On the Road and Our First Week at Betty's RV Park

For the first time in nearly twelve years Opus was in storage for a month. To prepare for our trip to Betty's RV Park in Abbeville, LA I ran the generator for three or four hours on the two days before we left to make sure the batteries were charged and the refrigerator cooled down. It did take the fridge longer than I expected to get down to the proper temperature, but by the time we left it was fine. We made a couple trips to Opus with things we had moved into the condo. This is something we need to get better at as we become part-time RVers. The first day on the road we took the Florida Turnpike, something we had never done before, to get through the Orlando urban sprawl. It was an easy 200 mile drive to Ocala for a one night stop.   

Our plan, always written in sand, was to do 250 miles on day two. When we started to call for a place to stay we found the parks were all filled because of the damage done by Hurricane Michael. We did not want to stay in a Walmart because the night time temps were in the 30's. The only RV park along the highway that we could find was near Pensacola, meaning we ended up driving 362 miles, much farther than we like.   We saw a lot of the trees that were down along I-10 from the hurricane.

They are still in the clean up mode for about 25 miles.

This was a dense forest last year when we drove the same route. After seeing the damage here, we can only imagine how bad the towns along the gulf shore must look. 

That night we got the last site at Avalon Landing RV Park. It was a beautiful stop overlooking the water, but WAY to expensive. These pelicans were hunkered down against the cold right by Opus.

When we got up the next morning the pelicans were in a feeding frenzy. There were 15 or 20 diving into the water to catch fish, sometimes a half dozen at a time. This was the best picture I was able to get. On this day we drove 225 miles to Hammond so we would have a short 125 miles to go the last day.  

The Mississippi was very mighty where we crossed in Baton Rouge. The tugs were maneuvering this big freighter to the dock. The water was near the top of the levees.

The drive across the Atchafalaya Basin on an 18 mile bridge is always a thrill. The water here was also high and much of the flood water from the Midwest had not yet gotten this far south.

One of the reasons we love Louisiana. The best oysters we have ever had at a very reasonable price at Shuck's in Abbeville. I also had the duck and andouille sausage gumbo.

A few people from Betty's in the Horny Corner at the Cajun jam session at Touchet's in Maurice. Here are Betty, Jim, Nanc, Merlene, Dan, Jim and Cookie. We met them all at Betty's over the years and always look forward to seeing them.

The jam was great with many different musicians taking their turn on the stage. Here are Dave, Rooster, Kristi, and Joe. We were sad to hear that the Museum Cafe in Erath had closed, so there is only a jam in this area every other week.

Of course another reason we love Betty's is her famous Happy Hour(s) where all the people in the park gather to share food, drinks and tales of travel. Here is Betty telling a couple first timers (whose names I failed to get)  about all the different things to do in Cajun Louisiana. 

Here are Dick, Denise, Cheryl, Susan and Dan.

Monica, Randy and Kathy deeply involved in conversation.

Jim, Cookie, Merlene and Nanc.

Dennis and Cheryl drive this original Apollo Sceptre Motorhome that was built in the 1980's. Here is a link to an article they wrote for Motorhome magazine about their RV.

We are card carrying members of the Cajun Culture Association, so on Wednesday evening we went to the meeting at Touchet's. One way the association promotes their culture is by giving instruments and lessons to young musicians. This little eight year old not only played, she also sang a couple classic Cajun songs, The Back Door and Mardi Gras. Sorry I failed to get her name or a good recording.

The crowd rewarded her with a few bucks in her fiddle case. Sure hope this encourages her to continue to improve her music skills. 

Rather than have a featured band, they had a jam session that included dueling Cajun accordions. Sue from Betty's even got into the action on the scrub board.

We had a happy hour happy birthday party on Thursday. Here's the whole gang ready to celebrate.

The same crowd from the other end of the table.

The birthday gal, Shirley with her big cookie B-Day cake.

That evening was the first of a month of Sounds on the Square in Abbeville. This week's band was Michot's Melody Makers. It was a great evening of music even if it was a little cool.

We are having a fun time at Betty's. Many friends are passing through as snowbirds are heading north after a winter in the sun.