HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Hi spooky relatives and friends,
The day we left Chattanooga, TN we were assailed by tornadoes but we stayed just ahead of them by hours. Had some rain in MO but that was all. I am so grateful we were not a day later. But that is usually the way it goes for us.
We arrived in LA a few days later and visited with Ric's Aunt and Uncle. We had a most delightful visit. One of the places very close to them is Avery Island which we visited. The tour was very informative. I had no idea that making pepper sauce is so closely related to making wine. Once the Capsicum peppers are hand picked they are mashed for their juices. The seeds are planted in green houses in January and then transplanted in April. Then in August when the pepper is just the right color of red they are harvested. Some are raised there on Avery Island and more are raised in South America. They are then mashed with a little salt. The mash ferments in oak barrels for 3 years. (Sounds like wine) Finally the aged mash is mixed with a special vinegar, stirred for a month and then bottled. Avery Island is an island of salt , one of five salt domes rising above the flat Louisiana Gulf Coast which is 160 ft. above sea level. After purchasing several different kinds of Tabasco Sauce we left. It was very interesting.
After leaving LA we went into eastern Texas and visited our Texas home for a couple of days-Livingston which is where we have our mail sent. We woke up one morning with hard rain but that has been it for rain. From there we headed northwest to Lake Texoma which is a Thousand Trails Preserve and one we had not visited. It was a nice resort and one worth visiting especially if you like to fish. Just a few miles from there was Shephard Air Force Base Recreation Area which we drove to. Just 2 weeks earlier the RV part was opened due to the bad flooding which we heard about in OK and TX. They were really hit hard. We finally connected to I-40 and came on across through NM and AZ.
On Sat. and Sun. we stayed in Williams, AZ and drove to Sedona to the Unity Church there we like to visit. After church, we drove on down to Prescott and visited my cousin, Joan and hubby Bob. They have a lovely home snuggled in amongst the pine trees. We had a short but good visit.
We have had a good trip and it will be nice to be home. We plan a few days in Lancaster, CA visiting friends and then HOME. It will be good to be back playing the organ at church. I just hope I haven't forgotten how.
It has been fun being in touch with you as we have crossed the country and come back. Our next trip will probably be in January or February to Oregon and Washington at which time I will write again. Be sure to keep in touch with us. We do so enjoy hearing from each of you.
For those of you who don't know why I write this, it all started in 1999 when we took our first long trip in retirement. I wanted to keep a journal so just started writing a travel letter to our children, grandkids and family. It grew from there. I write it for us so when we stop traveling, we can read where we have been and what we did. It has just grown.
Take care, love and hugs from us both.
ric and jan
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