We pulled in to the Spring Creek RV Park just on the outskirts of Tyler, Texas. The description in the Woodall’s book says, “good paved/gravel interior roads.” Apparently what Woodall’s didn’t know was a huge storm swept through this area a couple of weeks ago dumping a bunch of rain causing a nearby dam to break and wiped out the road to the rv park. What all this equates to is the county road leading to the rv park now is home to huge potholes and is impossible to avoid. Other than the fact you’ve got 39 sites all vying for one washer and one dryer, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Spring Creek.

Right off the bat we met the young couple next to us. Their oldest came over while we were setting up. “I’m Lane, what’s your name?” Lane had a younger sister, Brooklyn. She was only 21 months old but she could talk up a storm and had that cute little southern drawl to match her cute little blonde curls. The morning we left, the family came over to bid us farewell and wish us well on our travels.

Of all places, you’re probably wondering why Tyler, Texas. Those of you who know me, know I love to work on our family history, and it just so happens, some of my Lowery’s migrated (ok, were banished) to that area. I have a husband (lucky girl), who might not always understand, but is loving enough to let me spend a couple of days in the local library, “hunting for dead people” or “time for a self pedicure“, as he calls it. (Brian threw his humor in there.)

I entered the genealogy department of the Tyler Library and heard, “How can I help you?” That was all I needed to hear as I asked question after question for the next 4 hours. I’m sure she was sorry she ever addressed me in the first place but by the end of my time in the library we became the best of friends. Anne was a wealth of Smith County information and whenever I needed a book, she knew exactly where it was.

The next day we headed over to the Troup Library where I saw that southern hospitality surface again. “What surname you searching?” And as soon as I told the young man on the other side of the counter, he picked up the phone and started dialing. “You need to talk to Barbara. She’s a Lowery!” As it turned out, Barbara’s mother-in-law was a Lowery and in the short time we spoke, we exchanged email addresses and vowed to keep in touch.

We then headed over to Tyler’s rose garden which is the only thing Tyler is famous for. The 14-acre rose garden is one of only 24 throughout the country and is a trial garden for the All-America Rose Selection (AARS). Roses in the AARS trial garden are evaluated over a 2 year period and must be varieties not previously introduced in the U.S. After this 2 year test period, the “best of the best” are recommended as new introductions into the rose market. The area which I enjoyed the most was the David Austin antique roses and the area which housed their perennial garden. We took pictures and notes of the different rose bushes and plants to store away for our next house.




While I was off playing at the libraries, Brian worked on our hot water heater. Earlier, he accidentally ran all the water out of the tank which fried the heating element. It took him a couple of trips to the rv center for parts but I think he’s got it fixed. Which brings me to the fact he’s driving me crazy with wanting a different 5th wheel. When we first started looking we decided we wanted a trailer with 2 slides, one in the main living area and the other in the bedroom. For those of you who’ve seen the inside of the bedroom area in a 5th wheel, you’ll totally understand, but we found this 5th wheel which has everything we were looking for with the exception of the bedroom slide. So yeah, I guess you can say we settled. You see, every time we pass by an rv center with 5th wheels for sale, he whacks me on the arm and points to the rv lot. Do you realize how many rv lots there are in Texas??? It’s a huge state and I swear, it must be the rv capitol of the world! My left arm is starting to show the wear and tear of his ranting! We did find a brand new 5th wheel in Tyler we both liked but I wasn’t willing to part with the money they wanted for it so we’re still in our 1 slide, postage stamp bedroom, home on wheels.

See ya in The Big Easy!