We're here

Arrived safely at Thousand Trails Colorado River.

Slow

It has been slow going here. Cold, windy, then when I tried to hike at Lake Livingston State Park, the trail looked like this:

So, we hiked a mile on the boardwalk and went back home.

Locked out, screwdriver screwed

I had good intentions Friday. We went to the local clubhouse where Emo met some other recovering alcoholics, I attended the noon meeting, and we went to Lake Livingston State Park to hike. I locked the keys in the truck. We hiked about a quarter mile to the headquarters and a lady there let me use her cell phone to call GM Roadside Assistance. We waited about an hour and a guy from Smith's towing showed up and let me in. We'll hike another day.

I am without Ham Radio here because my High Sierra screwdriver antenna is kaput. I tried it and fried it, there was smoke from the control box. I tried a little troubleshooting and the antenna just won't work for me. I'm thinking of keeping it simple and getting some Hustler resonators, easy to set up and no operational problems. Not as good a signal, but I will be on 3 bands with a rugged and simple and durable set-up.

Resolutions? One day at a time? Well, Emo dog is fat, he weighed in at 78 pounds, his highest ever. I am also gaining weight. I resolve to go hiking more, so look for some trail reports and pictures soon.

Despite the glitches, I am in a good mood and enjoying the great weather here. Windows are open and I got to ride the little motorcycle down the road to gas it up and check mail. I think it will do OK on these 70 MPH Texas roads for short stretches. I might ride it to meetings next week.

More next year...Chuck

Back in Livingston, Texas

We have arrived safely and set-up here at Rainbow's End. We will be here until January 18.

Dog Day

Emo Dog got the treatment today. I ordered his 2012 tags online, he got to the vet for a check-up, stocked up on meds, and a bath. He should be good to go for Big Bend.

Safe at home

We have arrived in Dayton.

We took a short hike today in the Big Creek Scenic Area. Nice woods, and a nice trail along the creek.

Trailhead.

Map showing several loops.

The Big Creek.

Emo crossing a bridge.

Plans are to head out Tuesday in the little truck to come back to Ohio for appointments and Christmas. Been mostly having a lazy time around the campground, had to fix an insurance mess to get more meds, and been to a few meetings. Not much to report. Still thinking about Big Bend after the New Year.

Arrived at Livingston

We have arrived and set-up at Rainbow's End in Livingston, the home of Escapees. Satellite dish set-up was done by a Higher Power, I just set up the thing, turned the system on to tune it, and I had a 94% strong signal, nothing more to do. Don't know how I managed that.

We'll stay here until December 12 or 13, then put the rig in storage and go to Ohio for appointments and Christmas. See y'all then.

Short drive and hike

We went for a short drive in the forest today, down a couple gravel roads. One was gated, so we parked and walked about a mile down and a mile back. Emo seems fine. Been chillin' around the campground and going to meetings. Great weather here.

We headed out early today and went for a short hike, about a mile out and a mile back, on the Lone Star Hiking Trail in the Sam Houston National Forest. Emo seemed fine on the way out, but was dragging tail on the way back. I don't know if he is sick, old, out of shape, or all three. Maybe the pork chop bones from a couple nights back didn't sit well, he's been giving some less than solid things for me to pick up. At any rate, it's dog rations only for a few days.

The hike was in piney woods with some undergrowth, I took pictures. The second and third pictures are at a dry creek bed. There are water restrictions here it has been so dry.

Laundry day yesterday, no big plans. I'll hike Emo here in camp, there's a nice long dog run. If he seems OK, I may water up and hike a lot more of the trail. Hard to construct a loop, though, I may need to use a forest road or something. Oh, air conditioner weather here!

All set-up

Arrived at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe and we are set-up, 50 Amps, water, sewer, internet, DirecTV, same nice site as last year.

Last night I took a hot shower and watched some METV which is a local Texas station that shows stuff from the 70's. Also shaved. Clean shaven, Ohio folks, except for the little mustache. Might keep it that way?

Clear skies, temps high 40's-low 50's today. Gotta get some groceries in here and stroll the dog.

Edit later - the donut shop across the road got me for a dozen. That and some hot dog buns from the little store next door will do until tomorrow when I go to a real store. Lazy day after the setting up, it is actually about mid 60's here, I have the door open with the screen door closed. It gives Emo a good view, and we have a nice breeze to balance the sun's warmth.

Emo staring intently at something out the door.

View from the door. We have a field out there to walk in.

Almost there

We are camped overnight at a pull through site in an RV park I saw on the side of the road a few miles before Nacadoces (sp?). Easy drive to Lake Conroe tomorrow. So far, so good on the trip.

Preparations

Put some anti-freeze in the plumbing today, I will leave Nov. 8 for a slow drive to Lake Conroe Thousand Trails in Texas. Hopefully, from there to Livingston at the Rainbow's End Escapees park where I will stay until 14 December, then put the RV in storage in Livingston and head home for appointments and Christmas. After that, back to Texas and maybe Big Bend?

Update

I have been approved for Social Security Disability Income for depression, so I should be able to keep the house and the RV. Best of both worlds.

I've been using the good weather days here for motorcycling, so no hiking reports or pictures. I went to a weekend workshop last Fri/Sat/Sun riding the little bike through the country loaded with bedroll and clothes. Good time.

My plans are to head for Alabama after Election Day, and stay near Andalusia. The RV is in the shop for a new TV. I hope I can get out of Ohio without having to winterize the rig.

I'll be back in Dayton for a week or 10 days around Christmas. All for now, look for Alabama pics this winter.

Update

21 years sober today!

We've had some trips around Ohio, I motorcycled 300 miles one day, we spent a day at Shawnee State Forest with my friend Tom, been to our favorite local park, Possum Creek. Emo doing fine. Fighting the depression with steps 6 and 7.

I plan to stay in Dayton/Wilmington at least until after the MW2 workshop mid-September.

Back in Dayton

We will be here at least through August. Need A/C work and roofing work for the house. Probably get some Ohio hiking in.

Emo freed from collar, heat wave

Emo dog figured out how to lick his bad toe nail with the Elizabethan collar on, so I took it off. He was grateful for that!

The temperature here was 98 last time I looked. The 30 Amp breaker at the hook-up pedestal kept blowing, so I set the power center on the Winnebago on 20 Amp service. The breaker didn't blow anymore, but the A/C just couldn't keep up. Right now, I have the generator set running, and the cold air is rushing in. Full 5500 Watts for the A/C to work with. It is suggested to run the generator an hour a month anyway, and I have plenty gas in the tank, so we will keep cool for a little while.

Went for a short country drive today, nothing exceptional to report. With the dog healing, this may be a stick around the campground week. That's not all bad, I guess.

Emo boo-boo

Emo dog tore the nail off one of his dew claws (he has 4). The vet put him in an Elizabethan collar, so he won't lick it. I remember my terrier little Pepper Dog was the most miserable creature I ever saw with a collar. Emo seems to take it in stride, but I can tell he hates it.

You can see how red it is, must hurt, but little complaint from this always cheerful critter. God love him.

Vet said no hiking or swimming for a week or two. I'll be back in Ohio in a week, and I'll take him to his regular vet for a follow-up. Poor Emo. I expect the regular vet will remove the collar if the nail is starting to grow back and things look OK. I'll take the poor beast for a couple long country drives while we are here, but I just couldn't stand to hit the trails without him.

Arrived at St. Clair

We made it. I had a sewer hose spill setting up, what a stinking mess. Guy next door and I dumped a bunch of bleach on it, it still smells in this heat. I need a shower now, more later.

Good day

We went for a Sunday drive up to the Huron Nat'l Forest, and hiked 3/4 mile back to a lake where Emo went swimming. Took this picture of the Au Sable river from an overlook.