Tragedy in Dallas

Chaos in Dallas last night kept me glued to the television news station. I grew up in the Dallas, Ft. Worth Metroplex, having graduated high school at Boswell H.S. in Saginaw and enlisting in the United States Air Force and stationed for four years at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth (now Carswell Naval Air Station). I have many friends and family who still live in the area, and my heart is heavy today at the loss of five police officers, working to keep the public safe in the aftermath of protests and uproar over the police officer shootings of two men in Minnesota and my home state of Louisiana.

My thoughts: Today I agree with our President who said last night "there is no possible justification for these types of attacks". That Americans are allowed to peacefully protest is a part of our freedoms and I applaud those who make their voices heard when they believe injustice has been imposed upon them. However, two rights don't make a wrong, and those who decided to ambush officers at the protest last night are nothing more than thugs and despicable excuses for  human beings. I am saddened by the loss of five police officers and offer my prayers to the families of those lost and to the Dallas Police Department as they return the city to order and bring these criminals to justice.

Rohwer Japanese American Relocation Center - McGehee, Arkansas

A little piece of history sits just off highway 65 in McGehee, Arkansas. Located in Desha County in the heart of the Delta, the historic Rohwer Japanese American Relocation Center beckons visitors to the museum, opened in April 2013, where one can learn of the plight of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans who were removed from the west coast, amid hysteria and prejudice; 8,000 of them were forced to live in the internment camp located here. Many were more than 50 years old and were not allowed to become citizens, and there were those young, American born citizens, most under 21, who were forced, along with their families to leave behind entire lives. Many left jobs and businesses; all left possessions and their communities. It was 1942 and Pearl Harbor had just been invaded; the government's excuse for internment:  National Security. They were moved to this area because the government owned this large parcel of land that was situated away from populated areas and was near a railroad. It was surrounded by barbed wire and there were armed guards who watched over them from towers.

All that is left of the 500 acre relocation camp is the Rohwer Memorial Cemetery where many of the interred men were buried and a tall smokestack that marks the location of the camp hospital, now gone. There are also two large monuments in the cemetery that honor those who passed away during their internment, as well as the young men from the camp who gave their lives fighting for the U.S. in WWII.

Interpretation for the site is being completed by Arkansas State University, funded by a grant from the National Park Service. Visitors to the site begin at a replica small scale guard tower that serves as an informational kiosk. They then can take a self guided walking tour along the southern boundary of the original camp. Signage is strategically placed to assist visitors. Along the walking tour there are informational kiosks that include images, explanations and audio narration by former child internee, actor George Takei,(Mr. Sulu from Star Trek), who discusses the history of the site and personal anecdotes from his time there.

The museum is located at 100 South Railroad Street in McGehee, Arkansas. It is housed in the renovated south building of the McGehee Railroad Depot. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Sunday and Monday visits are possible with advanced coordination. Call the museum directly at 870-222-9168.

If you're traveling through the area, this is definitely worth a stop. In McGehee there is also a nice veteran's memorial across the street from the internment camp, the railroad depot museum and an Amish store on Highway 65. Also, visitors will want to stop in for some delicious BB-Q at Hoot's BB-Q and steaks.  Read my review here. 
Some information provided by Rohwer Japanese-American Relocation Center Website

Restaurant Review; Hoot's BBQ & Steaks, McGehee, Arkansas

We've been at Lakeshore RV Park in Lake Village, AR for two months while Ric has been working in Dumas, AR. His commute takes about 45 minutes each way daily and he always passes Hoot's BBQ & Steaks in McGehee, AR. We've discussed the restaurant many times and have received verbal positive reviews from his co-workers frequently since our arrival. Yet, because of the distance, it was a little inconvenient and until recently we hadn't made it there.  Finally, we had an excuse to go out of our way to eat there. Our family came for a visit, and it seemed like a perfect place to take them. Our thirteen year old grand daughter is a steak lover, after all. Options for family dining in the area are limited, so this restaurant fit the bill.

According to an online blog "Tye Dye Travels", Hoot's is owned by David and Suzie Powell, residents of McGehee. "David and Suzie Powell spent a couple of years after retirement traveling from place to place by RV. When they grew tired of that, they decided to head back to their hometown of McGehee and open up a barbecue joint.  The old cattle sale barn out on US Highway 65 was vacant, and so what the heck, the Powells bought it and started fixing it up." (Tye Dye Travels).

I called ahead and made reservations since we had planned to go on a Friday evening. We arrived at 5:30 and were quickly seated. The front foyer/reception area was large with a dessert/bakery counter to the left and a bar entrance to the right. At the dessert counter we drooled over selections like banana pudding, carrot cake, blueberry cheesecake, Italian cream cake and German chocolate cake, promising to save room for dessert. The dining room was straight ahead and five of us were seated at a large, comfortable table. The surroundings were eclectic with a giant chalk board displaying the menu and a collection of signs and gas station memorabilia. The tin and wood accented walls added a homey feeling to the place. 

We didn't have to wait to be served.  Our waitress got our drinks right away and took our order on an iPad that sent the order through cyberspace and directly to the kitchen, I assume. We ordered brisket nachos as an appetizer, and it was large enough to share with all five of us.  The brisket was melt in your mouth delicious and the cheese sauce with a hint of jalapeno gave just the spicy bite we were expecting. 

My daughter and grand daughter opted for a rib eye steak. My grand daughter added six grilled shrimp. My gran daughter's friend ordered a BB-Q pork stuffed loaded baked potato, my husband got chicken fried steak and I had a sampler platter with chicken, ribs and brisket. We all shared bites of each other's meals and agreed that it was all delicious. The potato salad was mayonnaise based with little bits of meat mixed in. The beans tasted like Ranch beans smothered in a tasty BB-Q sauce and again, little bits of meat. The fries were thick, hand cut and fried to a perfect crisp while the sweet potato fries were the best I've had anywhere. The steak could be cut with a fork and simply felt like a conglomeration of juices and light spices dancing in my mouth. The loaded baked potato was nothing short of fabulous and the BB-Q pork on top added a unique flavor to the dish. The chicken fried steak was battered perfectly and covered in a gravy that was part white and part brown gravy making a creamy and yummy topping. As for the BB-Q chicken, the meat just pulled off with a fork and the juicy, tender chicken, like the steak, melted in my mouth. The crispy, seasoned skin was as good as the meat of the chicken. The brisket was seasoned to perfection and cooked just right and the ribs had a delicious dry rub and a distinct smoky flavor. Two types of BB-Q sauce were offered on the table:  one, a tangy vinegar flavor and the other, a sweet and savory sauce which was my favorite. Alas, we ate too much food, and didn't have room for dessert.

I'm hungry again writing this review. Time to go back for a visit; this time I'm getting dessert! Hoot's is open Monday through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm and closed on Sunday. The total cost of the meal including beverages and the appetizer was $120 for 5 people; that's an average of $20 per person. In my opinion, that's a fair price for the large servings, delicious food, and great service. 

Next time you're in the area, be sure to stop by and get some of the best BB-Q anywhere.

Birthplace of Kermit the Frog

Although Jim Henson, best known for his creation of the Muppets, was born in Greenville, Mississippi, he spent his formative years in Leland, MS, just twelve miles to the West. Leland is on a delta of the Mississippi called Deer Creek. A historical marker reads "Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, grew up and played along Deer Creek during the years 1936-1948 exploring its flora and fauna from here to Stoneville. Sometimes he was joined by his friend, Kermit Scott. These experiences and fond memories spawned in Henson's mind that timeless creation, "Kermit", the original muppet." 

The Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Exhibit was given by the Jim Henson Company as a gift to the people of Leland. This tribute features a tableau honoring Kermit the Frog's birth place. Housed in the Chamber of Commerce building the display plays tribute to Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog, and other Muppets in which he created. It is nestled alongside the banks of Deer Creek, the same creek in which Henson likely swam and fished as a young boy.

At the entrance, visitors will be greeted by Kermit, himself, in the form of a large wooden cutout and can stop here for a great photo opportunity. Inside the two room display, visitors will learn about the life of Jim Henson and his creations, of course with a strong emphasis on Kermit; one will also find information and memorabilia concerning other Muppets such as Miss Piggy. A video room is available to view some of the vast array of film footage. There's a lot of pictures of Henson and his Muppets as well as a conglomeration of memorabilia. The gift shop contains books, plush toys, post cards, and a good selection of items for purchase.

Finally, don't miss another photo opportunity -- get your photo with the life size plush Kermit on a bench in the main room.  And, before leaving, take time to talk to the curator and ask questions. She is very well educated and knowledgeable of the subject matter, and will even take your photo for you.

The tribute is located at 415 SE Deer Creek Drive in Leland, MS. It is open Monday thru Saturday 10 am to 5 pm in the summer (after Memorial Day) and Monday thru Saturday 10 am to 4 pm in the winter (after Labor Day). It's in a very small town, and as I've found during my travels, opening and closing times are not always adhered to, and sometimes changes are not updated on the website. It is best to call ahead before visiting. The phone number for the Chamber of Commerce is 662-686-7383.

Restaurant Review: Doe's Eat Place - Greenville, Mississippi

"Where would you like to eat for your birthday?" my husband, Ric, asked.

"I don't know, let me think about it."

We're staying in Lake Shore RV Park in Lake Village, Arkansas, a town of just over 2,500. There aren't many restaurants in Lake Village and even fewer that I would want to visit for my birthday. The next nearest town is McGehee, Arkansas, about 25 miles away and Greenville, Arkansas, about 27 miles away. McGehee is small with a population of just over 4,000 and really only offered one option, Hoots BBQ. Greenville, on the other hand, a city of 34,000 had many more options including Doe's Eat Place.

Birthdays are a big deal in my family and food is a central part of the celebration. Whether a meal is cooked for the person having a birthday or whether the family dines out is the choice of the one having the birthday. I thought about it all day and really didn't make a decision until we were ready to walk out the door. I had narrowed it down to two places; either Hoots BBQ or Doe's. Either way, I know I'll eventually visit both and review both, so you'll have another review to look forward to later.

So, without further ado, let me reveal my choice for my birthday meal, dut, dut, dut, drum roll: the original Doe's Eat Place in Greenville, MS. And, let me say that I was not disappointed in my choice. In fact, my trip to Doe's is one for the record books and definitely offered a memorable birthday culinary experience that I'll be talking about for years to come. 

Doe's Yelp reviews averaged 4 ½ stars. My husband's co-workers highly recommended Doe's for their steaks. They said this is where Presidents dine when they are in town. Presidents of the U.S. or Presidents of the local croquet club, I wondered. In any case, that's the amount of research on the restaurant I conducted prior to my visit. Since the visit, though, with a piqued interest, I did a little more investigation and found Doe's on a list of The Top Ten World's Best Steakhouses and reviews from respected press like Southern Living Magazine, Roadfood, The Cynical Cook, and Garden and Gun. Yet, none of that prepared me for what I was about to encounter. The atmosphere, service and food all combined to make my visit interesting and enjoyable.

The atmosphere of Doe's is a result of a rich history. “The restaurant was started in 1941 by Dominic “Doe” Signa and his wife, Mamie. Doe's father moved to Greenville in 1903 and opened a small grocery store called Papa's Store in what is now Doe's Eat Place. As a result of the flood of 1927, the store began to fail, and Big Doe Signa began a bootlegging operation to help his family get back on their feet. Several years later he sold the still for $300 and a Model T Ford. Around 1941 Mamie received a partial recipe for hot tamales. She improved upon the recipe and began selling them, the beginning of the restaurant business. At first Signa ran a honkytonk in the front part of the store. It was strictly for blacks. He sold things like buffalo fish and chili. Like segregation in reverse, the whites began arriving at the back door. One of the local doctors began coming for a meal between calls. Big Doe would cook him up a steak and feed him in the back. Pretty soon, he brought friends and colleagues and before he knew it, Big Doe found that he had a regular restaurant in the back. He brought in family to help run the thriving business and closed down the honkytonk focusing on the Eat Place. He retired in 1974 and turned the business over to his sons, Charles and Little Doe, who carry on the family tradition of greeting customers in the front kitchen.” (Doe's Eat Place)

Roadfood writes, “Newcomers may be shocked by the ramshackle surroundings, but Doe's is easy to like once the food starts coming.” I can echo those sentiments wholeheartedly. From the moment we pulled up to the building, we were a bit shocked. We noticed we had driven into the “bad part of town”. And when we first glimpsed the tiny house with the sign “Doe's Eat Place”, we joked, “I picked a fine time to leave my gun at home”. It was then that my husband pointed out the armed security guard keeping a watchful eye on the property and guest's vehicles. We arrived just at 6 pm and there were only a few cars, but by the time we left a couple of hours later, vehicles were lined up and down the side streets. Parking at Doe's is limited, for sure, but die hard regulars and first time visitors alike will find a way!

Comfortable that our vehicle was secure under the watchful eye of the hired security, we entered the white, plank building into a tiny room with old, wood planked floors. To our left was a large steak pit/oven with an employee grilling thick pieces of meat under the intense fire that heated the room. I imagine it gets very hot in there at the height of summer when temperatures and the humidity in the Delta soar. A fry station that looked abandoned held the trays used to move the meat to the grill. There was a large cook pot sitting on the floor mat; I'm not sure if it contained food or not. This was the first time, but certainly not the last time that my thoughts went to the sanitation standards, or lack thereof, of the place. In front of us was an old wood paneling wall with several large bulletin boards holding a conglomeration of items: the food permit, business license, a selection of safety warnings such as “consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of food borne illness”, a selection of photographs, bumper stickers, memorabilia, an American flag, and even some shotgun shell lights framing the doorway. 

To our right was a beer cooler. And on a table by the oven was a stack of oval plates, napkins and silverware. To our left was a table holding a meat preparation station where an employee seasoned and prepared the meat for the cook. Once again, flash of sanitation standards lacking – this from my food service days in the military, no doubt. 

The light switches were laden with grease and fingerprints, the painted surfaces were chipping and peeling. Old electrical wiring snaked up the walls and were covered in grease and dust. A waiting area was on the right side and as the night wore on, the line seeped outside the door. I'm told it's not unusual for regulars to bring beer and folding lawn chairs so they can sit outside during the long wait for a table. There was a doorway to the right, likely leading into another seating area, but I'm not certain.

We were immediately greeted and asked if we had reservations. “No”, I answered, “Do we need them?” The hostess, dressed in jeans and a Doe's t-shirt nodded, “no”. Fortunately it was a week night and we were there early enough that there was a table for two available. We were led around the beer cooler and through a door exiting the front kitchen where the steaks were prepared and into a center kitchen where salads, french fries and other offerings were prepared.

There was a cooler, a spice rack, open pantry, microwave, pots and pans stacked haphazardly, and several dusty fans. Here one would find the central cook and prep area. Here an employee prepared Doe's famous salads, tossed with a mixture of olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

The salads are mixed in wooden bowls, one of which reportedly has been used continuously since the restaurant opened. There were tables of mix matched variety dotting the room and filling every available space. In this room there were two or three tables for four, a table for two, and two tables that would seat six comfortably or eight if they were squeezed in. The tables each had a faded and worn vinyl or plastic table cloth, each in a different solid or pattern. There was even a Christmas themed cloth covering an area in the kitchen and adorned with tiny Santa Claus figures. Here, more memorabilia covered the walls, much of it photographs and framed newspaper clipping of laudatory and rave reviews garnered by the restaurant. Our table was small and covered with a faded blue vinyl covering. At first glance, I thought it was severely lopsided, but upon further inspection, I realized it was the floor that was uneven. Each table held ketchup, salt and pepper, sugar and artificial sweetener, three types of steak sauce and a red plastic basket full of individually wrapped saltines and Melba toast. To the rear of this room was another dining area and beside the center kitchen, another door labeled “Side Room” which possibly led to yet another dining room, or maybe the restrooms. In this center kitchen dining area, the floors were peeling linoleum that revealed what might have been a concrete pad or undetermined sub-flooring underneath. A portable air conditioning unit hung in the window surrounded by what looked like a piece of painted white wood paneling covering a celery green concrete wall. The entire building was in desperate need of attention, and I had the feeling that if it were to rain, the workers would have to set out buckets to collect water leaking through the stained ceilings.

Our hostess seated us and immediately asked what we would like. I ordered an unsweetened iced tea and my husband ordered a Coor's Light. It was only a moment before she returned with our beverages. The beer was ice cold and the tea was excellent, served in a giant red plastic glass. Our hostess was our waitress and upon delivering our beverages asked what we would like to eat. We asked for menus but were told they didn't have any. That's a first for me – I've never been to a restaurant that didn't have a menu or at least have the menu posted on a large board. I knew they had steaks so I asked for a rib eye, medium rare and my husband ordered a rib eye, medium. I asked for a baked potato, but that wasn't happening – French fries were on the menu, so I agreed to take them. My husband also got the fries and ordered a salad. After the waitress/hostess left he wondered why they didn't ask what kind of dressing he wanted on his salad. That's because you don't get a choice. All the salads are the same: iceberg lettuce, a few tomatoes, one purple onion slice and the lemon-oil concoction which in my humble opinion was nothing to brag about and served to make the lettuce taste as though it were wilted. But, several reviews and blogs state differently. Apparently the salads have a cult following. I say “to each his own”.We had been at the Eat Place for less than ten minutes and I wasn't impressed by the experience thus far. Already I was wishing that I had decided to go to Hoot's in McGehee. Fortunately things were about to change.

About 15 minutes after we arrived, our steaks arrived. My eyes widened as the oval plate was placed in front of me. The steak was so large that it nearly covered the plate and spilled over the sides. There weren't many fries but I'm certain that's primarily because there wasn't much room left for them. The steak was sizzling and the aroma immediately made my mouth water and my stomach growl in anticipation of that first bite. I was amazed by the size and the thickness, at least an inch even after cooking. I knew there was no way I would be eating the whole thing and was certain a to go box was in our future. I cut the rib eye against the grain and when I ate that first bite, it literally melted in my mouth. The juices found my taste buds, and I thought I was in heaven. This steak, I decided was one of the best, if not the best that I have ever in my life enjoyed. And, I've eaten a lot of good steaks. The atmosphere, lack of menus, and what I thought were lousy salads didn't matter. Those were negated by the absolute deliciousness of the perfectly seasoned prime Angus beef. 

Next I stuffed a fat, lightly seasoned french fry in my mouth and was thankful that they didn't have baked potatoes. The hand cut, home made, cast iron skillet fried French fries were scrumptious. As we ate, we watched others being served and found that tamales were being served to many tables, so we decided to take half a dozen to go.

The Eat Place is open Monday through Saturday 5 pm to 9 pm. They serve beer, and you can BYOB – they've got the set ups.

If I can make any recommendations it would be skip the salad, order one steak to share, order double fries and overlook the atmosphere. This is a “must visit” steak house if you're anywhere near Greenville. There are now about ten franchises including one in Little Rock, Baton Rouge and Tulsa, but this one is the original, and likely the best.

Finally, Doe's is not cheap. Our bill, including a $20 tip was $158. The steaks were $48 each and the beer was $5. I would expect to pay that price for a fine dining restaurant experience, but not in a dilapidated building on the verge of collapse. I give 5 stars for the steak and fries and 2 stars for service, price, and atmosphere resulting in an overall 3 star.  Still, I stand by my earlier recommendation that this place is a "must visit" restaurant.

Waking up in a new place

When I travel and stay in hotels, it is normal to wake in the morning and expect that when I walk outside, I will be in my vacation location. If I've planned a beach vacation, I can expect sand and sea, likely with palm trees dotting the landscape and boats perched upon the horizon. When I travel to a mountain location, I expect that when I look out my window I will see the great purple mountains, majesty towering above the valley. But, as a new full time RVer, I was shocked to realize that I didn't have the same expectation when I opened my RV door. Because I stayed more than a few days, even more than a few weeks in my previous location, I had become accustomed to the scenery outside my door and expected to see the small fishing pond and tall pines in the park. I expected to see the long term neighbors that were there when I went to sleep the previous night.

To my shock, when I opened the RV door in the morning at my new location, the neighbors were gone, the small fishing pond, gone and the tall pines, likewise - gone! In their place were a whole new set of neighbors nestled among the pecan orchard which had replaced the tall pines, and a large lake that had replaced the small fishing pond. The view was surreal and it took a few seconds for my mind to realize that we had moved. This mind trick, I've deduced is related to the interior of the RV.  I've become accustomed to calling my RV my home and things inside don't change much, even when I move the RV to a new location. Because every time I wake up, I see the same thing inside the RV, my mind automatically expects to see the same thing outside. But when I moved the RV, the inside stayed the same, and the outside changed drastically. That is the cause of the surrealism, I assume. I have read and researched a lot about RV living but have never come across this topic, therefore, it was a total surprise to me. It was not a bad feeling, mind you; just a strange feeling. And, really a rather exciting feeling once the realization set in that I was in a new place and a new adventure awaited.

Have any of my readers experienced this sensation? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

The flood of 2016 - Haughton, Louisiana, Part II

Things are a little crazy in this part of the world and so many people have lost so much. Today marks one week since the flood of 2016 reigned (pun intended) down on my hometown. Stories of survival, sacrifice, death, heartbreak, overwhelming obstacles, unwielding stress, and friends, neighbors, family, and community coming together to support each other remain in the news. 

As I said in the precursor to this series of blog posts, The flood of 2016 - Haughton, Louisiana, Part I, "no one could have prepared us for what happened". I bought my house in the Tall Timbers subdivision, Haughton, Louisiana in 1996 when I was transferred to Barksdale Air Force Base in nearby Bossier City by the military. Each year in the spring, the cold air would collide with the warm air in the atmosphere and cause severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and even flooding. We watched helplessly as the first 10 or so houses in the subdivision flooded and the entrance to the subdivision was blocked by water forced out of Fifi Bayou and into the street. Year after year, the same houses flooded and we watched as our neighbors cleaned up the mess after the storms. And, year after year residents pleaded with the city, parish and state to do something about the flooding in Tall Timbers. Finally, their tenacity proved fruitful. A levy was constructed in 2003 that would provide added protection to the Tall Timbers properties from all but the most severest deluge of water. And it worked for thirteen years, until 2016, when what can only be described as a "tsunami" of water came so hard and fast that it flowed over the levy and into the subdivision. Over 25 homes were completely devastated. As I drove through the subdivision with my daughter early Tuesday morning, after a night of rains that totaled over 10 inches, I was completely overcome by emotions. In the 20 years that I have lived here, I had never seen the flood waters this bad. The Sheriff's Department were on scene and the news stations were recording the events. They interviewed a family who said they went to bed oblivious to what was going on outside, thinking it was just a normal spring thunderstorm event. The father woke up in the early morning hours and told his family that the downstairs was beginning to flood. Within the hour the water was halfway up the front door, and a rescue was taking place. The little boat traveled across their yard and in the front door where they fished out the children first and then the rest of the family. When we arrived on the scene the family was standing on the side of the road under useless umbrellas as the rain continued to hail down. There were trashcans, garbage, and other debris floating in the flood waters and coming to rest at the edge of the water line. It was all a little bit surreal. 

We were unable to make our normal left turn because houses were flooded as far as the eye could see, so we made a right turn and took a circuitous route to our destination. Fortunately, our home was once again free from the encroaching water. We checked the inside for any damage, and satisfied that none existed, we locked the door and traveled to the other end of the street where the water was still consuming houses coming closer and closer to us. The rains were relentless and we wondered, would our home be next? Fortunately, the water eventually receded, but not before it left a path of destruction never seen before. Whether we live full time in an RV or in a brick home doesn't seem to matter. Mother Nature can hit any time, anywhere, and without warning. Visit the Red Cross or CDC for comprehensive disaster preparedness plans so you will be ready should a natural disaster or emergency situation arise. If you want to be entertained while making your plan, visit the "Survive a Zombie Apocalypse" page of the CDC website. Seriously, the introduction to suriving the zombie apocalypse goes like this:

 "There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency."

Thanks for reading. Be sure to follow my blog as I travel the country in my RV, livin' the life!