Spring Break 2008

Jeff and Anna at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola NAS

Motto to Live By: Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, "Woo Hoo! What a ride!"~~Sign in a shop in Fredericksburg, TX

Meridian, MS

We left shortly after lunch on Friday and arrived in Meridian, MS, several hours later. There was no particular reason that we chose Meridian other than it looked like a good half way point on our way to Arlington, TX. We stayed at a Meridian East/Toomsuba KOA Campground. Like the majority of KOA campgrounds, it provides an adequate place to stay the night. I couldn't imagine making any KOA campground a multi-night vacation destination but they suffice well for a quick overnight stay that is easy access to the interstate. However, there is one huge positive about this particular KOA. It is not located right next to the interstate so you won't hear traffic noise in our RV as you sleep at night. We were up early on Saturday and on our way to Arlington, TX, to visit with family members who live there and nearby there.

Arlington, TX

We arrived in Arlington around 3 pm. We checked in to our campground, Tree Tops RV Village. This RV park was very nice and a place that seemed like many called home. There appeared to be several RVs that were full-timers. And, the park was set up more like a small subdivision with cul-de-sacs than a typical RV park. We called our family members to notify everyone that we had arrived safely and began settling in. However, when Jeff tried to put our driver side slide out, it seemed to be hung up on something. After closer inspection, he found a bolt that had come loose. Luckily, there was a Lowe's nearby. Our Uncle Ed went with Jeff and as luck would have it, they had the right size nut and bolt that we needed. We were so grateful that this didn't happen in a more secluded area or finding a replacement wouldn't have been so easy. Everyone met at our camper for the evening. Our Aunt Lena, who lives in Sanger, TX, drove to Arlington to visit with us. Our Uncle Ed, Aunt Barbara, Cousin Christopher and Grandma all met us at the camper for dinner. We grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs and enjoyed a nice evening relaxing and catching up.

On Sunday, we ate breakfast at Uncle Ed & Aunt Barbara's home and then we attended church service with the family. We ate lunch at Red Lobster after church and then we visited Grandma's apartment complex. Grandma moved here a couple of years ago from Princeton, WV. This was the first time that we had seen her new home. It was lovely and we can understand why she has settled in so well here. Grandma gave us a tour of the apartment complex which was quite nice...complete with a chapel, theater, game room, restaurant, etc. The girls especially enjoyed the game room.

We returned to Grandma's apartment for some cake to celebrate Christopher's 17th birthday a bit early. It seems like just yesterday that Chris was the little tyke running circles around us. Now, our two were running circles around him.


Later, we went back to Uncle Ed & Aunt Barbara's home for the evening. One of Uncle Ed's friends stopped by later in the evening with a new Lotus that he just purchased. Jeff and Uncle Ed both got to ride in the new Lotus. Now, Jeff wants one. He is getting close to 40 so I guess it's about time for a mid-life crisis sports car purchase.

I forgot to mention, Maggie, Ed & Barbara's dog. She is a lab and Rachel and Maggie became friends very quickly.

On Monday, we visited a local entertainment place called Alley Cats where we bowled and played video games with Uncle Ed. Rachel had a great time playing Deal or No Deal. I think we need to register her for the TV show. She did a great job playing. We had dinner at Uncle Ed & Aunt Barbara's home and then we watched Christopher's Junior Varsity baseball game where Chris pitched the final few innings of the game leading his team to victory.
We left on Tuesday morning to our next stop, Fredericksburg, TX.

Fredericksburg, TX


We arrived in Fredericksburg by early afternoon on Tuesday. We quickly settled into our campground. Our campground was very nice with easy access pull through sites. The comfort station and facilities were also pristine. And, it was very convenient to downtown Fredericksburg. After getting settled, we drove to the historic area of Fredericksburg to browse the shops and select a place for dinner. Before dinner, we had dessert. We visited the Chocolat shop on Main Street. They specialize in liquid filled chocolates which I did try. I have to say that their fudge was much better than the liquid filled chocolate that I sampled. My sample had bourbon in it. If you like that kind of thing, you would probably enjoy it. I prefer plain chocolate, thanks. You can't visit Fredericksburg and not eat at a German restaurant. We chose the Auslander. The food was great. I probably gained 10 pounds tonight alone. And, the main item we shopped for were cowboy hats for the girls. Anna had to have a red hat; her favorite color. And, Rachel had a pink one; her favorite color. Of course, we don't mind dressing them up like this. We know these days are numbered. They enjoy it too. Plus, it brings a smile to most adults who pass them that notice their ensemble.


We decided to hike the Summit Trail at Enchanted Rock on Wednesday. I didn't mention earlier that Jeff and I had visited the Fredericksburg area moons ago. It was B.K. (before kids). I believe it was 1995 so it's been a while. We also hiked Enchanted Rock on that visit but it was during the summer and was certainly a lot hotter than it was on this trip. Rachel and Anna enjoyed the hike. Usually, they do reasonably well on hikes as long as it is not hot and that was the same for this.

Enchanted Rock is second in size in the United States only to Stone Mountain in our home state of Georgia. Rachel wore her pink cowboy hat while hiking. At one point, a group of Air Force men were hiking up Enchanted Rock and the Sergeant goaded them by telling them that a little girl in a pink hat was hiking quicker than they were. Of course, they were on the second trip up at that point and they were carrying 50 lb backpacks but that didn't matter. And, after reaching the top, the sergeant dropped them for some push ups. Hearing those men and seeing them reminded me of boot camp years ago. I can honestly say I was grateful that I was on vacation and not them at that particular moment. We were done with our hike by lunch time and we decided to go back to Fredericksburg for lunch. We selected a different restaurant; Wheelers. The food was delicious here also.
After lunch, we visited the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park for a short hike before returning to our camper for dinner. We did notice that there were campsites available at this park as well. However, it is located next to a small airport. I don't know how much noise is experienced from the airport but the park was nice and within a reasonable distance to downtown Fredericksburg.

I had purchased some steaks that we grilled for dinner at our RV. Then, we played putt-putt golf. The putt-putt course was located right next to our campground so it was an easy walking distance and we were the only ones playing so we had the entire course to ourselves. It was great! Of course, the only person to get a hole-in-one was Anna. And, the winner of the game was Jeff....he is still gloating about it.

On Thursday morning, it was time to hit the road again. We had a pleasant stay in Fredericksburg but it was time to start our journey towards home.

Lafayette, LA

We stayed at the KOA campground in Lafayette. Again, no particular reason other than it was a good midway point to our next stop; Pensacola Beach, FL. While there were some nice things about this campground, I have to admit, it was very noisy. It is located directly next to the interstate. We have a rig and we heard a lot of the traffic noise. I could not imagine how bad it would be in a tent, pop up, etc. But, it met our needs for the evening. We enjoyed dinner at the Olive Garden in Scott, LA. I know there are nice areas of Louisiana but the Lafayette area was not the most favorite place we've traveled through.

By now, Simba has gotten quite accustomed to being a traveling kitty. He sometimes rides in the very front watching the traffic or he'll peer out of the side windows watching the scenery as we drive down the interstate.

Pensacola Naval Air Station, FL

U.S.S. Alabama in Mobile, AL

We were up early and on our way to Pensacola on Friday. We drove through Mobile, AL, and we spotted the U.S.S. Alabama docked in the bay as we drove past.

Lighthouse at Pensacola NAS

We arrived in Pensacola around 1 pm leaving us plenty of time to get settled and enjoy the beach for the late afternoon. This was our first time to stay at the Pensacola Naval Air Station (NAS) and I must admit, it is very nice. The name is Oak Grove and it is located on the naval base so you must be affiliated with the DoD to be able to stay here. In addition to the campsites, they also have nice cottages right on the beach as well. We had a nice pull through site complete with full hook-up. And, the best part, we only had to walk about half a block to access the beach. And, there was hardly anyone else out there which made it even better.

We awakened to a torrential rain storm on Saturday morning. We were very glad that we had the opportunity to enjoy the beach the day before. After checking the weather forecast, we realized we were very fortunate to have missed bad weather in the other areas that we had traveled through. Since it did not appear that we'd be able to do much outside on Saturday morning, we decided to visit the Naval Aviation Museum located on the base.

I have to admit, we were very impressed with this museum. There are only two aviation museums that are larger: The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Aviation Museum located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. I have never been to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum but I have been to the Aviation Museum located at Wright-Patterson. We also have an Aviation Museum in Warner Robins. I have to admit that I enjoyed the museum at Pensacola NAS better than I did the one in Dayton. But, they are both very impressive nonetheless. We all enjoyed our tour of the museum and we attended an IMAX film after lunch. I asked Rachel after watching the IMAX film "if she was going to grow up to be a fighter pilot?" Her reply was, "no." I asked her, "why?" She replied, "because they fight." "And, sometimes they die. And, I don't want to die." You can't argue with that logic. I don't see her deviating from her current plan to become a veterinarian to becoming a fighter pilot any time soon. Although, she did flash a smart salute in this photo below. Makes an Air Force mommy's heart smile. Did I mention she wore her pink, frilly cowboy hat while at the museum? You wouldn't believe the number of comments and smiles she received. :-) Of course, my favorite times were when Jeff was relegated to hold her hat and Anna's orange purse while we visited the restroom. Poor guy....you can tell he's a father of girls. It just doesn't seem to phase him anymore.

Even the restaurant, the Cubi Bar & Cafe, located inside the museum was excellent.....great atmosphere and yummy food.

Cannon at Fort Barrancas

Around 3:30, the rain finally began to clear out so we took the opportunity to visit Fort Barrancas. This fort is also located at the Pensacola NAS. The ranger working in the visitor center was wonderful and particularly attentive to the girls. She even shared a cracked and empty baby bird egg that she found on the trail earlier in the day. Rachel was on cloud nine after receiving this very special gift. I hope to have the girls participate in the Junior Ranger Programs offered at many state and national parks and historic sites now that they are older. They learn so much during our visits and I know they would love one of their summer camp programs.

What was also humbling was the vision of almost 40,000 grave markers at the Barrancas National Cemetary which is also located on post. I have been to other national cemetaries including the Arlington National Cemetary in Washington D.C. and Andersonville which is located very near to where we live. It is always humbling to me to see these. It is a stark reminder that "freedom is not free."

Unfortunately, we were unable to view a Blue Angel show while visiting the Pensacola NAS. They were performing in Texas during our visit. However, they do perform regularly in Pensacola which is their home. If you've never witnessed one of their performances, it is really a "must see." I remember viewing one as a college student. I was at the beach and they performed directly overhead. It is definitely awesome to witness! You can view a show schedule on their website if this is something of interest to you.

On Sunday morning, the weather was still cloudy but no rain. We were able to enjoy a nice, long walk on the beach before packing up and heading home. We definitely enjoyed our stay at the Pensacola NAS and we will try and make another trip here again.

I have to admit, it does feel good to be back home but we had a wonderful spring break vacation trip. Rachel and Anna were sad that our family members are so far away in Texas and they wanted to visit again. We hope to make another trip out there some time in the future. But, now it's back to the grind. It's hard to believe that there are less than two months left of school for the girls. Wow! Summer break is almost here.