Swamp Tour

Our last day in the New Orleans area included a two and a half hour church service at this all black parish near our rv camp. What glorious music and wonderful message about our willingness to live God's will and not ours. We were almost late for our Swamp tour near Slidell and the Pearl River. The tour was two hours long in a small boat that took us through the bayou and sloughs. Along the way we saw some homes/water homes in the area. We didn't see any aligators or turtles even as the weather was too cold. However, we did see some bird life and strange plants not seen in our area. The moss was spectacular! We were chilled and hungry when it was over and only wanted to warm up and eat. Much to my surprise, just then another tradegy occurred. Something sharp scratched my hand and looking down to see what it might have been, I freaked out immediately as I realized I had lost three prongs and my large diamond in my wedding ring. Can anything more go wrong on this trip? I'm hoping not, but keep us in your prayers as we travel back to MN. We are leaving tomorrow morning and are planning to be home for sure by the weekend. It's just plan time to come home for various reasons. I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up on events at home.

Mardi Gras and Musician's Village home

This decorated house was found in Musician's Village...all decorated for something...whatever...who knows???? As well, here are some photos from the first Mardi gras parade held on February 3rd. More elaborate parades follow nightly until February 16th or Fat Tuesday. It's quite the wild time down in the French quarter and we could have marched in the parade with the Habitat for Insanity group. Too many people for me, everyone grasping for beads and the many strange items passed out during the parade. WOW!

More volunteers in the 9th ward

Working next to us was a young group of teenagers from Maine. They were cleaning out this nasty house that the owners claimed to be coming back to live here again. These teens surely deserved credit for working in such dire conditions. The pink house in the bottom photo is called a shotgun house. They were built long and skinny because it was cheaper to own as they were charged by the number of feet in the front of the house.

Habitat for Humanity

Our week working with Habitat was succh a great experience We met some of the nicest people and were very appreciated for our help. We were astounded with the number of volunteers that showed up and it seemed it wasn't long they had us all organized into different groups, painters, roofers, landscaperes, caulkers, builders, site cleanup, and organizers to hand out tools. Purple house is finished and in an area where the houses are all new in an area called Musicians Village. It is quite different from the site we worked at Tues-Fri. It was an area where they were building new houses here and there among really dilapitated, ruined flood homes. I find it hard to believe people will move into the only new house in the neighborhood and feel comfortable doing that. But they are slated to build 1,500 new houses as soon as is humanly possible just with Habitat volunteers. It's a good organization and I wish more people would sign up to give their time and talents.

Beautiful New Orleans

Contrary to what everyone thinks, not all parts of New Orleans were destroyed by the hurricane. Many parts by the French quarter were not affected by the water at all. Here are some of the beautiful sites along the river and in town. Richard and I attended a "Hats" theatre performance at Harrah's, a fancy casino down by the River.

Jude Travel Park - 9th ward area

The Jude Travel Park pictured above has been our home while in New Orleans. You can see the nice steel gates that were locked at night to keep out offenders trying to break into campers. However, back where we were is another photo of the security fence...well sort of security fence. Anyway, we've been safe here and have had a good experience.

corpus christi

yesterday was a good one Euanne and i wnt to the dog races i ddn't win much till tih e two dog in the twelfth race and it came in a winnner by a nose joyce and myrna hit the mall and we went to a movie lettters from iowoa jima it was kind of areverse war movie. very goood .. then we went to the ropers bar where they had music and possibly the greatest of assembly of texas two ste[p[pers on earth. it was great watching the bold step s wand wide turns of the texas swing style joyce can still shake he e r old bum a little and we all had a goood time. this morning joyce and i are going to alittle babtist church down the road from our campground with plans on heading east in the morning.

austtin

about the only thing that we did exciting for asunday afternnoon was go to coyote ugly bar. there wer shapely grls dancing aon the br and justiling drinks. i got t visiting with one of them and she was from minnesota. unfortunately the girls were young enough to be my grandchildren or so it seemed but was still fun.
weare exploring corpus christi with the lunds. yesterday duanne and i toured a arircraft carrier, the lexignton whic wqas very interesting. today duanne and i are going to the dog track and the girls are going shoppinn. our plans are to fosssck around corpus tommorrow and then on to louisiana on monday. we wil dstop in silsby where joyce did red cross stuff and then try some of the cajun lifestyle

Icy Austin Texas

I'm sure most of you have already heard about our horrible weather in another storm stranded in Austin Texas for four or five days...Thought you'd enjoy hearing about the picnic we had on this picnic table. We had ICED tea, ICE cream, ICE cold watermelon, and ICING on the cake. You get the picture? Before leaving we had to chip off about 2 inches of ICE off the top of the rv and slide outs, as there wasn't any possible chance to bring them in with ice on top. So, just another weather adventure and we're seriously thinking of changing the theme of our trip from "The Victory Lap" to "Weather Wrought".
Well, maybe not, but we have gotten the short end of the stick as far as weather goes on this trip. We have been with good friends from Souix Falls through the whole Austin deal, which has been nice. Lotza games, movies, conversations, food and laughs. So nice to not have to rush off somewhere. We are now in Corpus Christi Texas and the weather is rainy, drizzly, and 45 degrees...a far cry from the 60's, their average temperature for this time of the year. BUT NO ICE! YET???

We are saddened by the news of Randy's diagnosed lymphoma cancer. We try to keep in touch, but feel years away when something like this strikes so close. Do keep him in your prayers. He will start treatments soon.

Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad New Mexico

The cavern development began about 250 million years ago when a reef formed along the edge of an inland sea. the sea eventually evaporated and left the reef buried under deposits of gypsum and salts. Then, 20 to 30 million years ago, the Guadalupe Mountains were uplifted thousands of feet above sea level, fracturing the ancient reef. ya da ya da ya da......Anyway, it was absolutely breathtaking to see what many call the Eighth Wonder of the World. Our walk down from the outside entrance, about a 750 foot descent, was strenous. The path is steep, with numerous switchbacks. I must have been crazy to consent to doing it, but it was something we would have truly regretted not doing. We also had a private rangers guide to view a place called Kings Palace where some movies have even been filmed. No more of that though with all the preservation rules today. It is an absolute "must see"!

White Sands National Monument Alamogordo, New Mexico

White Sands National Monument is a sea of white gypsum that covers nearly 300 square miles in the Tularosa Basin near Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was an experience that we happened to find on our way to the Carlsbad Caverns. How lucky for us to have the opportunity to view this spectacular land. The sky was a little omnious as well, which thoroughly make it even more spectacular. We left our mark in the sand with the "Hello MN". It will last only until the wind blows again:-( In the meantime, know we have thought about all of you while we are out fossicking around.

More White Sands National Monument

This John Muir quote sums up the beauty found in the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. It was fascinating and exhilirating, sooooooo beautiful. We happened upon a photo shoot with a beautiful red headed model...view from the binoculars!

Trilogy Golf Course

Trilogy Golf course in Gilbert AZ is part of Power Ranch development with over 2,300 homes built around the course. It is so beautiful and we wish Cindy and Ryan Thompson, the new owners and managers the best of luck in their new venture. Pictured is a view of the Pro Shop, Dining area, golf course, Barb thompson and I golfing (a view of their house in the background) and a group picture of all of the Noland's, Thompson's and Richard and I. This of course is prior to the heart attack and looking at Gary who could believe he would be in the emergency room that night. We had a wonderful round of golf and a great shop in the Pro Shop. Thank You Thompson's for the great visit and all the good food!I can't wait to come back!

Titan II Missile site and Pima Air Museum...Tuscon AZ

Arriving in Tuscon AZ with Steve and Mia and kids, we toured the Titan II Missile site. It is one of the only ones left and was one of many built during the cold war with the Soviet Union. It is truly an astounding environment and it makes us so thankful we never had to send off one of the underground missile.

As well, we toured the Pima Air Museum, one of the largest collections of airplanes of all makes and models in the United States. Pictured above are the Nolands and richard entering the Presidential Aircraft One that President's Kennedy and Johnson used during their presidential reign. Included is a photo of where President Kennedy sat with his advisors and crew of guards and staff needed to fly the aircraft.

update

I have taken quite a hiatus from adding to this blog. with all the fuss about Gary and his heart attack and all, we haven't had time to log onto the internet to update our blog. We left Gilbert on wed. we were going to leave on tuesday morning but we had a little screw up . we put gas instead of diesel in the truck. 450 dollars later we got the truck back from the dealer. it had to be towed , the fuel tank drained and rinsed. when we picked it up from the chevy dealer the service manager asked if it was at a mobil gas station where we attempted to fill upand we said yes. evidenedntly mobil has canged the color of there diesel pump handlles from green to yellow about six months ago. the service manager said they have had a bunch of those alll from mobil gas stations latley. when we were finallly able to leave gilbert we drove alll day and spent the night in a wallmart in las cruces new mexico we were one of 12 spending the night in walmart in rvs.during the night a cres came in to paint new stiipes in the parking lots. it was very neat how they did it. they had two selfpropelled carts with 1400 olb spray nozzzels putting the stipes down. they don't sweep or do anything the high pressure take the dirt right off, the crew was based in kansas, they painted every wall mart parking lot in arizona, new mexico andwest texas. each walmart is repainted every year and they did a lot every night.
we are now in carlsvbad new mexico. today we went to the carlsbad caverns which wee very interesting. they must have been since Joyce, it seem took the most pictures of anypace we have been.
tomorrow we are headed to austin texas to linkup with outr good friedns the lunds from south dakota. the weather is forcast to be cold and rainy so will try to make the drive in one day.

Monday morning

It's been quite a while since I've added anything to this blog. We have been in Phoenix with Barb and Gary Thompson. It has been quite a visit and we are very glad we were here, it seems the good Lord puts us where we are needed at the right time. Gary has suffered a heart attack and is in the hospital still with some arythmic heart beating. The doctor has placed a stint in his top right aorta, I believe that's where his blockage was. It was 100% closed, and it seemed that there was little damage to the heart itself. All other arteries seem to be functioning fully. So we have had a few days of hospitals and emergency room procedures. We have just found out he has to stay another night to monitor the irregular heartbeat he is experiencing. We will stick around long enough to be of help to Barb, and yet try not to become the burdensome house guest. So, we are well and enjoying the sunshine and an occasional round of golf on the beautiful Trilogy golf course. Check out the course on the web, it is such a great environment to be in. Barb and Gary's house overlooks the course and is THE spot to be in January.

We love and miss everyone and thank you for all the great Christmas cards!