More pictures on the way,this is a quick post from my phone.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A nice bike,a beautiful kitchen - opening packages....PRICELESS!
Isn't funny what a two year old considers exciting at Christmas? We got her a nice bike, her mom and dad a nice kitchen, what did she want to play with? Opening everyone's presents - priceless! She even cried on Santa's lap.
More pictures on the way,this is a quick post from my phone.
More pictures on the way,this is a quick post from my phone.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Hello Santa..we're almost there!
Tuesday, Dec. 20th. Just two more days before we leave to head to the stepson's for Christmas. This will be a great trip home for a week. Family, then on to friends for a couple of days to see Larry and Ruth Ann. They are some of our best friends, who also ride a Gold Wing motorcycle. They are coming down to Texas for a month to spend time out and about with us as we travel around to see the valley.
In preparation for leaving on Thursday, everyone has been asking us if we are packed yet? What's with this? We always pack either the night before or the day of a trip. Doesn't take us long. We did do a dry run with our puppy though. Took him to a neighbors house to do a sleep over last night. She is going to keep him for us while we are gone so we both thought it would be nice for him to try a night so she would know what to expect. But I must say - he is the best behaved dog I have ever had.
I just know he is going to miss us when we are gone. He will sit like this for hours looking at me waiting for me to give him a command, play ball or ask him to sit on my lap. He is a blonde Cocker Spaniel at 2.5 years and EVERYONE in the park loves him as he is so friendly, never barks and is well behaved.
I think our biggest problem will be in the transition from 70 degree weather to snow and cold in one day. At least it will feel like Christmas. Can't wait to see grand daughter number 6, she's two and a real bowl of energy. Here's a picture of her fashion choices for yesterday:
I just love the idea of wearing your boots all day just in the hopes of going outside to play in the snow. See you soon Claire....
In preparation for leaving on Thursday, everyone has been asking us if we are packed yet? What's with this? We always pack either the night before or the day of a trip. Doesn't take us long. We did do a dry run with our puppy though. Took him to a neighbors house to do a sleep over last night. She is going to keep him for us while we are gone so we both thought it would be nice for him to try a night so she would know what to expect. But I must say - he is the best behaved dog I have ever had.
I just know he is going to miss us when we are gone. He will sit like this for hours looking at me waiting for me to give him a command, play ball or ask him to sit on my lap. He is a blonde Cocker Spaniel at 2.5 years and EVERYONE in the park loves him as he is so friendly, never barks and is well behaved.
I think our biggest problem will be in the transition from 70 degree weather to snow and cold in one day. At least it will feel like Christmas. Can't wait to see grand daughter number 6, she's two and a real bowl of energy. Here's a picture of her fashion choices for yesterday:
I just love the idea of wearing your boots all day just in the hopes of going outside to play in the snow. See you soon Claire....
Friday, December 16, 2011
Where's the beef?
Texas... the name is synonymous in my mind with cowboy movies showing the long cattle drives. In fact we visited the largest cattle farm - King Ranch last year. And as you travel the roads to get to the RGV (Rio Grand Valley) you pass ranch after ranch, miles and miles of cattle.
So you would think that Texas has great beef, wouldn't you? Well not so much! I don't know why but I think the explanation has to be that the cattle are on so much of a subsistence living, i.e. living on scrub brush and thistle grass, that they never can put on enough muscle and fat to be good meat. We haven't found any good steaks while here. So this year we brought a freezer full of steaks with us. Maybe we'll get more when we come to PA for Christmas if we have room.
One of our past times while here is bicycle riding. As we said in an earlier blog, the rear tire on my Sun trike was destroyed on the way here. But do not dismay, for a couple of hundred dollars it can be made all well! So that was done last week and now I can run around to my hearts content on my tricycle! That is all around the five RV parks that make up our complex. You don't want to go out on the roads here - too many O.F.'s on the road. They'd run over you and never see you..ha ha ha ha. Went out the other night to look at the Christmas lights in the parks, some of the trailers and park units are really decorated to the hilt. But again almost got hit by one of the OF's from Canada driving on the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD! All he said as he passed me was "Je suis désolé! " (Sorry)
Good news for us - our house closed on Thursday, Dec. 15th...... and we didn't even have to be there! We did all the paperwork before we left PA back in early November, so the agent went to oversee that everything was filed properly and the monies were deposited into our account. So sorry to say we are no longer South Dakota residents who owned PA property but now we are S.D. residents who have NO fixed location. So the RV is truly our home. And we are enjoying it. Probably the worst part of living in it is the emptying of the tanks about every 4 or 5 days. That and having to move stuff in the basement when you want something. Other than that it's great.
Speaking of the home, 5th wheel, RV, we woke up to cold water last week. We were using the electric hot water heater and for some reason it wasn't working to I had a cold shower. Since I figured out the electric heater wasn't working, I flipped it to propane. Guess who had a nice warm shower? Oh, she deserves it I guess.
We have been going to Alejandro's on Fridays for lunch. This restaurant has a sea food buffet that we love - Gulf shrimp any way you like it. Had gone in the evening with my Mom and stepdad along with Jim and Annette from Keokuk, Iowa (I am an Iowa boy after all). Last week we went at lunch to the second location by our selves, it was even better. Today we are going to go with Morris and Judy, a couple from Missouri who are living on the street over from ours. We met last year because their Corkie would bark at Cory when we walked by.
That brings us up to date. On Thursday we will be flying back to PA for Christmas so we will be seeing all of our friends there after Christmas. Hope all of you reading this have a very Merry Christmas. Remember - Jesus is the reason for the season.
So you would think that Texas has great beef, wouldn't you? Well not so much! I don't know why but I think the explanation has to be that the cattle are on so much of a subsistence living, i.e. living on scrub brush and thistle grass, that they never can put on enough muscle and fat to be good meat. We haven't found any good steaks while here. So this year we brought a freezer full of steaks with us. Maybe we'll get more when we come to PA for Christmas if we have room.
One of our past times while here is bicycle riding. As we said in an earlier blog, the rear tire on my Sun trike was destroyed on the way here. But do not dismay, for a couple of hundred dollars it can be made all well! So that was done last week and now I can run around to my hearts content on my tricycle! That is all around the five RV parks that make up our complex. You don't want to go out on the roads here - too many O.F.'s on the road. They'd run over you and never see you..ha ha ha ha. Went out the other night to look at the Christmas lights in the parks, some of the trailers and park units are really decorated to the hilt. But again almost got hit by one of the OF's from Canada driving on the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD! All he said as he passed me was "Je suis désolé! " (Sorry)
Good news for us - our house closed on Thursday, Dec. 15th...... and we didn't even have to be there! We did all the paperwork before we left PA back in early November, so the agent went to oversee that everything was filed properly and the monies were deposited into our account. So sorry to say we are no longer South Dakota residents who owned PA property but now we are S.D. residents who have NO fixed location. So the RV is truly our home. And we are enjoying it. Probably the worst part of living in it is the emptying of the tanks about every 4 or 5 days. That and having to move stuff in the basement when you want something. Other than that it's great.
Speaking of the home, 5th wheel, RV, we woke up to cold water last week. We were using the electric hot water heater and for some reason it wasn't working to I had a cold shower. Since I figured out the electric heater wasn't working, I flipped it to propane. Guess who had a nice warm shower? Oh, she deserves it I guess.
We have been going to Alejandro's on Fridays for lunch. This restaurant has a sea food buffet that we love - Gulf shrimp any way you like it. Had gone in the evening with my Mom and stepdad along with Jim and Annette from Keokuk, Iowa (I am an Iowa boy after all). Last week we went at lunch to the second location by our selves, it was even better. Today we are going to go with Morris and Judy, a couple from Missouri who are living on the street over from ours. We met last year because their Corkie would bark at Cory when we walked by.
That brings us up to date. On Thursday we will be flying back to PA for Christmas so we will be seeing all of our friends there after Christmas. Hope all of you reading this have a very Merry Christmas. Remember - Jesus is the reason for the season.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Whoa - were not in Kansas any more!
After getting home from the USS Lexington we settled in for the night, or so we thought. A cold front moved through at about 7PM and the wind kicked up. No we were right on the Gulf of Mexico, maybe 200 yards away. No trees to block the wind. It started out about 20 MPH and worked it's way to about 40 sustained and 50 or 60 gusts. Not only did the trailer rock and roll but the wind carried salt spray onto the truck, trailer and motorcycle! Got up to crusted vehicles, the mirrors were so covered I couldn't get them cleaned even with fresh water running on to them!
Bonnie was so intimidated by the wind she wanted to go to a motel or else head for home! I agreed we should head to our Texas home so called and canceled where we were supposed to go. So we decided not to head to South Padre but instead make our way to our winter Texas home. Sunday afternoon we pulled into our spot in the resort here in Mission, Tx. Safe and sound, no more wind and no salt spray, and wife complaining about the wind (priceless)!
Last night we went to "Jammin" at the rec center. People come from all over the Valley to play and sing in a country jam session. Guitars, banjo's, mandolins, harmonica's and nasal singing galore! Renewed some acquaintances with some friends and my mom and step dad. We're here and looking forward to a quiet, restful and warm winter! More as it unfolds these next weeks.
Bonnie was so intimidated by the wind she wanted to go to a motel or else head for home! I agreed we should head to our Texas home so called and canceled where we were supposed to go. So we decided not to head to South Padre but instead make our way to our winter Texas home. Sunday afternoon we pulled into our spot in the resort here in Mission, Tx. Safe and sound, no more wind and no salt spray, and wife complaining about the wind (priceless)!
Last night we went to "Jammin" at the rec center. People come from all over the Valley to play and sing in a country jam session. Guitars, banjo's, mandolins, harmonica's and nasal singing galore! Renewed some acquaintances with some friends and my mom and step dad. We're here and looking forward to a quiet, restful and warm winter! More as it unfolds these next weeks.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
All hear this - mess is being served on the quarter deck!
High light of today was a visit to CV-2, the USS Lexington, the very first training aircraft carrier. It is an Essex class WWII aircraft carrier. it served from 1943 - 1947 then again from 1955 to 1991.
Many aircraft were on board, from WWII to an F-18. The hanger deck was full of displays and aircraft too.
this F-14 was on loan from Pensacola. We went to a movie on the hanger deck about the fighter pilots of the Navy. So all told it was a great site seeing day.
For lunch we went to Joe's Crab Shack and split a KJ steamer. The meal was very good - mussels, scallops and king crabs with corn and potatoes. We had desert too. I had a decadent chocolate cake and Bonnie had Turtle Sundae, both larger than either of us could eat.
On the way back we ran into some light rain. Not bad but enough it had Bonnie worried. A quick stop at the commissary and we were back at the trailer.
Many aircraft were on board, from WWII to an F-18. The hanger deck was full of displays and aircraft too.
this F-14 was on loan from Pensacola. We went to a movie on the hanger deck about the fighter pilots of the Navy. So all told it was a great site seeing day.
For lunch we went to Joe's Crab Shack and split a KJ steamer. The meal was very good - mussels, scallops and king crabs with corn and potatoes. We had desert too. I had a decadent chocolate cake and Bonnie had Turtle Sundae, both larger than either of us could eat.
On the way back we ran into some light rain. Not bad but enough it had Bonnie worried. A quick stop at the commissary and we were back at the trailer.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Moving South
After we left Tuscaloosa, we traveled to West KOA in New Orleans. It is located in a residential area, nice park but not much scenery. I would recommend this park if you like: cramped sites, low hanging wires (I hit some at 13'6" that shouldn't happen) and you want to see N'Orleen.
Uneventful trip the next day? Well it rained, but we did make it to Gulf Coast RV Park in Beaumont, Tx. Now this is a nice park! Cheap (at $17 per night) with nice plots, wide streets and free continental breakfast. The high light of our stay was the Beaumont Fire Museum. Outside is a three story fire hydrant. Inside are fire trucks from the 1800' up to today. There was a 1909 LaFrance and many other pumpers, a hook and ladder that was converted from horse drawn to being pulled by a Model T. We even spoke to the Chief in charge of training, Joe Condina. He told us about the original chassis of the pumper that was sold for scrap to a gentleman in New York. This fellow was retiring and donated the chassis back to the museum and they were diligently working on restoring it to it's 1920's glory. We hope they are successful in getting it ready soon, it will be a highlight of the museum!
After our time spent at Gulf Coast, we mad our way to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Got in here on Thanksgiving day. Almost nothing open but did manage to find dinner at the local Cracker Barrel. Turkey, stuffing, corn, beans and pumpkin pie - what more could you ask for? Went to Padre Island and then had lunch at Doc's Seafood on Friday. Padre Island is a haven for the seven species of sea turtles that live in the Gulf. There is a visitors center and in the summer I'm sure there is a lot of activity but on the day after Thanksgiving we almost had the place to ourselves. I obtained a soda at the snack shop and as we were sitting a a picnic table a gentleman came over and asked if we belonged to GWRRA. Well I had my Chapter B hat on so of course he said. Seems he just joined Texas Chapter O in Austin. They had just joined and were having fun riding their '08 Wing with their chapter. Ride safe!
Our highlight here though was the visit to the USS Lexington, a WWII era aircraft carrier. Lots and lots of climbing up and down the gang ways. More on this in the next session - with lots of pictures!
Uneventful trip the next day? Well it rained, but we did make it to Gulf Coast RV Park in Beaumont, Tx. Now this is a nice park! Cheap (at $17 per night) with nice plots, wide streets and free continental breakfast. The high light of our stay was the Beaumont Fire Museum. Outside is a three story fire hydrant. Inside are fire trucks from the 1800' up to today. There was a 1909 LaFrance and many other pumpers, a hook and ladder that was converted from horse drawn to being pulled by a Model T. We even spoke to the Chief in charge of training, Joe Condina. He told us about the original chassis of the pumper that was sold for scrap to a gentleman in New York. This fellow was retiring and donated the chassis back to the museum and they were diligently working on restoring it to it's 1920's glory. We hope they are successful in getting it ready soon, it will be a highlight of the museum!
After our time spent at Gulf Coast, we mad our way to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Got in here on Thanksgiving day. Almost nothing open but did manage to find dinner at the local Cracker Barrel. Turkey, stuffing, corn, beans and pumpkin pie - what more could you ask for? Went to Padre Island and then had lunch at Doc's Seafood on Friday. Padre Island is a haven for the seven species of sea turtles that live in the Gulf. There is a visitors center and in the summer I'm sure there is a lot of activity but on the day after Thanksgiving we almost had the place to ourselves. I obtained a soda at the snack shop and as we were sitting a a picnic table a gentleman came over and asked if we belonged to GWRRA. Well I had my Chapter B hat on so of course he said. Seems he just joined Texas Chapter O in Austin. They had just joined and were having fun riding their '08 Wing with their chapter. Ride safe!
Our highlight here though was the visit to the USS Lexington, a WWII era aircraft carrier. Lots and lots of climbing up and down the gang ways. More on this in the next session - with lots of pictures!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
What a jam! (traffic jam that is)
We made it to Tuscaloosa, Al in very nice weather - sunny and in the 60's. Saturday we got up with the idea of going to the state park we visited last year on our way to Texas - Tannehill S.P. The park was very busy and full, this was their last "Trader Days" of the year, sort of a cross between a super large yard sale and a craft show. It was very nice to walk around but we were glad we weren't staying here - to many campers - maybe 200?
On the way back from there we decided to go to Northport and visit it's historic Main Street. Our trip took us right through the Alabama University campus - right before game time with Georgia Southern. Wow what traffic!! Pedestrian that is! Thousands trying to get across the street form the parking lots to the stadium. About 10 minutes to go two blocks, I guess that's not too bad.
We walked Northpoint's Main street, I got a hair cut in the downtown barber shop and we went to Dreamland BBQ - great BBQ! Had so much we brought some home for tomorrow.
Sunday dawned to cloudy but warm weather. It's our anniversary! Having a relaxing day staying in the trailer after we wash the trailer, truck and motorcycle. Supposed to rain on Monday so washing them just guarantees it! Now off to Slidell, La. and then Texas!
21 years and she still looks like the beautiful lady I married!
On the way back from there we decided to go to Northport and visit it's historic Main Street. Our trip took us right through the Alabama University campus - right before game time with Georgia Southern. Wow what traffic!! Pedestrian that is! Thousands trying to get across the street form the parking lots to the stadium. About 10 minutes to go two blocks, I guess that's not too bad.
We walked Northpoint's Main street, I got a hair cut in the downtown barber shop and we went to Dreamland BBQ - great BBQ! Had so much we brought some home for tomorrow.
Sunday dawned to cloudy but warm weather. It's our anniversary! Having a relaxing day staying in the trailer after we wash the trailer, truck and motorcycle. Supposed to rain on Monday so washing them just guarantees it! Now off to Slidell, La. and then Texas!
21 years and she still looks like the beautiful lady I married!
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