Halloween 2013

Halloween was celebrated here on Saturday night.  The folks didn't get home early enough to help us into our costumes, so we just had to walk around with the other kids without them.  It was fun, but didn't seem like Halloween to us. 

We thought we would share photos from our favorite Halloween which was in 2011.  We were camping at Meramec State Park in Missouri.  It was a festive time as most of the other campers had decorated their sites. There was trick or treating at dark and we dressed up and greeted all the kids.  We had a great time.  I dressed as a pirate because I had my leg in a cast and I wore a boot to protect it.  Scout wore a pumpkin hat. She is not much for dressing up.

I've been told that I look like George Washington here.  BOL!

Our pumpkin

It has been raining for three days.  It is supposed to end sometime today.  I sure hope so.  We are tired of the rain.  Mama says we should be thankful that it is rain and not snow.

Yesterday, we took some photos in between the rain showers.  These were taken with a cell phone, so not that great, but it is pretty here right now with the fall colors.

 

 

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Has A Big Day Tomorrow

A Visit To Harry Truman's Home

Saturday, the folks headed back to Independence to tour Harry Truman's home.  They had tried to tour it the weekend before, but it was sold out.  Tickets have to be purchased at the visitor's center which is a different location from the house. The tickets are $4 a person and only eight people are allowed on each tour.  A short film is shown at the visitor's center.

The folks said they really enjoyed the tour.  The only downside is that no photography is allowed inside.  All the items inside the home belonged to the Trumans'.  Mama liked that because some homes she has toured have had items that did not belong to the family.  

President Truman died in 1972 and Mrs. Truman died in 1982.  Mrs. Truman gave the home to the National Park Service after her death.  She asked that no tours be allowed in the bedrooms until after the death of her daughter, Margaret, to protect her privacy.  Margaret died in 2008, but the state has decided not to open up the bedrooms.  They say it is still for privacy reasons, but the tour guide told us that it was due to the age and condition of the home.  He said the steps were not in great shape and they really don't want people on them or the second floor.

Here are photos of the outside.  Isn't it pretty?  The home was built by Mrs. Truman's grandfather.  She moved into the home with her mother and brothers after her father committed suicide.   Harry moved in after they married. 

Dad said that Harry was a humble man.  The vinyl on the kitchen floor is damaged, but he didn't see a need to replace it.  The kitchen has wallpaper that he picked out.  It happens to be red, white and blue.  It is on the walls and the ceiling.  Mrs. Truman painted the wood in the kitchen a light green.  The house on the inside is decorated simply, but looked to be comfortable. There is a formal sitting area, but it is not nearly as fancy as some others that she has visited.  It is a home that was lived in and not on display.

Mama said it was touching to see Mr. Truman's coat and hat hanging at the door along with his cane.  He loved to walk through the neighborhood.

This house is across the street and it was where the Secret Service stayed to keep an eye on the Trumans'.

This house is also across the street and belonged to Harry's aunt and uncle.

Mama has been able to find some photos of the inside of the house.  Here is a link to the downstairs.  Here is a link that has photos of the bedrooms. Truman home second floor photos.

It sounds like the folks will be headed back to Independence to do a few more things. There is so much to see and do in that area.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Has A Big Day Coming Up This Week

Spooky Photos!

We dipped below freezing last night and now it is raining leaves, black walnuts and acorns.  We have never seen leaves fall so fast.  It really sounds like it is raining when you walk under trees.  The black walnuts are falling too, but we are staying away from them because they may hurt when they hit. Leaves bounced off my nose and they just tickled.  I bet walnuts are not as much fun.  BOL!

Our neighbor's hose sprung a leak last night and water is all over.  He stayed here last year, but he said he rented a camper.  He bought a new fifth wheel for this winter, but he is definitely a newbie when it comes to setting it up.  He has been having a heck of a time.  We thought he had his hose hooked up okay, but something happened.  I guess it is possible that he didn't have his heat tape or whatever it is called plugged in.

The campground is having Halloween festivities this weekend. They are having a pumpkin launch, hayride and trick or treating.  We may dress up and participate in the trick or treating.  We will have to see how cold it is tomorrow night.

Ready to see our "spooky" photos?

"Are you being abducted, Scout?"

"Spooky!"

"This is so strange. It is touching me now."

"It's okay.  It is just the sun causing a neat effect with the camera. That was close."

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Thought Something Super Natural Was Happening To Him

Dallas or Houston? Decisions, Decisions

We made a decision early in the summer that we would be spending our winter in Houston at the campground we stayed at last winter.  We learned recently that we may have trouble getting reservations.  Dad told Mama to hold off making reservations because he wasn't for sure on our arrival date and it was possible that he might be sent some place warm.  Mama decided to email a friend that lives in the Dallas area and ask her about the winters there.  We really liked when we stayed in Arlington, but Mama was scared of the ice that they get.  Mama's friend told her that they get ice maybe once a winter and it lasts at the most two days.  She told Mama of a nice campground near where she lives.  Mama checked out the campground and it is super nice.  They have activities for the campers and it is a safe area.  The price of the campground is more than we normally pay.  Mama called to see if electricity is included in the monthly rent and it is.  Well, that made the campground even more tempting. 

Mama spent the weekend debating between Houston and Dallas.  She checked out the average temperatures for Dallas and they are about 10 degrees cooler at night than Houston and that makes a huge difference because they do get below freezing.  However, Dallas is 3.5 hours closer than Houston and we would save time and gas money by staying in Dallas.  The rent is $200 more even with the electric being included in Dallas.  We know people at the Houston campground and it is fully fenced and there are three fenced dog areas.  Decisions, decisions!  Mama decided to call Houston and if they had a spot for us, we would stay there. 

Mama called Houston on Monday morning and the manager remembered her and Mama's friend, Becky, was actually at the front desk.  Yes, they have a spot for us, so that is where we are staying!  Mama says it feels right.  It will be nice to see how many people that we met last year are still there. 

Dad is hoping that he will be able to join us in January or that he is sent some place warm where we can all be together.  We did consider staying here through the winter, but it is just not practical.  We thought about staying in a motel when it gets really cold, but what if Dad is sent someplace warm and the motor home is snowed in?  That would be really bad.  It would also be a pain living in a motel room.  Scout said they did that a few years ago and it was not fun.

We decided that staying in Texas was the best thing for us this year.  We may do something different next year.  It seems like our plans are constantly changing.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Excited About Returning To Texas in December

Almost Wordless Wednesday - 10/23/2013

Joey and Scout,
The Greyhounds Who Smell A Change In The Air