Mobile, Alabama

The latest from Poppa:

Here in mobile it was sleeting earlier. this weather sux! Who would have believed we'd get down here and have to buy propane every few days, and watch the cold weather come in?
we're fine. the dogs are slowly accepting their new ramp. they go down it fine now, but need a bit of a boost to go up it. but they're getting more comfortable every day.
Mobile is in the midst of Mardi Gras these days. They have a different parade all the time, some nights 3-4 of them. The groups have weird names, like the Stripers, the Merry Widows, etc. It's really a big deal here, but too cold to go watch any of the parades. Story is that Mardi Gras originated here in Mobile, not new Orleans.
Weatherman said it was snowing in New Orleans today, weird!
Supposed to warm up in a week or so, but the highs are still to be in the 40s or 50s, they just say that's lower than normal.
Went to the store today to stock up on food. I went to an RV class last weekend on heat and electrical. Learned a little and met some good people. Mostly the people down here are friendly and nice. I like it here. The coast is so close, about 30 minutes down to Dauphin Island, maybe an hour to Gulf Shores. We have yet to go to the beach and spend any time. We did walk out on the beach at sunset in Biloxi a couple weeks ago, I took pictures, not sure I sent them to you so I'll attach a few pics. If you've already got them just delete 'em.
Suz got some more info on the event in Clarksdale. They are having a tour of a prison where they say Blues was really born, Parchman prison. Then a tour of a house or two, and they are talking about putting together a ghost tour somewhere in Clarksdale.

** Poppa and Suz are sticking around Mobile perhaps until it's time for the Mississippi trip. I'm REALLY hoping I can dig up enuf gas money to join them!**

One Mississippi, Two Mississippi

Hello! I've got the latest on TGER!

After staying in Jackson, MS for 3 nights, Dad & Suz have made it south to Gautier, MS! As you can see from the pictures, their campground is not very far from the Gulf! Dad says it's VERY nice there with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s....I know us Springfieldians are EXTREMELY jealous to hear this right now!!

They plan on staying in Gautier for a couple more days before heading east to Mobile, Alabama.

The greyhounds are adjusting well to living in the 5th wheel! I'll have to have Dad send me a pic or two of them for the blog!

Stay loose...

Jackson, MS

Here's an update I received via email from Pops:


Jackson, Mississippi
January 25, 2010

Good morning from Jackson. We’re are camped at the Ross Barnum Timberlake Campground at the reservoir, just northeast of Jackson, MS. Arrived here yesterday at about 4:30 or so. We left Coldwater, MS at about 11:00 and drove down I-55 to get here. Nothing eventful really happened on the way, pretty easy drive down. We did stop at a truck stop to stretch our legs, walk the dogs and get a sandwich along the way, and found a couple truck stop dogs prowling around our rig at one point. Also, dear Fred decided to try to jump into the trailer without the steps being down and nearly broke his legs, but he is a tough little fella and came thru just fine. If the door is open, he thinks he is supposed to go in there, so I’ve got to watch that better.

When we arrived here in Jackson it got a bit stressful. Had to enter the city from the Interstate and drive a bit through town to get here. Found myself in the wrong lane to turn left (outside lane of two left turn lanes around a 90 degree corner in town) but somehow made it through. Drove up on the median a bit but it worked out. Traffic is a bitch when you’re pulling a BIG trailer!

Then I had to back it into a site for the first time and that was nerve-wracking also. It’s a – did I say – BIG trailer and is difficult to see around when backing. We’re going to spend some time practicing as a team in a parking lot soon, to help out with backing.

But anyway, we made it, the campground is beautiful and we are planning to spend a couple days here. We are just off the water and the site is 50 amp, full hookups, and only $20/night! Suz has some jacket copy to work on so we will hang here for 2-3 days before heading on south to the Gulf area.


Yesterday the weather was about 65 degrees here and partly cloudy. At one point last night the wind came up under clear skies but it didn’t rain. Today is supposed to be about 59 or so and sunny. Should stay about that way until around Thursday when the next cold front comes through. We’ll probably be on our way down to the Gulf by then, but time will tell.

Oh, by the way, we first were going to stop in Canton, MS at Movietown RV Park, but the office was closed and I couldn’t get the info I needed from the managers. I did make a new kitty friend tho’ while there.

Suz felt sick so we decided to just head on south. Then after arriving here in Jackson, I noticed I had a text from the managers at Movietown with the info I needed. They were very nice to have sent that info and I appreciate it, but we had decided to head on south and it came too late. The city of Canton has a courthouse that was used in the movie ‘A Time to Kill’ and also a movie called ‘My Dog Skip’ was filmed here. Oh well, sometimes it just ain’t meant to be. Their rates were 26.75/nite so we save a bit by moving on down the road and the campground here in Jackson is much nicer with a lake and trees, etc. anyway. But thanks to the gal at Movietown for getting me the info. I need to call and thank them.

Well, looks like it’s 7:30 am now, the sun is coming up through the pine trees and I’m going to go walk the dogs and welcome the new day. Gotta go!

Stay loose…

Hey everyone!
I've decided to start writing notes about my Dad's travels! I thought those of you interested might care to hear updates I receive of their journeys.

On their way to Gulf Shores, AL --
1st night (1/22) they stopped in Poplar Bluff, MO. He says it's not too hard to drive the 5th wheel around, other than it's big and heavy! lol

(1/23) - They are bunkered down in Coldwater, MS (not too far from where I will be joining them in about 2 months). Tomorrow they will head towards Jackson, MS and probably stop for the night before the final stretch to Gulf Shores. I asked him how he liked their "first" night in the 5th wheel (gonna have to come up with a clever nickname for it!) and he said it was pretty nice; kind of like staying in a comfortable hotel with all your stuff. The greyhounds are handling it all well, except Daisy likes to take up the entire back part of the truck's cab, much to Fred's dismay!
We have decided to Skype as soon as he gets settled down in Gulf Shores. I look forward to it! So far, I am doing okay with this adjustment. Still a little emotional (trying not to cry right now) but starting to get/be very excited for them!

But Mississippi can't come soon enuf for me, still. I can't wait to see him already!
♥