2021 in Review

 This year has been an adventurous one!  Let's look back at 2021.

This year started with a rare Texas snowstorm, but it was a precursor to the big one.  February was cold!

                                                    

March was our annual Spring Break trip, and we returned to Gatlingburg.  There was a bit of a problem this year, though.  Mom and Dad, not 24 hours after arriving, wrecked their Honda Pilot.  The struggle was finding a way to get them home since our car is small.  We worked it out though.  And we even had time to hike one of the longest trails we have done - Newfound Gap to Charlie's Bunion.

Wrapping up the school year and starting summer, we visited two state parks with the RV:

Fairfield Lake SP

Purtis Creek SP

And then, our epic summer trip to Florida and the Florida Keys!

Biloxi and Beauvoir

South Port, Florida and Southern Grace Lavender Farm, and our 15th Anniversary!

Tampa and Madiera Beach KOA

The Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve

Jolly Roger RV Resort and Marathon, Florida

Fishing for Mahi in Islamorada

Dry Tortugas NP and Key West!

We wrapped it up in Pensacola Beach and Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, LA.  Over 2 weeks, and 3500 miles!

School and work started up again, so the travel days became fewer and farther between.  

Jellystone Park, Tyler, Texas

Salado Highland Games, and Union Grove Park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake

It was a great year!  I hope 2022 will bring great things!

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!