Monday we again walked the golf course before taking off on
the motorcycle to explore the surrounding area. We rode about 25 miles to OK
Landing, on Millwood Lake. Arkansas and the Federal Government have created
beautiful parks and recreation areas around the lake for all to enjoy. We stopped
at Beard’s Bluff, a park developed by the Corp of Engineers, where they built a
bird overlook, with detailed information on birds one might see: bald eagles,
double crested cormorants, mallards, anhingas, and white pelicans. We were
fortunate to see a bald eagle not far from the parking lot. (Thankfully Dick
was willing to stop a couple of times along the way, to accommodate me
concerning the rather uncomfortable passenger seat…LOL!)
Walking the golf course was a regular daily activity for us.
Quiet. Peaceful. No golfers to speak of during this off-season. At the chicken
coop I mentioned last week we saw a chicken we didn’t see then. Not as large as
the other birds, it was very colorful.
On our walks we always passed this private garden off the 14th
hole. Even in the middle of November, with the rather chilly weather we’ve been
experiencing, the garden is still producing and beautiful. There were pole
beans, cabbage, radishes, and other plants I couldn’t identify from the cart
path. On the far side there were fruit trees, too, obviously dormant now. Just had to share these unexpected treasures
with you. God asks us to look for tiny treasures He strategically places in
front of us, to brighten our day. We need to look carefully for them, storing
them in our memories to offer them back to God at the end of the day with a
grateful heart. He will bless us!
Tuesday we made our trek to the local Super Walmart (have I
mentioned it’s become our favorite store??) to stock up for our first
Thanksgiving dinner in the trailer. Also, I had my hair cut—finally! The day
was bright, sunny, and about 80 degrees, so we left some of the windows open in
the trailer. Upon our return we opened the door to an invasion of lady bugs! There
must’ve been at least 150 on the inside of our bedroom window, with just
as many or more throughout the trailer. We quickly shut the windows and vents,
and took out the vacuum cleaner to suck them up. (Apologies to the avid gardeners
reading this who have an affinity for lady bugs. This is the only way we could think
to get rid of them.) We’ve never seen anything like this--they were everywhere, inside and out. Outside,
Dick tapped the rubber gasket tubes that seal the trailer slides and literally
hundreds fell out! We’re still experiencing their presence in our space—at
least a dozen a day. We’re just thankful they’re not ants or bees! Wish we had
taken a picture of them to share with you. Unbelievable!
Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Nothing new to
report, just more of the same: walking, riding bicycles around the park, etc.
Dick rode the motorcycle into Ashdown to mail some packages, and fill the tank
in preparation for our next rides. Due to the ladybug infestation outside I chose to stay indoors to read and knit.
Thanksgiving Day…a day to reflect and be thankful. Psalm
118: 1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures
forever.” Our first Thanksgiving dinner in the trailer… a baked Brie cheese
hors d’ oeuvre, turkey, potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, broccoli, Waldorf
salad, rolls, cranberry sauce, pecan pie tarts and ice cream… It is possible!
We are continually grateful for family, friends, health, and for safety as we
travel. Being grateful for what God has done for us brings us closer to Him,
and helps us stay in close communion with him daily. Thank you, God!
I mentioned little treasures earlier. On Thanksgiving
morning we met a couple (with their three grandchildren) from Fort Worth, as
they were packing up to leave for home. After talking with them for a few
minutes, we found out that he grew up in Cloquet (where my mom lives) and the
surrounding area. We were able to share memories about our home town, the north shore of
Lake Superior, Grand Marais, etc. Fun!
Friday dawned cold, blustery, and misty. The day to pack up
to head on down the road to Many (pronounced Man-ee), Louisiana, our next stop
217 miles away, to Southern Leisure RV Park.
Southern Leisure is on the Toledo Bend Reservoir, which lies
between Louisiana and Texas. It's an old RV park, with quite a few permanent residents
Toledo Bend must be the bass fishing capital of the world
with fishing tournaments almost monthly. The reservoir is the largest man-made
body of water in the South, covering 185,000 surface acres—the 5th
largest within the U.S. Construction began in 1959 to provide a constant water
supply, hydro-electric power and recreation to the area. Completed at a cost of
$70 million, the reservoir is the only public conservation and hydro-electric
project in the nation to be undertaken without
federal participation in its permanent financing. The cost was paid for by a
combined effort by Texas and Louisiana. It has about 1,250 miles of shoreline.
Lots to explore!
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| Pendleton Bridge connecting Louisiana with Texas |
Saturday dawned sunny, but cool and windy, with temps
reaching only the mid- to high 50s. We took our first walk through the park and
surrounding area, and came upon this purple martin house. It took 6 months to
build, and was built in the mid-‘60s. It has 916 compartments, stands over 8’
tall, and required 24 sheets of plywood.
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| The marlin house as it was originally constructed. |
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| The marlin house as it appears today, without stilts. It's too fragile and heavy to be elevated today. |
We have reasonably good cell service this week, with TV only at night (sometimes),
and no internet. We’ll need to find somewhere with WiFi… (McDonalds here we
come!) Our plan is to stay here until the 30th, then head to Texas.
More photos and info on this area in next week's blog, Stay tuned!
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