Theodore Who?

We awoke to news of bad weather expected in our area so we quickly packed up, hooked up, and headed east.....our destination today was Theodore, Alabama which is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Mobile, Alabama.  We are staying at Payne's RV Park and it too, is a delightful RV park, with a pond full of ducks and weeping willow trees on the banks.  It is very quiet here, and Lacy and I have enjoyed walking around the park and playing ball while Jim tried to adjust the satellite dish......that's another story......

Once we were checked in and set up (we will spend two night here) we headed west again to Pascagoula, Mississippi to see the Round Island Lighthouse.  This is a lighthouse we have not seen in the past as it was located out in the water on Round Island and was only accessible by boat. On September 27, 1998, Hurricane George swept through the area with ten foot wave surges and the lighthouse fell over.  The local Preservation Society received Federal Grant money to restore the tower.  They were able to recover the lantern room and as many bricks as possible to rebuild on Round Island, however, in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina came roaring through, and the tower toppled over once again.  In April 2007, plans were announced to rebuild/relocate the lighthouse in Pascagoula.  The work was completed in 2010 and the lighthouse once again stands proudly!

All day we have been watching the bad weather north of us and headed east.  We were fortunate to not encounter any bad weather although the skies were gray and the wind blew steadily in the area.  We may get a few thunderstorms tonight........our prayers are with those who have lost so much after the weather and tornado destruction across our county.

Prior to 1900, Theodore, Alabama was originally called Clements, then was changed to Theodore , after a local sawmill operator and postmaster William Theodore Hieronymous.  (Theodore who?)
Points of interest include Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Mobile International Raceway and Mobile Greyhound Park.  Notable residents include Etric Pruitt (professional football player)........and that's about it. 

Our plan tomorrow is to visit Bellingrath Gardens and Home.  We both last visited here in 1968, but of course we did not know each other then, and we don't think we visited on the same day :0.  They have a pet hotel on site, so Lacy will get to visit as well - and maybe make new friends!

The RV Park Host

 

 The Pond and Weeping Willow Trees

 

 

 

A relaxing afternoon swim

 

Lacy is intently watching the ducks!

 

 

Momma duck and her ducklings

 

These are all over the RV park

 

Round Island Lighthouse

OnThe Road Again

After a late start to this long anticipated leg of our journey, we have finally hit the road once again!  We lost our oldest son on Easter Sunday so this trip will be some what of a healing journey for us as well.

We left Port Lavaca around 9 AM this morning and drove to Breaux Bridge, LA. , arriving around 4:00 PM.  For the most part the weather was nice until we ran into some thunderstorms in Lake Charles, which followed us to Breaux Bridge.  Breaux Bridge is a quaint town located on Bayou Teche.  Jim and I stayed in a B & B in the area for our 25th wedding anniversary 10 years ago!  Great place to visit! 

Breaux Bridge is the Crawfish Capital of the world!  Jim was anxious to get here as he wanted to eat at Poche's Cajun Market Restaurant and Smokehouse which closes at 6P.M..  We were not disappointed.  Jim had crawfish etouffee and I had Cajun catfish with rice dressing (similar to dirty rice)  All the food was generously seasoned with Cajun seasoning and was very good and plentiful!

We are staying at Poche's  RV Park and Fish-N-Camp.  It is a beautiful setting with 5 large fish ponds stocked with Bass, Bream, Sacalait and catfish. 

This weekend the Park held a rally for the Special Military Active-Retired Travel Club. Immediately upon arriving back at the campground after dinner, we were invited to the gathering they were having tonight, and to breakfast in the morning!  Being retired military, we fit right in, however we will pass on tonight's activities and join them in the morning for breakfast.  As I have said before, it's not necessarily about the journey, but the people you meet along the way!

Lacy, our grand-dog is a great traveler, although I know she is missing Penny our Samoyed whom we lost three weeks ago....they were great travel buddies.....we miss her too ......

For more information on Poche's RV Park and Fish-N-Camp, go to www.pochesrvpark.com.  For more information on Poche's Café, go to www.poches.com.  And finally, for more information on Breaux Bridge, go to www.breauxbridgelive.com

Here are some pictures from today's travels/activities.....tomorrow we head to Alabama where we will see a lighthouse we missed the last time we were in the area. 

 

"Speedy" Making sure he doesn't get left behind!

 Jim and Lacy ready to hit the road!

 

 Our Home for the night!

 

  Poche's

 

 Crawfish Etouffee with double serving of coleslaw

 

 Cajun Catfish with coleslaw and potato salad

 

 Trophy heads at Poche's

 

 Poche's Goods

 

 One of the fish ponds at the RV Park

 

 

The "Turtle" resting for the night......

The Countdown Begins

After a long absence, it is time to once again get ready to hit the road and continue the journey!  We are so ready!  We will spend the next month getting ready for our departure - cleaning the Turtle inside and out; preparing the yard and house for our house-sitters in our absence, and making sure all our ducks are in a row!

Our plan is to head east along the Gulf Coast to see some lighthouses we missed and then up the East Coast to revisit some lighthouses and take in some other attractions along the way. We will visit friends and family in Florida and North Carolina as well as New Jersey!

Once we leave New Jersey, we will follow the coast through NY, CT, RI, MA and Maine.  Depending on time, we may travel to Nova Scotia.

We aren't on a schedule, but we do plan on being home for the majority of the hurricane season!

We hope you will continue to follow us as we travel, as you have in the past.  As always, we welcome your comments!

P.S.  "Speedy" is well and ready to go!