A Long Week in the Travel Life of the Evans'

Goodness. . .we were so excited to make it to the fish camp at Toledo Bend.  We always have high hopes that this time, the cell phones, and the air card will work. . .but alas. . .noooo!  Four days without either. . .not sure how the old timers made it out on the road without being able to be in touch with everyone. . .

However, we had a great time fishing with my uncle. . .here's a shot of our catfish haul. . .mostly my uncle doing the hauling. . .but they were all caught on a rod and reel, so it was a lot of fun!

My uncle and I cleaned and filleted all the fish for two great fish frys

and my Dad supervised. . .

actually, Dad is getting very good at supervising. . .he decided the propane tank needed to be raised off the ground. . .here he is supervising "the boys."

even Dave had to work

So, while the guys got all this done, Uncle Rayburn and I fried catfish and french fries. . .oh, soooo good. . .not a crumb left. . .it was great to be there with my uncle,  both my brothers and my Dad. . .even my oldest son made it up for a little while, but had to get back to pick up my grands after school on Friday.

Okay, so all this excitement got us through last weekend, and Monday we headed out to Many, La. to meet up with long time friends, but being without phone and internet service, we just couldn't make connections. . .maybe next trip. . .

Sooo. . .on to Shreveport to have lunch with Dave's cousin Karen. . .and her little angelic look-a-like. . .Cara. . .what a cutie. . .so glad we got to see them. . .sorry, forgot to take pics. . .what was I thinking?

Tuesday evening found us in Texarkana, AR. . .now we have been through Texarkana many, many times. . .but always on our way to somewhere else. . .and always on the freeway. . .so this was my opportunity to actually see this town that straddles two state lines. . .how interesting. . .

This is State Line Ave. . .note the Texas flag on one side of the street, and the Arkansas flag on the other. . .

State Line Ave splits, and goes around the POST OFFICE / Courthouse. . .

of course. . .you know if there is anything unusual about a Post Office. . .I need to see it!

Leaving Texarkana on Wednesday, we headed for Missouri. . .

Western Arkansas is much like East Texas. . .there are so many trees, there's really no view to speak of, but once in a while we would get a glimpse of the distant Ouachita Mountains. . .

the mountains were much more interesting from a distance, than they were up close,

Wednesday night found us at the beautiful Big Red Barn RV Park, in Carthage Missouri. . .

what a wonderful, convenient place. . .it will be very high on our list if we ever find ourselves in Carthage again. . .and if you want a really great deal. . .this is a Passport America Park. . .so if you are a member, (click on the link at the top of this page for more info), you can stay for 1/2 price. . .

Thursday morning in Carthage started out so well. . .we got everything ready to roll. . .we were only going to drive about two and a half hours to Independence Missouri. . .so we had plenty of time to finally make it to the Precious Moments Chapel. . .just look at this picture. . .it just makes you feel warm and cozy, doesn't it?

well. ..what can I say?  Is that not adorable or what?

and of course, this reminded me of our Christopher, who I know is an angel in heaven. . .

and although we no longer collect figurines. . .with Dave's firefighter background. . .

who could resist this little guy?

beauty around every corner!

and I'm sure this is how Heaven will be. . .only better! ! !

The artist, Samuel J. Butcher, painted 15 murals in four days. . .that is amazing. . .and the murals were amazing. . .although photography was allowed, I did not want to seem disrespectful. . .there was definitely an aura of worship and praise that permeated the entire place. . .you can see more information, and some beautiful depictions of all the murals, and the stained glass windows here. . .

It was a wonderful, glorious experience, which I will highly recommend when you find yourself anywhere near!  Even a day trip from Branson, would be well worth it. . .

With our day starting out sooo beautifully, and only a two hour drive to Independence MO, we were prepared. . .we would arrive about 1:00. . .thirty minutes to set up. . .lunch. . .and then. . .we would enjoy our afternoon. . .five lakes at this RV park. . .fishing. . .ahhhh. . .just sit back and relax. . .HA!. . .this picture doesn't even tell half the story of the afternoon we spent. . .made it to the RV park. . .no problem. . .well. . .actually, the problem was. . this park is NOT set up for BIG RIGS. . .but, we could have coped. . .except. . .that it had rained for two weeks straight. . .and it was MUDDY. . .add to that. . .the road was NOT paved, and the pad was NOT big enough. . .AND there was a HILL. . .helloooo. . .thirty thousand pounds, a slick hill, and mud, DO NOT mix well, so THIS was the result. . .what a mess. . .but what a great, nice, group of folks. . .two Chevrolet's and a Dodge lined up, all in a row, (my pic didn't come out), and did everything in their power. . .did not even budge us. . .well actually, the result was the truck and the trailer slid ALMOST into the tree you see there in the front. . .OK. . .so as you can imagine, I am screaming, NO, NO, NO!!!. . .SO we call the heavy duty wrecker, BUT, the hill is SO SLICK, he can't get the wrecker high enough up to be of any help. . .SO, we call for a FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WRECKER. . .these guys come out in this little bitty wrecker. . .SERIOUSLY. . .there is NO WAY!. . .BUT. . .those guys knew what they were doing. . .and within the hour. . .they had us outta there. . .the wrecker driver's comment. . .

"Give a REDNECK a WINCH and some TIME, and HE can getcha outta anything."

Ya know what?. . .I'm a believer!

All is well. . .we are now safely parked at a PAVED campground in Independence. . .

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