Hey Y'all! We're in Forrest Gump country!

After a wonderful resting period in San Antonio it was time to move on down the road.  Next stop...New Orleans.  When traveling, we like to drive for an hour or two before having breakfast. This morning that was the plan.  It was supposed to be about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Houston. We had planned to spend the day and night in Houston but agreed we'd rather get to New Orleans instead. So, breakfast on the road then drive as far as possible.

It's amazing how the scenery changes as we change states. This was a beautiful drive. The oak trees covering the open spaces are gorgeous.  As pretty as it is, we are really hungry!  Don't people eat breakfast while traveling in Texas? We drive and drive, then start seeing signs for ...

BUC-EE'S!

They had the most entertaining billboards.  We knew this was the place for us.  We can wait another 30 miles for this great place.
                                                       

Finally, we are here!



So hungry for a nice breakfast...







It was the BIGGEST Travel stop we have ever seen. Sodas, pastries, sandwiches...everything to pick up and take with you but no restaurant for breakfast! It was just like a GIANT 7-11.   Let's move on and see what else comes along.

Thank goodness our kids had the great idea to send snacks with us for the car.  Jim munched on popcorn and I broke out a Nutri-Grain bar.  So much for our nice breakfast.

Two more hours down the road...Let's have a great lunch by the water! There's a lake area coming up.  There has to be come nice places overlooking the water, right?  There's a sign for a marina and the River Side Inn!  We're on it!
                                                                                                                                

It's a dive!  We decide to go in anyway.  We had the Best Time!  When you walk in the first thing you see is a bar and a room of pool tables. There are at least 25 guys hanging around the pool tables.  Ash trays on the bar, yes, you can smoke and eat in the same place!

Wow! The people are so friendly and they have a menu. Let's just eat here.  Turns out, they are having a 9 Ball Tournament. (Billiards)  There's a Calcutta style auction for the players competing in the tournament.  People are betting on the players.  Some went as high as $160.00.  This is a BIG

DEAL here! People have come from miles around to play in this match.  We had the best burgers we've had in years, talked to some of the players and had a ball!  I met one of the few women that was competing. She explained to me how the betting worked. When I asked if anyone had bet on her, she said "My husband, and he'd better!" She was a kick!  We were meant to fall on this place. It was hard to leave, we were having such fun.

Moving down the road...cross into Forrest Gump country.  Everyone says "Y'all" and couldn't be nicer.  It's too far to make New Orleans. So we stop at Lake Charles, LA.  It's a small community about 3 hours away.  The young woman at the front desk sent us for dinner at Tony's for an Italian dinner.  The food was great. I had my first Po Boy sandwich and we were surrounded by people that appeared to be speaking a foreign language.  Wait, no, it's english with an extreme accent!  Even our waiter that was from Boston had such a strong accent we could hardly understand him!  Well, y'all, I could pick this up as easy as a dog picks up fleas!

What started out to be a long boring day turned into a great adventure.  We met great people and had such fun. We're in the South and the weather is beautiful, the views are gorgeous and we can't wait to get to New Orleans tomorrow!