From Dallas to Marfa, TX April 11-17

You can't go to Dallas without a visit to Southfork, or at least a drive by viewing.  Steve and I didn't see it, but Jon and Ric did on the way to Ric's relatives in NE Dallas.

John and Doug went to the 6th Floor Museum of the School Book Depository at Dealey Plaza.  The corner window of the museum was exactly the way it was when Oswald shot Kennedy.  We weren't allowed cameras, otherwise I could show the museum and views of  the motorcade route.

Doug & Steve and Ric & John were able to visit Darrell & Peter at their house in Westlake.  We had heard about it since they bought it and it was great to finally see it and their new office location in Grapevine.  Sorry, we didn't get pics.

What is Texas without oil?  On the way out of Dallas heading to Marfa, we staid in Midland TX, heart of the oil country.  Between Midland and Odessa it was all about drilling and fracking.

Oil derrick next to our RV Park in Midland

On the way to Marfa in SW Texas, the scenery was stunning as we drove through the prairies with the mountains in the distance.  We've seen this in movies many times.

Marfa is a small town, but it is home to some large art installations on the site of a former army base.  No photos allowed :-(  It also boasts no TV stations and only 1 radio station:  Marfa NPR.  A little scary on both accounts.

The office for check-in at the campground.
Very casual.

Wide-open spaces with big sky.
Dry and dusty.

Another claim to fame is the El Paisano Hotel.  The cast of GIANT stayed here while filming.  Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, etc.  The hotel looks the same today as it did then.

John enjoying a band and a glass of wine
in the courtyard of the El Paisano

The courthouse in the center of Marfa can be seen for miles around.  Visitors may also climb the staircase to the top for 360 degree views.

The jailhouse near the courthouse is just as old and beautiful, but not if you must stay for any length of time.  

Marfa is also a very spiritual place. A place to view the constellations and there is a phenomenon called the Marfa Orbs.  The orbs appear in the night sky and cannot be explained. They sightings are random so it is difficult to know when they will appear.  El Cosmico in Marfa is a "campground" and  has vintage trailers to rent as hotel rooms.

I knew there had to be one.
This is a group of churches in the SW

From DeFuniak FL to Natchez MS

Hi again,
There has been a big gap since the last blog, but a lot has happened.  We caught up with friends in DeFuniak, FL from the Tin Can Tourists. 

John H, Greg, Alex, John P, Doug, Steve, John M
Ric took the picture

We visited Tim Heinz and his parents at Heinz Designs in Panama City.  Tim we recently featured on Extreme RVs for his restoration of a 1950s AeroFloat.  

Heinz Designs Vintage Trailer Restoration

Russel, Tim, Candy & Arlo Heinz

Of course, we had to go to New Orleans on our way to Natchez.  John & Ric caught up with John's former coworker and Ric's nephew while Doug & Steve caught up with A former colleague and his wife & daughter

Doug & John @ Jackson Square

Ric, Steve, John & Doug @ the Parade Pub

After a whirlwind trip to New Orleans, We stopped in McComb, MS on our way to Natchez, MS to see John's cousin who is 87 and still lives on her own in the family home.  The house is from the 1800s.

Joy and John and Buckley

We were able  to spend 4 days with our dear friends Wendell & Steve and Wendell's Son Mark at Traveler's Rest.  We parked our RVs in the side yard.  That is their motorhome in the front.

Traveler Rest in Natchez MS

A trip to Natchez wouldn't be complete without a trip to Mr D's General Store for the fried chicken buffet.  Nothing compares.

Steve C, Wendell, John, Ric, Mr D, Doug, Steve & Mark

Of course, we also had to visit a few of the antebellum homes that were open for tours during the Natchez Pilgrimage Days, which only happens once a year.

Richmond House

Selfie in front of Richmond House with Steve, Ric, Wendell, Mark, John & Steve
It wasn't windy, I tried unsuccessfully to style my hair.  LOL

The Elms

We were fortunate to be there with the azaleas, wisteria  and dogwood in bloom.

I was able shoot additional Drone shots of Traveler's Rest, but I am still learning the i-movie program and have not had time to edit and post to Facebook.  

Defuniak Springs, FL

We started our new adventure with our friends Rick and John in their 5th wheel and us in our motorhome..  We will be traveling together as far as the Grand Canyon where we go our separate ways.  We are currently in DeFuniak, FL visiting some friends from the Tin Can Tourists and leave tomorrow for New Orleans.  Yesterday we went to the highest point in Florida: 345 feet.  As John puts it, we have traveled from Fort Lauderdale up to the deep south.  

The movie is my first attempt at a drone video.  We hope to get some great shots in the next few months when I get more comfortable flying it.  Check it out on YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBXJHSO8TBg