Murfreesboro AR and Crater of Diamonds

October 22 - November 21, 2016
Murfreesboro RV Park, Murfreesboro AR

Onward in our travels! We landed next at Murfreesboro RV Park which is less than a mile from the Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas. 




Al and Alberta were most welcoming and taught us the rudimentary skills of diamond-hunting. 

They lent us tools including sifters, vials, buckets, and shovels. 

This is what we might find:

The gemstones rise to the surface after a rain or after the fields are plowed.  However, they never tell you when they're going to plow so there's that degree of suspense! 

It's hard, hot work, so be sure and wear comfortable clothes and prepare to get dirty.  In addition to your tools, you should also bring a hat, a stool or something to sit on, sunscreen (even on a cloudy day), lots of water, sturdy shoes and rubber gloves for washing. Lots of folks bring a wagon to carry everything - smart!

You are allowed to bring 5 gallons of washed gravel from the park. There are 2 washing stations where you can sift and wash out the dirt.  I mean, the stones are heavy enough, so don't add additional weight by hauling out dirt!

A hard day's work!

A couple of days, Patricia and Peggy with husbands Steve and Jeff, brought their rigs and stayed at the State Park at the Crater of Diamonds.  We had a cookout and I think we all had a great time! 

While we were in Arkansas, we drove around a lot to see the area.  Although I didn't take pictures of all the places we visited, here are a few.

Hawkins General Store - they have everything, even a small bake shop and restaurant!

 

Fire Truck Memorial

Lake Greeson

The dam below and view from above

Next stop:  New Braunfels TX

BYE!

Ocala FL twice!

Ocala Fl
August 29 - September 7, 2016
September 29 - October 4, 2016

We stayed in Ocala North RV Park twice.  We stayed there while we waited for an appointment at LazyDays in Tampa FL and again later that month before we left the area.

The park got average reviews (which were a few years old)  but we were very impressed as soon as we pulled in.  The park is under new management and was clean, well-kept and had an amazing pool.

It was beautifully shaded throughout and the trees had spanish moss which lent to the beauty.  There were some permanent residents but it was hard to tell since most had well-kept campsites.  Those that blighted the park were situated near the back and mostly out of sight.

I did laundry and their facilities were clean as a whistle.  We didn't have hot water in the coach the first time, so I used the showers which were also quite clean.

I only used the pool once and wish I had taken advantage of it more often.  It was absolutely splendid!

We met a good friend George who lived next door and he had us over for dinner one day.  What a spread!  We reciprocated when we returned the 2nd time.  It was nice but he really knew how to entertain! I hope we meet again!  

In between our Ocala visits, we went to Seffner for some work and then to Myakka State Park in Florida.  Stay tuned! 

No No Don't Leave!  (But we always come back)

More From Mission TX

December 2015, Mission TX

 

Before the holidays, we took a drive over to Port Isabel and South Padre Island, about 80 miles away.  We will probably stay in the area in a couple months so we wanted to explore the area.  It was beautiful and windy but mostly abandoned.  That will change soon though.

After being in Mission TX for a few weeks, my brother Ken drove all the way from Daytona Beach FL to stay with us during Christmas for a few days.  It's actually a longer drive to come here than to come up to Upstate NY! Hard to believe. We spent Christmas Eve at the AmeriCana clubhouse and dinner Christmas day with friends we met at the park - lots of fun and the wine was flowing!  I thought I might miss the baking, cooking, wrapping and decorating and making sure everyone had a good time, but I didn't.  It was truly the most relaxing and stress-free Christmas ever and even though it was non traditional, I loved it. I was worried that Nina and Carla might be left out, but they had plans of their own.  Phone calls and social media solved the distance...

It was a Christmas for memories and fellowship, not gifts.  But Nina wins for the tackiest!  Love.

Sorry, but I can't resist this picture of Wilbur who wants to either be near me or wants to go outside!  Such a cutie, I love him to bits.

Ken stayed a few days but before he left, Peggy and Jeff, and Patricia and Steve joined us at the campground on Sunday for the week. They brought their fifth wheel and Class C RVs and parked nearby. It was soo much fun having them here to spend time and visit places in the area. Most evenings were spent playing card and dice games, but the days were spent visiting nearby places.

One day we went to the border town where getting across by pully ferry.  We didn't go over because my passport is expired.  Gotta take care of that soon.

   

Is it ever open?

Another day we drove down to a border town to do some birding, but it had closed awhile back. So we walked around the historic district, saw the Rio Grande River and watched some illegals get caught in broad daylight.  

The Rio Grande River

On New Year's Eve, we played games and had a few drinks.  We didn't go to the clubhouse but heard the fireworks exploding all evening.  I don't think any of us made it to midnight..

However, we did spend New Years Day at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park just down the road. Even though it was cold and rainy, we rode the tram through the park, learned some history and watched the birds.  It was a grand way to spend the first day of the new year!

Everyone stayed a couple more days and left on Sunday.  We had so much fun and were sad to see them go.

We've resolved to stay in south Texas in future winters.

Til next time!