Cords and the Electric Grid

Early this morning I talked on the cell phone which had been plugged in for recharging the night before. I fumbled with my new Bluetooth earpiece which had been recharged last evening. I soon was vacuuming away with the fully charged Shark hand dynamo. I began to think about my wants and “needs” around electricity and to count the cords. So far, three cords: cell phone, Bluetooth, vacuum cleaner.

I began working on my Blog on the MacAir. First, I had to unplug the computer from the electric recharging cord. I transferred digital camera pictures from yesterday's adventures to the computer. Cords four and five: computer and camera. Loaded a newly charged battery into the camera so I wouldn't run out of power at a vital moment in picture taking history. Though a cord wasn't in sight, the power pack had been plugged in. Number 6 and it wasn't yet 9 AM.

I pulled the Mr. Coffee out from its storage place in the only closet and, you guessed it, plugged it in. Bill would soon have his morning strong, bold, non-decaf coffee. I had racked up #7. The rice cooker was next as I have learned that it makes the best oatmeal ever. (Thank you, Mary Anne!) That left the microwave, my former method, unused. Gads! That made cords 8 and 9!! Dinner will be soon prepared in the crock pot. TEN. Instead of cooking, I'll be knitting (no cords) or reading on the NOOK. Yep. It has its own cord for keeping alive!

And this is “camping”! The electric toothbrush is at home.

Casita Means Little House

Our Casita Trailer(s)

When we fully retired to Tennessee from Ohio in 2006, we sold our 36 foot 5^th wheel trailer thinking we were out of the traveling business. However, the traveling itch once again came upon us and we purchased our first Casita, picking it up at the factory in Rice, Texas.

It was brand spanking new. We had picked the 17' Freedom model from pictures in a brochure. For some reason, the permanent swivel chairs and table were appealing. We knew the double bed was across the back and that the width of the trailer was not as wide as Bill was tall. We thought Bill could sleep diagonally and all would be well. How naïve can two smart people be? By the third trip out we knew we had been mistaken! To get out of bed, Bill had to crawl over me into a narrow alleyway. He kept getting painful Charley Horses. The Casita went up for sale!! 

Casitas hold their value extremely well and we lost no money. We added to the proceeds from the sale of the Casita and bought a 30' fifth wheel. We made a few trips to Ohio and Texas in it. We spent two wonderful summers, 2009 and 2010, near Freeport, Maine, as KOA workkampers. But the travel bug returned.

We have long wanted to visit the northwest US and southwest Canada. The 5^th wheel could not be driven on the oceanside highway along the west coast. A different floor plan in a Casita was the answer and we found a used Liberty for sale over the internet. In the Liberty two side benches (single beds), with the help of sturdy table tops as bases, can be made into the usual horizontal double bed OR lengthened into a King-sized bed! Bill and I, with Max and Isabel, drove to Canyon Lake, Texas. The Casita delighted us as did the sellers, Anngail and Paul Smith.

Anngail and Paul Smith

Paul explains his mods.

Happy New Owners

View through back window. Bed in process. Isabel thinks it's going to be OK!

Sometime later, the interior as a dinette. Sink and stovetop to the left, refrigerator and microwave to the right.

Janeen's computer left. Bill's computer right. Uptown!

Parked at niece Laurie and nephew-by-marriage Ronnie Belcher's home in Henderson, TX

Too much information about Casitas? Just stop here. Want more? Read on.

Google Casita Trailers!

Why own a Casita Travel Trailer? Better designed and built, inside and out. From exceptional quality to service even after the sale, Casita Travel Trailers are the best on the road: • Extremely fuel efficient You can always count on the fuel economy of Casita Travel Trailers, thanks to an aerodynamic design. With rising fuel costs, it’s a great value. • Durable, lightweight construction Casita Travel Trailers are built to last for years and years, even with frequent road trips. Sturdy, lightweight fiberglass construction ensures lasting toughness. Yet the steel frame means heavy-duty protection from rough roads and terrain. Aerodynamic design also makes Casita Travel Trailers more wind-resistant. Easy to clean; strong and durable fiberglass is also rust-proof. Casita Travel Trailers are manufactured with the same technologies that the marine industry has been using for years. • Simple to tow, maneuver and set up. Practically any size vehicle can tow a Casita Travel Trailer. Compact and easy to handle, it fits into spaces with ease. Setting up the trailer in a space only takes a few minutes. • Insulated interior No inside condensation, so you keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Also reduces outside noise and leaves you feeling comfortable and cozy. • Spacious interior features Private shower and toilet combination has the privacy of larger trailers, with room larger families will appreciate. Comfortable sleeping accommodations, quality storage space, large screened windows for airy feeling. Spacious sitting and sleeping features that easily convert. • Parts when you need them. You can always contact our parts department if you need any maintenance assistance. Call 1-800-442-9986 or 903-326-4717. Bill and I have found this post to be soooo true! We love our Casita, the perfect little travel trailer. One note: you must keep it neat and clean, because people always want to look inside…gas station, campgrounds, any place you stop. Thank you—we love the quality of our Casita trailer. - Marro Bay, CA

The Trip's Schedule

Bill is an absolute expert at planning trips, making all the reservations, and making sure we see interesting things along the way. Our present excursion, from Pleasant Hill to Texas, back through Louisiana, and up the Natchez Trace is outlined here. Follow us on a map!

Janeen and Bill's Travel Schedule and Contact Information

Contact Information:

Janeen's Cell Phone – 931-210-0578

Bill's Cell Phone – 931-210-4165

Travel Schedule:

March 28 – Montgomery Bell State Park, TN – 615-797-9052

March 29 – Memphis East Campground, TN – 901-388-3053

March 31 – Lake Catherine State Park, AR – 501-844-4176

April 1 – Martin Creek Lake State Park, TX – 903-836-4336

April 4 – Lone Star RV Park, TX – 800-290-9301

April 8 – Yegua Lake COE, TX – 979-596-1622

April 10 – Potter's Creek COE, TX – 830-964-3341

April 17 – Inks Lake State Park, TX – 512-793-2223

April 22 – Lady Bird Johnson Muni Park, TX – 830-997-4202

April 26 – Skyline Ranch RV Park, TX – 830-796-4958

May 1 – Stephen F. Austin State Park, TX – 979-885-3613

May 2 – Sam Houston Jones State Park, LA – 888-677-7264

May 5 – Lake Fausse Point State Park, LA – 877-226-7652

May 8 – Grand Isle State Park, LA – 877-226-7652

May 11 – Fontainebleau State Park, LA – 877-226-7652

May 13 – Baton Rouge KOA, LA – 800-562-5673

May 14 – River View RV Park, LA – 888-628-2430

May 16 – We head up the Natchez Trace Parkway – stopping and staying as the spirit moves us. We do not, cannot, know at this time when we will be back in PH – but it should be on or about May 25.

In Search of Texas Bluebonnets - 2011

In Search of Texas Bluebonnets - 2011

March 28 – Bill was born and raised in Texas but has never seen the wildflower called Bluebonnets. Janeen has wanted to experience the sights of hills overflowing with them and to have the opportunity to take photographs. Rita Kummer shared a picture book with us explaining the legend of the bluebonnets.

A tribe of Native Americans are praying for rain to save them from starvation. The chief elder goes up on a mountain to commune with the gods. The message to the people is that they have selfishly used up the land and animals and now must sacrifice the most prized possession. A young boy is quite sure his new bow is not the object wanted by the gods. An orphan girl, She-Who-Is-Alone, has a precious doll that she loves very much. It is the only thing left as a connection to her parents and grandparents who each had a part in making it. She makes a fire sacrifice of the doll and the result is hills covered with beautiful blue wildflowers, and then a purifying, soaking rain that saves the people. She is renamed The Girl Who Loved Her People Very Much.

Sad but Lovely, eh?

Our long-awaited trip to Texas in the 17' Casita Liberty trailer (http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com) has begun.We planned packing very carefully and now things are stowed, each in its place, either inside the Casita or inside the capped bed of the truck.

Some people have asked, “Does it really take that much truck to pull that little trailer?” The answer is, “No, but this truck is paid for!”

We stayed in Pleasant Hill through the morning in order to attend the book club's discussion of A Long and Happy Life by Reynolds Price. Since we are not “on vacation” and needing to fit in long distances in a short period of time, we leisurely drove 3 ½ hours to Montgomery Bell State Park about 30 miles west of Nashville for our first night. Our site is a back-in with a view of a creek out the back window.

We made our first discovery of “something left behind.” Only one walkie talkie is in the truck so Janeen used hand signals to aid the driver in his backing mission.

The Mutt and Jeff of dogs, Isabel (Snert) and Max, were great travelers as always. We have an added guest along. His name is Flat Stanley. His adventures will be reported to the first graders at Pleasant Hill Elementary School who hear stories from our friend Ms. Rita.

Here are some photo highlights of the day.

Driving past Nashville, TN

 Isabel's Favorite Riding Station

Max gets the whole back seat

To be continued...