May 12, 2010

Oh what a day.  We got on the road at about 10 AM after doing some grocery shopping.  All was going well but when we stopped for fuel after about 200 miles the engine air quit working again.  I guess I will have to try to find another air man tomorrow.   We tried running the generator and the big unit on the roof but it just doesn't keep you cool in the cab with the sun shining in on you.  Darlie sat in the back to keep cool but I was roasting up front.  If this persists I will just turn this thing north and go to Canada.

I am only able to drive the old bread truck for about 6 hours.  By that time my shoulders are aching from fighting the wheel.  We passed two bread trucks on the highway today so we thought that was an oman to go ahead and name this thing the bread truck but if we keep having trouble with air I might change it to the sweat box.

We had planned to stop at a campground in Henderson, LA tonight.   After passing several campgrounds that sat in the middle of a former cow pasture with few trees, we decided to look for another state park.  We found one not far off our route and headed for it.  It wasn't long before I  thought I made a very bad mistake.  The road was narrow and very bumpy.  At times it was all I could do to keep it on my side of the road.  The state park was 11 miles off the highway but it seemed more like 22.  I figured we were probably the first ones to visit it since Lafayette.

Finally, at the end of the road we came upon another very lovely state park.  It is beautiful.  It is called Tickfaw State Park.  We are camped in the middle of a bayou with cypress trees all around.  The campground is beautifully maintained.  All the sites are paved and have water and 50/30/20 amp electric service.  And to my surprise, we have wifi service too!   We don't have a cellphone signal though.  Go figure.  There is also a laundry.

We unloaded the bikes and took a lengthy ride around the park.  We discovered the Grandma Cypress tree which is around 800 years old.   We also found a water park with fountains shooting up into the air for the kids to run through.  There is also a large playground adjacent to the water park.  Further up the road we came upon the camping cabins.  That is an understatement.  These were stilt houses of about 1000 square feet with air and satellite dish.  Each was painted a cheerful pastel color.  Behind the cabins the bayou came up to the back deck.  Signs warned not to feed the alligators.  I guess you wouldn't want to leave your steak unattended on the grill either.

There are nature trails, a nature center with displays, an RV campground with 30 sites that can handle any size RV.  There are 50 tent sites on a separate loop.   I think we will continue to look for state park campgrounds.  The prices are far below the commercial places and they have so much more to offer.

It looks like everyone brought their dogs.  I miss my Buddy.  I sure wish I had brought her along now.  She would probably be cramped though.

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