Category Archives: On The Road

Traveling in our Coach

~Lake Bistineau State Park~

Lake Bistineau State Park - near Shreveport, Louisiana (with our very own private deck).
Lake Bistineau State Park – near Shreveport, Louisiana (with our very own private deck).

We were at Lake Bistineau State Park Monday night. It is a beautiful Louisiana State Park near Shreveport, Louisiana. Cost is $18.00 a night or $20.00 a night with a deck!

The "pack" at Lake Bistineau State Park
The “pack” at Lake Bistineau State Park

This park is filled with moss covered Cypress trees and typical Louisiana swamps.

Typical Louisiana Scene
Typical Louisiana Scene

We were the only ones in the park and enjoyed it very much. The waning moon, rose after dark and hung over the Cypress trees highlighting the hanging moss, giving the woods  a spooky look.  We were serenaded  by Owls hooting in the distance.

A stroll in the woods.
A stroll in the woods.
Cypress Trees
Cypress Trees

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The ranger told me, when I checked in, that in the Bathhouse there were washers and dryers that we were welcome to use for free! We decided, to use the washers and dryers, after we spent the afternoon hiking around. By this time, clouds had moved in and it was “pitch” – can’t see your hand in front of your face – dark!

We travel with a car guard on our car and decided to drive the half-block to the Bathhouse leaving the car guard on the car. Whoa, big mistake!

Okay, Trip Two “lets use a flash light to shine on the road in front of the car”. Not as bad as Trip One, but too much dark, so little light!

I can’t believe, my overly cautious husband did this!

After Trip Two, conversation goes as follows:

Howard – “lets take the car guard off”

Sheila, “oh this is fun, want me to walk in front of the car with the flash light”

Trip Three – Howard won. We took the time to remove the car guard from the car; this trip we could see the road, but it was not nearly as much fun! We could also see Raccoons and feral cats.

It turned out to be a fun way to do some laundry! However, afterwards I spent too much time thinking about the feral cats.

Who lives here?
Who lives here?
Beautiful Fall Colors
Beautiful Fall Colors

Enjoy the Journey!

~A Walk in the Woods~

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A walk in the woods,

Expectations await.

 ~

Strolled upon a flowing creek,

Bringing life from afar,

A melody of sweet harmony fills the air,

What secrets are you sharing?

 ~

Sheltering Live Oaks and tall Long Leaf Pines,

Swaying in the gentle evening breeze,

Whispering to each other and maybe to me,

What are you planning?

 ~

Singing their nightly lullaby of rich, deep notes,

Listen closely, green tree frogs,

Revealing stories of the day, expectations of the night,

Who attends your story time?

 ~

Dusk begins to blanket the woods,

Inviting shadows out to dance,

They present a choreographed musical of enchantment,

For whom are you performing?

 ~

A walk in the woods.

Expectations fulfilled.

~

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Tyler, Texas is known for growing Roses. Notice the red rose in the water. Someone left several Roses here in memory of a loved one. Touching.
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Canoe Guide

All photos taken at Tyler State Park, near Tyler, Texas. We spent two nights there this past Saturday and Sunday. We experienced fall all over again!

After leaving Ray Roberts State Park, we headed to MCD Innovations in McKinney, Texas, for seven nights, where we had our coach blinds installed. I promise a write up on the installation and process. I can truly say, we love the new MCD blinds.

Leaving McKinney, we traveled to Tyler State Park, where all of these photos were taken. Then to Lake Bistineau State Park in Louisiana for a night, finally leaving Texas! I have some photos of Lake Bistineau that I will post. We wish we would have had more time to stay a few more days there, but just ran out of time.

This afternoon we arrived at Natchez State Park, near Natchez, MS and will leave in the morning for Fairview River State Park in Madisonville, Louisiana for eleven nights. We are looking forward to being in one place for a little while. Hopefully, I can get caught up on my blog, answering comments and visiting your blogs!

I hope you enjoy my photos!

~The B’s~

Bugs, Butterflies and a Bird

Beetle
Beetle

In the forest, who knows what you will see,

While on a hike, or riding a bike;

Hear,  f eel,  just be.

 ~

A bird singing a song, 

A bug traveling along;

Hear,  feel,  just be.

A butterfly drinking nectar, 

A beetle saying, don’t give me a lecture;

Hear, feel,  just be.

 ~

A flower looking forlorn

A deep, red bloom reborn;

Hear, feel,  just be.

~

In the forest, who knows what you will see,

Hear, feel,  just be.

Red Admiral "May I help you?" "Which way would you like to hike?"
Red Admiral, VP in charge of direction.”May I help you?” “Which way would you like to hike?” 

Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird
I have not been close enough to birds to get any photos. Lucky I got this one!
Yellow Wildflowers
Yellow Wildflowers and a Bug
Clouded Sulphur
Clouded Sulphur
Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
A little beat-up!
One still blooming with a spider calling it home!
One still blooming with a spider calling it home!
Sumac bloom
Sumac bloom
I’am sure there is a bug in there somewhere.
Past their prime, but still pretty!
Past their prime, but still pretty!
Red Admiral
Red Admiral

I took these photos in Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

All photos: SkyeRiver Photography ©Sheila de Laneuville

Happy Veterans Day

 To All Vets

Thank You

For your service and what you do to keep this country safe and FREE!

Thanks and much Love to my vet!

“The Reward is the Journey”

~Nature’s Bouquet~

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Nature’s Bouquet

After drinking a Kona, 

We went for a walk,

Not until I spotted them,

Was there much talk.

 ~

I was delighted to see berries,

 Hanging on lime green trees,

It made me so giddy, 

I nearly fell to my knees.

The sun highlighting them perfectly,

It was still early,

Their beauty was enough,

 To make a girl  girly.

~

Never before,

Have I ever seen,

This color so beautifully displayed,

Except in my dreams.

~

Why, my favorite color, 

There is no logic,

Purple of course,

Is simply magic.

Purple Berries
American Beautyberry
Lime and Purple
Lime and Purple Dance well together.
A Purple String of Berries
A Purple Necklace of Berries
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Does the color look like wine?
Beautiful
Beautiful

~

These are called American Beautyberry. Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ (Purple Beautyberry)

I  have never seen these before!; what a treat!

All Photos: SkyeRiver Photography ©Sheila de Laneuville

“It is the Journey that Matters in the End”

~Forest Wonders~

Heart of Hearts
Heart of Hearts

~

Open  your eyes and you will see,

Amazing sites all for free.

~

Mother nature provides a show,

A bounty of wonders that slowly grow.

 ~

Show your respect,

She is fragile, in many aspects.

~

Marvel at her beauty and works of art,

Celebrate her creations with love in your heart.

~

I took these photos, this week, in Ray Roberts Lake State Park. 

All photos: SkyeRiver Photography ©Sheila de Laneuville

Enjoy the Journey!