After my roadside chat in Mississippi, my RV travel took me into Louisiana. I was so excited to visit the Bayou. It is one of those places you see in movies and just want to visit. I also kept my eye on how close I was to New Orleans. It’s one of my bucket list items.
The Louisiana Bayou
As I drove deeper into Louisiana, the land appeared more marsh than land. I am always amazed at the changes of landscapes as you move through the miles. I had been looking for a state park to stay in that was close to the Bayou. I found Tickfaw State Park. A small park that sits on the Bayou. I drove in and was delighted with the sites and amenities. It also had a small trail that led to a pond with a beautiful closed pier for viewing. No swimming! Lol
The first night I was there, I did laundry and had a shower. The amenities are in a raised building that is on stilts and gave an amazing view of the Bayou during sunset.
I even had a cite little friend meet me at my campsite. I have never seen an armadillo up close. Oh my stars, he was soooo cute. It was a wonderful stay. The park staff were as friendly as the little armadillo.
Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana
I had never seen a plantation before, and I am so glad I chose Oak Alley Plantation to visit. It is a beautiful restoration of a time so long ago. Walking the path with 200 year old Oak trees as your guide to the beauty of the main house, you can help but stop and take in the old majestic feel of walking back in time.
The story of Oak Alley is equally intriguing. A time of slavery and civil war. The production and workings of a sugar cane Plantation in the 1800s is fascinating. Walking the grounds and learning the history and story of how Oak Alley fell and was revived because of a gift from a husband to his wife.
I had such a beautiful visit. I wrote a feature blog about it. Check out the history and beauty of Oak Alley here.
Why I did not go to New Orleans
New Orleans has been on my bucket list for a long time. I have always wanted to visit the French quarter, take a walk down Bourbon Street, and visit the ornate cemetaries I have heard so much about. While I was at Tickfaw State Park, I was 1 hour away.
While I was at the park, I learned it was Mardi Gras in New Orleans. What an experience that would be??
What kind of experience would that be? That I was not sure about.
I will tell you I am not much of a city girl (except Boston, I love Boston. Lol). I feel safer deep in a forest than I do in a city. I am also not a large crowd person, and Mardi Gras draws a large crowd. Being also very aware that I travel as a single woman, and as such, there is no hero to save me, I have to be my own hero.
As I sat at the intersection, right to New Orleans or left to Texas. My gut told me left. So I went left with a little regret and a promise to myself that I would be back, just not at Mardi Gras.
I did get beads, not in New Orleans, and I did not have to do anything for them. Well, maybe a little something. Stay tuned. That story is a little farther down the line.
The Friendly State of Texas
Texas is a huge state! I had once crossed the panhandle, but that was just a tantalizing tip. This time, I was eager to explore a little more and was not disappointed. I met cowboys, many amazing and friendly people, experienced a real archeological dig, and even watched some professional bullriding. Top all of that with a great evening with some Texas vanners, and you get an amazing Chipmunk Adventure.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
As I looked in Texas to find interesting and unusual things to do, I came across a Mammoth Monument in Waco, Texas. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I got a whole lot more.
Waco National Mammoth Monument is more than a monument. It is an actual live archeological dig. This was fascinating. I have watched documentaries, and you see them in the movies, but I would not have imagined I would see one in person.
The Columbian Mammoth existed as far back as 130,000 years ago. They were actually here up until 11,000 years ago. The archeological find in Waco was accidental. Two friends, Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin, were walking along the dry creekbed and discovered a bone in a washed-out area of the creek bed in 1978. Wondering what it could be, they took it to the Strecker Museum at Baylor University, where they discovered it was a Columbian Mammoth bone.
An archeological dig was commenced, and in 2009, they opened the dig up to the public.
Exploring the Dig Site
Entering from the parking lot is a small store and a large tent. Inside the tent were tables with actual Mammoth bones on the tables. Information plaques were set up with each display, and the guide, who will lead you through the dig site, is there to answer any questions.
As we wove down the path towards the dig site, he told us the story of Paul and Eddie’s find and the work that had been done since to both preserve the site and excavate the bones.
The building where the dig is located is climate controlled, and of course, no food or drinks are allowed. As you entered, a boardwalk snaked through the building over the dig site so you could look down and see the Mammoth bones that are being excavated.
It was also fascinating to see the tools that they use to uncover the fragile bones carefully.
What a wonderful find on my Winter RV Travel adventure. If you are near Waco, be sure to stop by and visit the Mammoths. I am so glad I did.
Fort Worth Stockyards
My friend Howard told me that if I wanted to see cowboys in Texas, I had to go to the Fort Worth Stockyards. I had planned to get there in the morning and leave in the late afternoon and find a place to park for the night. I ended up staying for the night to enjoy another day. The Stockyards really need a blog of their own. I will do a feature blog in an upcoming issue. For now, I will give you the highlights.
As soon as you drive the cobblestone streets to the parking lot, you know you have entered cowboy country. Cowboys riding horses and their long horned cattle they are so famous for. If you arrive at just the right time, you can see a cattle drive along the main st in front of the Fort Worth Live Stock Exchange.
This alone was so cool to see. The long horned cattle lived up to their name. The one in front, we were told, has a 10 foot span on his horns. It was fascinating to watch as the herd was driven through town by cowboys on horseback.
The Stockyard Hotel
The Stockyards Hotel is a magnificent restoration of the original hotel built in 1907. With 42 rooms and 10 suites, you can sleep and dream in the old west. Since the days of the old west, the Stockyards Hotel has been the place to stay. Sprinkled throughout the rooms and lobby are original artifacts from the different eras the hotel has been host to.
Sleep where Bonnie and Clyde slept, with an original note from Bonnie to Clyde. You can stay in the same room as country and Western celebrities such as Tanya Tucker and Willie Nelson have stayed in. The old west comes shining through with this beautiful hotel.
The John Wayne American Experience
I stumbled across this as I wandered the stock yards. A sign pointing to The John Wayne American Experience said it told the story of the “Duke.”
Growing up, I watched John Wayne ride in on his trusty steed to save the day. With that cowboy swagger and a tip of the hat, every old west town needed him to be the hero, and he never disappointed.
Born Marion “Duke” Morrison in 1907, he was a stellar student and great athlete. His love of football would get him a scholarship at the University of California, which led him to a job as a propman at Fox Studios. No one would have guessed that young man would be the legend that moved the world.
I think what struck most people with John Wayne, well me anyways, was his impregnable integrity. At this wonderful museum as you walk through his life, it is shown, as we always knew, that was not just a part but life.
His story is so interesting and wholesome it needs a blog of its own. Stay tuned all you, John Wayne fans. You will love this blog.
PBR Bullriding Competition
I have watched bullriding on TV since I was a little kid. My Mom was a big fan, and my good friend Dale and I went to a few small bullriding events. As I walked through the stockyards, I noticed they had a sign for PBR Bullriding at the Cowtown Coliseum every Thursday night. I happened to be there on a Thursday. I just had to go and see this in person.
What a great evening. You do not realize how long 8 seconds is until you’re sitting on the back of a bucking bull and trying to stay there. Watching the clowns distract the bull as the rider tries to get out of the way was amazing. They have to be quick!
I absolutely loved the strut of the bull after he has thrown them off.
It was a very fun evening. As I sat down in my seat, I began to chat with the people beside me. I asked them where they were from. They told me I probably had never heard of the small city in Ontario. Ohhh, maybe I have. Lol. They were from Welland, which is about 45 min from where I grew up. What are the chances. We had so much fun.
Fort Worth Stockyards will definitely be a must stop anytime I go to Texas.
Vanners Night Out
Being a custom van owner gives you not only the pleasure of driving a cool van but also to a community that spans the world. We are everywhere. Lol. I had never met any of these people before, but when they invited me out for an evening of fun and frivolity, I had to go say hello. What a welcoming, awesome bunch of people. It was so to laugh and dance with my new friends.
It was wonderful to meet you all and don’t forget that Canadian invitation I gave you. See you there!!
Living my favorite movie in Denton, Texas
The movie “The Birds,” which was produced in 1963 by Alfred Hitchcock, has always been my favorite movie. I have watched that movie many times and even watched with the girls before I left Illinois for this amazing RV travel adventure.
I decided to stop for the night in a Loves truckstop in Denton, Texas. As I sat and worked on my computer, I could hear the sounds of birds. It was a rainy, cool day, and I had all the curtains closed. At first, it was just a quiet chatter. It seemed to be getting louder, so I got up to investigate. What I saw made me think twice about getting out of my van.
There were birds everywhere!!!! On trucks, on the buildings and covering the ground. There were thousands of birds decending on this parking lot. I could not believe my eyes. What was this?? A bird invasion??? The large black birds, I later learned, are called Grackles. They come two or three times a day. I was also told they can be aggressive and, just like in the movie, to move slowly so they do not attack. Hahaha! What???? I am in my favorite movie!
If you have ever seen the movie, do you remember the sounds as they started to gather? It sounded just like that. As they gathered, the bird chatter got louder and louder. I could hear them on the roof of the van. Check it out on my YouTube channel. It’s kinda freaky! I am sure this one was watching me through the window.
As they left the sound of them all taking flight was almost deafening. I could hear them crash into the van as they took off. It was kind of scary, and I am really glad I did not get out of the van. I could not imagine being outside standing among them as they all took flight.
One last tidbit… my roof vent would not open for my fantastic fan. After they left, I could hear a noise, like a fan running. As I investigated, I realized it was my fantastic fan running. The Birds had opened my roof vent!!! Oh My Stars! They were trying to get in!!!!
I was in the movie!
BTW, my roof vent cover has worked ever since.
Thanks for coming along on my Chipmunk Adventure! Do you have some favorite places in Louisiana and Texas. Let me know in the comments. I want to hear about them!
There is much more adventure to come. I have not even gotten to the state I fell in love with. Make sure you do not miss an adventure and subscribe here to receive your Sunday morning read first!
Love this blog! A tip of the hat or a coffee tip is always appreciated! Thanks for your support!
🐿
Chipmunk's RV Life 