was very interesting and interested in our travel, as he has been holidaying with his family twice a year in rented RVs, so wanted to know how we did what we did.  

We said goodbye, and I gave him one of our cards, he was happy to read about our travels, said he was looking forward to my report on the blue crabs we saw caught here, as his family made a living when they first came to the area fishing crab, and the blue crabs were a family job to make the $$ needed to support 8 children, and 5 of them went on to be Drs. WOW. 

Just imagine, a family of 8 with 5 Drs, from a meeger living. They immigrated from Vietnam almost 40 years ago, after all spending 2 years in refugee camps, untill the could Leagly get into the United States, and Minnesota was the first place they came to, his father decided to move to Port Arthur, as was warmer, which they were used to, and had fishing they were used to from Vietnam. 

I learned so much in a short conversation with Dr. Nguyen I'll never forget this.

As he told me of his way in life, I realized my frickin ear was pounding, so after a short goodbye, I headed out to get the perceptions. Well here I am now, 3:07 an hour later, still no prescription, I've decided to write here, rather than screaming 🙀😱🙀😱

My ear hurts, 3:10 now, still waiting, the guy told me now, we have the order, be another 20 minutes. The first woman I spoke to was behind the back desk now eating, she was looking out, not very helpful I thought, but who knows what's her plight! 

Anthony, he helped, he did something, he took control when I went back second time and did something, even if taking time, he did help, he called the receptionist at the Dr office. Where as the other woman just said, it's not here! Twice, then I went and talked with Anthony. 20minutes is a long time in pain, but I'm thinking what I get won't resolve this snap, but will be nice to get something that will help relieve the pain, and be working on fixing this. 

3:15 now, I'm going to the can, got to do something useful, LoL. I go back and wait in line, I get the same not helpful woman. She says as I approach, "Birthdate" I tell her, my name, and answer the question, then gets a bag, that has the drugs needed, scans them, then tells me to use another machine that is beside the one I had to answer questions in, that takes my credit card, then she takes the bag, and hanging it up on the other side of the office, she leaves. 

I'm standing there, thinking is she coming back? What next? Then I see Anthony again, I look at him and ask what am I to do? He directs me to a desk by the bag, where I talk with a druggist, who explains the way to take the drugs. I tell her, the woman that served me was rude, and very unhelpful, that she left without saying anything. She said she was sorry, and would talk with her. I was in pain, I didn't want to stay and make a fuss, so off I went. 

As I finish writing this today I feel like going back and making a complaint, but I won't, ear is still sore, so I'll let it go. Been a long time since I had this kind of pain. I have antibiotics now, and eardrops. Time will help I'm sure. 

On the positive we had a very good dinner last night at our place with Lee Ann and her pup Hanna. Was leftovers that Polly made into a meat & vegetable pie chilli, steak, and veggies. Mmm 😋 good, Lee Ann made up broccoli salad, and potatoes and we had dinner. Sure was good, and Rice krispie squares do dessert 😊

After dinner we watched a movie 🍿, then not long after Lee Ann & Hannah were ready to leave. 

Not bad for a cooler day, with rain to start here at Access RV, in Port Arthur, Texas. 

Rain has quit for now, so now what?

Yesterday was an amazing day at Graceland

Polly & I have wanted to see Memphis and Graceland for a long time, I think since we were married again in Vegas on our 10th anniversary with friends and family. I'm not sure how we came up with the idea at the time, but we got everyone that wanted to go involved in our 2nd wedding. I think we wanted to do something special for #10, and we did! 

        .....One Dozen of the finest

Doug& Nicole, Americo&Claudette, Flavio&Patty, Daniel&George, Charlie&Lyn, Polly&I

                  2 Elvis's & 2 Marilyn's

Polly made the outfits for us, was a trial and error kinda deal for her, she's was handy with sewing, but not something she does regularly, so adjustments happen after ever fitting. I remember the crotch was way to tight on my outfit, so she added a band all the way around, I did hear a little cursing as she built this two outfits, but aft much trial and error, We became Elvis & Marilyn for our 10th anniversary. 

This celebration was so much fun, and our friends and family that attended all had fun with us the night of our wedding. Polly and I will never forget this fun night. Likely our friends and family won't either.

Even as I write this I kinda tear up remembering all the fun we had all those years ago. I'm a sop, I know it LoL. 😪 

Well here we are, looking through Elvis's past, and learning so much about his history, so much we didn't know. A sad story in many ways, but he did create something that changed music at a time the world was changing around him, we just got a chance to see it, and being here we get to live it for a short while. 

  Meeting new friends as we go, that's our way.

On our way here we learned about the people that rode the bus from Nashville to Montgomery and Birmingham to make the federal government change the state government's that were still segregationist. We knew of Rosa Parks and her not moving from her seat for a white person, and her help to change the laws. We also learned about the confederacy, and some of how they became a separate government in the USA for a short time, February 8, 1861, to May 9, 1865.

We have learned so much on this trip, during this time Elvis was changing the music world, as well as; "Elvis Presley also had a profound impact on social attitudes. His music and films challenged traditional ideas about gender roles, and he is often credited with helping to usher in the sexual revolution of the 1960s."

 

Yes we have been on a learning trip as we travel through this southern USA. Today we hope to go to Beal street, and get an education in some of the blue's that Elvis also contributed to, as well as learned from. With the rains last night, and the wind today we just might be doing a drive about, see how the day goes. Every day another adventure, is how we like it. 

This coming week is Christopher's birthday, and Ciara asked ho we felt about it? I said I planned to be traveling that day, always better having something to do when a sad day arrives. We will remember him, as many will, in our own ways. Just know he's not forgotten. After talking with Ciara, she's thinking of having a few of there friends over on Wednesday, March 8th to celebrate Chris, I'm sure this will help her get through the day. 

Moving forward we all are, not forgetting him as we go. Had to change the subject last night with Ciara, don't want to get too teary eyed. 

Next stop Beal St, looking for the blues in a good way 😁🕺💃🎸 music 🎶 can heal the soul I'm told. 

❤️❤️🤗🤗