Previously, during the middle of September, I left Oak Harbor, crossed the Deception Pass bridge, drove across the Skagit Valley farm lands to connect with the foothills route that I use as a Seattle Bypass so as to avoid the always busy IH 5 corridor. Upon arriving in North Bend, I then began east on the IH 90 to the Canyon Road exit and drove south through the Yakima River Canyon scenic byway where I stopped at Lmuma Creek Campground for my first overnight.

After a few parking lot overnights in Yakima, Washington, I then drove to the Columbia River Gorge and camped at Viento State Park for my September allotment of free camping.

Next, I drove inland over the Casscade Mountain onto the dry side of Oregon where I overnight first in Madres, then two nights in Redmond, Oregon before I drove to La Pine State Park, and used four of my ten days of free camping I had in October. Upon leaving this state park, I stop in Deschutes National Forest for a night of dispersed camping, after which I drove south to Collier Memorial state park, one that I have never been to before and use another free camping night. From there, I drove south to Klamath Falls, then east to Lakeview and used the remainder of my free camping nights at Goose Lake State Park. When I was done with Oregon, I then drove south into Nevada taking a route, US 95, I have never driven before, one which traverses the extreme bottom trough of an ancient lake, known to Joktan and his sons as the Great South Lake. The geological trough, known as Walker Lane, turned out to be a very dry as well as hot route, one which I will most likely not choose to drive again. I stop in Fernely, for an overnight, then upon arriving in southern Nevada, I stop at Pahrump to overnight a few nights at a d-mart.

Next, I drove across the Hoover Dam, then south on US 93 to Kingman for another overnight. From there, I take IH 40 across Arizona about the time an Arctic storm was dropping into North America, so, in order not to have deal with sub-freezing nights inside the jammer, I drop south from the IH 40 corridor stop one night in Valley of Fires, after which I drove US 380 across the rest of New Mexico and into Texas, the south again until I arrive at Abilene State Park.

Here at this Texas state park, I hunkered down for the four nights of sub-freezing temperatures. By the morning of the fifth day, I awoke with the temperature in the mid forties and with the Arctic storm now gone. So, I left that state park to drive further east on my journey, first, across the top of Texas, stopping along my way to the Appalachian Mountains Region of Tennessee to visit my close friend and brother Joe who I have asked to help me do some necessary repairs on my vehicle.

Thus, the Journey On continues now with Part Ten of this Chapter.

Before leaving the d-mart, I drive to the gas station and fill the jammer with fuel. The price for gasoline, ever since entering Texas, continues to be less than three dollars per gallon and in a few rare places as low as $2.59. Methinks, it is so good to be back in Texas where the gas prices are this low. Then, I drive north on SH 121 until arriving at US 82, where I turn right to continue east on this highway for another 130 plus miles and by one in the afternoon arrive in Texarkana, Texas. I drive first to the d-mart to purchase some water and a few other items, then I drive to the w-mart where I go inside and write my journal entry for this day.

Too, I stay inside here for the rest of the day while outside, the temperature rises to the mid 70s. I had planned on staying here for several days, then going to the state park south of here for a hot shower, but instead, methinks I will drive into Arkansas, stop at the w-mart in Hot Springs and go to the hot springs pools for my hot soak and shower. The only difference is that in Arkansas, I will not have the overnight camping provision.

Awake and arise when my alarm goes off this morning, start the jammer, drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot and then leave out of the parking lot to drive to Arkansas. I first drive on the overpass over IH 30, turn left onto the highway entrance and then left again onto the highway and begin driving east, cross into Arkansas and travel through the piney woods ecoregion. This drive of about two hours seems quick compared to all the previous days of travel. Arriving in Hot Springs, I drive to the w-mart on Central Avenue and find that the store has been remodeled and changed from a cafe to a Pick Up Only location.

I am totally appalled by this change and say so online at google maps to give my review, reporting that I am disgusted with the current change. I then open my phone and find out that there is another store which is still a cafe location and drive there for my coffee, com and computer. I spend the rest of the day here at this west side location and when I am done for the day, I drive west on US 270 Business a few blocks to the d-mart, where I park for the night.

Awake again today before my alarm, rise, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart and go inside for coffee, com and computer. I continue working on my web pages all day until after it becomes dark outside when I drive to the d-mart, take a parking space, put up my window shades and get into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake, drive to the w-mart, carry my computer bag inside and spend another day awaiting the seasons to change.

When this day comes to an end, I pack out of the cafe, drive to the d-mart, park in the same location and get into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake to another warm day, dress in my fall blues and begin my drive into the old down town towards the national park. I stop first at a ff-mart for a cup of coffee and then next at the Whittington Avenue Spring to fill my water bottles.

Next, I drive to Central Avenue and enter the same parking structure that I have used for many years. Once I am parked, I step outside, walk to the of the jammer, open the rear lift door and begin readying my day pack for today′s visit to the hot springs. Methinks, this is the second time this year that I have come here for the hot water, the first being in February after my Journey East to Florida for the purchase of my current vehicle.

When my daypack is ready, I then check all of the doors to assure that each is locked, sling the day pack onto my back and walk out of the parking garage, down the walkway along the water fountain, cross Central Avenue and up the avenue to the Quapaw Bath House so that I can soak in the 104 degrees water. Once I have paid my entrance fee, I walk into the dressing room to change into my bathing shorts.

Then, I walk out to the pool area, set my towel and day pack down on one of the empty lounge chairs, then, I get into the hot water. The first time, the water always feels really hot, but all too soon, my body becomes accustom to the water and in a short time, it becomes as if it just a warm bath. My procedure is the same as I have done for many years. First, I soak for fifteen to twenty minutes during which, I rub my skin to remove any and all dead cells. Second, I get out of the hot water and walk to the location of the shower and turn on the cold water. Then I get into the cold shower and completely cool down my body. Third, I fill my water glass with cold water, return to my lounge chair, sit down to rest and drink the water from the glass. Fourth, I repeat the first three steps and continue doing this until my entire body becomes pink from the hot water and I am fully exhausted.

After changing back into my street clothes, I leave the Quapaw Bath House, cross Central Avenue and walk back up alongside the fountain to the parking garage. I then go to the jammer, climb into the drivers seat, start the engine and drive back west on US 270 Business to the d-mart. I then park the jammer, climb into the rear of the van and get into the horizontal to rest.

I notice that my skin, when I rub my hand across it, feels so much better than before I had gone to soak in the hot springs water. This type of treatment surely does work well for this old man.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, gather my things and then go inside for coffee, com and computer. It is a rainy day and so I stay inside all day long. The low this morning is the high for the day as another Arctic storm pushes down onto the continent and confronting a strong hot temperature storm pushing back, an event that is causing the rain today.

The dark today comes at five pm, very early indeed. I continue here well past the sunset, and then, I drive to the d-mart, park in the same space, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer for another night of rest.

Awake at early dawn, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I stay here most all day long but leave in the late afternoon to drive to a restaurant that is offering free food to veterans today. It is a buffet style restaurant and I an not sure about how safe this food is for me to eat. Still, I have a meal here despite my fragility to such types of food, but stay in the restaurant for a time after finishing my meal so that I have access to the restroom if necessary.

Finally, I drive back to the d-mart for the night, parking in my regular location. I put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee but since today is Veterans day, this cafe chain gives a free cup of coffee for those who display their veteran&pirme;s ID. I pull my ID from my neck wallet, show it to the barista to receive my coffee for free. I then sit down at a table, set up my computer and check my itinerary for the locations that I will be stopping at today for both free food and vouchers for future meals.

Then, at about ten this morning, I pack out of the w-mart and drive to the first location, one that is still on the west side of town and on Albert Pike, where I go in for my breakfast. After eating, I next drive around the loop to the south end of town and begin stoping at restaurants along Central Avenue to pick up on at a time, all four of the vouchers I have come to know about.

Next, I stop at an old time favorite for my mid day meal and while there, talk with several other veterans who are on the same path for free food and share the knowledge about the four locations with vouchers. The variety of veterans include those who served in the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts all the way up to and including the most recent ones in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After this meal, I find a shady spot to rest in the jammer until the early evening when I drive back to the west side of town to locate a local BBQ restaurant I was told about by another veteran, called Smokin in Style. Upon finding the location, I go in for my evening meal, which is a realy good one.

Finally, when I leave the BBQ place, I drive back to the d-mart, park and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee. I have accumulated enough rewards for three days of free coffee, so I use the rewards for my coffee this morning.

About eight this morning, I open my WTL app and download the November broadcast video, one that I have been looking forward to. Too, I begin my study of today′s meeting. Then, at a quarter hour before ten, I connect to the meeting being held in the Centerville congregation.

After the meeting, I begin my drive to my destination in Tennessee, one which is six hours of driving from my current location. This drive is nearly 400 miles and is almost entirely on interstate highways, and if all goes well, I will have supper this evening in one of my favorite restaurants in Spring Hill, Tennessee. While on the interstate approaching the Mississippi River, I call Joe to tell him of my whereabouts and plans to which he says that he will let his shop manager know that I will be there Wednesday morning for the work that we have discussed.

It is just as the sun begins to set when I pull into the restaurant, park, gather my phone, neck wallet, and walk into the restaurant for my evening meal. Afterwards, I drive to a d-mart to park for the night, put up my window shades and then climb into the rear of the jammer.

Awake to my alarm, which due to Fall Back, I have set to go off at six each morning. Thinking that it will not be daylight for another half hour, I considered going back to sleep. However, I still looked out the window and to my surprise, the dayspring was well under way. I had forgotten to take into consideration that the further east you travel in any one time zone, the earlier the sunrise will be. In fact, all of the celestial events will be earlier. Sunrise was at six twenty-two this morning. Rising, I dress in my fall blues, climb forward into the driver′s seat, start the jammer engine and drive north on US 31 to the w-mart where I grab my computer back and walk inside for coffee, com and key pounding.

When the day is done, I walk out to the jammer and drive back to the d-mart where I take up my parking space for another night. It turns cold tonight, but I manages with my one blanket that I have out.

Upon my waking, I turn on the jammer engine to warm up the inside of the van while I dress in my fall blues. Then, I drive to a new w-mart, one that I saw yesterday when I drove from north Spring Hill yesterday. In fact, it is just around the block from the d-mart that I have been staying. Also, going to this cafe prevents me from having to drive through all of the traffic that clogs up US 31 through Spring Hill.

At about one this afternoon, I call Joe at his home in Ardmore, Tennessee and he tells me that I am all set for a morning arrival at the shop. He also tells me that he will not be coming here but will look forward to my arrival at his home later.

I then leave the w-mart at three to drive to one of the restaurants which I have a Veteran′s free food voucher from, which is also nearby to where I am staying again for my overnight this evening.

Awake, stop for coffee and soon after drive to Stagecoach Auto Repair and check in to have the work done. I wait in the office for over an hours and then Frankie says to me, You are all set! He hands me the invoice and when I look at the total I see that the balance is zero. I thank him, walk out to the jammer, open the hood to check the fluids and after toping the fluids, I drive south on IH 65.

During my drive to Ardmore, I call Joe to see if he is at home but he tells me that he will be out in the ministry until about one. So, I drive into town and stop for something to eat. Then, at one this afternoon, I drive to Joe and Sarah′s home, pull onto the parking lot between the fifth-wheel and the 68 Ford Thunderbird. Almost immediately I see Joe walking out to my car.

The rest of this day, I spend helping Joe, and another brother named Joey, as they work on installing Sarah′s washer and dryer into the laundry room.

Just before the sunset, as the day comes to an end, I tell Joe that I am totally beat and need to get into the horizontal. I walk out to the jammer, climb into the back, get into the horizontal and and soon after, I am sleeping.

Awake at six this morning but do not get up. Instead, I remain in the jammer until I hear one of the dogs barking. I then rise, dress in my fall blues, step outside and greet Joe. He asks me if I would like a cup of coffee to which I tell him yes. We walk inside and and he uses his K-cup to to make my coffee. I sit there sipping on the coffee and we talk, he telling me that there is a good chance that I can stop the oil pan leak by tightening the bolts.

Later in the day, I walk to the jammer to get in and take a nap. After I get up, I go inside to tell my friends that I will be leaving but Joe goes into the camper to talk to someone on the phone. I then talk with Sarah who tells me that there is a restaurant south of Ardmore with really good catfish. I tell her that I am going there and will head south from there. Then, I tell her goodbye, get in the jammer and drive to the restaurant.

After eating, I drive south on IH 65 and stop in Athens, Alabama, drive to the w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and go inside so that I can connect to the meeting tonight on zoom. I connect to the Centerville, Tennessee congregation to listen in with them. Afterwards, I drive west on US 72

Awake, rise slowly, then dress, start the jammer engine and while it is warming up, I call Joe to tell him I am in Athens, Alabama. He says: You really can not stay long in one place, to which methinks, Yep, I do have the wanderlust. I back the jammer up twenty feet and look at the oil spot, which i find is not as big as it was previously. I tell Joe about the oil on the asphalt and then say, See you again next year. I then leave the d-mart parking lot and drive east on US 72 to the w-mart where I park, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and key pounding.

I had told Joe that I might go to Davis Bayou campground in Ocean Shores National Seashore to camp for a several days but when I checked the campsite availability, I found that it was full up for the next couple weeks. My second choice, I told Joe would be Jeff Busby or Meriwether Lewis campground, both of which are on the Natchez Trace Parkway. I said to Joe that I would choose going to one of the Natchez Trace campgrounds only if I find that the campground at the national seashore on the Gulf Coast would not work for me, but instead. So, by this afternoon, I have decided to drive west on US 72 across the top of Alabama, cross the Elk River and continue north of the Tennessee River to Florence, Alabama. Here, I will overnight at the local d-mart and tomorrow, I will decide which way I will drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Then, at about two this afternoon, I pack out of the w-mart and begin my drive west on US 72 which for now, travels just to the north of the Tennessee River. Once I arrive at Florence, Alabama, I turn right on SH Loop 133 and drive west until I arrive at the w-mart, where I stop and go inside for com and computer. After it becomes dark, I drive to the nearby d-mart and park in the outer edge of the parking lot, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer.

Awake, rise and dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive west out of town on SH 133 until this highway comes to an end. I then turn right and drive north on SH 20 for about ten miles and here turn onto the Natchez Trace Parkway and continue north through the last six miles of Alabama and come to the 35th latitude, which is the boundary that was set in 1735 to divide North Carolina from South Carolina. When North Carolina released claim to lands west of the Appalachian, this allowed the establishment of Tennessee with the same southern boundary. It was John Coffee, one of Andrew Jackson′s generals at the Battle of New Orleans, who between 1817 and 1822, supervised the survey of this state boundary between Tennessee and Alabama.

It is at a roadside kiosk where I learned this history again.

After taking a photo of the kiosk, I then continue into Tennessee on the NTP for another 46 miles before I arrive at the Meriwether Lewis Campground. Upon my arrival within the campground, I select space 25 but would rather have space 24, which has a single car parked in it. I will wait here to see of this person leaves after they wake up. Some time later, the person inside the car in space 24 turns on the engine to warm up and them backs out of the space to drive out of the park.

So, I move to space 24, which is the handicap campsite, pull in, turn off the jammer engine, get out to retrieve my broom and then sweep the concrete clean of all the leaves and nut shells. Next, I back the jammer into the space and set up two of the solar panels. However, I do not believe that the this will charge my deep cell battery because it appears to have died.

So, I will be limited on how much time that I will have with my computer before it too looses the power in the battery. I work on it for a short time and then turn it off to conserve the battery.

Later, just before it becomes dark, I step outside to pack up my thing and stow them in their places. Then, I do the walk around the campsite and pick up what trash I find. Next, I climb back into the jammer, move to the rear area and unfold all three of my blankets. Finally, I get into the horizontal and cover myself with the blankets.

Awake, start the jammer engine to warm up the inside of the van and then dress in my fall blues. Once the inside of the jammer is toasty, I put on my hoodie, then step outside and walk to the mens room. After I have returned to the jammer, I climb into the drivers seat pull of of the campsite, drive out of the campground, turn right onto the Natchez Trace Parkway and drive south out of Tennessee, through Alabama and then into Mississippi until I arrive at Tupelo, Mississippi and take the exit to drive to the w-mart.

When I arrive at the cafe, I grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, food, com and key pounding. A short time later, I connect using zoom to the Centerville, Tennessee congregation for the weekend meeting. After the meeting, I talk with some of the friends until the meeting host wants to go home, so, we say goodbye and the connection is gone. Then, I pack out of the cafe, walk to my van, climb in and begin the drive south on the NTP to my next overnight location, Jeff Busby Park, arriving at about four-thirty with still enough daylight to prepare a pot of my Repast. This evening, I include, a quart of bone broth, sprouted rice, sprouted quinqoa, sweet potato, celery, onion, sea weed, TWS, and mustard greens. When the meal is done, I stow the cookpot and stove in their place, then climb into the jammer to eat. For my desert, I peal and eat an avocado. Then, when I am done and everything is put away, I look at the clock on my computer and see that it is about ten minutes before six pm. Methinks, wow, does it get dark quick and then, I will have to continue my migration.

Then, I get a call from Joann who lives in Washington, who tells me that her kitchen stove just died and that she will have to get a replacement. I suggest to her that until she has the money to buy a new one that she buy a camping stove from the the outfitter store. She tells me about how Washington is trying to stop all the homeless from living in their vehicles, which tells me that it will be hard for me if I return their next summer. After talking for a time, I tell her good night and then I get into the horizontal.

My alarm awakens me at six, but I turn it off and sleep for another hour. Upon arising, I walk to the restroom, then back to the jammer, climb inside, start the engine and drive out of the campground. I then turn south on Natchez Trace Parkway and begin my drive to the w-mart in Jackson, Mississippi.

Since it is somewhat of a short drive, I stop at a few of the exhibits along the way to take some photos, including: Yocanookany Trailhead; Choctaw Boundary after the 1820 Cessions; Cypress Swamp; Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and the West Florida northern boundary. Wow, was that a bunch of stuff to learn.

At about two this afternoon, I arrive at the Rocky Springs campground, leave the Natachez Trace Parkway and claim a campsite near to the restroom. I then walk to the restroom to confirm that it is open and tnen back to the jammer. I sit here for about half an hour before I decide that it is way too early to stop for the day and continue driving south on the Natchez Trace Parkway and continue to stop for photos along the way.

After driving past the last photo stop, I soon arrive at my exit where I get off of the NTP, drive to the w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and go inside to check my com and pound on the keys for a few hours. At about four-thirty the sky begins to become dark, and I drive a short distance to park in the nearby d-mart for the night.

Awake to a cold morning, turn on the jammer engine to warm up and soon, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer.

Another day is spent inside to stay out of the cold weather and then before days end, I drive to the d-mart to park for another night.

Awake, start the jammer engine to warm up the inside, drive out of the parking lot, then south on US 61, turn east on US 84, cross the Mississippi River into Louisiana, and continue east on US 84 through Jonesville, until I take SH 28 south to Alexandria, Louisiana.

Upon arriving in Alexamdria, I turn south on US 167, drive a short distance to IH 49 and then take this interstate north to exit 90 where I get off onto Old Boyce Road. I drive to an used auto parts to look for parts on an old Aerostar, but I find it almost completely stripped of anything I want. So, I return to IH 49 north and drive all the way to Shreveport, Louisianna where I take SH Loop 526 highway and travel west to exit 8 of IH 20. Here, I connect to the interstate and drive west towards Texas.

In just a short drive, I arrive at the Texas state line, arrive at exit 628 and turn north onto US 80 and continue into Marshall, Texas. When I arrive at US 59, I turn south, drive a couple of blocks and pull into the w-mart here and park.

Next, I grab my computer bag and hoodie, walk inside, sit down at a window seat and begin pounding keys. Methinks that I will stay in this city and lie low while the world is all involved in their national holiday celebration.

About an hour before the sunsets, I pack out and drive to the d-mart. I have found that I have a headlight that is burnt out, already purchased a replacement lamp, but have not installed it because my thinking is that to install it would require that I remove the starting battery from out of the way. I will await here for a warm day to arrive, so that I can do this repair. I drive to the d-mart, park, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night. As I await for sleep to ensue, methoughts begin to stir.

Upon grasping my whereabouts, I take full hold of the implications of my location. Methinks, wow, that was a long run during this current southbound migration which began on Thursday, 14 September earlier this year and has taken me across this continent from the west coast on my route back to the third coast once again. Yes, more than a full month of constant moving until I have just most recently crossed over the Louisiana state line to arrive in this parking lot.

Now, I find my whereabouts to be back in the state wherein I was reared, and despite it being nearly half century ago, yes, I was reared in Texas. In fact, it has been some forty-six years past, during the month of February, when I first struck out upon my first Journey On traveling to faraway locations.

Now my current Journey On has brought me into the northeastern corner of Texas, where I will begin the slow transition of moving south through the rural communities towards the southernmost parts of this state. Yes, once again, I will return to the Rio Grande river valley where it is my desire to spend my winter hiatus.

Awake to a completely empty d-mart parking lot. Methinks, this is quite erie. I start the jammer engine, drive to the gasoline station and fill up my fuel tank, now with the price at $2.55 per gallon. Next, I drive to the w-mart, find it to be open, so I drive onto the property, park and go inside for coffee, com and computer.

I stay inside all day to remain out of the cold weather and later before the sun sets, I drive to the d-mart, finding it still without any vehicles in the parking lot, and once again park in the same location to overnight.

At six-thirty this evening, my alarm goes off reminding me to connect to the meeting. I do so tonight with my phone but only listen in because I have not got the deep cell battery to charge yet.

Each of the past three nights, I have used all three of my blankets to sleep under so that I could stay warm.

Awake, start the jammer engine to warm up in the inside, then drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I continue here until about noon, when I pack out, drive north in town on US 59 and stop at the hair salon to get my hair cut. Afterwards, I drive back to the w-mart, park in the outer part of the parking lot and open up my rear lift door, grab my tools and begin working on installing a new front headlight lamp.

I find out after I take out the battery tray that the headlight lamp can be replaced by just taking the headlight door off. So, I reinstall the battery tray, reconnect the battery and then I finish installing the new lamp. When I check the lamp, I find that it works just fine and with my headlights now working I will be able to stay here at the w-mart until long after dark tonight. Still, I have yet to repair the coolant leak but I will do that on another day.

It seems odd, but I have to keep reminding myself that I am in East Texas now. Too, I will stay here in Marshall, Texas until after I connect to the meeting this Sunday, at which time I will drive to the nearby state park to plug in for the next three days which are all supposed to get down below freezing.

Finally, I drive to the d-mart, park in the same location, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake, start the jammer to warm up the inside and dry out the front windshield, which like many days now has been wet with condensation. Once it is clear enough to drive, I then leave the d-mart, drive south on US 59 to the w-mart, park, go inside for coffee, com and computer.

During the afternoon, I connect to the Texas State Parks website and make a reservation at the state park that is south on SH 43 about twenty-six miles.

I continue here in the w-mart until long after dark when I finally pack out, drive north on US 59 to the d-mart and park in the same location for the fifth night in a row. Albeit, this will be the last night this season that I will overnight in this town. After I get into the horizontal, it begins to rain lightly and continues long into the evening.

Awake as I normally do, just a couple minutes before my alarm goes off, rise and dress in my fall blues. I notice that the rain had stopped sometime during the early morning hours and the pavement is now nearly dry. Then I start the jammer, dump my trash in a receptacle, drive to a parking space neat the entrance to the d-mart, walk in and purchase a can of salmon, a bag of apples, green onions, zucchini and three gallons of water, groceries for the next three days at the campground. I am shocked to have to pay nearly thirty dollars and methinks, How much higher can the prices get in these last days?

Upon returning to the jammer, I open the rear sliding door, stow the groceries in the rear of the jammer, then climb into the drivers seat and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. Then, at nine-fifty, I connect to the Centerville, Tennessee meeting with zoom to listen in. Immediately after the meeting, I pack out of the w-mart, leave Mashall, Texas and begin my drive south on SH 43 to the campground.

I arrive at the campground before one this afternoon, check in at the headquarters and then drive to my campsite. The first thing I do is to plug in my electrical cord and connect my battery charger so that I can recharge my deep cycle battery. Then, I grab my shower bag and towel, walk to the shower house and get into the hot water. Upon returning to the jammer, I climb back inside and lie down to take a nap.

Later, upon getting up, I turn on my computer and begin pounding keys while I have something to eat. I continue at my desk until long after the sun sets.

When I finally do get into the horizontal for the night, I notice that the full moon is shining brightly into the rear window of the jammer, informing me that the rear of the jammer is facing east. I pull up my blanket to cover my eyes and then obtain sleep.

Awake to the morning twilight, then, looking outside, I see the moon is close to the western horizon and quickly disappears into the forest. Too, I see Venus on the opposite horizon which is rising into the sky. Soon, the day begins to slowly unfold into morning light.

Rising, I dress in my winter blues, walk to the restroom and looking around, I notice that I am the only camper in this neck of the woods.

When I return to the jammer, get out my cookpot and stove, walk to the table and light the stove to boil some water for my morning meal.

When the water is boiling, I pour some into my coffee cup, some into my tea cup and the remainder into my cup of Daystart. I then move all three cups into the jammer office, return to the table and disassemble the stove and put the components into their individual storage bags and stow the bags in their place in my backpack.

Finally, I climb into the jammer office, and resume my key pounding while I consume the food and hot liquids.

Then, when the temperature of this winter day rises above the forties, I step outside, get out my cookpot again and begin my preparations of my second meal, which in all likelihood will be today′s evening meal. Upon finishing this meal, I stow my gear, carry the pot into the back of the Jammer and then climb in. With the temperature up into the lower 50s and the heater still warming up the interior of the jammer, I dress down to just my walking shorts. I continue pounding on the computer keys while my evening meal cools down.

I find this cookpot creation exceptional, which it only can be so because of all the fresh vegetables that I have put in the recipe. Too, I open a six ounce can of wild salmon and add it slowly to my eating cup.

The photos that I have taken will not be upload until later this week when I arrive in Lufkin, which I plan to be the next location where I will stop so that I will be able to get on to the internet, connect with a Kingdom Hall and be there for the meetings.

Later, when checking the status of my deep cell battery, it appears that the battery has taken a charge, which I hope is the case because I will now not have to disconnect it, pull it out of the battery box and take it inside the auto parts store to be charged.

I continue here in the east Texas woodlands for another day as the amount of daylight dwindles down to the shortest day of the year, now just three weeks plus one day away. Yes, the days are much shorter even now and very noticeable with the darkness beginning shortly after five in the afternoon.

In the late afternoon, I prepare a meal with my cookpot and once I was done with eating, I then grabbed my towel, shower bag and walked over to the shower house for my second shower I have taken since arriving.

Awake to another very cold day, well not for someone who lives in North Dakota, but for me, a souther boy who grew up in the Gulf Coastal region in Texas, and yes, this is cold for me. This means that I will proceed to drive a little further south when I pack out of here tomorrow at about noon.

This morning, I actually slept in later than I would have done and then for my morning meal, I ate the leftover Repast. It was quite good this morning and I found that I did not need to get out the Daystart.

Upon my return to the jammer, I stay inside for a couple of hours, at least until it warms up nicely, which was about noon. I then setpped outside and begain checking the engine fluids, filling those that were low and when that was done, I got out my wash bucket and cleaned the outside of the jammer. I had been wanting to thoroughly wash the windows so that I could rub some windshield water repellant on the outside of the jammer windows. I noticed that the fluid does not work as well as it once worked, must be due to it being old and deteriorated. So, today, I tried to use up as much as possible of the bottle that I have have for maybe a dozen years, possibly even fifteen years. It never has taken a lot to water proof glass.

After working during the warm part of the day, I decided to grab some clean clothes, my shower bag, my towel and walk to the shower house to get into the hot water again.

Upon returning to the jammer, I get out my cookpot, stove and the rest of my vegetables and make another post of Repast. When it is done, I stow my gear, climb inside the jammer and eat while I catch up on my journal writing. I call Gordon at about four and we talk for over an hour. Afterwards, I resume my key pounding until about eight this evening when I get into the horizontal to do some reading and watching videos on the WT Libraary app.

Finally, about ten this evening, I turn off the electronics and close my eyes for the night.

Awake before my alarm, rise and turn on my computer so that I can begin today′s journal entry. Shortly after that, I dress, step outside to get my shower things and then walk to the shower house for my final soak in the hot water at this campground. Upon returning to my campsite, I walk around the jammer to put away all of my things, stow them away in their places, roll up my electric cord, start the jammer engine, pull the jammer forward twenty feet and then get out to police the site. When I am satisfied with the site being clean, I get into the jamner, drive it out of the state park, then southwest on SH 43 to Henderson where I connect to US 259 and begin my drive south on this highway.

I immediately get feelings of nostalgia, and methinks, Wow, have I driven these highway so many times before, from my childhood exploring when in the Boy Scouts until now. Yes, it is like I remember every hill, every tree, every single feature about these Piney Woods. I continue south on the US highway through Henderson, then south to just north of Nacogdoches where the road connects to US 59 and from there continue south on US 59 around Nacogdoches and further south on US 59 to LUfkin. I then take the east-side loop and when I arrive at the US 59 exit at the south end, I get off and drive to the local w-mart. Finally, I grab my computer bag and go inside to connect to the internet so that I may upload files. Too, I spend some time uploading my journal entry for today.

Awake to a rainy morning which started last night. I rise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine, drive next door to the w-mart, grab my computer bag, walk inside for another day here in the cool but humid forests of East Texas. This entire day is spent inside this cafe and pounding keys on my computer.

I have been having my stomach problems recently and earlier today stopped at the d-mar to purchase a package of leafy greens, choosing the sweet baby spinach to eat in the evening before going to sleep. Amazingly, immediately after eating the entire package, I began to feel much better. Methinks, when it comes to eating the right food, I really need to practice what I preach.

Then, long after the evening begins, I retire to the d-mart parking lot for the evening.

Awake for the second day here in this town, climb up out of the rear of the jammer, don my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the parking lot trash receptacle to empty my garbage. Next, I drive next door to the w-mart, park the jammer, grab my gear bag and go inside for another day of coffee, com and computer.

As this day comes to its end, I pack out of the w-mart, drive to the d-mart and repeat what I have been doing for such a very long time. That is climb into the back of the jammer and get into the horizontal for another night. Too, I will continue to do this while I await for the paradise to be restored.

Awake to another day of clear blue skies, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart and go inside for coffee, com and computer. Later, after the sunset, I step outside to check out the colors in the sky, and like always, I just have to take a photo of the sunglow.

Then, long after the dark fills the skies, I pack out, drive next door to the d-mart to park for one more night here in this town.

Awake, arise, adorn, advance. Today I decided to do only the A′s, awake, arise. Well, just long enough to get started and then I had to begin with the C′s: cafe, coffee, computer. I had to skip the B′s entirely because there was not a single one available at the moment.

Next, I opened up my WTL app to prepare for the meeting this morning. When the meeting is over, I pack out of the cafe and begin my drive to the southwest to make the transverse around Houston towards my south Texas destination. I begin by driving SH Loop 287 around the west side of Lufkin and then take the exit for SH 94 to drive southwest. Immediately, methinks, I have never driven this highway route before. Soon, I cross the Neches River and enter the Davy Crockett National Forest.

Throughout this drive across this national forest, I notice that this forest is totally losing the battle against the chain saw as in most locations along this highway, the forest is only as deep as the highway right-a-way. This saddens me quite a lot because it was here in these wooded forest lands where I grew up camping with the Boy Scouts.

Nevertheless, the autumnal display of the hardwoods in this forest reminds me of the hope that I maintain that the paradise will be restored right here in the Piney Woods of east Texas.

Continuing southwest, I drive through Trinity, Texas, connect to SH 19 and continue southwest on this highway. Soon after, I cross a major wetlands, more commonly known as the Trinity River. Just before arriving in Huntsville, Texas I connect to SH 30, cross the very crowded IH 45 and continue southwest on another highway. To keep from drive due west along SH 30, I turn off onto SH 90 and continue my southwest trek around the megalopolis directly to the south. Upon arriving in Navasota, SH 90 ends but continues in the southwest direction as SH 105. This is a very familiar state highway to me but one that I have one driven upon much further east in the Cleveland, Texas area.

Methinks, I forgot that I need to drive to my brother's home on the east side of the megalopolis to get my mail from him. So, I drive the short distance southwest, cross the Navasota River, then the Brazos River and stop at the Texas State Historical Site: Washington-on-the-Brazos to visit this state park. I am impressed at how much the park structures have grown since the last time I visited here. To be honest, I don't remember when that was but it was likely more than forty years ago.

While I am here, I also decide that I am gong to drive back east so that I can meet with my brother Barry and that I will be drive eastward on SH 105, another state highway that I have not before driven, well, except for the section east of Cleveland, Texas.

Leaving the historical park, I begin a long drive back eastward on SH 105 nearly fifty miles and then pull into the parking lot of the w-mart so that I can overnight before going further east.

Awake, dress, start the jammer engine and get out of town. I do not like being in this huge city, now just a suburb of Houston. I drive the remaining miles of SH 105 until I arrive at US 96-US 287 and take this highway north for about nine miles until I arrive in Lumberton where I leave the highway and drive the back roads to Village Creek State Park, stop at the entrance and obtain a day pass and then drive to the shower house for some hot water.

Afterwards, I drive back to US 96 and head south, continue through Beaumont, Texas and then further south on US 96 to Nederland, Texas where I exit the highway and drive to the w-mart. Here, I spend the rest of th day inside the cafe and work on my computer until after it becomes dark. The nice thing about this coffee chain here in Texas is that they stay open late every night.

When I do pack out, I drive back across to the other side of the highway to the d-mart, park, put up my window coverings and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive under the freeway and down a short distance to the w-mart where I park, grab my computer bag and go inside for a day working on pounding on the keyboard.

When the day has lost all of its light, I drive back to the same location where I parked last night and park here again for another night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues and drive back to the w-mart again for my second day here on the low Gulf Coast plains. I continue inside until long after dark, especially since the coffee shop stays open until ten each evening. When I do leave, I head back to the d-mart and park just outside of the parking lot and within the lot of the next business.

I do this because the security guard vehicle came by last night with flashing lights and just drove slow near my vehicle. He did not do anything or ask me to leave, but the flashing lights were somewhat annoying.

He does not bother me tonight.

Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I spent another long day here in the cafe, staying until just after dark when I drive to the d-mart to park for my last night here in Nederland, Texas.

Awake to a much warmer day, dress in my fall blues but do not put on my hoodie. I then drive south west along US 96 a short distance to stop at a ff-mart for a senior coffee. I sit there inside until I finish my first cup and after I acquire a refill, I leave out of the the cafe, drive two miles southwest on US 96 and then exit on SH 73 westward. I continue west on SH 73 for about 30 miles until I arrive at Winnie, Texas where I turn west on IH 10 and drive another 35 miles to Baytown, Texas, take the Garth Road exit and then drive south on Garth Road.

I stop first in Baytown to fill up my fuel tank and find the price of gasoline at #2.39 per gallon, the least that I have spent yet on my migration south this entire year. I suspect that the price will even be less as I drive further towards the bottom of Texas.

Next, I drive further south on Garth Road and stop at the w-mart where I go inside for my regular coffee, com and computer, staying here all day until after it becomes dark outside. Then, I drive to the d-mart to park for the night here while I am in Baytown.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the ff-mart for senior coffee after which I then drive to my brother Barry′s house. When I arrive, I find him outside with his dog Bella. We greet each other and the go into the back yard where he is smoking deer sausage. I stick around and help him with loading the meat on the fire pit and the putting the meat into vacuum sealed bags. We work on this most all the rest of the day and also have some of the cooked sausage to eat.

Later, in the early evening, a cold front blows through and soon after it begins to rain. After that, we get into his car and drive into town to stop at at restaurant for something to eat for supper.

Afterwards, we return to his home and visit for some time more until I finally excuse myself to go out to the jammer to get some sleep.

Awake, dress in my winter blues, step out of the jammer and then walk to the rear door of Barry′s home. He is already up and getting breakfast prepared and has already unlocked the door for me. I walk inside and then go to the rest room, after which I return to the kitchen area to have a meal with my brother. When we are done eating, we then walk out to his car and begin our drive south to the Battleship Texas which is currently located on Pelican Island on the south shore harbor across from Galveston Island.

Upon our arrival at the dry dock, we walk up to the booth and sign in for the tour. At just before nine the tour guide give us an introductory safety talk and afterwards tells us to climb aboard the trolleys. We then head over to the dry dock where the entrance gang plank is located and when we are all at the top of the plank, the tour guide, Tom, leads the group.

For the next two hours, we make a loop around the Texas walking on the deck of the dry dock. The wind is blowing hard and bites at any exposed skin but Barry and I continue along with Tom, not complaining much at all. We first walk south along the starboard side, around the stern and under the rudder, then north along the port site and finally around the bow of the boat. All along, Tom relays so much information that it is extremely hard to take it all in. Still, we persist with the guide along every step of the way.

Personally, I really love this tour and I will be forever in debt to my brother for making this experience available to me. Methinks that the reason for this is because I have long been a fan of this Dreadnaught, ever since one of my earliest visits to see the boat during my thirteenth year when I walked to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site with the Boy Scouts to obtain my hiking merit badge. Later, when I was to obtain my bicycling merit badge, I choose the same State Historic Site as my destination to ride the twenty-mile requirement on my bike.

Yes, this boat has been a very important part of my childhood and to be able to see it again, even though this was just a dry dock tour, I was ecstatic about my return to see and touch this amazing boat.

Last night, Barry invited me to stay another overnight. So this morning when I awake, I dress and walk to the rear door to find that Barry is in the kitchen making scrambled eggs and sausage to roll up in a tortilla for our breakfast. I must say that meals made by Barry are of the highest quality, especially since he includes deer sausage with every meal.

Soon after we eat, I pack out and drive south across the Fred Hartman bridge into LaPorte, continue south on SH 146 across Clear Creek and when I arrive at SH FM 2094, I turn right. Also, I call my sister to see if they are up yet and find them just rising. I ask Becky if I can stop by and she says, yes, but I have to get dressed. I tell her that I will see her soon. When I arrive, they both come to the door to give me a hug.

I tell Becky that Barry told me that she has been doing some Ancestry research and that I would like to look at it and show her my research. We sit down at the kitchen table and begin. In just a short time, David asks me if I have eaten breakfast to which I say yes but I will go with them to sit with them as they eat.

Upon our return, Becky and I return to the kitchen table to share more of each other research. I email her copies of my papers which I have printed as pdf files.

In the afternoon, I thank David and Becky for their hospitality and then head further west on FM 2094, then south on SH 3 until I arrive at SH 646, I turn southwest and drive to IH 45 where I go into the w-mart to begin working on my computer to catch up on my journal writing, photo cropping, file creation and uploading.

Awake, dress in my fall blues and find that I left my hoodie behind somewhere. I then drop my garbage off in the parking lot trash can and leave out of the parking lot to drive next door to the w-mart. I grab my carryall bag and walk inside for coffee, com and computer.

After a long day of working on my Ancestry form, I end the day by sending both Barry and Becky a pdf copy. Then, I retire to the d-mart parking lot for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, walk inside to continue pounding keys and work on my web site pages. I get to a point where I feel that I am caught up enough to now begin my drive further south. Too, the w-mart at this location does not have a working WiFi service.

In is dark outside when I leave at six-fifteen this evening and then retire to the same location in the d-mart parking lot.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and then drive out of the parking lot, west on SH 646 to IH 45 and then turn south onto the highway. I drive only a short distance to the SH FM 517 in Dickson, Texas and then exit to this highway where I drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. This cafe does have WiFi and I am able to connect right away, after which I begin uploading files to my web site. I continue working here on my computer and receive several text from Barry, some with photos of his taxidermy ducks.

At about six this evening, I look outside and it is nearly dark with just a slight glow on the western horizon. I then finish my journal entry for today, upload it to the internet and then pack out for the night. I drive to a nearby g-mart to park and to connect to the mid week meeting. After the meeting, I climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake, start the jammer and drive out of the g-mart parking lot and travel south on the feeder road of IH 45 only a short distance until I arrive at SH FM 517, turn west and drive to Alvin, Texas. When I arrive at SH 35, I take the loop around Alvin and then continue southwest out of Alvin. I drive until I arrive at Angleton, Texas and take the north loop SH 35 bypass around the city and soon arrive at SH 288 where I turn south and drive to Lake Jackson, Texas. Methinks, that was when I was in high school and would come here with the football team each year to play the Wildcats in their stadium. Those early days during my teenage years, when I was playing football with the school team was some of the earliest of my wayfaring.

Driving south on SH 288, I arrive at the exit for SH 332, take this exit and drive to the d-mart where I go to the automotive department and purchase a tire to replace the front right tire on the jammer. After getting this tire installed, I then drive across the street and stop at the w-mart, connect to the internet and pound keys to update today′s journal entry. Barry sends me a photo of a sand hill crane that he is working on and I tell him about my high school days reminiscing. I continue here for the entire day and long after it becomes dark, I drive back across the street to the d-mart and overnight in the parking lot.

Awake, dress, drive across the highway to the ff-mart and purchase an egg wrap and receive a free senior coffee. Yesterday, I had driven southwest and parallel to the Gulf Coast along SH 35 and plan to continue southwest this week and work my way further down the coast. My route today has me crossing the Brazos River, leaving the Upper Texas Coast and continuing into the Middle Texas Coast. My destination for tonight Magnolia Beach campground, and upon my arrival there, I will have me driven just over one hundred miles.

Then, after my morning meal and coffee, I start the jammer engine, drive west on SH 332 following the Brazos River inland to Brazoria, Texas, cross the Brazos River on SH 521 where I stop and examine the three bridges at this location. Next, I drive west on SH 521 and soon after cross the San Bernard River stopping here as well to take a couple photos of the bridge and boat ramp. Soon after crossing this river I turn north on SH 457 and drive to Bay City, Texas, after which I continue west on SH 35 and cross the Caranchua Bay Bridge, an inlet from Magtaorda Bay.

Soon after that, I cross the Lavaca Bay on the Lavaca Bridge and into Port Lavaca. I then drive by Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse, pull over to take a couple of photos from the roadside and then drive out of town on SH 238 along Chocolate Bay and continue south to Magnolia Beach where I take up a space in the campground. There are a group of retirees camped in the adjoining space and I greet them which I also question some individually as to where they are from. I get answers including: Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas. I join the conversation hoping that I will have the opportunity to share a Bible truth but this group seem to be to coarse to ever listen to the truth of God′s Word. However, I choose not to judge and look for an opening, but none seems to ever arrive. I then tell them that I have to turn in for the night and return to the jammer.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. Too, I stay here all day so that I can stay inside where there is air conditioning while outside the temperature soars upward to 67 degrees. Well, I know that 67 degrees is not too hot, but that is why I have been coming here to the bottom of Texas for over ten year now, so that I don′t have to deal with extremely hot temperatures during the day, nor the freezing cold temperatures at night.

Still, whatever the day time temperature, I plan to be inside an air conditioned coffee shop during at least the middle of each day which is normally the hottest time, that is unless I am camping out at the state park. Now, as for the night time temperatures during my winter stay, most of the nights will be between 45 and 55 degrees, with occasional exceptions which will vary below or above that range, and even then, normally not more that 5 degrees to either side. However, in past years, I have experience a few sweltering daytime temperatures in the middle 80s followed by very warm nights in the low to mid 60s, and I have found that this is typical of the weather in the mid-continental coastal region.

Later, long after the sun sets, I drive under the massive interstate interchange and into the parking lot where I will be overnighting. However, first, I walk inside the restaurant and have a grilled fish supper with veggies and biscuits. After eating, I move to a location in the parking lot where I will be able to see the sunglow in the morning. I next open my phone and to view one of the WTL videos once again, the one which gives new direction from the governing body about the subject of growing beards. According to the information, facial hair is no longer considered to be the act of rebellious nonconformist, but has become a practice of many of established people and modern ways. Therefore, tomorrow, I will not shave but instead begin growing my beard once again, after some forty-four years of shaving.

Then, I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.

Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, remover the window shades and see that the colorful display is already beginning to increase with intensity. I start the engine, turn on the windshield defroster and the step outside with my camera to take a couple of photographs of the sunglow.

After that, I get back into the jammer and drive under the interstate to the w-mart, park the jammer, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and key pounding.

Awake, dress, drive, park, walk inside and resume my key pounding for the morning. Then, at twelve-thirty, I pack out drive to a parking lot and dress in my go to meeting blues. Next, I drive to the Harlingen Kingdom hall, park and then walk inside for the weekend meeting.

It is nice to be back here among this congregation of the people of God and many greet me by my name. Myself, I only remember a few of the friends names and have to ask them to remind me. One of the youths, Paul that grew up in this congregation is giving the public talk and he is quite adept with his words.

After the meeting, I return to the w-mart to resume my key pounding until after the suns sets and then drive to the park in the restaurant beneath the interstate intersection. The night is replete with holiday celebrations of exploding fireworks, so I close my windows to dull the noise, climb into the rear of the jammer and shut my eyes.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the w-mart, which today opens at six this morning. I park in an empty parking lot, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and key pounding. As the day pushes forward, the amount of clouds in the sky increase many fold. Still, I stay inside because outside, the temperature soars into the high 70s.

Then, at about eight this evening, I pack out of the w-mart drive to the f-mart where I pull into the rear of the restaurant to park for the night. It is another quite night here in the bottom of Texas as I continue to exist in the remaining days of this system.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. As I walk inside, I see Rodney, who is a Texas State Trouper and one who I have during my past visits here spent time in discussion with here at a table in this cafe. He greets me and asks, Do you remember me? to which I reply, Yes, my name is Thom, but I forgot your name. We talk briefly, but then he leaves for his work and I return to my work on the computer.

This evening, I stay here until about six before I decide to pack out. I drive to a ff-mart for a couple of burritos, then to the f-mart to park for the night. It has been another warm day outside, rising to 75 degrees. Too, it has also been somewhat humid today.

With my stay here in south Texas arriving upon the end of its first week, I find myself still parking in Harlingen under the IH overpasses.

Methinks, that soon, I will depart from this location, drive the one hundred or so miles inland along the river valley and continue my winter hiatus closer to the state park where I will be out of the large city and closer to the place where I normally go for my hot showers, Falcon State Park. Too, by moving westward, I will most likely depart from this area of high humidity and enter into a more desert-like ecosystem.

I spend another day inside the air conditioned cafe so as to keep out of the humid warm day.

Awake to a humid day, drive to the w-mart for my morning routine and continue and day with my computer work of updating my website files and photos. It is only after the sun sets when I depart from the cafe and drive to my overnight location, where, here I connect to the Harlingen congregation for the meeting.

Then, after the final prayer, I disconnect from the Zoom app, turn off my phone and get into the horizontal.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I remain here within this cafe for a couple of hours, well, at least until I finish drinking my fill of hot coffee.

Then, at about ten-thirty this morning, I pack out, drive west out of town and head for the state park for my next hot shower, arriving after three this afternoon with construction on IH 2 causing long delays. I acquire my day pass at the front entrance, drive to the Black Bass Loop Shower house and get into the steamy hot water. Then, after I dry off, I pack out, drive out of the park and drive to the Falcon County Park to look for a space. I meet and talk with several of the campers and even meet Jonathan again, who I met first at Magnolia Beach Campground a few weeks ago on Day 944 TN.

I find that the county park is packed with campers, however, I am able to locate one space without a water source nearby nor a picnic table. I decide to stay here for one night, set up to cook my Repast and when the water boils, I begin putting the vegetables that I had chopped up, into the broth, which by doing so causes the broth to begin thickening. When the veggy stew is done, I pack up my gear, climb into the rear of the jammer where I sit and pound keys while I slowly eat the hot meal.

It is a very warm evening and eating a hot meal makes me sweat quite profusely. Still, it is nice to have a fresh vegetable stew to eat in stead of what I would normally eat, a burger or two burritos. Too, another reason I decided to stay four only one night is that even though I did stop to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, I failed to purchase more spring water and tonight, I open and finish my last bottle.

By six this evening, the sun has set below the horizon and the light begins to fail. I will continue pounding keys for a while longer, but do not plan to run the battery down too far because I will leave tomorrow morning, drive south on US 83 for twenty-five miles until I arrive at the first w-mart where I will stay the entire day in th air conditioning. I then turn off my electronics, climb into the sack to get horizontal and soon after, close my eyes.

Awake after a cold night, I rise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and begin driving slowly out of the campground. There are only a few up and moving about, so I continue directly to the front gate, drive onto the roadway and then turn southeast on SH FM 2084, drive until I arrive at US 83, turn right and drive east for twenty-five miles until arriving at the w-mart in Rio Grande City. Then, I grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and another day of key pounding inside in the cool air.

I am able to complete quite a lot of pages, upload then and then at about seven this evening, I leave, purchase a burger and then drive to the d-mart to park for the night.

Awake, drive across the US highway into the w-mart parking lot, set up my computer, purchase coffee and then sit down to check my communications and begin pounding keys. Then, at nine-fifty this morning, I connect to the Harlingen Airport congregation for the week end meeting, this being the first time that this congregation has had the ten o′clock time slot for a couple of years. I am glad because I personally prefer to attend the meeting at this time. When the meeting is over, I say good bye, disconnect and return to my key pounding.

I do not stop with the key pounding until after seven this evening, after which, I drive back across the street to the d-mart, park in about the same spot, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer to read for a time. I finally, put my phone away, turn over and close my eyes.

When I finally begin key pounding today, the sun has set, I have eaten my evening meal, I have had a hot shower already this evening, and now I am beginning to write my journal entries for this entire days. I find myself in electric campsite number 111 in the Mesquite Bend electric campground loop at Falcon State Park. Let me relate how I got here.

I awake this morning in the d-mart parking lot, get dressed in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and then begin driving the twenty-five miles west to the state park, where I ask for one night in campsite number 111, which I already know is available because of checking online. One night now costs sixteen dollars, two dollars less than last year and I pay with my debit card. I then drive into the campground, turn onto the camping Loop, drive to my campsite, arriving at about ten this morning, park, get out and plug in my electric cord. Plugging in this cord is the sole reason why I pay for the electric site, because I really need to have electricity for one overnight and get all of my batteries back up to a full charge.

Because I had several different vegetables that I really need to eat, at about noon, I got out my skillet and prepared an omelet, one loaded with chopped celery, onion and red bell pepper. Of course, I also included some coconut milk, spice mix and dried seaweed. After the food was done, I then sat inside to eat the meal during the heat of the day, which really rises to be the hottest day during my stay here in the valley, all the way up to 87 degrees.

At about two this afternoon, I step outside to begin working on my van, doing the install of the (somewhat) permanent window shades. Ever since I purchased this van, I have been putting up temporary shades, with the rear lift window being blocked by draping my towels over the clothing rack. This upgrade on the rear lift window is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time, however, what has stopped me is the time and place to do this upgrade; which time and place has finally arrived.

The very first thing that I need for this upgrade is to raise the rear lift door, block it open with a support and then remove the lift shocks, all which is quite simple but tedious. Next, I remove the window trim panel to expose the window installation connection seam, which I do, so that I can cut the new window shade to fit. When I have the shade cut to size and it fits perfectly in the space under the window trim, I then use black duct tape to hold the shade in place, doing so that when I reinstall the trim panel the tape will not be exposed. Finally, I re-install the window trim panes, then the window lift shocks and check to make sure the key turn-lock works correctly.

This is what I have been doing all afternoon, right up until the sun sets, and afterwards during the twilight. In fact, it is nearly dark when I am stowing my tools, close up the jammer and walk to the shower house for a steamy hot shower.

Finally, I return to the jammer, climb in to my desk, turn on my computer and begin pounding keys. At this point, I am done and will close out my journal entry, so that I can relax for the few minutes that I have left of this evening before I get into the horizontal.

Awake to my alarm, rise, dress in my fall blues, get out my electric heater and plug the cord in so as to warm up the inside of the van. I next turn on my computer and begin my journal entry for today while waiting for the light of day to grow brighter.

Last night was a very dark one, especially with the moon in the waning crescent phase having only five percent of its surface illuminated and very near to being a new moon, which will be in two days on Thursday, 11 January. Slowly, the daylight shows itself outside and too, slowly the temperature increases up to and above fifty degrees. I open up the jammer, walk around to the rear lift door and while admiring the newly installed window shade, get out my stove, teapot, skillet and two hot cups. I take these to the picnic table and start the stove, putting my water filled teapot on top. I then retrieve from the jammer all of my foodstuffs I will need for my morning meal.

As the water begins to boil, I pour the hot liquid into my coffee cup and tea cup, then transfer the skillet onto the stove and begin to heat some olive oil. I then continue to chop up my celery, red pepper, and yellow onion; then when the oil is hot, I put the chopped vegetables into the skillet to brown, during which, I crack the eggs into my cookpot lid; to which, I add a tablespoon of my spice mix and one of dried seaweed. Then I stir well and to the now nicely browned vegetables, I pour the mixture of scrambled eggs and spices. It does not take very long to cook this meal and when it is done, I move everything into the jammer, climb inside and have my morning meal while I resume my key pounding. All along, my electric cord is plugged into the receptacle and my batteries are receiving the final charge.

Then, at just before noon, I step out of the jammer and begin my packing out of this state park, the last thing that I do is to disconnect the electrical cord and stow it in its place. I then start the jammer, pull forward one length of the van and put it into park; then, I step outside and do a walk around the campsite to pick up any pieces of trash that I have missed. Next stop is the shower house where I park, grab my towel and shower bag, walk inside for one more hot shower before I leave the state park.

At about one today, I drive out or Falcon State Park, then south the twenty-five miles to the w-mart in Rio Grande City, pull into the parking lot and park. Then I grab my computer bag and go inside for a glass of ice water and to pound keys until I am done for this day. It does not take too long because of all the tedious work that I have been doing the last few days, I have become overly tired, so I pack out of the w-mart in the afternoon to go out to the jammer and take a nap. Yes, old people are allowed to take afternoon naps, we earned it. It is amazingly cool outside, especially with my slide windows open and I am able to sleep for a few hours.

Later this day, I move from the w-mart to a spot directly across the highway in the d-mart, put up my front window shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and retire for the evening.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, climb into the drivers seat, start the jammer and leave the parking lot of the d-mart and turning east on US 83, I drive 40 miles until I arrive at the Jackson Road exit, get off of IH 2 and drive to the w-mart (Star-2) just south of the interstate highway. I pull into the w-mart parking lot, park, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and a day of key pounding.

Previously, I had contacted the Veterans services in San Benito, Texas and requested an appointment so that I could apply for an increase in my disability percentage. Thus, the representative has made the appointment for next Wednesday, 17 January, so, I have left the state park and begun my drive back to the lower Rio Grande Valley where the appointment will be. However, until then, I will stay at this cafe location and when it is closer to the date of that appointment, I will then leave the night before the day of the appointment and drive to a location very near to I will need to be. Then in the morning of the day of the appointment, I will drive to the offices where my appointment will be. Afterwards, I plan on coming back to Star-2 and here spend additional time at this location due it being in a very convenient location which has both a w-mart and a d-mart in very close proximity. As for that matter, the w-mart in Rio Grande City (Star-3) also has the same configuration. As for that matter, the w-mart in Harlingen (Star-1) likewise has a w-mart and d-mart located very close together. These three Star w-marts are where I am usually found sitting inside during the day, while I am here in south Texas during the winter months, now going on twelve years.

I continue pounding keys all day and into the evening, not stopping until long after the sun sets, when I pack out, I then drive across the street, purchase a burger, and then drive to the same location that I have overnighted at many times in the past many years of wintering in south Texas, and a location which I have personally been calling Jackson Palm Park for most of these years.

One of the past times that I have been partaking in is the naming of locations on the internet map application called Goggle Maps. I find it totally amusing how I can suggest the name of a location to Goggle Maps and often with little or no credulity, they will accept the name that have I suggest. However, other times, they refuse my name suggestion, even after I have given them more than enough credentials for them to call it what I have suggested. A point is case is the location at 26.1906083, -98.2101729, which I submitted only today, for the name to be Jackson Palm City Park. I came up with that name because the north end of this piece of land is adjacent to East Jackson Avenue in McAllen, Texas and the small parcel of land has some thirty or more palm trees on it. This name is totally bogus, I just made it up and submitted it to Goggle Map. Then, in the matter of only a few minutes, the edit that I made to Goggle maps was accepted and I received an email reporting so. In fact, the real reason I decided to name this city park is because this is right next to the location where I have been overnighting and I wanted to have a name to call the place where I use as my overnight location.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive across Jackson street to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. While sitting inside at a table, I watch as the sunglow in the eastern horizon begins to start this winter day, first a dim glow, which expands into a large warm orange sunglow stretched across the horizon, then the orange fades to crimson, and next to a dark brick red, as the light of day slowly fades all hint of color from the sky. Meanwhile, the sun, now rising above the horizon, bursts through the thick cloud cover in its last attempt to cause the orange to exude from the behind those clouds.

With all the sunglow now faded to gray, I pull down the window shade here in the w-mart and turn my attention back to my coffee and key pounding. Too, I only now have been able to connect to the internet here at the w-mart, you would think that it would not be this hard to accomplish, but there has been an ongoing problem that I have with connecting my computer in the various w-marts. Often, I have resorted to using my phone and connecting with my mobile hotspot, after which I am then able to connect with the store internet.

Then, after the sun sets, I pack out of the cafe, drive to Jackson Palm park where I have been overnighting and soon after connect to the Harlingen Airport congregation for the mid-week meeting.

Awake, rise, dress, start the jammer, drive to the w-mart, coffee, com and computer. Just another day in search for the paradise weather.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart and notice outside that it is completely overcast with clouds that block nearly all of the morning sunglow. I go inside, plug in my computer and begin to pound keys while sipping on my cup of hot black coffee. Just before eight this morning, four of the local witnesses come into the cafe, sit down at the large table and begin writing letters.

I greet one of the brothers and he walks over to greet me; he tells me his name but I immediately forget and then we both return to the work at hand. A little later, I approach him again and ask his name again, to which he says Jaun Ramon. I show him one of the letters that I have written, which he reads and then asks me if he can take a photo of it. I tell him yes and told him that I thought that he might ask me that. I also tell him my story about how I became disabled after which, we both go back to work again.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, come and computer. Later, I connect to the Harlingen congregation for the weekend meeting, after which I resume the key pounding on my web site.

The day continues and I finally pack out some time after dark, drive to my regular overnight parking space and climb into the rear of the jammer.

Awake, drive, park, coffee, com, computer. After another day I retire again to the same location at Jackson Palm Park to rest for the night.

Awake to a very cold day, the coldest on so far this winter and shiver for some time even after I get dressed in my winter blues. I then start the jammer and drive to the w-mart, park, walk inside and begin sipping coffee to warm up. Wow, I did not expect that arctic blast to drop the temperature that much. In fact, it has been a fairly mild winter so far this year, even with daytime highs rising into the 80s on several occasions.

I remain inside all day to keep warm as the daytime high today does not even reach 40 degrees. Then, after I pack out of the coffee cafe, I drive southeast on IH 2 until I arrive in Harlingen and stop at a restaurant for a salad and soup all you can eat meal.

Finally, I pack out, start the jammer and drive to the d-mart to park for the night. After sitting in the front seat with the heater going to warm up the interior of the jammer, during which I linger as long as possible so as to keep warm, I then set up my sleeping birth with all three of my blankets and then climb into the the rear of the van for another cold night.

Awake to another cold morning but today was not as cold as yesterday morning was as it appears to be slowly warming up from the northerner (arctic weather front) that blew down yesterday. Too, I am able to sleep this morning until my alarm awakens me. I then dress, shivering a little at first but once I haved dressed in my fall blues and then I put on my hoodie, the shivers stop. I start the jammer, drive to the w-mart, park the jammer and go inside for a cup of hot, to check my com and then finally begin composing my journal entry for this morning. Too, I see that due to my activities during the last couple of days, that my journal writing has been on the wane.

After remaining here at the cafe sipping coffee for nearly an hour, I get a cup to go and then leave to drive to the meeting with the Veterans Services advocate. Then, upon arriving at the appointment, I am told that what I really need to do is to go to the VA and complain about the pain so that I have a record of the constant pain. I have tried to call the VA for an appointment but that is an impossible task, and, I have tried online to make an appointment but that is equally as impossible. Methinks, trying to rely on the government and its various departments is as useless as relying on them for Peace and Security, (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer.

Awake to a very humid morning, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, park, walk inside for coffee, com and computer.

Awake, dress, drive, park, walk inside, coffee, com, computer until the day turns dark. Then, I drive back to my overnight parking location to rest until another day of much the same.

After sleeping in late this morning, I rise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I also begin preparing for the weekend meeting later this morning. After the meeting, I stay inside because the temperatures does not rise above 47 degrees and continues to rain all day. Today is buy one, get one free and the cafe is packed all day long and I just keep pounding away on the keyboard.

A short time after the sunsets, which neither I see it or know when it happens, but it does get very dim outside and when that happpens, I pack out, drive the burger place called What for my evening meal and then drive to the place where I am overnighting while here in this city.

Awake, turn on the jammer engine to warm up the inside, then begin getting dressed. Soon after, I am driving to the w-mart were I go inside for another day of coffee, com and key pounding. This is supposed to be the last cold morning for about the rest of the month of January, possibly even through the first week of February.

Methinks, I should start considering when I will begin my drive north out of the Rio Grande Valley, which traditionally has been after the second week of February, even as late as the end of the third week. Too, since this winter has been much warmer than most, I will likely begin

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive out of my place of overnight parking, onto the feeder road heading west and soon after enter IH 2 traveling west. The drive is uncrowded until arriving at Alamo, Texas, where the road construction for the IH 2 and IH 69C causes a slow down and even stoppage at times, so I exit the interstate at exit 150A in Alamo, Texas turn left onto Alamo Road, drive south half a mile to the US Business 83, turn right and continue west to Jackson Avenue where I turn south once again and then pull into the parking lot for the w-mart.

Here, I remain for the rest of this very humid and overcast day and it is not until the day begins to become dim for the evening that I pack out and drive across Jackson Avenue to the d-mart where at I park for the night.

Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, drive across Jackson Avenue to the w-mart, park, gather my computer bag, keys, hoodie and walk inside the cafe for a morning of coffee, com and key pounding. One of the first tasks that I do is to check for my federal benefits credit to see that it has been deposited in my bank account. I know that it has always been there, but in these last days of this world′s system, I just do not trust the government to do the right thing, in fact, I fully expect for them to cease the payment of this benefit, especially as we become ever so close to the end.

Once I acquire my coffee, I sit down and resume my work of updating my web site until nearly ten this morning when I pack out, drive to the d-mart for some groceries and then begin my drive further west on US 83 towards my next hot shower.

Upon arriving at the state park, I find out that their are no electric sites available and opt for a primitive site. I drive first to the shower house, get into the hot water and afterwards, drive to my campsite and set up my solar panels. It is still very overcast and even though the charging does work it is not at a very high rate. I will probably not have enough battery power to last through the day.

Then, in the late afternoon, I step out of the jammer, get out my stove to cook my supper. When I am done cooking, I climb back into the jammer to eat and read for a while before getting into the sack.