Category Archives: RV Travel

2016 Graceland, Memphis Tennessee

Pool Room
This is the limouPool Room
Awards Case
Awards Case
Gold Records
Gold Records
Wall of Awards
Wall of Awards

On our way home from Green Bay, WI we made a stop at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. I was pretty young when Elvis was hitting stardom, and not one of his big fans.  However, I must say, after seeing Graceland and hearing of all the good causes Elvis contributed to, I do have a better appreciation for him.

Seeing where he lived was an awesome experience

Entry to Graceland
Entry to Graceland

The home Elvis was raised in was very modest.

Model of the home Elvis grew up in.
Model of the home Elvis grew up in.
The Home of Elvis
The Home of Elvis
Living Room with custom furniture
Living Room with custom furniture
Stairway to second floor--No Access allowed out of respect for Elvis
Stairway to second floor–No Access allowed out of respect for Elvis
Dining Room
Dining Room

The home of Elvis was continually filled with friends and family who often would partake in meals served in this lovely room

Dining Room
Dining Room
Kitchen
Kitchen

With all the visitors, the kitchen was open 24 hours a day to accommodate them

Elvis' mothers bedroom
Elvis’ mothers bedroom

Elvis’ mothers bedroom

 

A room to relax
A room to relax

This lovely oversized pit couch is where Elvis and guests would relax

Elvis' pool table
Elvis’ pool table

Many guests  played pool here.  If you look closely, in the upper right corner right by the pocket, there is a tear.  This was caused by one of Elvis’ guests attempting to make a trick shot resulting in a tear to the felt.

Pool Room
Pool Room

Notice the walls and ceiling.  They are decorated in cloth.  It took three people ten days to completely cover this room in the material.  It was quite lovely and gave the room a warm, relaxing feeling.

Jungle room
Jungle room

This was one of Elvis’ favorite rooms.  The furniture was real unique and quite popular in the 70’s.

Pasture
Pasture

Elvis had a great love for horses and would often go riding with family and friends.  When they found out he was going riding they would want to join him.

Awards Case
Awards Case
Gold Records
Gold Records
Wall of Awards
Wall of Awards

Anyone who knows anything about Elvis knows that his music awarded him many gold records and other awards.  It was breathtaking to see all these hanging on the walls and encased in glass.  The man had great talent

Wardrobe
Wardrobe
Wardrobe
Wardrobe
Wardrobe
Wardrobe

Every concert Elvis performed at he always wore a very showy costume, whether it be beads, bangles, fringe or bling.  Above are just a few of the outfits he wore.

Pool
Pool

Decorated with bushes and plants it looked very inviting,.

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These were Elvis’ vehicles he owned.  Great vintage automobiles.

Limousine
Limousine

This is the limousine that Elvis’ rode in to many of his concerts.

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This was Prascilla’s car.

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These were Elvis’ big boy toys.

Elvis' Plane--Lisa Marie
Elvis’ Plane–Lisa Marie
Elvis' Plane--Lisa Marie
Elvis’ Plane–Lisa Marie
Meditation Garden
Meditation Garden
Elvis' final resting place
Elvis’ final resting place

Elvis had been buried at another location, but with fear of vandalism he was moved onto his estate for security.

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Buried along with Elvis are his mother, father, and grandmother.

Elvis RIP
Elvis RIP

The trip to Graceland was unforgettable.  I am sure one day that we will revisit and once again be awed by the beauty of Graceland.

Heartbreak Hotel
Heartbreak Hotel

The song Heartbreak Hotel was released as a single on January 27, 1956.

Desk Phone at Heartbreak Hotel
Desk Phone at Heartbreak Hotel
Heartbreak Hotel Lobby
Heartbreak Hotel Lobby

Entryway into Heartbreak Hotel.  So elegant.

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

One of the few Packers games I have seen live.  The excitement was over the top.

Gypsy & Ten Pin
Gypsy & Ten Pin
Four-legged Packer Fans
Four-legged Packer Fans

Packer fans come in all shapes and sizes,

Hook (R) has his Packer Collar

Nala (L) has her Packer Sweater

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Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

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Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

 

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

 

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

You have to start the game right with a tail gate party.  The neat part of tailgating, everyone shares their food and beverages.  It was fun to walk around and see how everyone was set up.

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

Some really came prepared

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

Packer fans now and always

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

The ultimate tailgate grill

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

Everyone had their own idea of what their tailgate party should consist of

Live At Lambeau Field Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

A little drinking fun

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

LoneStar with a pre-game cigar

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

Really cool Packer bus–Can you say ultimate Packer fans

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

Gypsy enjoying beverages at the tailgate

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Tiny Packer Fan
Tiny Packer Fan
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

The tailgate parties ended and then it was time to find our seats

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

Just a few people

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Gypsy & LoneStar
Gypsy & LoneStar

 

Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys
Live At Lambeau Field
Live At Lambeau Field
Packers vs. Cowboys

It was so awesome to be at the game but unfortunately the Packers lost to the Cowboys.  It still was an awesome experience.

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

2016 Moondance Jam, Walker, MN

While we were visiting Angela and Dave’s cabin, LoneStar found out there was a concert featuring Chicago, which just so happened to fall on my birthday. He surprised me with a  5 day camping trip to Moondance Jam 25.

 

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

Bring your lawn chairs or just relax on the ground.  You could actually set your chairs up the first day of the concert and leave them there for the entire four days.  People were courteous and for the most part left them alone.  This helped since the walk from the campgrounds to the stages was a fair distance.  You could never be assured of the same spot your picked the day before.

Each day live bands were featured.  This lineup changes yearly.  Can’t wait to see who is featured at Moondance Jam 26

Moondance 25 Lineup
Moondance 25 Lineup
Moondance 25 Lineup
Moondance 25 Lineup

When the main stage was quiet, other bands played in other locations.  You could always find the music genre you liked.  Unfortunately, Rick Springfield was unable to make it so Jet (The Wings Tribute Band) played in his spot.

Food, beverages and vendors were abundant.  The tie-die booth was always full of patrons.  There was beer and wine tasting.  And two days they had an art class for anyone who wanted to participate.  For a fee which paid for supplies and instruction you could go home with your own special momemto of Moondance Jam 25.

Here’s a Gypsy original.  This was with acrylics.  It was so much fun.  Class lasted about 2 hours and you could still hear bands playing in the background.

Moondance Jam 25

Boston–My kind of rock and roll

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

Buddy Holly Tribute Band–They were excellent and brought back lots of rock and roll memories.

Buddy Holly Tribute Live at Moondance Jam – Oh Boy

Buddy Holly Tribute Live at Moondance Jam – La Bamba

 

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

 

Godsmack, a heavy metal band.  I don’t like heavy metal but they actually had some songs I enjoyed.

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

Jet: live at Moondance Jam 2016 — Live and Let Die

Jet: Live at Moondance Jam 2016 — Jet

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

 

Chicago–Now that was the way to celebrate my 65th birthday.  Awesome!!!!

Chicago Live Video – Call On Me

Chicago Live Video – Clip 1

Chicago Live Video – Clip 2

Chicago Live Video – Clip 3

Check out the Video Clips below.

Fabulous Armadillos: Tribute to the Eagles Live at Moondance Jam – One of These Nights

Fabulous Armadillos: Tribute to the Eagles Live at Moondance Jam – Witchy Woman

Godsmack Live at Moondance Jam 2016 clip 1

Godsmack Live at Moondance Jam 2016 clip 2

Little River Band Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Help is on Its Way

Loverboy Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Turn Me Loose

Boston Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Rock & Roll Band

Boston Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Clip 1

Boston Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Clip 2

 

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

The crowd was amazing and for the most part well-behaved.

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25
Gypsy at Moondance Jam 25
LoneStar at Moondance
LoneStar at Moondance
Jam 25

What happens at Moondance, stays at Moondance

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

Just rockin’  with Bush

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

Indoor restaurant that served excellent food and beverages

Back at the campsite after the bands there were many activities.  One is a Flaming Chimney.   See pictures and videos below.

Flaming Chimney Campfire at Moondance Jam Part1

Flaming Chimney Campfire at Moondance Jam Part2

Moondance Jam 25 Campfire
Moondance Jam 25 Campfire
Moondance Jam 25 Campfire
Moondance Jam 25 Campfire
Moondance Jam 25 Campfire
Moondance Jam 25 Campfire

 

Moondance Jam 25
Moondance Jam 25

This concert happens every year.  The lineup changes, but be assured if you decide to go there will be a band you like.  You can get daily tickets or a package deal.  Go and enjoy.

Click this link to go to the Moondance Jam Web site.

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

Lake O’ the Pines, Texas

Corps of Engineers (COE) Parks are a great place to camp whether for one night or longer.  COE parks usually consist of several parks within them.  Lake O’ the Pines Recreation Area in Jefferson, TX has three parks for RV camping.   They have cement pads, water and electric hook-ups and a dump station.  Tent sites available.  Hiking and biking and fishing are popular.  Pets welcome.  Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-maintained.  Sites can be reserved ahead of time by just contacting them at www.lakeothepines.org  or  call   877-444-6777.

ALLEY CREEK CAMP– Jefferson, TX  

When we arrived we found out many camp sites were flooded.  Actually, half the park that we stayed at was closed due to flooding.

Lake of the Pines
Lake of the Pines
Lake of the Pines
Lake of the Pines

Fire rings under water

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Level cement pads for your RV

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Biking, hiking or just relaxing, Lake of the Pines is the place to do it.  The scent of the pine trees is in itself relaxing.

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Bonfire rings provided at campsites.

Lake of the Pines
Lake of the Pines
Lake of the Pines
Lake of the Pines

Beautiful sunset

We will definitely came back to the Lake of the Pines.

 

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

 

Vicksburg, MS

Another Civil War site we stopped to visit was Vicksburg, MS in April 2016.    The Civil war always intrigued me (Gypsy), and to visit the sites gave me a better understanding of it.

Union Army
Union Army
Confederate Army
Confederate Army
Cemetery at Vicksburg
Cemetery at Vicksburg
Cemetery at Vicksburg
Cemetery at Vicksburg
Vicksburg National Cemetery
Vicksburg National Cemetery

The Vicksburg National Cemetery was established in 1866.   There are 17,000 union soldiers buried there.

Shirley House
Shirley House
The Shirley House Restored
The Shirley House Restored

The Shirley House was restored to original and is the only remaining wartime building inside the military park.

Ironclad
Ironclad

Ironclad ships from the Civil War.

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The last of its kind
The last of its kind

On site there was the last of its kind.  The damage it sustained during the war is evident.

The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind
The last of its kind

I cannot imagine what that must have sounded like to hear cannon shells hitting the metal of the ship.  It had to be deafening.

The last of its kind
The last of its kind

The USS Cairo was sank on Dec 12, 1862.

If you ever get near the Vicksburg area, you have to take the time to visit the National Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

Andersonville

Andersonville was on of the most notorious prison camps during the civil war.

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Replica of the prison camp
Replica of the prison camp
Interesting statue
Interesting statue

The caption on the bottom of this statue reads:

“Turn you to the strongholds ye prisoners of hope”

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Dog Tags had not yet been invented, so came the grave of the Unknown Soldier.

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Sections of the original stockade still stand.  It was exciting walking back into history.

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The Expanded Stockade
The Expanded Stockade

I was not aware of all the different types of cannons that were used in the Civil War.

 

Weapons of the Civil War
Weapons of the Civil War
Ready, Aim, Fire
Ready, Aim, Fire
Massive Monuments
Massive Monuments

The above monument built for the prisoners of war who died at Andersonville.  Twelve of these monuments stand in the cemetery and eleven at the prison site.

State memorials

Iowa Memorial
Iowa Memorial
Indiana Memorial
Indiana Memorial
Wisconsin Memorial
Wisconsin Memorial

The Civil War has always drawn my interest and the visit to Andersonville was a highlight of our adventures.

 

 

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

Cerys

It was great to finally get to Twin Lakes.  We met up with our friends and decided to go to lunch one day.

We put Cerys into the camper and we went to enjoy a pleasant lunch.  When we arrived back at the camper, we saw several people around our RV.  I assumed Cerys had been barking and irritating other campers.

Cerys & Gypsy
Cerys & Gypsy

 

Then I saw Cerys running around near our RV.  We could not imagine how she had gotten out of the locked camper.

We comforted Cerys and then tried to figure our how she had gotten out.  We opened the door and the entire screen was ripped off the screen door and dents and deep scratches on the metal door.  As I walked to the back of the camper, I found the window shade completely pulled down and torn up and a big hole in the screen.   The rear window had been open giving Cerys the opportunity to jump out through the screen.

I was sickened at the thought of what this poor dog had gone through to be in such a panic as to do all that damage and then jump through a screen window.

She had a few issues on other camping trips with damaging a part of the screen but we had fixed it and thought she just needed more time to get used to the camper.  This time, however, we had  left her alone for longer than usual.

Now, decisions had to be made.  We were going to be gone for 3 weeks and it was obvious that Cerys was not an RV dog.

My brother (Ten Pin) immediately got on the phone and started calling ‘no kill’ shelters, anticipating what we were going to have to do.  I was an emotional wreck and unable to make any decisions other than we could not put this poor animal through this anymore.  The RV damage could be repaired but Cerys could not be expected to go through that panic every time we had to leave her in the RV.

The no-kill shelters said they had no room so LoneStar and Ten Pin decided to take her to a regular shelter.  We had Cerys for almost four years and I was quite bonded with her.  Every step I took, she was right behind me and now I was going to have to send her to a new home.

LoneStar  and Ten Pin came back about an hour later.  I was fearing what they would tell me.  However, God had once again intervened.  They took  Cerys into the shelter.   Several volunteers were inside the shelter talking to the receptionist.   The volunteers happened to be going to the no-kill shelter that we were told was full and would not accept any more dogs.  They saw Cerys, took her picture and sent it to their boss at the no-kill shelter.  They were told to bring her in as they had several families wanting a beautiful standard poodle.

Although this story sounds quite tragic, it does have a happy ending.  We do not know what home she was placed with but are believing she is happy and loved wherever she is at.

It is sometimes hard to make such sacrifices  but to put Cerys through such trauma was cruel.  Our future included a lot of travel and she wanted no part of it.  Cerys was a very well-trained dog, her only issue, enclosed spaces.  So to relinquish her to a home where her new family was made aware of her situation, was the best thing to do for her and us.

Cerys will always be in our hearts, and we know she is filling another home with tons of Poodle love.

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

 

2016 Ft. Richardson State Park, Jacksboro, TX

We started taking some short trips with our RV. One stop was a corps of engineers (COE) park at Ft. Richardson in Jacksboro, TX.

Ft. Richardson camping Site
Ft. Richardson camping Site
Ft. Richardson camping Site
Ft. Richardson camping Site

The park was very well kept and also offered some history. Again we only took a few photos but it will give you an idea of the park.  The gravel sites were fairly level, and spacious.  One morning we woke up and there were about 30 deer grazing right outside our window. Sure wish we would have snapped a photo.

Things worked out well on our first trip. Our dog Cerys enjoyed her walks and resting with me

Gypsy and Cerys
Gypsy and Cerys
Gypsy and Cerys
Gypsy and Cerys

Being an old fort, some of the buildings were still standing.

Ft Richardson. Original Morgue
Ft Richardson. Original Morgue
Interior of the Hospital
Interior of the Hospital

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

2015 Interstate 10,Texas Travel Information Center, Orange,Texas

My brother does a lot of traveling and when he finds things of interest he lets us know. He found a wayside stop on one of his adventures.  He told us it had a walkway through a swamp.  It was on our way back home.  It is located in Orange, Texas, on Interstate 10 at the Texas Travel Information Center. We just had to stop and check it out.

Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Gypsy enjoying the view
Gypsy enjoying the view
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp
Wayside Swamp

 

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.

2015 Christmas at the Blue Angel RV Park

The trip to Pensacola was excellent. My brother Henry also bought an RV and we met at the Blue Angel  RV Park. We spent  Christmas with him.  Even though it rained the majority of our stay, we still enjoyed our time together.

Celebrating Christmas at Blue Angle RV Park
Celebrating Christmas at Blue Angle RV Park

 

The level cement pad sites make for a quick set up with having to level the RV.

Blue Angel RV Site
Blue Angel RV Site
Blue Angel Rv Site
Blue Angel Rv Site

The sites well well-spaced with a picnic table and campfire ring.

Blue Angel RV Park Bonfire
Blue Angel RV Park Bonfire
First Campfire at Blue Angel RV Park
First Campfire at Blue Angel RV Park

The park is right on Pedido Bay.  I spotted several dolphins as I walked along the water’s edge which I always find exciting.  The weather was gloomy and cold so this photo reflects the weather at the time.

Rainy day shoreline at Blue Angel RV Park
Rainy day shoreline at Blue Angel RV Park

Walking trails providing you with plenty of nature hikes.

Dogs are permitted at Blue Angel with the leash law in effect. Also, if you take a dog camping, make sure you clean up after it. Most campers are responsible but there are always some who don’t care.  The park provides waste pick up bags for your convenience.

Gypsy and Cerys at Blue Angel Rv Park
Gypsy and Cerys at Blue Angel Rv Park
Hook and Cerys
Hook and Cerys
Henry and Hook
Henry and Hook
Henry and Hook with Rich looking on
Henry and Hook with Rich looking on

 

© 2016-2024 ArchBooks, Inc.