Fall Fun in the Hot East Texas Sun

After enjoying some cooler weather on the tail end of our summer travels, we had a hard time acclimating to the hot, humid weather back home in Livingston.  But despite the sweltering heat, we wasted no time getting back into our regular activities.  We returned to playing pickleball with our gang at Livingston’s Matthews Street Park and the wonderful folks at the Methodist Church in Coldspring who have opened up their pickleball court to the public on Thursday evenings.

Mom paired with Coach against Wayne and Rick.

We were happy to return to the Hot Steppers line dance group, getting instructions/lessons twice weekly from Diane on new dances and participating in performances at fall festivals and nursing homes.

We resumed volunteering at Mannafest Food Pantry on Mondays, serving those in need within our County.  While Dad attended his monthly Masonic Lodge meetings, Mom participated in assembling care packages for active members of the Armed Forces through F.A.I.T.H. (Families and Individuals Thanking Heroes) Military Support Group.

 

We popped in, on occasion, for some activities at Rainbow’s End RV Park.  For instance, I joined Dad in attending meetings of the HAM radio group, and Mom participated in the line dance lessons.  And we attended a couple of ice cream socials, birthday bashes, and/or potlucks dinners.

Coming back to Livingston gives us the opportunity to get together with friends, old and new.

Breakfast after pickleball with our fellow player Wendy.

My Halloween costume couldn't compare to these ghouls!

This little pussycat wandered over to our lot one day to play peek-a-boo with me.  

This fellow member of the rodentia family enjoyed his snack as much as we did our picnic lunch.

 

Dad's birthday gift from me and Mom--a giant blowup Bevo!  Go UT!

These friends were passing through town and stopped in for a visit.  Always so much fun seeing these fine folks.

Dad, me, and his Bevo good luck charm that friend Willi presented to him.

 These fine feathered friends all come waddling over to say hello when Mom and I walk by their home.

Friends joined us for a night of fellowship at this fundraiser for the F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group.  A local Mexican restaurant donated 20% of its net proceeds to this fine charity.  Can't get an easier way to support a worthy organization than chowing down on some tasty food.

I make a new friend (or foe?) everywhere I go.

This frog was looking to hitch a ride with us.  That was one giant leap he took to get on the hood of the Rambling RV Rat Pack Rubicon!

In October we volunteered at the 2^nd Annual Balloon Glow and Laser Show in Conroe, Texas.  Like last year, we were assigned as crew members for Patrick and Tess of Maverick Ballooning.  Sadly, the balloons were all grounded due to high winds, making it a significantly less profitable endeavor for the balloonists than the 2024 event.  But we still enjoyed the experience immensely, meeting new folks, seeing volunteers we met last year, and watching the drone show.

 

We finally got some crisp temperatures and a bit of fall foliage—albeit not until late November.  But it sure felt wonderful!   It was perfect for doing some motorcycle riding and for hiking at Lake Livingston State Park and Kit McConnico Park in Lufkin.  

We also had an opportunity to visit Old Town Coldspring, which has historical structures from various towns within San Jacinto County, including a jail that is said to be haunted.

There were no spooks present during my visit to the jail.

We did some gazing at the celestial skies this fall, sneaking a peak at the Northern Lights on November 11.  The pics came out very good, thanks to Mom’s new Samsung Galaxy S25.  

Yes, Mom got a new phone AND a new carrier.  It only took her 22 years to fire Verizon.  She cut the cord of being a secondary user on Dad’s account and started her own T-Mobile account (Dad is maintaining his Verizon line for now since he always seems to have cell service).  And Mom is so thrilled with the T-Mobile cell coverage AND customer service!  Her only regret is that she didn’t sign on years ago!

 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, keeping all our traditions:  We watched the Macy’s Day Parade on Youtube (though back in the day we had the opportunity to witness the parade firsthand—twice from buildings above 6^th Avenue and once standing at street level).  Mom cooked us a full-blown turkey dinner with all the trimmings (which was a real treat since we didn’t have turkey for many years when Dad was on his plant-based/vegan kick.)  And, of course, we kicked off the holiday season with watching “Christmas Vacation” and "Miracle on 34^th Street”.  

But before we gobbled ‘til we wobbled, we spent a few hours delivering hot meals to those less fortunate within Polk County, courtesy of Mannafest Food Pantry with the assistance of the United Methodist Church in Livingston.  It was a very sobering experience, and I said a prayer of thanks to God realizing just how blessed my own family is.

 

Well, I’ve got to run!   There is so much to do!  I’ve got to deck the halls and visit the malls.  I must taste test Mom’s home baked treats, and I still have my Christmas wish list to complete!  But I'll talk to you again soon!   

Concluding our Summer Travels at Hot Springs National Park and a Compilation of Costs/Stats

Visiting Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas was an informative and unique experience.  The area has been known as the “Valley of Vapors” since prehistoric times.  Over time, rainwater penetrates thousands of feet into the earth’s bedrock and gets heated to high temperatures by the rocks.  The thermal water travels along cracks, faults, and fractures in the rocks, then rises to the surface at an average temperature of 143F degrees.  Rain today will emerge centuries from now at the 40+ hot springs located at the base of Hot Springs Mountain.

 

Indian Peoples knew the Springs’ healing powers, and they shared the resources peacefully since the area was not a territory for any specific tribe.

 

The first commercial bathhouse—a simple log cabin—was opened in 1830.  In an act of stewardship, the U.S. Government classified Hot Springs as a Reservation in 1832, preserving 4 square miles for future recreation.  The City grew to be a hot spot (pun intended) for restorative health, rest, and relaxation.  Hot Springs became a stagecoach stop in 1836, and the railroad established a depot in 1875.  Sadly, many of Hot Springs' bathhouses and other structures burned in 1878.  However, with the advent of new building materials, the City was rebuilt.  In 1921, President Woodrow Wilson changed the status of Hot Springs from a Reservation to a National Park.  And today, Hot Springs hosts more than 2 million visitors annually.

 

We traversed the Grand Promenade, and I could imagine the well dressed ladies and gents of the Victorian area strolling along the venue with their parasols and canes.

We toured the Museum and the bathhouses that are open to the public along Bathhouse Row.  I'll share just a few of the many photos I took.

This bathhouse is now the Museum.

The interiors...

...of the bathhouses within the Museum.

Yours truly soaking in the steam chamber.

Pretty mosaic design in the floor tile.

The stained glass...

...was gorgeous.

We visited the 216-foot high Hot Springs Mountain Tower.  Constructed in 1982, the observation tower provides a bird’s eye view of the City.

The City offers unique cultural creations and some very tasty food, too.

The historic Arlington Hotel...

...dates back to 1875.

Phil's Restaurant, outside the tourist district, has great down home

 cooking.

De-lish pies at The Grateful Head Pizza and Beer Garden.

I had some really fun times at Hot Springs National Park, and I added another Junior Ranger badge to my collection!

We left Arkansas and arrived back in the Great State of Texas, spending our final overnight at Piney Woods RV Park in Marshall, Texas.  It was an open field with no laundry/restroom or other amenities.  Yet, a full hook up pull through site cost us $56/night.  Highway robbery if you ask me.

 

It was the final leg of our travels, a mere 4-hour drive to arrive home in Livingston.  But alas, we incurred delays—Suite Retreat’s rear passenger tire was losing air, albeit very slowly, but it caused the tire pressure monitor to buzz.  We stopped several times to locate the source of the leak and to refill the tire pressure.  And God was good to us (again!) and got us back home safely. 

 

We had a fantastic summer, but we are glad to land for a bit.  We will stay on our long-term leased lot until the end of the year, completing lots of projects, repairs, and Dad’s medical appointments.

 

Here’s a bit of a recap:

 

Total Days:  105

 

Number of Set-ups at Different Locations:  47

 

Total Number of Days Without Hookups:  36

 

Number of Harvest Hosts Visited:  21

 

Total Camping Costs (excluding purchases made at Harvest Hosts):  $3,238

 

States Visited: 19

 

Number of Miles: 7,818

 

Big Boomer Fuel Stats: $4,818 for 1,339 gallons of diesel (average of 6 miles/gallon; average of $3.60/gallon)

 

Big Boomer’s Big Repair Bill:  $3,414

 

Number of Miles Driving the Rambling RV Rat Pack Rubicon: 5,940 (including 641 of Mom driving the Jeep in no double-tow areas)

 

Rambling RV Rat Pack Rubicon Fuel Stats: $1,274 for 424 gallons of gasoline (average of 14 miles/gallon; average of $3.00/gallon)

 

Junior Ranger Badges Earned at National Parks/National Monuments: 12

 

Frank Lloyd Wright Structures Visited:  8