The day we pulled out of Spring Branch, TX, we got a later than usual start. Cori & Greg made sure we left with full bellies by cooking us a delicious breakfast – YUMMY! Hugs were exchanged all around as we said “see ya later!” Bill & I loved our stay with them, and very much appreciate their hospitality. Thanks again guys! We also enjoyed getting to know Brandy & Jason better!

Since first joining Escapees back in the spring of 2014, I’ve been wanting to stop and see their first Rainbow park in Livingston, TX, which is also their headquarters. When considering stopping there, we learned that our friends, Les & Sue, of Rambling RV Rat, were staying there, so it made the decision to stop there that much easier! We hadn’t seen them in a LONG time!

Our route took us around Houston, so very little traffic; we arrived and were parked by around 4pm. They have a pull-through section for short visits, and we were only staying one night. Les & Sue walked down to greet us, and we arranged to have dinner together at Joe’s Italian Grill later that evening.

After some delicious pizza, and other Italian specialties, Sue & Les invited us back to their place to continue visiting and COOKIES! Sue is a great cook, and her cookies are so yummy! Thanks guys for an awesome visit!

The next morning, we had only about 130 miles to travel, so we decided to take a walking tour of the Escapees compound. Within the property is a regular campground, long term lease lots, their mail sorting building, a Community Building, laundry center and their CARE center. We had heard varying opinions about the place, so we were anxious to see it for ourselves. We decided that while it is older and could use some updating, considering their reasonable prices, it is a very good value. It isn’t the fanciest, but we don’t need much. We love the idea of their lots that you basically long-term lease, and when you leave you get your invested amount back. Also, their CARE center is an awesome idea, people who need assisted living type care can live there in their own rigs and get the help they need. Les & Sue posted about their ERPU Here. While we don’t personally use it, lots of people we know use their mail forwarding services. You can read all about all Escapees great benefits Here.

We said our farewells to Les & Sue and within 3 hours we arrived in Lake Charles. Cindy & James were outside waiting for us, and I hopped out to get my hugs! James helped Bill get backed into their side yard, which was a bit squishy from recent rain. James had boards ready to help minimize the damage to his lawn.

Cindy made a wonderful pork roast dinner in her InstantPot for us that night. Taking a drive to see some Christmas lights was next on the agenda, Bill & I loved seeing the town lit up for the holidays!

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The following day, James & Cindy suggested a tour of a local rum distillery; they know us so well! We’ve done so many tours, sometimes the products we taste are very good and some – well – not so much (remember Wicked Dolphin?) This one, Bayou Rum, was a winner! We enjoyed sampling their products and even purchased a couple of bottles.

After all that Rum sampling, we all needed a snack! Bill & I had fond memories of our last visit with James to In-Laws, and it was right up the road! This time we didn’t leave without extra ribs and boudin balls! Everything we had there was so good!

The following day, we were moving on to our next stop, Schriever, LA, but our fun with James & Cindy wasn’t over yet. They’ve lived most of their lives in Lake Charles, but had never done the Tabasco tour on Avery Island. James rode with Bill in our truck, while Cindy and I followed in her truck, and off we went. Sadly, the weather wasn’t very cooperative, but we got to see some of the back roads of LA.

The tour is self-guided, so we could see it all at our own pace. It was interesting to learn the history of this American pepper sauce, which is still owned by the McIlhenney family. Bill, of course, is always curious about how things are packaged, and he recognized some of their equipment from his Laird and Company days.

Once we completed the tour, we were all pretty hungry, so we walked back to near the beginning of the tour, to their restaurant. We didn’t know quite what to expect, but we were all pleasantly surprised at how good it was, and the prices weren’t bad either. Bill and James opted for their combo plate, which had Red Beans and Sausage, Crawfish Etouffe, and Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. Cindy and I both got Crawfish Etouffe Nachos. It was all delicious! Highly recommended!

No stop to a touristy place would be complete without a thorough look at the gift shop, so that’s where we went next. They had all things Tabasco, of course! Bill & I each picked a sauce, we picked up a little something for our next hostess, and something for the baby – of course!

Throughout the tour, lunch and gift shop browsing, we had hoped the rain would quit. We had wanted to further look around at the Jungle Gardens, but that would have to wait for next time. The rain got worse instead of better as the day went on. We said our “see ya soon”‘s and left out in opposite directions. Thanks again for everything James & Cindy!

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