Holiday fun with metal detectors!

Christmas 2021 is passed, but the holiday season is still in full swing around the Ford household.  The last leftovers have been consumed, another round for New Years is just around the corner, and the unknowns of 2022 lie before us.

But in amongst the activities of the week, we did something new: metal detecting on the property.

The farm has been in the family for over 80 years now, but the history goes back farther. Over the years we have found old car remnants and a mill stone in the old creek named for a Texas Ranger who owned the property and died in the 1850s.  It is unknown where his homestead was and unknown where he is laid to rest.  So, that said, who knows what might be found.

We didn't stay long but found and old ax head, rusty wire and what appeared to be a hinge or fastener of some point.  Such fun! 

We will have to venture down to the Hughes Branch again soon!

Holiday Traditions - Bethlehem Revisited

About 45 minutes down the road is a hidden holiday treasure.  Tucked into a residential neighborhood in Waxahachie, Texas, is a living nativity village with live actors and animals.  Camels, goats, and sheep played their parts in Bethlehem.  Actors occupied stalls "selling" their wares and playing their parts in full immersion.

And through the night on a rotating schedule the events of the nativity and the arrival of the three wise men were played out.

The event has been held for years and is hosted by the Central Presbyterian Church.  It is free and operates on donations.  They always host it the first two weekends of December each year.  We go when we can.  Highly recommended!

Texas Winter Sunset

Odd day today in that we were all home and it isn't a holiday.  It is not unusual for me to be at home on a Friday, as my job allows extreme flexibility on the last day of the week.  Stephanie and Sadie, on the other hand, we're home due to extreme absences predicted due to the funeral of a student at the school.  A sad situation all around but it did give us a chance to slow down and enjoy a Texas Winter sunset.

The weather today was in the low 70s and the chickens enjoyed the day out of the run.  It was a nice slow day before the bustle of the holiday season gets into full swing.

Just before sundown a rainbow appeared to remind us of God's promise.  A beautiful December day!

Our Halloween Jellystone outing!

Halloween is a fun time of year, but living in rural Texas the opportunities are limited to do the trick or treat thing.  Fall festivals at local churches are nice, but sometimes I feel bad that the traditional trick or treat just doesn't typically happen.  

This year, however, we looked into alternatives.  Jellystone Park campgrounds are known for their activities and special events so this year we reserved spots at the Whispering Pines location in Tyler.  This was our first Jellystone, and we loved it!

We arrived late since it was a work day, but the drive was not bad.  The office called to let us know that they would be closed by the time we arrived but out information packet was near the office door.  It took a bit of doing to park the camper, but the wide sites helped out somewhat.  

First off, Jellystone Parks certainly qualifies as a resort.  Cabins and campsites abound.  And so many activities!

Ceremics!

Mini Golf!

Jumping Pillow!

Lazer Tag!

Trick or Treating and Costumes!

Campfire sitting!

We had a great time at this park.  Because we arrived late and the checkout is 11 am, our activities were limited to Saturday this time.  Next time, we will work in an extra day.  In the end everyone was exhausted but happy!  Even Fergus!

Key West

 The trip to the Keys was awesome! And even now, I am ready for a return adventure to the southernmost area of the United States.

In this video, we traveled further down Highway 1A, took the trip to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson, and explored the town of Key West a bit.  The production of this video was a bit rough in that I lost footage from my cell phone when it drowned at the Fort.  Stephanie, however, had some good still photography that proved helpful.  For more detail, check out the earlier blog post, and enjoy this visual journey to the southernmost Keys and a brief look at what they have to offer.

Ford Family Wandering - Our Visit to the Sherman Celtic Festival, 2021

This past weekend we went to the Sherman Celtic Festival and Highland Games!  Stephanie set up her booth with her Lilla Rose, and Sadie and I explored the festival. 

If you haven't been to a Celtic/Scottish Festival, there are some good ones and you are missing out!

I am still learning editing techniques as well, so with each video I am trying for a better product than the last.

Anyway, here we go!

Journey to the Keys; Marathon (video)

Certainly one of the most memorable events of the trip was deep sea fishing for Mahi Mahi in the Atlantic out of Islamorada.  We chartered the Kay K IV with Capt. Don and Mate Dave.  They were awesome!  The weather was less than desirable, though, and the swells caused seasickness among our group.  

In the end, though, we caught 18 Mahi, and made some memories.  Check out the blog several posts back for more details.  I do love Marathon and Islamorada! 

Journey to the Keys, Day 6 (St. Pete to Marathon)

 The trip to the Keys is certainly one that we will remember, and for no less reason than the stops we made along the way.  The trip from St. Pete to Marathon took us through the Big Cypress Preserve and parts of the Everglades, as detailed in an earlier post made in real-time.  We also visited Robert is Here Fruitstand and experienced some uniquely tropical fruit.  The Kent mangos and the mamey sapotes were delights that we cannot get at home.

Even now, as I was reviewing the film clips and compiling this video, my heart still leaps a bit when I see the baby blue wall that marks Highway 1 where it enters the island chain.  It is about 2 hours from Key Largo in the north and Key West in the south.   Marathon is a sizable town about halfway down.

As noted before, these videos are my attempt at a new hobby but also a chance to make use of the videos and pictures that we took along the way.  Hopefully, this will inspire you to find your way to South Florida to experience 

Trip to the Keys - Day 3 through 5 (Biloxi to St. Petersburg, Florida) - (Video)

This summer we traveled to the Florida Keys, which if you keep up with this Blog you already know.  It was a fantastic trip and it is my intention to make that trip again.

Another hobby I have been developing is videography, and I have been working through several video editing programs trying to figure out what is best for me.  

So here is the second video from our epic road trip to the Keys.  This one finds our travel from Biloxi, Mississippi to St. Petersburg, Florida, with so awesome stops along the way.

Enjoy!

Trip to the Keys Day 1 & 2 (Video)

 When I set out for our trip this summer, I had in mind to photo-document the trip.  It is a goal to improve my skills and overtime increase the quality of my equipment.  

It is a developing skill, and this first one might be a bit rough.  But ultimately, the purpose was to capture the memories of a truly fantastic trip.  So with that said, enjoy!!!

Union Pacific's "Big Boy 4014" comes to Texas

There has been much talk, excitement and anticipation for the passing-through of the largest steam engine in the world.  Built in November, 1941, the bohemoth weighs in at 1.2 million pounds and with oil and fluids, much more.  

So cool!

We had some options.  The locomotive was to stop at various towns along the way on its route south, but with the train cam crowds.  So we decided to check Google maps to find a place to back up the truck and wait for Big Boy to come rumbling through.  We were the first to set up shop, but soon after we had company.  

 

 

She went by fast!  Rolling on down the line!  It does make me long for a simpler time when the engineer still waived from the train as the little boys who stood dreaming of steel rails.

#Summer2021 Trip to the Keys: Reflections

 Reflections

It has been almost a week since we returned home from our epic summer trip to the Keys.  

In the end we covered over 3200 miles, and spent just under $1200 in fuel.  Tolls totaled around $90 with the SunPass.

Some of our reflections from the trip:

* With an RV, know your limits on how much road you can cover.  Ours was 400 miles, or settle in by 4 pm - whichever comes first.

* We prefer the RV.  The room will always be nice at the end of trail.

* Schedule in a short day after a long day or two, or better yet, a day to stay put before continuing on.

* A TMPS (tire pressure monitor) is a huge factor in peace of mind while traveling.  We use TireMinder.

* An RVLock system is not necessary, but super convenient and more secure.  Very helpful!

* Plan gas stops ahead, since finding a gas station that can handle a 30 foot rig are often hard to find.  The two lane roads were less crowded for fuel than interstate stops.

* Toll roads, while expensive, do often cut down on the distance.

***

This was a trip that was totally unique compared to all of our others, and I hope it will not be the last.  While travel is slower and gas usage greater, this was a more relaxing trip than the rust to a hotel, haul it all up and haul it all down, and move on to the next stop after that.  The journey is as important as the destination. 

And we will be returning to the Keys.  The water, sunsets, and history are things that call us, and we will certainly be answering that call again.

#Summer2021 Pensacola to Ruston, and Lincoln Parish Park

Day 16

The drive from Pensacola to Ruston, Louisiana - 401 miles.

We left around 8 am, after hitching up and having a quick breakfast, and traveled through Mobile and up Hwy 49 though Mississippi.  The roads through this part of the state were good, but good luck in finding a rest area or place to pull off with an RV.  We finally pulled off in a closed-down restaurant's parking lot for a quick bite to eat (picnic sandwiches) and a rest.  

At Jackson, Interstate 20 was awful, and continued to be through Louisiana.  At places it was so rough we worried that we might break something as we traveled on.  

Around 4 we arrived at our destination - Lincoln Parish Park.  It is a hidden gem, and at $35 a night and full hookups, it is a nice destination for our final night.  After gassing up the truck, a quick supper of sausages on the grill, and a check in with home, we took a walk to see the park.  A one mile path around the lake was accessible from our campsite.  There are other paths, but we will have to check them out a later time.

We decided by the end of our stay that this would be a good long-weekend destination.  It is about 250 miles from home, so about 5 hours.  If only we could avoid Shreveport and these Louisiana roads!

Lincoln Parish Park is certainly a good option for a stop over or a long weekend.  Certainly one to mark on our go-tos.

#Summer2021 - The trip home begins

Day 13

This begins our journey home.  From Sugarloaf Key this morning.

We left out early and drove US-1, back through Marathon and Islamorada, and through Homestead in our best attempt to avoid Miami. There are many toll roads, so I am not quite sure how much this has cost, particularly due to the extra axles on the camper.

Traffic was heavy on almost all roads south of Orlando. We took the Florida Turnpike, while the rest took the interstate in an attempt to avoid the tolls.  We arrived at our campground - Orange Blossom KOA Journey - a full 2 hours before everyone else.  We hoped to swim a bit, but a thunderstorm and heavy rains came up, and it was still raining when we all came together again.  Quick supper, then off to bed.

All told, it was uneventful.

The campground itself was very nice.  The owners were kind and helpful, and the sites were spaced out well.  Because it is a Journey, the sites were also long which allowed us to not unhook before a morning departure.

Day 14

After pulling out, and mapping a route without tolls, we immediately were separated.  After a while was within about 15 miles of our convoy, and arrived at Avalon Landing RV in Milton, Florida, within minutes of each other.  This was a nice part too, with a saltwater fishing lake and bridge, laundry room, and nice pads.  The WiFi was poor and unreliable, though.  

We all drove to Pensacola Beach, paid the toll to cross the bridge, and put our name on the list for a table at Peg Leg Pete's Oyster Bar and Restaurant.  There was a 3-hour wait, so we walked the beach until a rainstorm drenched us, so we returned to the car and later play area to wait on our turn.  It was well worth it.  It was probably the best seafood we had on our trip!!!  5 Stars!!!

Day 15

Mom and Dad, and Brandon and family, left out from Avalon Landing around 8:30 am.  We decided to stay another day in Pensacola in order to explore Fort Pickens and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  It started out raining but cleared a bit after lunch, which meant we had some time on the beach.  This was a nice beach - perhaps the nicest we have seen on this trip.  We saw dolphins and a stingray swam right among the swimmers.  Little moon jellyfish started washing up on the beach, but the lifeguard said there was not really anything to be concerned with.  It is the wrong time of year for the dangerous ones, such as the Man 'o Wars.  A large sea turtle next was cordoned off on the beach, so that was neat to see.

We returned to the campground, fixed supper, and settled in.  Tomorrow we set out for home. After tonight, just one more night on the road.