update from Louisiana...

We left Texas.. Woo-Hooooooooo!!!!
Not that we didn't enjoy it or anything..... nice campgrounds, expensive but nice... I didn't know where to dump except at a campground until Christine got here and showed me the fabulous travel centers called Flying J and Pilot... wow...for free!!!! I thought we would have to go to a 25-40 dollar a night rv resort/campground every few days...Now I'm a happy camper for sure!!!...
While in Texas:
We went to Austin and saw the capital- very beautiful, another IKEA cool-, a street fair where Hanna found some more rings--we have been looking for about a year- Jake got another great hat that he really loves..straw- his other one was too small...
Next on to San Marcos, NewBraunfels( cool hardware store and a neat German bakery) and San Antoinio- really cool Natural Bridge Caverns-Jakes 2nd time but he was doesn't remember the first time- he was 3... drove around about an hour looking for a place to park our rig so we could go to The Alamo..we finally found one- about a block away-- while I was walking over to stuff my money in ($30! a day) the pay box, a guy (6'2" or more) big black gentleman without front teeth, but dressed very clean and nice looking clothes, came up to me and said "Did you just pull in or are you leaving?" I told him I just got there(if he worked there -wouldn't he know?) he tried to make small talk about AK, all the while I'm thinking-who is this guy?!, and so he tries to hand me a ticket and says to" put in in your windshield ma'am" and says I can just give the money to him.... I told him, No the sign says to put the money in the box or I don't get the credit and I'll be towed--the sign did not say that..--so I also say I'll just put the money in the box and you can get it out later..he says yes ma'am I'll just take that ticket back and goes over to another MARK that just drove up -and that guy takes the ticket gives him the money... so big black guy starts quickly sauntering across parking lot, leaving the scene...while he is walking away I look around the corner and there is a huge sandwich board with NO ATTENDANT ON DUTY _ PUT MONEY IN NUMBERED BOXES....so I point this out to guy who gave guy money..who wasn't happy..and repaid. So that is my big long involved boring BIG CITY story..sorry :-)
When we were done in San Antonio, really wanted to be magically transported to Louisiana- the next leg...instead we got an early start(for us, anyway) and thought this is great, we're on our way!!!, except we weren't.... next long slightly exciting story.... I felt a big thumping on right rear...and started saying we have a blowout, people- more than once...and the truck was not pulling or anything so then I thought we had run over something...
We hadn't and it was a blowout......
We drove on some fun backroads for about 16 miles to get to the tire place(who were fabulous)...and were back on the road after learning alot about tires... more than I wanted to know .. :-) only about $470 and 4 hours later than our plan(what plan?!!) We finally made it out of Texas at 12:15 on Sep 28....


We need to go listen to some Cajun music now...more later Julie

warning!

we found this today at the F.O.T.R. {Families On The Road} website and we {i} think that it applies to us perfectly!
-jake

{it's an inside joke!}

We Survived IKE!!!!

So, we did go over to San Antonio on Thursday..It was beautiful, except with the stress of trying to get far enough away and traffic made it impossible to enjoy the trip. Did I mention the traffic -- wow--our 3 hour trip turned into a 6 1/2 hour nightmare....Jake was joking he could run faster than we were driving.. Saturday we did get to go to Sea World.. Fun but very commercial..more stuff to buy than animals to see..
Thankfully, the Hurricane didn't even come close to where we were staying- Admiralty RV Resort-(friendly and family oriented-nice pool) next to Sea World... David worked on our toilet all day Friday --- got it fixed --- no more sewer smell!!!!!! Happy Wife!!! I am very thankful for my HANDY HUSBAND!
Getting the MH outfitted is like setting up a whole new house - Spendy$... I think we have it pretty much ready now.. cost twice as much or more than I thought..
The kids are being troupers..but they are ready for the fun and games to start. Today we had to bring the MH to the ford dealer about, 38 miles away from the campground we were staying at, to get the front end looked at. The guy said we open at 7am but failed to mention the front end guy comes in at 8. So we got up at 5:40am, (did I mention my kids are real troupers?) rushed around, Jake unhooked us in the dark-wow- 8^0 --- when we got here, the guy says "when my front end guy gets here at 8, I'll have him look at it..." I just smiled and said thank you but wanted to slug him for not telling me 8 before-- whatever... Hopefully it will be an easy -cheap fix--- I love our new to us MH but it is a money pit.. :~)
We are waiting next door at a diner called 59 Diner..cute real diner..Jake liked the jukebox -oh and the coffee..:) They have free screaming 4 bar internet service...nice. Good food as well.
Tonight we will be picking up Sheridan and Christine, who are flying in from Indianapolis,IN. around 9:50pm at Hobby Airport, across town....we will probably stay at Wal-Mart tonight..boondocking(free camping) ...
Saturday, (tomorrow) we hope to be off to the start of the BIG ADVENTURE...however, so far this ALL has been a big adventure... I can hardly believe we are doing this...it seems like a dream come true, even though it's a lot of work for everyone... bye for now..Julie 8^) Ahhhhhhh.......

Hurricane Update

So, David called and said we will be leaving tomorrow morning after we take the MH to the shop....we were going to try and go to San Antonio for the Sea World trip and Americas best tacos....but the storm path changed our plans....we will be going(read running) Northwest as fast as possible.....will update as WIFI is available...
Later, Julie

Off We Gooooooooooo......!!!! By AkArtsyMamaJulie

--IKEA Mecca for Julie
--after IKEA--more new Russian babies
Hanna taking her turn at the wheel of the MH
--on the way from Austin to Houston..
--more Austin to Houston..
Hanna enjoying the new MH...
--Reading the manual after I popped a breaker--don't run the micro and air conditioner...oops...
Here is our first look at the new rig..
ditto...
--initial scoping out...sweaty but exciting...
Zachary says: "wow, my luggage made it!"
97 degrees outside first day--Friday
Jake likes these....
---here's where we are, honey....
cute happy dog after a Harrowing ride..her first airplane trip..
cows under tree...
big cool highway...





Jake says, "Uh Oh, someone is kidnapping our dog!" We were dropping her off in Anchorage.....Hanna digging on her new Russian dolls at Anc Airport...


HOUSTON-- Well, we are finally off on our big adventure! Getting off to the airport was an adventure in itself...WOW.. 16 pieces of luggage including 9 carry-ons, a dog to air freight and six checked pieces.. and the amazing thing is it all arrived on the same plane we did!!! Yahoo Continental!!
When we got here we were relieved but very tired. Maggie was fine although exhausted and hot.
David went to get the car, a Ford Excursion thank goodness. It all fit! What a surprise!
We drove to Austin to pick up the Motorhome,(mh) and 5 hours later, it's finally ours!
We didn't melt in the 97 degree heat..but we did slow down and started to really appreciate the air conditioner.. :*)
We have been working on it since Saturday and are getting to feel more comfortable and make it ours.
We have been shopping and trying to find stuff we need..Kroger-which owns Fred Meyer- nice but smaller than ours, Home Depot, Costco, IKEA -heaven in a box.. 8^). Next the Motorhome goes in to get some work done that David isn't going to have time for..
The kids were very excited to go to IKEA, not for the reasons you think.. They have been sleeping on beach towels, covered with beach towels and not loving it! They were so excited to get real pillows and lightweight comforters with comforter covers and real sheets...I think it's great to be appreciative of the basics we all take for granted... Learning all the time..happy, happy..
Whew.....
This weekend we are going to try to go up to San Antonio to go to Sea World...and maybe get some Sleep-ha..
David has been going to his meetings Mon-Tue Wed- this week and we have been working on cleaning and putting away stuff and measuring all the storage areas for bins..also laundry , just like home but only in two rooms..fun fun
We are thinking of you guys and the 49 degree weather in Palmer, AK...
Hanna is enjoying the warm weather and went swimming in the pool in Austin Saturday...
Jake is melting, but likes the fact that it isn't raining..He is helping Dad and learning the ropes of hooking up the motorhome- he hates the sewer line because the valve is leaking- one of the reasons it is going to the shop tomorrow! Otherwise, he's having fun and is looking forward to picking up Christine and Sheridan- friends coming from Indiana to spend about a month with us.
Well, time to wrap this up...Jake says to use a lot of tape..ha ha..
'Till next time, Julie---here's what happens when you forget a can opener...

getting ready,

hi! we are getting ready to go on our trip soon! this is a picture of all our luggage, and my super cute sister hanna!
-jake

hi!

we are the earls, and we live in alaska, but this year we decided to go live in a motor home in the southeast U.S. until it warms up up here, which may be awhile :-)
-jake