Kiln, MS - First couple of days

Have been trying to update the blog now for a couple of days. Internet is intermittent here in Mississippi. So - maybe an update and maybe some pictures. We'll see how it goes.

Well, we made it to David & Patricia's in Kiln, MS. However, we arrived between 6 and 6:30pm. About 2pm, we text and said we'd be there shortly after 3pm. What did we do for those 3 hours. We sat along side I-12 with another blowout. We couldn't believe the construction, potholes and rough roads. We just congratulated ourselves a little too early about the great time we were making. And, of course, no spare since we had the blow out last week. The tow service sent someone to pick up both tires and get them replaced from a tire store about 20 miles behind us. The first tire store contacted didn't have the tire in our size but called around for us until one was found. We were back on the road about 5pm. Must say that all the people who helped us were absolutely wonderful.

David, Nick and their friend Butch set up the camper for us in their yard. Leveled it and everything. It was nice not having to park, level and set up.

On Saturday we had a very nice restful day. They now own a bar & grill in town. They had a blues & jazz band Saturday night. Went and listened to the band about an hour and came home. Band was very good.

On Sunday, David & Patricia took us on a quick little trip down to the Gulf. Took a few pictures of brown pelicans, laughing seagulls, ducks and loons. The houses south of I-10 are built on stilts due to tropical storms. They showed us some of the damage still around due to Katrina (2005). Nice couple of hours and stopped at a Mexican restaurant near the Gulf. Just a few pictures.

San Antonio

Have a few minutes now so thought I'd catch up on the last few days. Wow, have they been busy. Currently we're sitting in an RV park in Beaumont, TX. It has been so hot and clammy. I know 76 isn't all that hot but it just feels so sticky out. Showers are done for the evening and lasagna is in the oven. So, thought I'd write about our last few days.

On Friday night, we arrived close to 4pm. Talked a few minutes - set up outside and put together some of the inside for our 6 day stay. Friday night we went and had supper with the "old gang". They were having either pork loin or tilapia. You guessed it: Sharon had tilapia and I had the pork. It came with a small salad, cheesy potates, mixed vegetables and for dessert, million dollar bar - let's just say nice and chocolaty. Sorry no pictures from this night.

Saturday, we woke up early and went on a olive orchard tour near the campground. We're not olive fans but even Sharon thought the little olives weren't bad. Bought some olive oil (pressed at the ranch), jell (made from olive leaves) and one jar of olives. They had 10 different varieties last year and we bought a bottle that used all 10 varieties. Couldn't believe the difference in the taste. A couple of pictures from the orchard.




After the tour, we went to Mi Tierra Mexican restaurant with Yoli & Sue. It was awesome like usual. Here we are waiting for a table. We went on a Saturday - had about a 40 minute wait.


Sunday we rested. It's the only day we didn't set an alarm while in SA.

Monday, we took the truck for an oil change. On the trip down here the DIC told us it was time for an oil change. Then we decided to go down to Floresville for some peanut brittle. We had lunch at Jack's Cafe. Can you tell Sharon is real excited.


On Tuesday we went on an all day San Antonio tour. Yes, we got lots of pictures. We visited at least 2 places we haven't been before. Buckhorn Saloon and the Japanese Tea Garden.




Wednesday found us getting ready to leave: pharmacy, grocery store, fuel and then dinner with Gary & Sue at the Hungry Farmer. We all had excellent steaks - TBones.

Well, battery is running low so I better sign off for tonight.

Interesting Trip to San Antonio

We finished working on Tuesday planning on getting things ready to head south on Thursday. On Wednesday, we had a list of items to get done: empty tanks and pick up sewer hoses, pack up the chairs and put stuff away on the inside. The campground has a portable air compressor so we wanted to make sure tires were o.k. First the truck - duallys are ugly. Our truck tires have the stems that you don't need to remove the cap to check and fill if you don't want to. Well, the part that allows you to do that was no longer on the two inner tires. Since I'm so technical - it is the white thing-a-ma-jig. So into town we went. Great tire place in Republic - about 10 minutes away that could take the caps off and put air in the tire - all for free. Love that free stuff.

Got back and checked the camper tires. All four needed air. One tire was extremely low. Would you like to know how many hours it takes to fill tires with a small portable air compressor - don't ask. Just know that Sharon got all of the outside work done while I continued to fill the tires with air.

Now, that's done. Finished working on the inside. Then, we cleaned up and went to the grocery store and gas station. Needed a few items and wanted to fuel up before heading out on Thursday.

Thursday morning. Actually going well. Forgot how long it actually takes to get everything done before heading out when we haven't been on the road for awhile. We pulled out of the campground at 9:17am. Hoping for 9 so thought we did well.

Couldn't believe it. Strong head winds. The truck drinks fuel real well when heading into the wind. We were pleased that we got at least 8mpg. At times the winds were 25 - 30 mph and not sure about the gusts. We were planning on making Thackerville, OK for our first overnight stay. We were 31 miles from the exit when it happened. Yep, got a blowout. Not sure why, yet. Wasn't tire pressure (we monitor) but did go through a lot of construction and had to ride on the shoulders for awhile. Have RV roadside assistance. First phone call to them at 3:45pm. See, we were making great time. First operator - told us we weren't in coverage area - couldn't figure out where we were in OK. Told her we were southbound on I35 just north of Ardmore, OK. At one time, she forgot to mute - heard her mention I75 near Louisville. Good thing she didn't mention this when she got back on the phone. During this conversation told her we needed the tire changed; the service would need to bring a jack that would lift over 14,000 pounds and could inflate the tire, if needed. We had a spare but hasn't been used in 3 years so assumed that would need to add air. Guess what - she told us that we weren't covered for tire inflation. Imagine, putting on a tire with no air????? O.K. I want you to know that I kept my voice very calm most of the time. I did say - you mean - you can have them change the tire and I'm supposed to drive on it if it's flat? Of course, she had to check again. I think her shift was done at 4pm. She asked if it would be o.k. for her supervisor to call me back in about 15 minutes. O.K. I do want to say - don't expect a supervisor to be any smarter. For him, I had to walk through the issue all over again and where I was. They kept wanting a street address. Guess what - you don't have a street address on the interstate in the middle of nowhere. Decided that they couldn't find someone to come change a tire so looking for a tow (flat bed) for the camper.

Now, it's 6pm. Mike (the supervisor) came on and asked if I would like to make some phone calls - the company would reimburse us. He would give me the numbers to call. I asked if he was going to continue to work on this, also. Well.....um....."let me try again". Called back about 15 minutes later. Found someone from Gainsville, TX to come and "change the tire". Amazing - couldn't be done before but now it can be. Would take about an hour to get here. Conference call with the tow/truck service. At 7:25pm (by the way do you know how dark it gets on the interstate) the service shows up. By 7:45 tire changed - needed to add some air but not much. Checked the other tires, also and they were fine. Now, the mileage was more than initially authorized. So the driver had to call RA again for additional authorization. That took about 15-20 minutes. While that was going on - checked surrounding campgrounds. Found one that stayed open until 10:30pm. At a casino but at this stage didn't care.

We're on the road. Stopped about 3 miles down the road at the next exit and fueled up. Just to be on the safe side. Headed to the campground. Arrived safely - bet it would be a beautiful drive in the daytime.

Next morning - really looked at the damage to the camper. No damage underneath but lost part of the fender and dented the bottom of the entertainment slideout.

Now, a different route down to Texas. Did not want to drive through Dallas or take I35E so determined the route and we're on our way by 9am. Did I mention that we just didn't feel like getting up around 6pm.

Arrived in San Antonio without any other mishaps. The traffic from Georgetown to San Antonio was awful. Took an extra hour. Wish I could say it was due to accidents or construction but just very very busy. A lot of stopping and starting.

Next post I'll talk about our time here in San Antonio.