Thursday, July 18, 2013

Can I Be a "Top Gun" ...Opi

Ok, Ok...I have been delinquent in posting...But it happens from time to time ..I think we need to back up to the 16th...the day for the Naval Air Museum Adventure...we left after breakfast...another overcast to rainy day...got to Naval Air Station around 0900, and the fun began...the Boys where acting like they had just gone in their favorite Candy store...didn't know what to look at first....I must say they where in awe as to the variety or aircraft ...and the number...they where also intriqued at the  "period" displays of houses, and other scenes asking if those where two hundred year old kitchens...no 1942 vintage..but I do feel that old(the two hundred year date) lately...
Entrance of Museum
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We spent a good 3 hours looking at all the displays and being quizzed about the purpose of various aircraft...another terrific feature of the museum is their static displays of various sections of ships,ie, captains quarters, pharmacy, radio room, etc....of course they really enjoyed looking at the model of the Aircraft Carrier "Bush"...their father was assigned on it during its "Maiden Voyage"...Up to the Mezzanine..and another view of aircraft...especially the "Blue Angles 4 Ship"...then to ask if I ever flew one of those planes...it was one of the "Bi-Planes"...WW1 vintage aircraft...Ah, the aging process through the eyes of 9 and 11 year olds...
 
Future Blue Angles???

Thee NASA. Exhibits was also a hit with them as was the corridor of Navy Medal of. Honor recipients..


   
Moon Vehicle

As we where where winding down the tour...the eldest Gson said...can we try the simulator...for twenty dollar they can have a real experience in flying a F-18 or some sort of other Navy aircraft....I said OK,...and the short of it ...this became their "most favorite" event of the day...

We then went to the Light house, but by this time they where a little tired and their desire to walk up the stairs was less than enthusiastic...so we headed back to camp...not withstanding a trip to a fast food stop to get a quick fix... did their math, cleaned up..decided to grill chicken on the O grill..had a Skype section with Mom and Dad..hitched up for tomorrows travel day..and then built a fire and ended the day having smores on a open fire....

  
  
Strapped in the Simulator..below is their first roll out
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The team decided to skip the Space Center at Houston on this segment and we will do this as a day trip while at home...so we're off to Vidalia, La  tomorrow..will stay there until Friday...main event is the Vicksburg Battle Field..

We are Navy!!!


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Monday, July 15, 2013

A Crappy Start...but a Terriffic Finish

Woke this morning to the sound of Thunder...and the sun wasn't even trying to break over the horizon yet....what the....but after about an hour the lightening, thunder and rain shower subsided and all was right with the world...the Boys where still asleep, so I decided I would go ahead and get cleaned up and make a cup of outdoor java...By 0700 they where up...got them breakfast, they cleaned up and we where off to the beach for some early morning fun....the beach is different from the last and the "rip" was a little stronger...but they where having a ball... then we saw it...a small system moving in...after about 45 minutes I saw some lightening strikes...time to pack up and head for the safety of the camper.....




About an hour later the sun came out and it was time for another adventure..team decision...Go-Karts and then miniature golf...racing came first...I was going to let them race and my role was to be in the "Pit"...no. 2 Gson was not old enough by 2 months...so he and I had to ride together...Bummer..but it was a grand time...forgot my camera but used my phone camera...the winner will not be revealed....there   where no losers...

Next was miniature golf....no score card to record the scores....but to say the Guys where able to reinvent a putter into a driver...at the end it was no harm no foul...and all left smiling...another front was moving in so we headed for home....it didn't last long and we then decided to go to the Golf shores Zoo...not the largest Zoo...but we enjoyed it...a train ride then a walk around...two hours of fun...no. 2 Gson must have taken 100 photo's...
Horst Kelly Photographer



Horst Kelly Photographer

Got come about 430pm..did our math project, ate dinner and they are now watching a movie and getting ready for the 8pm Skype with parents...

Tomorrow its the Naval Museum and Light House...plus what ever...Happy Trails...Horst

ps...can't get my Droid 2 photos to download to windows 8...HELP is appreciated...that has the Go Kart and golf photos.




Ft Pickens

Sunday, July 14, 2013

FT PIckens...and a Snow White Beach....Bring on the Fun

The day didn't start at O dark 30 as planned...by the time we got up and said ready, set, go it was 0730...but not to worry we gained an hour and arrived here around 1230...the drive was a non event...I-10 until exit 22, two pit stops, no rain and hardly any traffic...
Fire in the Hole....

However after leaving the Interstate the ride turned  into a real zoo...cars, pedestrians, folks that had one too many glasses of wine at this Sundays Communion, and of course the folks trying their best to show everyone what some good DNA will do for you...or what they bought at the Plastic Factory...and the traffic didn't stop there...going on the Ft Pickens road also became bumper to bumper ...and "Check-Point Charlie" was backed up at least a quarter mile...ok, I forgot...its the middle of summer on a weekend...the nerve of folks to infringe upon us Retired Opi's....

Got to the registration office about 45 minutes after getting off I-10, nice folks.....since the Boys have been locked up for two days do to rain I extended our stay here....got to our site and with 15 minutes we where all cooling off and relaxing...we made some team decisions...too hot to go to the beach, the Blue Angle stuff probably is closed today....so we decided to try a self walking tour of the Fort....By now You know a History lesson is next...


Thought I would try a video..couldn't get it to play do to the slow Wi-Fi I have here....if it's not beneficial let me know so I can delete and add something else....

Horst Kelly Photographer
 
We spent about an hour walking around....I didn't realize how hot it had gotten and forgot to bring water....that won't happen again....it was a very interesting Fort....and then to find out Geronimo was imprisoned here brought out a whole other History Lesson for the Boys...We plan to go back again...
Horst Kelly Photographer

we then went to the first grocery store we could find to get provisions.....I didn't feel like grilling, so we got some ready made hoagies, salad, desert for the Boys and where Homeward Bound...ate, played computer games, walked around to see where stuff was ...Skyped the parents and now  looking at going to dreamland.

Just did some research on hours of operation for the Navy Air Museum....found out it was closed on Mondays do to the Furlough...so we'll do that Tuesday....tomorrow its the beach, go karts, putt putt golf and who knows what else.....So until the next post....and thanks for stopping by.....BTW, we didn't get a chance to start the new section yet.....Horst sends


Is this how far we have traveled....WOW

Saturday, July 13, 2013

No more Stinkin' Rain...Please

Rain drops on fiberglass woke me up this morning about 0500, my lower back old age problems where acting up,  I figured this was going to be a "Grumpy Old Man" day....I decided I'd get cleaned up and do some Laundry since it was at the same location....I'm thinking that I forgot my soap but remembered the words of fellow blogger and Casita owner Lynn about "overrated"...So I thinking ...Soap is highly overrated for doing laundry...only kidding #one  daughter....

Got finished...Gkids where looking outside and not happy campers...had them take a shower and brush their teeth, etc...since we where in the car, I took them to Uncle MacD., instead of trying to make something inside the camper...came back and settled in for a Looooooong  boring, rainy day...
Boring and Sad..all this rain

They do have a computer,  Dvd's, Ipods, 3DDS, movies, Wii's ... and the list goes on....even with that, KIDS do get bored...its what they do, 'cause they have all that energy and no place to use it....and when they try to lose it in the camper, the "Grumpy Old Man" tries to jump in the middle...at the end of the Day we all built a little "Character".....

By mid afternoon the rain had pretty much died down, though it was too wet to hike or play, etc....we decided on a Wal-Mart run...got a couple of necessities but did get some junk food...don't you two frown, daughter and SIL...they earned it today...they then did their math projects, snacked and got back to playing games.
Doing Math Project

Younger Gkid and I went for a short walk....as we where walking he  looked at me and said "Ahh, the sounds of Nature"..he was serious...and he's only 8, going on 9 in Sept.....I think he'll do just fine!!!...they both are well balanced boys....from reading to taking karate, and everything in between..

So tomorrow we are going to leave at O dark thirty...the trip is about 275 miles...I didn't want segments to be more then 160 miles, but this one didn't work out...oh well, hopefully we'll be their by mid afternoon and that the weather will get better... Blue Angles, Ft. Pickens, Beach....sun and fun...we're ready...
At The End of the Day...Happy Campers

One final note..tomorrow will bring a new segment to the Blog...so come back and see what's new and amusing...Happy Trails...Horst sends

Friday, July 12, 2013

Travel Day and Rain...The 3 Amigos are NOT Happy Campers

I had hitched up yesterday in anticipation of the "60 %" chance of rain today..The day started at 0630 the  sky was clear and the sun was smiling at us...it was a short trip today..less than 160 miles...didn't want to depart too early as we would get caught in the Jacksonville rush hour traffic...well we got antsy and left a little after 0800 ...rush hour be damned..we made the trek around the north end of the city and got on I-10 west without incident...and where rolling free and clear , reflecting on recent memories...
(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

At about 1000 hours we made a gas stop and the boys wanted to get their mid morning snack/sugar high ..I had a better idea...I happened to see a Cracker Barrel, their new favorite place...not so much for the food but rather for the gift shop.  When I mentioned what I had found and if they where interested...they where starting the Xterra..we ordered and they went to the gift shop until the food came...if they had their way, three quarters of the items would have been in the Casita by checkout time...everything from helicopters to ant farms, from a marshmallow rifle to Civil War union Military cap ...and all things interesting or  not so interesting....
Oh...to be Young Again



Suwannee River Horst Kelly Photographer
Breakfast for one was two pancakes with sausage, other had 4 slices of French toast with bacon...both had  hot chocolate milk, I had the diet breakfast, lol..biscuits with sausage gravy and hot coffee...we rolled out of there about 45 minutes later and about 15 minutes later the sky opened up with a good steady rain..got to the Suwannee River State Park and no one was around...found our site which to me should have been for a tent...very tight to get into even with the small platform I have...very wooded and a blanket of pine needles, which means I now have a gross of them in the camper..it was still raining so you had 3 eager men itching to do something, and that's not a good thing in a confined space...I started looking for other campgrounds...and am not finding anything...we might have to bed down here another night...and if it rains I can't be held responsible for what we three might do to the General Population in this area ..lol
Suwannee River Horst Kelly Photographer

Hopefully you won't see us on CNN news tomorrow...until the Happy Trails...Horst

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Surfing in the morning and Alligators at Okefenokee in the Afternoon... How much Better can it Get...

Early morning surfing 
I was told by Gkids to let you know that if you click on the photos they will be enlarged...woe is me!!

The Team was up by 0600...we where ready for some early morning surfing...by 0700 we had breakfast...pop tarts and stick pretzels..we opted not to have the Beef Jerky dipped in honey mustard...we where driving through the gate to the beach by 0700 , though the sign stated opens at 0800...I felt its better to ask for "forgiveness" than for "permission"....the next two plus hours where more than we could have anticipated..warm water, tide coming in, great wave action, no clouds,..but not hot...did have a rip tide...so I had them not go out too far...I saying this for my Daughters benefit....it was two plus hours of great fun...

Gator head
They decided they had enough and where ready for the next adventure of the day..a trip to Okefenokee Swamp Park..some 70 miles north..only hiccup was I thought we where going to the National Park, which I had been to in 2010...which got me in free and did a self guided tour...this was not it...ended up with a 43 dollar tab...but it included a talk/exhibition, train tour, etc....you can't put a price tag on adventure with your Grand Kids...the interactive talk was fun...the lady brought out  live snakes and 'Gators...of course Gson had to have the gator sit on his head...
First ones on the beach....
We then walked around the park, saw several large Gators, went into the Museum, and then off for a 45 minute train ride into the swamp....I think we saw "Bigfoot"...that's our story and we're sticking to it.....we finished the tour mid afternoon, and got back at dinner time...cleaned up, hitched up and are ready for tomorrows departure...Had our nightly Skype session with Mom and Dad...its amazing we can get a connection, there is no campground wifi...so what it is , is my smart phone, a Wilson sleek and PDA.net and without the Wilson I can't even make a cell phone call...life is good..until  next time..Horst sends

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

South to Florida....and the sun is smiling on us

My eyes opened at 0530...went out and made some coffee and watched Mother Nature do her wake up call...several deer came by along with various other animals...The Gkids just didn't want to come out of dream land, so I decided to hitch up by myself...I have given them chores during hitching...ie, guide the tow vehicle to Ms. Casita, connect to the ball, check my work as it pertains to the weight distribution hitch and sway bar..get the chocks, do a walk around...but today was their day off....or maybe it was their Federal Government "Furlough" Day...

Ft. McAllister..photo by Gson  Eric

We all had breakfast, cleaned up and changed clothes...by 0830 it was wheels in the well and we where heading south on I-95, one pit stop at Loves and another at the Florida Visitors Center...160 miles later we arrived at Little Talbot State Park....had to wait an hour before we could check in...took a walk to the beach...and I forgot my camera...back to the camper for a ham and cheese sandwich and returned to check in...its a wooded site, back in...close a marsh and across the street from the beach.

The Boys where tired and took a nap...a team decision was made to wait until tomorrow morning to go swimming and seek out a fort...,so we went to look for a Wal-Mart ...it was getting close to dinner time and what do we find...a Cracker Barrel....sure can't pass that up, don't care what Opi was going to fix for dinner...we will chow down at CR!!!

By the time we got back it was  down time and waiting to Skype Mom and Dad, that's if we can get it tonight....so we're signing off...waiting for the next adventure....starts  tomorrow....Horst sends

Sunset at Little Talbot Island, Fl. Campsite

Gson Camera. Florida Welcome Center




 

Tour the Area...and more

This morning started about 0600(OK its now the 10th, not the 9th...so its yesterday morning))...the Kids where still in dream land...I went outside made a cup of campfire Java and watched the sun rise above the Marsh land....since it was somewhat overcast..there where no photo ops...went back inside and the Grands started moving about ....fixed them breakfast...cereal and pop tart...breakfast of Champions...took our showers and at 0800 where paying the bill to see Ft McAllister...now for the history lesson:

Fort McAllister II   

"Other Names: None Location: Bryan County Campaign: Savannah Campaign (1864) Date(s): December 13, 1864 Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. William B. Hazen [US]; Maj. George A. Anderson [CS] Forces Engaged: 2nd Division, XV Corps, Army of the Tennessee [US]; Fort McAllister Garrison (120 men) [CS] Estimated Casualties: 205 total (US 134; CS 71) Description: As Sherman’ s troops approached Savannah they sorely required supplies. Sherman determined that if he could take Fort McAllister, supply ships could reach him. Thus, he ordered Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, commander of his right wing, to take the fort. Howard chose Brig. Gen. William B. Hazen to accomplish the task. Hazen, in the afternoon of December 13, had his men in line for the attack. Upon giving the order to attack, his men rushed forward through the various obstacles prepared for them, entered the fort, and captured it. With his supply line open, Sherman could now prepare for the siege and capture of Savannah."

We spent about an hour touring the Grounds...a lot of underground structures such as enlisted quarters, munitions storage areas, kitchens, etc...of course their favorite where the large Cannons...Eric(the younger one) took at least 50 photo's and the Boys both enjoyed all the old Civil War relics....Their favorite was the 15 inch Cannon....which each said they could get inside of....if you enjoy History this Fort is well worth going to....they also have a Small museum which includes the ships relics, various photo's, and also a recreation video of the fort....I know I missed a bunch....

After the tour we went to Bass Pro...three "Macho Men" can't bypass that store.... Got home...I mean camp, though the Kids said it reminded them of a cabin...relaxed, and the Boys did some reading...

Late afternoon did some hiking around...they then explored with the kids at the next site, ate dinner, nothing special, cleaned up and the folks from next door invited them for smores around the campfire.

Came in, got ready for the night and around 2115 hours they had their Skype section with Mom and Dad..lights out at 2200 hours...

Will do update of 10 July by tomorrow AM...if I get  this uploaded,  ..its very iffy..I'm online solely do to my Wilson Sleek...will see if I can post some photo's...Till next time Happy Trails...Horst sends

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

HI HO SILVER.... AWAY

It all started bright and early on the 8th...seems like the Grands where up before the rooster and by 0600 where ready to leave...Daughter and I did the last minute stuff....checked and rechecked and by 0900 she was leading me out of the drive way to US 17...daughter pulled off and we where now on our own...this was going to be like the first Apollo mission to the moon...or as the Star Track lead in use to say "Go where no Opi and two Gkids have gone before".we sang, they watch movies on their DVD's, they read books....and the napped....we made one pit stop and by early afternoon we where at Ft. McAlister looking for perfect site...and that was no.43...close to the water, bath house and playground....
Enjoying the camper...with modified table from Sams Club


The sites are all pull through with a grill and fire pit...as soon as we got out the kids saw a "herd" of Armadillos  meandering through our site...the Boys got their new fangled   something with camera ability....they took photo's of everything that moved...deer, squirrels, spiders, lizard...or was that geckos....and then highlight which they didn't have they camera...was a 'gator...right there in the marsh at the edge of the playground.....they met some playmates and explored till dinner time...grilled hamburgers and by that time it was getting dark...I forgot to get fire wood do no smores...will do tomorrow night, which now is tonite...

Ready to begin the Adventure 

No Wi-Fi here, but with my smart phone and the new pda.net which lets it become a Wi-Fi without tethering I got enough speed to even video Skype  the Daughter and Sil last evening...lights out about 2130...they went right to sleep and this morning we got up at 0630....Let me say, the Gkids are an absolute delight...very positive on what we are doing...enthusiasm is as high as it can be...have not whined, or gotten angry, I couldn't be happier about the trip...ok its only day one, but it has been a GREAT start!!



 Next segment coming this evening or tomorrow AM...thanks for stopping by...Happy Trails.....Horst

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Ready...Set...Almost Go...oooone

Its been a period of relaxation and rejuvenation prior to the journey West...Independence Day was spent mostly relaxing at home...The Kids and Grands went to a block/pool/fireworks get together...I decided to opt out and continue researching for Campgrounds, plus wanted to end the day earlier then they probably wanted to...
(c)Horst Kelly photographer

5 July I started making calls to reserve camp sites from here to Pensacola, Florida...juggling the number of days at each site became somewhat unruly ...but after negotiating for several hours with Reserve  America, my favorite Bureaucratic  Organization....NOT, I
now have a plan and a route...we are either staying at State or National Parks....Three are Old Forts and then the Suwanee River Park.....the only down side is looking at the 10 day forecast...it calling for at least a 30 percent chance of rain each day...if we have to spend a lot of time in the camper each day, I may reconsider the configuration of the camper...instead of having the kids bed permanent...may set up and break it down each day....they then have a table to spread stuff out...a hassle...but it is THEIR vacation...
(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

Today is clean the inside of the camper...took most stuff out, took my larger table out and now its vacuum, mop and dust...that will last maybe one day... tomorrow I start all the systems, pack all the Gkids stuff, get the food.... and Monday...early.. its launch...except for one day, travel is less than 160 miles each day....the route is south to Jacksonville, and then across the Panhandle of Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana ...staying at each campsite 2 or 3 days...after the panhandle, plan on getting to Houston and staying there for a couple of days...the highlight being Houston Space Center..then heading to La Vernia...

Until next time....Happy Trails to all...Horst sends

(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The Eagle has Landed...

I had anticipated the last day of travel to be a relaxing leg...one that would take about six hours....Boy did Mother nature throw me a curve ball...I left Auburn a little after 0500 figuring on a early afternoon arrival...I'm cruising along heading north on I-20 listening to some Eagle tracks...not a care in the world....10 minutes out and the Sky opened up and a down pour started like I never experienced while towing  the Casita...that one episode lasted about an hour and a half...and I average about 15MPH...why I was stubborn enough to continue, I don't know.
(c)Horst Kelly Photographer


.....then I got on I-285 to go about 20 or so miles to I-20... ...3 miles from my exit everything came to a standstill...an hour later I finally reached the turn off...no sooner had I gotten on the interstate and another 30+ minutes hard rain and 20mph traveling....then its off onto US172 and 2 lane unimproved hilly road and the sky opened up a final time for 20 or so minutes....finally reached I-26 and 85 more miles till Charleston...a nine hour major magnitude adventure to say the least .....

SIL handed me a Shiner, the Boys wanted to show their friends the inside of camper ...and I wanted Oysters...had to settle on Buffalo wings...woe is me..

A couple I had met in October came over and we proceeded to swap lies, drink beer and wine for the remainder of the evening...I slept very well, got up around 0600, decided to be lazy and not walk...unloaded the car and Casita to reconfigure for the Kids....and now relaxing for some Independence Day Celebrations....

Wishing Everyone a Safe and enjoyable 4th.....




 
Let us pause and reflect about what makes this a GREAT Country....Happy Birthday America

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Great day for Travel...and a Stupid moment ....or Two

What a great evening yesterday at Askew's landing CG...I do believe it is Mississippi's best kept secret....I sat outside and watched the sun dip below the horizon, and as much as I love to take sunset photo's...this evening I just wanted to watch, listen and be surprised by Mother Nature... and not participate in recording the moment....and what a reward I got...sorta like watching the Boston Pops play on the 4th of July.....



(c)Horst Kelly Photographer
Came in and got my game plan ready for todays travels....lights out by 2200 hours...Eyes popped open around 0500....and it was a nice cool morning ...62 degrees, no humidity and the mockingbirds already singing there ever-changing tunes....made some coffee and watched the moon wane away ...

Cleaned up, hitched up, gassed up and was on I-20 heading  east by 0635...I guess I took a stupid pill this morning...my game plan did not include arriving in Jackson, Ms. during rush hour..to include the intersecting of two major interstates...I-55 and I-20....Stamp stupid on my forehead!!!....since I maintained my usual speed in cities of 50mph, I found out real fast who was running late for work...they are not nice that early in the morning...such is life....
(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

I came through that ordeal without any real trauma....and the rest of the trip was a non event....I had decided that at Meridian I would head on Rt 80 into Alabama ...and at Montgomery go up I-85 to Auburn...I most say Rt 80 is a very relaxing, 4 lane divided highway...though not an interstate you move right along....there are sections under construction that are one lane each way, but that's less than 10 percent... and gas for the most part for regular was 3.09-3.29 per gallon....

Arrived at the Auburn RV park early afternoon, decided on a premium slot...it sits right on a babbling brook...whatever that is...and am now relaxing...still no wine, but have a couple Shiners left...Tomorrow I touchdown in Charleston...I will follow Thundershowers most of the way in...will need wine!!...Plan to stay there until the 8th of July and then start the adventure back to Texas....southern route is planned....coming across I-10...  we'll see what happens...



(c)Horst Kelly Photographer
No photo ops today...but Lynn commented about her husbands shoulder pain and JerryC and some others where giving "medication advice"...which reminded me that we are all in this AARP club...but we refuse to get old...so here is a Jimmy Buffett song that comes to mind...I think it fits this Casita Blogger Family to a tee....Happy Trails....Horst sends

  

Monday, July 1, 2013

Day Two a Repeat of Day One...No Not Really

Yesterday ended by going to bed around 10pm or so...didn't take long before I was in "Dreamland"....Today started rather abruptly and early....about 0315 I wake up to the sound of a Dog Barking....loudly....since the it was down to 64 degrees...it was a open windows for the night and some welcomed fresh air... so I closed the windows hoping to get some more shut eye...but it was not meant to be....Decided to get up about 0430 as the Dog was still trying to become a finalist on American Idol...made some java and went outside to see the sun peak over the horizon....which didn't happen for another 90 minutes or so....decided to do my daily walk ..though an abbreviated  one in miles...and low and behold...Barney aka OFM...the campground is wrapped by a golf course....so if your heading this direction you might want to give it some consideration...it appears to be wooded and tight, at least the couple holes I saw....so short and straight is better than long and wayward...maybe use a 7 iron, pitching wedge and putter....

Askew Landing CG..Horst Kelly photographer

Around 0640 I headed out...destination Edwards, Ms and the Askew Landing Campground, close to 300  miles east on I-20...I really don't like to travel the interstates, however, since I want to be in Charleston by 3 July, this appears to be the only way...To me I-20 is one of the better interstates; the condition and upkeep is better, the traffic is not as heavy and the scenery and history along the way is more abundant...it was a very relaxing drive..I stopped about every hour or so to stretch and walk around and get gas if needed....the temps. weren't that high...Before I knew it I had passed Vicksburg and was closing in on exit 19...signs to the campground where well marked....off the beaten path to say the least, but what a hidden gem.....
A.L.CG...Horst Kelly Photographer

First, lets have a little history lesson on Edwards Ms.....a small old and I would say poor town...a Planation town in its day:

"Emigrants mostly from the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee first settled the Edwards community in the period 1820-1830.  The first town in the Edwards community was known as Amsterdam and was located about two miles northwest of the present town of Edwards.  The town of Amsterdam flourished during the 1830’s and then just faded away.  An epidemic of the cholera about 1832 and the fact that the Alabama & Vicksburg Railroad missed it by about two miles caused the death of the town. 


Edwards had its beginning as a plantation settlement.  R.O. (Dick) Edwards, for whom the Edwards Hotel in Jackson is named, owned the plantation, and with the coming of the Alabama & Vicksburg Railroad in 1839, it was know as Edwards Depot.  The first depot was located about where the present Livestock Arena is located.  The Yankees burned the depot in 1863 and the present location of the depot is about a quarter of a mile east of the old site."



There is not much to see in the town proper....most of the buildings are torn down..I went to a grocery store to get a bottle of wine and the only thing they had was Strawberry Boones Farm Wine....I am not joking....oh well, maybe tomorrow...
 
I follow the signs to the Campground.....wow is all I can say...green lush forest and meadows..make the turn into the grounds and what a place it is...clean...has a large pond or small lake, "Horse hotel"...ducks, geese, and other wild life, nature trails, wild life refuge...and much more...it is family owned...I guessing it use to be a Plantation or ranch...the pond/lake is stocked with Bass, Bream, Crappie, and Catfish ...I'm guessing that might interest you Barney....they have some small boats; they have a store, swimming pool, fishing supplies, firewood...and the list goes on ...its in a somewhat wooded, though I'm on a grassy area....when I return the Gkids to Charleston I will take this route and spend a couple days here.... cost me $19.26..elect. and water....and a laid back attitude...


Tomorrow its on to Auburn, Al.  and the Auburn RV park...I think...another update coming soon...take care, safe travels...and enjoy your life...Horst sends

And a final note...our thought and prayers to the 19 Firefighters who gave there all...least we forget how fragile life is...I thank each and everyone of you for your service....