March 23^rd 2011 – Okay, so I left you last time with Richard’s butt being lanced and the three of us biding our time while the two nasty abscesses on his butt drained and healed. They are sure taking their time, for we have been hanging out under the trees now, in Chicot State Park, Louisiana (just north of Lafayette), for 10 days (8 days for Richard). Our stay here has been no hardship, however, as we have a lovely camp site, complete with private wooden deck upon which sits a picnic table and bbq. The only downside are the ticks. The little buggers are in abundance and mighty hungry. We need to do a nightly tick inspection of all three of us. The hiking, however is great, with plenty of mountain bike trails (the terrain they negotiate blows my mind) and walking trails, so Walker and I have covered some territory on foot.

We returned to the emergency room during the week to seek a stronger antibiotic as the Bactrim was just not cutting it for Richard’s abscesses. The first visit had been outrageously expensive - over a $1,000, (this was because we had insurance – trouble is we have a very high deductible, so that was directly out of our pocket). Our accent won the day, however, for upon returning to the emergency room, we were greeted like long lost friends and asked to "now y’all jarst keepa raaght on tawkin". So while we entertained with our best Aussie accents, the Dr. was consulted and another script was issued at no charge!

Walker finally broke the ground rules the other day when he broke rank while on one of our hikes, and took off after some unsighted creature in true hound form. He was last seen disappearing into the dense forest, amid howls of "I going to catch you, whatever you are". To my dismay his full bellied howls and occasional yips became fainter and fainter and finally were beyond earshot as he chased his quarry over into the next valley…mmmmm…this was a problem as night was falling. I decided to remain at the point he left me, for being a hound, I theorized, he surely would follow his own tracks back, (I hoped). It was probably no more than 10 or 15 minutes later, (seemed an eternity to me) when he did rematerialize out of the dj (deep jungle), exactly where he had entered. Although he was buggered (totally exhausted), he failed to show not even the tinsiest bit of remorse for his lack of self control. Thankfully he also was not carrying any tell tale carcasses in his mouth as I did not wish to explain this to the park ranger. I almost had to carry the poor dog home for he was sooooo pooped. He is now, however, confined to leash with choker collar when out walking, which he is accepting graciously.

Richard has told his abscesses to shape up and tomorrow he intends to put them to the test and will attempt to cover then next leg of the trip, but he is wisely only attempting 45 miles for the day. I will pick him up and bring him back to the trailer tomorrow night here at the park as again there is no accommodation available on his route and camping currently holds no appeal for him. When I drive along these back roads in search of "the lone biker", I get nervous just looking at the conditions he rides under – no bike path, or any space, along side some of these narrow roads, which often have gaping ruts between the road’s edge and the shoulder. Traffic is plentiful enough and moves along at a good clip to boot.

26^th March – hey, I have made it to Texas, land of the Longhorn. Arrived at the Village Creek State Park yesterday (just north of Beaumont in case you happen to be following on a map) and, it being a Friday, we got the last camp site, on a cancellation. Very thankful for that cancellation , Walker and I quickly made ourselves at home and explored the miles upon miles of shaded hiking trails here. We covered about 4-5 miles today. I have swapped Walker to the body harness when out walking, which is working well and by the golly, it meets the approval of both of us. Neither of us were much enjoying that choker collar. I am just reveling in this solitude between Richard’s breaks - good for the soul.

For any of you who may be wondering, the State and National Parks are acres and acres of unspoilt land left in its natural state and maintained by the Government (read, taxpayer). Being Spring, everyone is enjoying the outdoors, so camp sites, on the weekends, are hard to secure, being booked weeks in advance. During the week, however, the parks are practically deserted. Typically they have a number of basic camp sites for tents and RVs, some with electric and water hook ups. Most seem to have a centrally located dump station to drain the holding tanks of the RVs, (this is very important and is, I have learned, the first thing one asks about upon arriving). Toilets and showers are provided, gates are normally locked to outsiders early evening and there is/are rangers who live on the grounds. So overall I feel very secure being on my own within these parks AND they are way cheaper to stay in than the private camp grounds. Mind you the private places usually offer playgrounds, swimming pool(s), recreational center, with things like, wait for it….bingo…. most nights. Usually they also offer some type of social get together on weekends, but I am not seeking that type of interaction at present, so the State and National Parks, when I can get into them, suit me well.

Storms were looming on the horizon, so Mr. Biker joined me here for a couple of nights. His butt is not great, but holding up. Friend, Laurel, whose husband is a long distance biker, advised Richard to apply chamois butt’r to his butt each day before riding, to offer protection for the skin. We picked some up in Beaumont and he is underway again, but keeping to a slower pace. The butt’r is working well. It has been moderately flat for him to date, but he now has a mountain range to negotiate just ahead of him – oh joy – I am sooooooo glad I elected not to ride with him but rather take the more leisurely way of traveling.

The last two nights I have had an unknown visitor, who wakes me during the night rocking the entire trailer as he/she attempts to open the locker doors on the outside of the trailer. Walker’s bags of dry food lie within along with the gas grill, with its lingering aroma of grilled meat and other goodies. Not sure who the visitor is, but it stays only long enough to check out the security of each of the locks, then, having no joy, moves on. I did do a concealed weapon’s course before I left and am licensed to carry a gun, so I carry a Browning 7.65mm on board (for absolute emergency situations only), but there was no need to confront my nocturnal visitor.

I have attached photos of Mandy, but as they are on the larger side, I may have to send a 2^nd and 3^rd email with the photos. Apart from what you see, she has a microwave, oven, frig, freezer, HD TV, surround sound CD, DVD, radio, hot (finally) and cold running water, and plenty of storage area. The settee pulls out into a queen size air bed for guests which Val attests to being "very comfortable". Mandy also has an on board shower and toilet with sewer and gray water holding tanks and her own air conditioning and heating unit. There is an electric driven 20x10ft awning which unfolds out along the entry side of the trailer. So, as you may infer, we and Mandy are getting along charmingly; she keeps us quite, quite comfortable and there is even room inside to do my yoga or set up my table to give a massage, should I so desire. She is a great size for Walker and I, cozy when Richard is here, but she would be crowded with 4 or more on board. The truck hauls her with power to spare as she is a new breed of ultra light trailers. Living in an RV reminds me very much of living on a boat, with the exception that we don’t have to worry about the anchoring dragging or breaking loose in the middle of the night and, as she has a much firmer hold of the ground, she obviously does not rock and roll around too much!

April 3^rd – rest day for Richard, so picked him up last night for a day of RnR. I could not get into a State Park here in Bastrop, just east of Austin, TX, so had booked a nice private park for 3 nights. Arrived late afternoon last Friday at the new camp site to find they had failed to mention they did no allow dogs in over 20lbs. Very apologetically she sent me on my way with directions to another camping facility nearby on the Colorado River….well that sounded nice! I would have to describe this camp ground as an ugly scar on an otherwise lovely landscape. As far as I can tell, this seems to be home to about forty permanent residents living in their trailers, some trailers being in better condition than others. No doubt this type of lifestyle keeps their rent low with no mortgage. Folks are just folks and the people here are no exception, being friendly and helpful.

Richard is off on his way again tomorrow and Walker and I head for Blanco State Park in the mountains, hopefully arriving mid afternoon where I will stay for several nights. After Blanco, we will be heading into the more arid regions of south west USA (hopefully that means farewell to the ticks). So that is it for the ramblings this time round.