Well, it has now been a week and things are mostly going as planned.  One of the the first things that both Frances and I came to realize is that the "one night stand" is not really a good option.  Even with our small rig, it takes an hour or so to set up, and then an hour or so to pack up.  Given that we spend another hour, or so, each day just looking for stuff, stopping anywhere for one night is not a great option.  I think in general we will plan for a 3 night minimum, but this is only another rule to be broken as needed.

Last night, we met up with Bubba, and we only stayed one night.  However, Bubba and his chief Anne, provided us with dinner and breakfast, so we didn't have to get out any cooking gear or food, which can take a good deal of time.  We just hooked up the power, and cleaned out the sleeping space and were good to go.  We aren't going to be getting too many more offers like that, but there may be nights where we are trying to get from A to B and we just need to stop for a night and sleep.

In Natchez, we stopped by Tractor Supply and I picked up a cargo rack that attaches to the hitch receiver on the back of the trailer.  We have a relatively large, 13 gallon, water reclamation tank that catches the drainage from the sink.  I really don't have a good place to transport this, so I decided to pick up the Hitch Hauler.  That allows me to put a few more bulky items in an easy to reach spot.  The downside is, I have to install and uninstall the platform at each stop.  Not so bad except when departing in the rain.  I have to lay on the ground to get the retaining pin in place.  So far, we've only had one day of rain, but we know that more is bound to come.

Tonight, in Richards, TX, we are only about 50 miles away from Centerville, Texas, birthplace of Lightnin Hopkins.  He and Mance Lipscomb used to play in these parts.  I'd like to make a trek to Centerville, but as far as I can tell there is no marker, museum, etc. in that town.  Lightnin moved on to Houston as his base of operations during most of his performing career.

We've had a museum recommended to us, Washington on the Brazos which we may visit tomorrow or Monday.  Need to check the hours, many museums are closed on Mondays.    Apparently, the museum tells the history of the creation of the Republic of Texas, which as I recall from my visit here two years ago, was a movement centered in this part of Texas. 

From here we are heading to McKinney Falls State Park south of Austin.  We have 3 nights there and hope to get in some good riding in the Hill Country.  We may have to go into town for a night to catch some of the Austin music scene, but we'll have to plan ahead to stay awake late enough.

I have to confess to being surprised at how little I am thinking of home and Huntsville.  Each day is unique and unscripted and Frances and I both are taking great delight in just seeing what comes.  Tonight, the ranch owner entertained us with about half an hour of stories related to hunting wild hogs in the area.  Apparently, they can travel in larger groups, and when Ernie's on the job, be taken out with a 9mm pistol.  Although most of the stories involved multiple shots with a specialty rifle which still entailed long searches for the hogs which can apparently take a licking and keep on ticking for some time to come.