Wednesday, after leaving Chattannooga we planned our next stop in Meridian, Mississippi for a two day rest. Even though our morning had been stressful with the unexpected RV slide-out trouble, the lush green grass and tall trees that lines the freeway as we drove calmed and soothed our weary nerves. The south is simply beautiful. I think I mentioned it at least once an hour and Dan had to remind me of the hot, sticky summers in an effort to detour any notion of settling here. I admit, there is an allure to the south that speaks directly to my soul, and were I from here, I probably would never leave.
Nevertheless, we pulled into our next RV park without trouble (thank goodness). The next morning it rained, so we spent the day indoors relaxing to the rhythmic sound of rain falling on our roof. It's much louder on an RV than a regular house and much more romantic.
Friday morning we drove towards Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, gorgeous scenery the whole way. By 2:30pm, we were driving up to the industrial gate at the Barksdale Air Force Base just outside of Shreveport. The campground looked well kept and there was an adjasant park with plenty of grass and a huge playground.
Our camp site at Barksdale AFB.
Daniel climbing the ladder at the playground.
Caiden is introducing himself to his new friend.
There were so many kids to play with. This little girl stole my heart❤️
The kids sharing snacks outside our RV
We had originally planned to stay for only two days but our boys were having so much fun with the friends they made, we decided to leave a couple of days later. Tuesday morning we lazily packed up our campsite and hooked our trailer to the truck. The drive to Longview, Texas was less than 2 hours and we couldn't check in until 12noon.
We knew a storm was coming so we wanted to set up before the heavy rain fall began. By some miracle, we set up meer minutes before the rain clouds unleashed their vengeance. I'm not joking! Never in all my life have I experience such forceful rain accompanied by earth shattering thunder and lighting. The rain toggled between hard and harder, never soft. The rain woke Dan and I numerous times during the night. The thunder felt like earthquakes and it was then that I began sending out a silent thanks for having moved to this site that is so well elevated instead of staying longer at the Air Force Base. We almost did stay. If we had, we would have been flooded.
The weather map showing Shreveport (pink) and Longview (red).
This is the freeway we drove from Shreveport to Longview
Shreveport was hit hard. Dan found a photo of the Air Force Base and it was indeed flooded. Perhaps our luck was changing, we had just escaped a very dangerous storm when we could have very easily been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Once the rain subsided, if only slightly, we ventured out to secure groceries and lunch. Having now crossed over into Texas we felt it was safe to eat at a Mexican restaurant. Dan found a promising restaurant called The Jalapeño Tree. The word "Entrada" painted above the door and the familiar fragrance of Mexican food were encouraging sign that we had made a good choice. It was Tex-Mex all the way, but it was delicious.
The entrance to The Jalapeño Tree
Chips, guacamole and salsa. All were delicious!
We are going to stay in Longview, Texas for the month so Dan can visit his friend Dave and coincidently enough my friend Missy is here too with her family. We look forward to visiting friends and all that Texas has to offer.
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