The 2025 RV travel season has begun! This year’s route takes us across southern US to the Pacific coast, stopping to see friends and family along the way plus 15 more National Parks.
Dave and I decided to take Mini-T, our smaller travel trailer, on this year’s trip as we plan to stay in many state and national parks where size matters. Our larger Solitude 5th wheel, gets to stay in her covered home for one more year.
Our first stop was a Harvest Host, where local businesses have room for your RV to stay overnight, typically farms, wineries, breweries, etc. Usually you buy from the establishment as payment for your stay. This location was a small farm, selling medicinal herbs, primarily moringa and soursop. The owner encouraged me to buy herbs rather than just pay him cash for our stay. So, I bought some moringa tea leaves. I need to research this before trying it.
The best part of the stay was that Murphy had his own private little dog park complete with a water trough (for the farm’s horse & donkey). Who drinks out of a water trough? It was Murphy’s private bath tub.
Heading northwest, we stopped at Florida Caverns State Park, in the panhandle. As Dave prefers not to go in caverns, I enjoyed a guided 1 hour tour. The campground also had 2 bat houses and each night at sunset, campers can watch the bats leave for a night of feasting. It was hard to get a picture when they flew out… they are fast
We also drove a bit north to Dothan, AL to see the World’s Smallest City Block and the “Big Peanut”. Dothan is home to the annual National Peanut Festival, hence the large peanut. Until 2009, the peanut used to travel around the country on a flatbed truck.
As we headed west, what did I spy? A sign for Buc-ee’s. Oh boy!!! I love their cinnamon rolls (even after all the rolls we ate in Alaska, I still am hungry for more). Dave was gracious to stop so I could run in and buy not one, but two cinnamon rolls. Cannot wait to eat them. We then continued to our next stop just outside Mobile, AL, arriving at a gorgeous state park on the bay. And, just a short drive into Mobile was Mo’ Bay Beignets. Good thing Dave and I hadn’t shared a cinnamon roll yet. As you know, beignets are best eaten freshly made, nice and warm What a nice afternoon treat to spoil our dinner. We were treated to a beautiful sunset on Mobile Bay.
Our next stop was at Delhi, a small town in Louisiana. It boasts having the oldest drug store in Louisiana, and maybe even the United States. Opened in 1873, it’s 152 years old! It has a soda fountain, so Dave and I stopped in for some yummy milkshakes. I put most of my milkshake in the freezer, so I didn’t ruin my appetite for dinner, just like my mom taught me. 😊
We stayed at Poverty Point State Park, a beautiful campground which had a large lake, golf course, and a few hiking trails. And after only 5 days on the road, I get to put my hiking boots on! The three of us went for a short hike after Dave grilled a pork tenderloin for dinner. We discovered an ancient burial site and learned there is a UNESCO site just down the road with many more mounds. Murphy and I enjoyed a beautiful sunrise while on our morning walk.
Next, we start our drive through Texas, stopping for two nights in Waco. We shall see what we can find!
There are always sweets to tempt me Brenda, Eat dessert first? OK! Dave, and did I mention how much I love camping Murphy.