FAIRVIEW-RIVERSIDE STATE PARK - MADISONVILLE, LA

This morning, before leaving Fontainebleau State Park, I took a walk around to take photos of some of my favorite sites. I think I found my ideal spot. It’s space #97. I still like space #3 because it is close to the action but number 97 is really secluded.

I really like these pull throughs.

The picnic table is in the woods.

I'd love to know what he paid for that custom paint job of purple and gold.

 

Before exiting the park, I took a ride to the area where the cabins are located and was not impressed. I would prefer to stay in the RV park. Rode back to the beach area and walked on the sand. Wasn’t barefooted but that’s OK. The temp this morning was 45 degrees and I had my big furry boots on.

NOW ON TO MY NEXT PARK

My next destination was only minutes from where I was. Got to the Fairview-Riverside State Park and there were only 5 openings left. I took the one next to the office and paid for only one night. This part of the campground has very small spaces right close to each other. My picnic table is behind my neighbor’s rig. That’s sad.

The area around the boat dock is where I was hoping to park but those are the spots that are first taken. This afternoon I took a walk around my section of the park and found some pretty areas.

You can see the water in the background.

When I leave tomorrow I will ride to the river and take some photos. There is one spot next to me that is on a corner and has a large area. If I were to return here I would make reservations for space #1 in the woods or #77 by the water.

RAINDROPS FALLING OVERHEAD

What is it about a steady rain on the rooftop that makes it so enjoyable? Last night I experienced just that. It was so nice that I really didn’t want to sleep. It was well after midnight before I finally got to sleep. The pets have also been curious about that noise and seem to enjoy looking out of the windows at the raindrops.


Also enjoyable were the campsites that had fires sending smoke up into the air. Obviously started before the rain, these fires were in designated firepits. Campers are allowed to use downed tree limbs so the smell throughout the area was of pine. In fact, it smelled like the whole campground was burning incense. It was wonderful.


This morning was overcast and didn’t start raining again till late morning so I did get to walk the dog and ride my bike around the back roads. I was interested in seeing the pull through sites and was pleased to see that they are very secluded which I like. In the pull through sites, there is total privacy on aIl sides. I’ll try and get some photos on my way out tomorrow. Spot #3 is my favorite so far. The picnic table is literally in a small clearing in the thick woods behind the campsite.


This rain is bringing a cold front tomorrow. I usually don’t have to worry about freezing weather where I live which is south of the lake. However, tomorrow I travel further north above the lake which is giving temps in the 20s for Sunday and Monday night. I worry about my pipes which are not wrapped. This weather is so strange. Two days ago I was using my A/C now I have my heater on. I’m kinda enjoying it though... except for the fear of really low temps and damaged pipes.


My photos for today are a bit boring but I’ll post some anyway.

A meandering road to one of my favorite sites.

Curious kitty.

My nearest neighbor.

It's Friday and the campground is filling up.

Cute little camper.

This looks like a homemade camper. 

FONTAINEBLEAU STATE PARK - MANDEVILLE, LA

What a day today was.  Left Bayou Segnette around 11:00 this morning and made a stop at a Walmart for some cat litter which I had forgotten to get.  The store was not on my route so I followed directions given me by the campground.  I found the store, got some other things on my list, then headed back to where I left my route. 

Got turned around and missed my turn so decided to set my GPS for my next campground destination which was only about 30 miles from my last campground.  I traveled on busy city streets for a few miles when my GPS indicated I was only 4 miles from my campground... when it happened. 

I came up to a ferry crossing and my mouth dropped.  This is not the way I planned to get to the campground.  Not sure if I could fit on the small ferry so I stopped and asked for help.  I was informed that I should not have any problems on the ferry.  I still didn't feel comfortable with that answer so I climbed over the levee to look at the landing.  There was no ferry there only cars waiting for the ferry to return.  I waited for a few minutes then decided I was not going to cross over in that manner.  I turned around and went back to the expressway where my last campground was. 

Continued to program my GPS for the next campground and it took me back towards the ferry landing.  Damn!!  So I programed the GPS for the third campground on my itenerary and skipped the one that I had planned to stay in.  I figured I could get to it another way on the way home.  That way it wouldn't take me to the ferry.

Crossed over the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway which is the longest bridge over water (continuous) in the world.  It is 24 miles long and always makes me sleepy when I cross it.  I think it is due to the constant hypnotic bump... bump... bump... of the highway as well as nothing to see but water.  My planned itenerary did not have me going this way.  But since I was coming from a different direction than planned I did have to cross it.

A lone sailboat.

Arrived at the FONTAINEBLEAU STATE PARK with no problems as the roads are well signed for this campground.  However, it took me 4 1/2 hours to go 90 miles due to all the problems with the GPS as well as city driving the whole time.  Went into the office to check in and met the most friendliest park ranger in the world.  She took the time to literally color code several maps in order for me to have my pick of some of the best sites.  Lovely woman.  She said if I decided to change sites to call her and she would send a park ranger out with new paperwork.  Wow!  I've never been treated so respectfully by a park ranger. 

Then she said the magic words, "You'll be close to the beach." 

I replied excitedly, "You have a beach?  I didn't know."

Paid for two days but I may stay longer.  If dogs were allowed on the beach I'm sure I'd stay a lot longer.

I used my map to find my spot and stopped to ask directions when a woman walked up to me as I stopped in the middle of the road.  It was the camp host Jessie.  She told me how to get around to my site in order to back in properly.

Got set up with no problems.  It's really nice and I'm on a large corner lot (#99) so no one is that close to me.

That whole area is my site.

Couldn't wait to get to the lake as the sun was setting and I just had to see the beach.  It was a good time to take photos.  The sun was shinning over the lake and it was just beautiful. 

It's like she could smell the beach.  She was pulling me along.  However, dogs are not allowed.  Poor little Xi Shi.... she didn't understand why I wouldn't let her go in the sand.

Those white things are water sprouts.

The fishing pier.

Heading back to the camper.  There are many live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss.

Really nice park.

Tomorrow I think I'll ride my bike around the campground and go out to the beach for a walk in the sand.  I hope my little doggie doesn't bark too much while I'm gone.

~

A GOOD DAY FOR A NAP

The temperature today was just perfect.  It was in the 60s and the sun was shinning and it felt great.  I sat outside and basked in the sun hoping to get some color in my cheeks.

Did some more walking and riding my bike around the campground.  Noticed a couple of RVs decorated in Mardi Gras colors.

They decorated the dashboard, picnic table, and awning with Mardi Gras colors.

Here's a camper from Vermont.

Along with lots of Louisiana plates, I saw plates from Maryland, Colorado, Texas, and Vermont.

I also noticed that there are spots with decks.  Not sure why I was given one without a deck as there are many available.

This spot is across from where I am.  I like that the picnic table is on the side.  Some spots have 2 picnic tables, one in back and one on the side.

As the afternoon wore on everyone was getting sleepy.

Xi Shi Quan loves to sleep on her back.

The hair on her face is starting to grow out and she is looking like a Shih Tzu again.

Yesterday a gray stray cat came up to my camper and was meowing and very friendly.  I felt sorry for him and hoped that he belonged to someone.

Today he came back again and this time he acted like he wanted to come into the camper... that is until he saw my dog.  He let me pet him and I got a good look at his coat and he had some scars which broke my heart.  He has been living alone in the wild for some time.  I gave him some food and water which he ate then proceeded to sit on my camper step.

My cats were curious about him which made him want to come in even more.  He began to claw at the screen so I had to close the door.  He soon left.  Poor little thing.  I hope he'll be OK.  I'll inform the office but don't expect any action.  This is the third campground I've stayed in where there was a stray animal allowed to live within the grounds.

After nap time I found a good spot to place one of my Peace Rocks.  This one should be real easy to find. 

Leaving tomorrow.  Hope my next stop will be near water.

Surprised to be able to catch 17 TV channels withoug even raising the external antennae.  This is the first time I've been able to watch TV while traveling in the RV.  I guess it's because I'm so close to a city.

~

BAYOU SEGNETTE STATE PARK - WESTWEGO, LA

One of the first things I wanted to do when I purchased my RV was to visit every State Park in my home state of Louisiana.  There are 22 and all are on or near water.  I've traveled throughout the state in the past but never really got off main highways so now it's time to stop and smell the pine.

I'm starting at the tip of the boot of the state then work my way up.  Most of the parks are along the perimeter of the state and flow in a sort of circle.  I've divided the trip into two parts.  The first part will take me to 6 parks that are not in alignment with the others in my planned circle.  So I will see them first, taking a week or so, then return home.  When I leave again in March I will visit the rest and probably be gone for 3 months.

I have decided not to travel to Washington D.C. in March for the rally.  I just can't fathom the thought of driving in a large city, then having to take a bus to get to where I want to go.  Most of all, I can't afford the cost of campgrounds in that area.  Traveling in Louisiana using my Senior Pass will save me lots of money.  Staying on the road for a few months still won't be as expensive as going to D.C. - so I've changed my plans.

I arrived at Bayou Segnette State Park around noon and have a nice spot but not near the water.  Only the cabins are on the water and RVs are not allowed in that area.  Bummer!  I would like to find a place to do some fishing.  I paid for 2 days but wish I would have only paid for one.  The lots are large and spacious, however, my picnic table is behind my coach.  I don't like that.  The asphalt is elevated pretty high and very narrow so my outside rug near my door slants off onto the ground and I've tripped over several times while walking outside.

I walked down one of the nature trails and rode my bike around the campground.  It's nice and quiet and clean.  It's located about 30 minutes from the city of New Orleans.

Had a problem with a burnt fuse that works the refridgerator.  Replaced it.  Today while using the microwave the breaker flipped off and shut everything down.  I was using the A/C as well.   I flipped it back on but nothing happened.  I waited a while then went outside and unplugged the cord and then plugged it in again.  Turned the 30 amp breaker back on and went back inside the coach.  Everything was fine.  I just can't use that damn microwave if anything else is on.

Had a bit of a migraine all day and am still fighting it tonight.  That's the second time I leave for a trip and suffer with a migraine on the first day.  Hummm, seems like a pattern is forming here.  This is supposed to be relaxing.  However, I understand that traveling solo is a bit intimidating because everything falls on you.  There's no one else there to help out with any of the chores or the worries.  I sure would like to have someone travel along in their RV.

Supper time.  Not sure what I'll fix tonight.  I brought along about 10 new movies but not sure which one I'll watch.  I think I need a glass of wine first.  All these decisions make my head hurt.