Killeen & Belton - Tommy's home coming

Hi Ya’ll,

I was getting ready to hit the road again…going back to Killeen. During the night a small camper pulled in next to me.. I took some pictures of it….it was so cute!!!! Now I would like to have one of those or one of the T@B’s that are on the market now- it would make camping in bad weather much easier!

I am going to miss this peaceful place, but it is time to move on……

I left around 8:30 a.m. and was making my way to San Antonio to have lunch with my friend Bud. I ran into rush hour traffic with it’s usual accident tie ups!! So I didn’t actually get into SA until almost 2 p.m. I had a nice visit and lunch with Bud…then off to Killeen I was heading.

I arrived in Killeen late that night- around 9 p.m. and got a room at a local hotel.

The next morning 11/30/07 I was headed to Belton, TX. This is where the camp ground I was going to stay at was located. Belton is just outside of Killeen - about 15 miles.

I stayed at the Belton RV Park- I 35 exit 292 (Loop 121) This was a nice park. Family run place- with Good Sam’s (an RV service plan) Out front they sold and serviced RV’s…in the back was the campground. There was plenty of campsites, playground area, pool, function hall/room, general store, reading room (that had a TV, paperback book swap, and a treadmill), rec room (that had TV, coffee, pool table), very clean bathhouse, and laundry room.

It was located near several shopping areas. They don’t have a web address that I know of, but if you want to contact them their phone number is (254) 939-1961.

I stayed here from 11/30/07 to 12/5/07.

I drove back and forth from here to Killeen.

In Killeen…My friend Babs and her youngest son Tim arrived at the Killeen airport around 6:30 p.m. on the 30th. We were all gathering to welcome home Tommy- Babs oldest son. He’s a Staff Sergeant in the 1st CAV unit at Fort Hood. Who had been in Iraq for the past 15 months.

Leeann (Tommy’s wife) and her parents - Cindi & Dwight had already started prepping for his arrival with cooking and getting supplies to make welcome home signs. That night (Friday) we learned Tommy’s arrival on the 2nd had been pushed back until 1:30 a.m. on the 6th….. Not many happy faces with that news.

That night we sat around chatting and catching up with news.

The next few days were busy with getting things ready for Tommy coming home, some shopping, eating, and watching football (WTG PATRIOTS!!!!).

The time of Tommy’s arrival changed again for 11:30 p.m. on the 5th. We got a call from Tommy- he was in Maine and getting on a plane heading for TX. There was a lot of anxiety and anticipation of his arrival. Finally the hour arrived…we went over to the base and waited for the service group to arrive. All 115 servicemen/woman looked relieved and very happy to be home…and there were many tears from their family & friends too.

By the time be got back to the house it was almost 1:30 a.m. We sat around talking, hugging, and laughing.

I had packed up my campsite earlier that day and was ready to move on…so about 3:00 a.m. I hit the road….. I was heading back to Florida to see my friend John and to watch the shuttle launch.

It was great to see everyone in Killeen again…and it was nice to finally meet Dwight (I had met Cindi on my previous visit to TX) I had a really nice time with some very special people!!! Thank you everyone…I Love You All !!!

Ok now on to next entry…will be back soon- Love Donna

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #97:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880
Tags: Belton & camp; Killeen, TX

Galveston Island Explored 11/25/07 - 11/29/07

Hey Everyone,

This next entry is about my stay on Galveston Island, TX. The Galveston Island State Park is a very nice camping area- close to the Gulf. Each camp site had a table & lean to that gave a measure of protection from the sun. It is divided into 3 sections- each area has it’s own bath house. Though most of the people there were in RV’s, there were some of us hardy campers- tenting it!! LOL

This camp area is very quiet and peaceful…. with the ocean just a few feet away. There is plenty of wildlife to watch… including some feral cats who live here. They were fun watching- especially when they were on the hunt. They would sit on top of the fence post scanning the tall grasses for their prey…. But they had a fear of people, so you couldn’t get to close to them.

The sunrises and sunsets here are beautiful !!!!

I spent 4 days here. I also went from one end of Galveston Island to the other. I’d say it’s about 40 miles long. Most of the middle section is tourist friendly, with water parks, hotels, restaurants, bars, stores ….etc. On one end was a channel where the big ships would line up waiting to get into the harbor….the other end had a bridge that lead to the next town over.

There is plenty to do here… no matter what it is you like to do (walks on beach, shopping, boating, horseback riding, scooters, biking).

I also took a ferry ride from Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula. This ferry is free and runs very 15- 20 mins. The ride it’s self took about 15 mins. You can see much of Galveston Harbor, birds, boats/ships, and even dolphins on this ride. I took plenty of pictures, I hope you enjoy them.

I’m off to get the next set of pictures together…until then take care- Love Donna

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #96:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880

For more information about this state park see: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/galveston

another website that gives info on this state park is:

http://www.galvestonislandstatepark.org/galveston-island-camping.html

For more info on the Galveston Island area- things to do & see- check out the local free newspaper: The Beach Sun at the following address: http://www.thebeachsun.com/

Tags: Galveston Island, TX

Problems with journal

Hi Everyone.....

Just wanted to let you know why you aren't able to see the entries for the following dates: 6/23/07; 6/23/07; 7/13/07; 7/27/07; 9/28/07

I've been in touch with AOL- there is a problem on their end that we are working on now. Hopefully everything will be back up and running properly soon. Please enjoy the other entries until then...... I hope this note finds everyone doing well- Love Donna

11/24/07 - 11/25/07 Killeen, San Antonio, Galveston

Hi everybody,

It was Saturday morning and I was on my way again. I said my goodbyes to everyone...they were all staying until Monday before making their way back to Florida. I was now heading towards Killeen, TX.

I arrived around 3 p.m. in Killeen. Stopped and visited with LeeAnn for a bit. We went out for some supper and got caught up on up coming events. Her husband Tommy was going to be arriving home from Iraq soon. LeeAnn's parents (Cindi & Dwight), Tommy's mom (my good friend Babs) and his younger brother Tim were all going to be here in Killeen to welcome him home....oh and me too !! LOL But that wasn't going to be for a few more days so after resting for a bit....I continued on the road. I ended up in San Antonio for the night. I decided that I was going to Galveston- I had missed seeing this area the last time I was in Texas. After a good nights sleep I was on my way to Galveston.

It was a cloudy morning. I ran into some Monday morning traffic- but not too bad until I got near Houston...an oil tanker had tipped over and cause quite the mess in traffic. I was able to get some good sunrise pictures while I was waiting!! LOL

As I made my way out to Galveston Island, and it started raining.... it wasn't to heavy so it didn't affect the driving very much. I arrive on Galveston Island around 2 p.m. I found my way to the state park there. I registered for 4 nights and found my way to my camp sight. This state park is right on the shore. (not as close camping as on Assa Island, but closer than onSt. George's Island) It is a very nice park. Just a short walk to the ocean- about 100 - 150 yards. There were a couple of other tenters here, but it was mostly RV's. I waited a bit after arriving- as the rain seemed to be letting up and I don't like to set up in the rain, if I don't have to!!!! LOL

Well the rain did let up and I was able to get everything set up...before the rains came back.

Ok now will go and get more ready to post....will be back in touch soon- Donna

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #95:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880
Tags: Killeen, San Antonio, Galveston, TX

11/19/07 - 11/21/07 Heading to Texas

Hi,

It was Monday morning (8:30 a.m.) and I was heading back out again. I was now heading back to Texas, to meet up with my Mom,and my Aunt Judy & Uncle Danny. It was a cool and sunny day when I left MA, and by the time I got into NY it had started to rain....then by the time I made it to PA it was snowing. It was the 1st snow for the area- according to the radio...it was my 1st snow of the season!! It was very pretty...and driving wasn't too bad, even though a couple of people I passed had some problems ! LOL

I stopped in a rest area, in VA for a couple of hours rest around midnight. I rested until 4 a.m. and decided to get back on the road. It was terrible driving conditions at this point. It was extremely foggy..the radio said 12' visibility- I think it was much less!! LOL- It was so bad that most people also had on their emergency flashers to make themselves more visible. Around 11 a.m. the sun finally broke thru and things were looking much better. I made my way into TN and decided to rest up for a bit. I finally stopped about 40 miles east of Memphis, and got a room for the night. It was now 2:30 p.m. and I was very tried from the two days of driving.

The next morning I was up and on the road again....and it was pouring out!!! The t.v. weatherman said severe t-storms and tornados were going to be in the area. I had planned to visit in Memphis but the weather was bad and I wanted to get out of the area in case the tornados came thru. (This was the 3rd time I've tried to see Memphis since I started my walkabout- I'm beginning to think I never gonna get there....LOL) The rain was so heavy that while traveling on the interstate we were only going 30 mph- it was very stressful driving in this heavy winds & rain. But I made it thru TN without incident. I was now in Arkansas and the conditions were no better..... After several hours of fighting this storm- it started to ease up. The sun tried to break through....it managed a little bit, but it did remain overcast and drizzling. I arrived in Marshall, TX around 3 p.m.

I stayed at a campground called The Country Pines RV Park. This is where my family was already registered. My uncle has a nice RV with plenty of room so I didn't need to set up my tent while here. I did have to make sure I got up early though- cause my bed was also was the kitchen table !! LOL It was a nice park- clean and well managed. It is located at: 5935 US 59 N, Marshall, TX (exit 617 off I-20)

I stayed here for 4 days. In that time we went out to eat and visited with my cousin Dawn and two of her children. It was a nice relaxing time, with many laughs and good conversations!!

Well, I'll run and get the next entry ready...until then- all take care- Love Donna

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #94:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880

Tags: Marshall, TX

Visit to West Palm Beach 11/10-11/12

Hi again....

I was on the road again....leaving my uncles place in Hudson, FL and heading to see friends in West Palm Beach....about a 5 hr drive to east coast!

I arrived late Saturday afternoon. It was good to see Amy, Nelson & the girls, and my MayMay..too!! I hadn't seen them since I left MA in June. Amy and the girls (and MayMay) moved down to FL in August, to start their new life with Nelson. (Amy & Nelson were married in February of this year.)

It was great to catch up with all the news...and just spending time together. Monday, Amy & the girls and I went to Sweet Tomato for some lunch....We didn't want our visit to end...but I had to be moving on.

I did have an unexpected change in plans though...It was determined that at this time, it was hard for Amy to keep MayMay for me....until they got their own home (they rent an apartment)...so I decided to take MayMay with me.....now this will change things!! LOL

I said my good byes and MayMay & I were on the road.....to Hudson.

I called my son Dave to let him know I had the dog with me....he said Oh Boy!! LOL- But I told him she was traveling well (MayMay loves to ride) and we'd figure things out as we went along. About and 1/2 hr later my brother calls and asked what I was doing...I said driving...LOL- he said with who??? LOL I said if you're asking then you already know!!! LOL

He pointed out that having MayMay with me would limit where I could go- and would prevent me from visiting some of the folks I had planned on seeing in Texas. He strongly suggested I bring her back home to stay with him (and his 3 dogs & 3 cats) until I got back in June. So now I was going to be heading back North AGAIN!!!! lol I saw a beautiful sunset as I was driving- and was able to get a couple of shots for the journal.

I arrived back in Hudson, Monday night...Tuesday I started back North. I stopped that night at my friend John A. (in Summerfield, FL) for a quick visit. Wednesday morning I was heading back home. Just after I had crossed into GA...I noticed several Nascar car transports heading South on I-95. Before dark fall I had seen a total of 23 Nascar transports pass by me. My aunt said they were heading to Homestead for the last race of the season. MayMay & I shared some strawberry Twizzlers during the trip, as you can see in the pictures...LOL I arrived back in Massachusetts late Thursday night.

Friday night, Dave & I brought MayMay over to Wade's house- we all had supper together. Saturday & Sunday, I spent the days getting some much needed rest. Sunday- I also went to get another oil change...the guy at Jiffy Lube kind of looked at me funny...you see just 15 days prior I had been there to get an oil change before taking mom to FL!!! Here just 15 days later I had over 3,000 miles on my SUV!!!! I laughed and said - just don't ask!!! LOL

On 11/19 (Monday) I was on the road again heading to Texas as I had plans to meet up with family on the 21st!!!

Life is never boring....well until the next update- take care everyone- Love Donna

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #93:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880
Tags: West Palm Beach, FL and MA with MayMay

Fatty 'n Mabels

Hi everyone.....

Before I headed to West Palm Beach.... Danny, Judy, Mom and I went out to dinner. We decided to go visit my cousin Michael's new place. In March he followed his dreams and opened his own restaurant. He called it - Fatty 'N Mabel's (in memory of his parents).

The food was great and prices are reasonable. Everyone there seemed to enjoy working here, and it showed in their service to customers. The restaurant is full of atmosphere....and has great potential. On the weekends they have live bands, and have an area to hold functions. Michael said he had just gotten the ok to add some piers to the outside. He is hoping this will open up his place to the boating visitors, in the area. Not bad to dock at your favorite restaurant!! LOL

I wish you the very best Michael......always shoot for your dreams!!!

If you'd like more info about this eatery visit their web site : www.fattynmables.com

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #92:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880

Tags: Port Richey, FL - Michaels restaurant