A Zebra Experience

Me with Jenny (right) on Surfers Paradise Beach in 1972

In May 1970, Jenny & I were 17 years old when we met and started our Registered Nursing training together. Four years later we finished together with our General AND Midwifery nursing certificates in hand. This year we celebrated our 60th birthdays, and as part of the celebrations, Jenny and her husband Peter, joined Murray and I during our USA RV travels. They will travel with us for 7 days during which time we will drive through the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. 

Peter, Jenny and I waiting for the live bull riding action

On their second night with us, we took a tip from my brother Tony, and while we were visiting the Fort Worth Stock Yards in Texas, we checked out the Billy Bob Theatre. Wikipedia tells us it was originally built in the 1900's as a cattle barn, and is now the world's largest Honky Tonk! It holds over 6,000 people and has around 20 bars. We had dinner in the restaurant there, and then stayed for the live bull riding afterwards. While we were at dinner, we saw a table of about 12 young ladies come in, accompanied by an older male. My first deduction was that the chap was a coach, as no man has 12 daughters around the same age, and he looked too respectable to be a sugar daddy. I explained to Jenny (who with Peter were on their first ever visit to USA) that coaches were very revered people in this country, and that was probably what he was. He had an 'air' about him. We then saw him and the ladies just behind us in the line for tickets to the bull riding, so I couldn't resist asking him if he was their coach. He explained that one of the young ladies was in fact his daughter, and the other young ladies were her girlfriends. They had all graduated from college together 3 years ago and were working in various entertainment industries in Los Angeles and New York, and as they had never been to Texas, they came to visit for the Memorial Day weekend. 

As soon as I started talking to the 'Coach' (as we had already nicknamed him), he recognised my Australian accent, and it turns out that his father had been saved by an Australian Doctor during WW11 in Borneo. Quite an interesting story! Before the bull riding started, he gave me his card and said that if we were going to be around the next day, we would be welcome to visit his ranch which was 35 miles south of Fort Worth. Jenny and Peter were keen to experience some USA culture so a visit to a Texas ranch seemed just the ticket. We were also invited to another Texas ranch, in Dripping Springs just outside of Austin, Texas, but unfortunately time was against us. Sorry Randy and Wanda.

The next morning, Saturday, we had already planned to return to the stock yards to witness the long-horned steer cattle drive in Exchange Street, which we did. Jenny and I even sat on one of them, but that is covered in a future blog. Once the cattle drive was over, we contacted our 'Coach', who we discovered was actually a pretty famous shoulder reconstruction doctor known as Dr Buz. We made our way to his Rockin' Z Ranch and picked up some sodas and Doritos on the way. 

Front view of the Ranch House

Side view

Having a champagne with Coach and Suzanne in their beautiful home

On arrival we met Dr Buz's delightful wife Suzanne, and were poured a chilled champagne (forget the sodas!) and sat to chat in a beautiful lounge room with chandeliers.

Front door entrance complete with cowboy hats (his Akubra was upstairs!) and chandelier

Murray and Peter did very well to ignore the delightful young ladies lounging in bikinis by the pool out the back. If you look very closely in the photo of the three guys below, you will see the girls in the

background. 

Peter, Dr Buz and Murray (girls beside pool in background)

Dr Buz then loaded us into one of their many vehicles, and we did a partial tour of the ranch. We were thwarted somewhat by a fallen tree knocked down probably by the same storm that did so much damage to Moore, Oklahoma (we drove past that area today and got some photos, so check out the next blog). To our surprise, amongst his red deer, llamas (to keep the coyotes at bay) and goats, they also have 2 very healthy looking zebra's on the ranch. Hence the name of the Ranch - Rockin' Z (for Zebra). 

As it turns out, as well as having a hectic shoulder operating schedule and national and international seminar demands, Dr Buz is also the lead singer in a band called Doctor Doctor. What a delightful and most interesting character. No wonder he needs Randy to run his ranch for him! 

Llamas and goats

Dr Buz showing us his Zebras

Jen tried to get closer to the Zebras but they kept moving away

Healthy Looking Zebras

Some of his deer herd

Local Texas Wildflowers growing on his ranch - Red Paintbrush

After a most enjoyable 2 hours, we left the ranch with a Rockin' Z Ranch cap each, some CD's of Doctor Doctor songs and a wonderful shared memory for Jenny and I to add to our collection of our 43 year friendship.

Peter, Jen and Murray wearing their Rockin' Z Ranch caps under the Ranch entrance

Now Coach, remember if you ever make another trip Downunder, we are only just south of your old surfing playground of Byron Bay! Get in touch...

Kim meets Sandy and Joe Bill

Our friends Joe Bill and Sandy Meador of Fordyce, Arkansas have become dear friends over the years, and it has been lovely to progressively meet their family and introduce them to ours. They have met a few of my brothers and sisters, as well as my aunt and eldest son. Now they have met my daughter too. We pulled up our RV in our usual parking spot at their front door, and spent the next few days enjoying the life on 'Meadorlark Farm'. This included bird watching, horse and buggy riding, delicious meals, and catching up with their family and friends. 

Parked at the front door

Chatting and bird watching

A delicious feast

A bright male red cardinal

Over the years Kim has heard me talk of the beautiful red cardinals that are regular visitors at Sandy and Joe Bill's home, so she was able to see them first hand and appreciate my pleasure in these beautiful birds. The blue birds were flitting around regularly too.

Bluebird checking on its nest

Kim took one look at Joe Bill's three horses as we drove in, and she knew she wanted to go for a ride. Joe Bill happily obliged by saddling up his Palomino, Jackson and Kim activated her inner cowgirl!

Joe Bill entertaining us with his stories!

Kim and Joe Bill heading down the driveway in the buggy

We thought we were seeing things when we saw these zebra and camels!

After a busy shopping time in Shreveport, Kim relaxes with her ipad under the full moon - look hard - she is the 'glow' to the right of the RV. She looks like a firefly!

The afternoon before Kim left, Jen and Pete flew into Dallas. After 12 days with Kim, it was time for her to fly back to Copenhagen. Above is our last breakfast with Kim - the RV park was booked out, so we checked into the same motel as I had booked Jen & Peter into. Then we all went to the airport to check Kim in. Another lovely interlude came to an end. Safe travels Kim.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

The name Billy Blythe (seen on his school report card) is nowhere near as impressive as Bill Clinton! Sadly William Blythe (as he was born) lost his dad in a car accident 3 months before he was born, and his mother married again and he became Bill Clinton. A nice ring to the new name! Despite a humble upbringing in Hope and then Hot Springs, Arkansas, Bill Clinton went on to become a Rhodes Scholar, met and married Hillary and was elected the 42nd President of the United States in 1996. 

An early photo of Bill and Hillary

Murray, Kim and I had the opportunity to visit the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas yesterday. It gave me personal pleasure to see an egg painted by my friend Avalyn from North Dakota in the Presidential display. 

Avalyn's North Dakota egg

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To the right is a photo of Avalyn teaching Murray to paint an egg back in 2009. We have it on display in our Ballina home.

Bill Clinton in the real Cabinet Room

We got to see replica's of the White House Cabinet Room and Oval Office. To the left is a photo a Bill Clinton in the actual Cabinet Room, and then below is one of Kim listening to the audio in the replica of the same room. 

Kim in the replica Cabinet Room

A kind security guard took this photo of me in the replica of the Oval Office.

I thought this bike with 'Mr President' painted on it was neat!  

These cowboy books embossed with the Presidential Seal were a gift from RJ Boot company, Texas. 

Then it was time to retreat to our delightful campsite on the banks of the Arkansas River about 10 miles West of Little Rock. 

Arkansas River at dusk

Murray and Kim chilling out

When Murray and I went for an after dinner walk, we came across this family of Canada geese and their 5 ducklings. Cute. 

Next stop - Fordyce, Arkansas with Sandy and Joe Bill.

Memphis 2013

When I think of Elvis, I think 'Pink Cadillac', so it was only fitting that when Lyndsay, Heather, Kim, Murray and I went to Marlowe's restaurant just down from Graceland in Memphis for dinner last night, we arranged to be picked up in a pink limo cadillac! The limo picked us up at our RV and drove us to the restaurant where we enjoyed a good feed. The decor was all Elvis of course, so we got in the 'groove' ready for our visit to Graceland the next day

While our limo was not quite the pink cadillac that Elvis had, we did get to see Elvis's cadillac again today. However, that photo is on Kim's camera, so here is my photo of it taken last year with Benn and Daina.  

Kim, Heather, Lyndsay, Murray and me at Marlowe's

Although we have been to Graceland twice before, Kim had never been, so it was exciting to share her first visit with her. Unlike when we went with Benn and Daina last year, it was quite busy this time, and the line up to get tickets was lengthy, and it took ages to actually board the shuttle. Kim's  enthusiasm was starting to dull, so we visited a gift shop to pass the time. We eventually got across the road to Graceland, and the Elvis immersion began. You just need to stand in his house to absorb the aura. I took lots of photos, but because they nearly all had Kim in them, I would probably be shot if I posted any others. Tomorrow we drive further West to Little Rock, Arkansas, only 2.5 hours away.

Kim and I out the front of Graceland

Kim taking in some of the memorabilia

Nashville 2013

We had been to Nashville previously with friends Dick & Jan in September 2008, so this was our second visit to 'Music City', famous for its country music. Cindy & Mike from north of New Orleans joined us there, and it was great to catch up with them. You may recall we had a wonderful time with them last year when they took us to their camp in the bayou and then touring around the Baton Rouge environs. 

We enjoyed our foray together to Opry Mills, and couldn't resist a visit into the shop that sells candy and huge toffee apples with all different coatings. We took in a movie (The Big Wedding) on another outing there. We were intrigued to learn about the big Cumberland River flood in 2010 that left several feet of water in the Opry Mills Mall, Opry Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry; downtown Nashville took a beating as well. The mall was closed for 2 years to allow for it to be totally demolished inside, and refurbished. It has only been open for about one year. 

Flooded Opry Mills 2010

Check out these toffee apples - see photo above booth of how they slice to share as they are so big!

My daughter Kim planned to fly out from her home in Copenhagen, Denmark, to spend 12 days touring in the RV with us. She arranged to fly to Nashville and start her travels with us there. It meant she would also get to meet our friends Cindy and Mike. Kim's friend Lyndsay from Canada thought it was a great opportunity to catch up with Kim, so Lyndsay and her mum Heather drove down to Nashville. We had quite a group catch up. After a day of girls shopping at the mall, Cindy and Mike hosted a spaghetti dinner for us all. Delicious! Later that same day, they all headed into Nashville to catch some of the night life - if Heather and I went we would have had to take two cars, so we stayed home and allowed the others to enjoy the bars and music. The next day Cindy and Mike were heading East to the Smoky Mountains, and we were heading West to Memphis. Lyndsay and Heather were keen to see Graceland, so they headed to Memphis as well. Check out the next blog!

Kim flies out from Copenhagen - celebrating with a lunch at TGI Friday

Cindy and Mike provided a spaghetti dinner - all enjoying the balmy evening

Murray Kim Lyndsay and Mike inside a bar in downtown Nashville

Cindy holding Sadie sitting with Kim on the last morning

Montgomery Bell State Park, Tennessee

After we left Memphis, we had some free time before meeting up with our Louisiana friends in Nashville on Sunday 12th May, and Kim flying in on Tuesday 14th May. We had been looking for campgrounds near golf courses, and came across the Montgomery Bell State Park (SP) in Burns, Tennessee. As the crow flies the SP is less than 50 miles West of Nashville, covers over 4000 acres and is home to a campground, an 18 hole championship golf course, an Inn overlooking Lake Acorn, and a restaurant within the Inn! I have circled in red the strategic locations as they apply to us!

View looking down to our RV

We checked into the campground yesterday afternoon, and our site #118 backed right onto a small creek at the rear. While I was cooking dinner last night Murray called me out to see a turtle, about 12" long, swimming in the water. I raced in to get my camera, but it had gone to deep by the time I returned. We awoke to birds singing and woodpeckers pecking, and I walked a bit down the campground to take this photo (on left) for you. Our RV is down on the right. The photo below shows the RV backed onto the creek.

RV backed onto the Creek

We decided to unhook the RV and have a hamburger at the Golf Club for lunch. Murray had a golf game booked for 12 MD, so the plan was to park the RV in the Golf Club parking area, and I would read, bead, write or work on my laptop. When we checked out the parking area yesterday, there was ample parking for our RV. Not so today - the parking area and the overflow area were full! Thankfully Murray manoeuvred us into a place that seems to work ok. If I have to move it while he is playing golf, then so be it. 

Our parking spot is right near the practise area as you can see from this photo on the left that I took from the doorway of the RV.  The photo below shows you Murray on the practice tee. He is a lot closer than what he appears to be in the photo. In the photo below you can see his golf cart ready and waiting in front of the RV, and him practising.

View from our dinner table

After Murray finished golf we drove to the Inn Restaurant overlooking Lake Acorn. What a delightful view. I had the buffet for $8.99 and Murray had a 12" steak and veges for $12.99. Wines were $3.50 a glass. After an enjoyable meal we drove home and were just commenting that we had seen no wildlife apart from dead armadillos, Canada geese and squirrels when we passed this turkey on our way home. It was a delightful drive back to our campsite with the sun filtering through the tall trees. 

Sadly, when we returned to our campsite we found our water hose stolen. Before we left this morning, Murray suggested that he leave our water hose connected to show that we intended to return. I said perhaps that isn't such a good idea in case it gets stolen. Then along comes the campground host in his little golf cart. Murray alerted him to the fact that we were heading out for the day, but that we would return this evening and asked him not to think we had gone and give our site up. He suggested that we leave out water hose connected so that the park ranger would see it and know we hadn't gone far. That is what we did...so much for trusting the locals. The ranger and camp host said in 10 years they had never heard of anything getting stolen. Here it is two hours later and my faith in human nature has just been restored. Neighbours who arrived after we left for golf just got home (8.30pm) and realised we hadn't left our site after all - they thought we had gone, so took our hose. They have just come over to give it back. Thank God for honest people.

Nashville tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Cindy and Mike there in a few days. Are you nearly packed Kim? Our RV park isn't far from the airport!

This turkey was lucky we had already had dinner

Nearly back at our campsite

Diamonds: A Girl's Best Friend

Oh no! Someone else found the diamond I was searching for!

You may recall Murray and I spent several hours searching for diamonds in the world's only Diamond Mine opened to the public. Crater of Diamonds State Park is in Murfreesboro,Arkansas, and our visit was in 2008. If you missed my blog entry, click here to check it out.

We wish we found a diamond that size...

As luck would have it, apparently 144 diamonds had already been found by visitors since 1st of Jan this year, when a lady found this 2.10 carat brown diamond (see photo below) a month ago. Most of the other diamonds found have ranged from 3 to 81 points in size, and hers was the 6th diamond this year to weigh over 1 carat, so this was a beauty! Click here to read the news item. A 1 carat diamond is about the size of a green pea. The diamond she found is below, and the ring I have pictured shows a 2.1 carat tourmaline stone, so she could turn her rough diamond into something like that. Obviously she would lose a bit of its size in the translation.

The diamonds found at the park are white, brown and yellow colour - in that order. Here is a photo of just some of the diamonds found at the State Park.