Thanksgiving, one of the nicest breaks with the least amount of PTO time taken!!

We planned this trip back in August when we went to Avery Island, and I have been so looking forward to this time away with friends and our event planned that Tommy loves! We loaded up and left on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The drive is so easy, especially for me, because I don’t do the driving! LOL

We avoid IH-10 and all of the construction that is between us and the Louisiana border and go up Highway 12 to Starks and turn on 109 and arrive at Niblett’s Bluff Park within about an hour! I have written about our adventures at this park before. We were there two years ago for Thanksgiving, and they don’t disappoint… This is a very nice RV park. Nice concrete pads and pretty spacious between spots. We have been fortunate, this year and our previous trip to book a site with our friends that has more space than most others and we set up our cooking and fire pit together between us and really enjoy ourselves!

Tommy was more eager to explore on this trip than just about any other trip. He came outside and walked the park with me a couple of times every day. I really enjoyed him getting out an exercising. They also have three playground areas. Slides, swings and obstacle courses at each! All the equipment looks new and well maintained.

Tommy is still always surprising me! He tried out every single slide at the park. To say that they are made for him and his grown man size is definitely an incorrect statement, but Tommy still thinks that he is a little boy and where there is a will, there is a way…

The park also has animals on-site. Cows, Goats and even a Tortice! Tommy checked on them every day and also took some crackers to feed them. Now, one of these goats, the shortest one must be the “Billy goats gruff” that lived under the bridge, because he was so mean:(

I was so proud that Tommy wanted to interact with them!

Thanksgiving

Being so close to home we drove in for Thanksgiving dinner with Heath’s family this year… We enjoy this family time! We did miss a few this year that were under the weather, but the food was amazing, and Tommy got him a full belly. Well, it was not from turkey, but from stealing “goldfish” from the pantry!! LOL

Event time…

Tommy has been waiting patiently for “Friday @ 4 o’clock”. He had decorated his tree and grabbed his snowman head that counts down to Christmas day but used it like a genius would and set it for 4 as a reminder for me that this is the time that we are leaving!

We were off to the races. Tommy still believes that all the horses are “Secretariat”! We arrived early to watch the preparation for the first race. It was still cold as it was on our previous visit, but we sat in the staging area all bundled up where Tommy could watch each horse coming in and getting their saddle and jockey mounted, then we could go out to the fence and cheer them on! As we sat on the bench, Tommy realized that he did not have his “horse toys” with him. He had his kangaroo and cheetah that go everywhere with him… He was distraught. He dropped them to the floor as if he could not go on without his horses… He is a little dramatic!! LOL

I thought that maybe there would be a gift shop that may have a horse that would pacify him, but we looked all through the gifts and no horse. I went to the cashier and asked but was told that they did not sale any horses. I looked at her and said, “This is Delta Downs, and you don’t sale a horse”! LOL

Heath graciously offered to return to the park with Tommy and allow him to get the correct toys that he desired to properly watch the horse races! Dad was his hero! One happy boy when they returned!

We watched four races outside before moving to the warmth of the indoor area with a great view of the remaining races!

We ended our trip with one more day of rest and relaxation! Cooking and enjoying our time with our dear friends! We are truly thankful for everything that the Lord has done for us this year! It feels like we have flown through the last few months and when we blink 2025 will begin! Remember to show gratitude and kindness to others!

Goodbye for now! God Bless -