Thursday, March 30, 2006

Enjoying the Good Life

The past several days we have slowed down a bit. This is good, everyone needs to rest now and then.

On Tuesday, Patti and I went to the local laundromat to do our laundry chores - ugh. It really wasn't to bad as it is a big laundromat and there were plenty of empty washer and dryers. We finished up in about 2 hours. After, we took a walk through part of Port Isabel, down to the bay and around the lighthouse. I think we are going back one day soon to look in the little boutiques that are in town. I also was to get pictures of most of the 21+/- painted porpoises that they have around town. I have a couple and when I get them all, I'll post some of the prettier ones.

On Wednesday the four of us, Mickey, Patti, Dean and myself went to Brownsville shopping. The guys dropped Patti and I off at the Sunrise Mall and they took off to do the "guy" thing at Home Depot. Patti and I had a really good time shopping - something that we both enjoy doing. I found a pair of shoes for my son's wedding next month so now I'm ready. We ate lunch at the food court and both enjoyed some Japanese food. It was very good, but as usual, way to much to eat. I think that Patti and I will be going back to the Mall again without the guys so we can really take our time looking, plus there are a couple of strip malls we spotted that we want to go to. You just can't shop with two guys waiting.........

On our ride back home was fun as we were at the mercy of Mickey's GPS. It decided to give us the grand tour of the northeast corner of Brownsville. We, or should I say Mickey, decided to just obey his GPS instead of going the way we had come. Fortunately, it didn't take us too far off track and we did make it back to Port Isabel the same day!

Today the guys worked on their project, a compartment for Mickey's generator. I will say that they did a very good job and it looks great. I went to Curves this morning and basically relaxed the rest of the day. Patti had invited Dean and I over for dinner this evening for lasagna. I can vouch for one thing - she is a good cook! Note to any of our RV'er friends - if you get an invitation from Mickey and Patti for dinner - don't turn it down!

Since it's now 11:30 pm I'll say goodnight and catch you another day.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

South Padre Island


Yesterday we rode with Mickey & Patti to South Padre Island. To me it was very much like being in Gulf Shores, AL. Lots and lots of condo's, gift shops and restaurants. There is a nice county campground on the south end of the island that if we come back to this area in the future, we will most likely consider staying at.

Also on the south end of the island is a statue of Jesus with his arms stretched out wide. This is to honor those sailed out through the pass and didn't return. At the base of the statue, there are plaques with the names, dates and name of the ship (fishing boat) that the person was on. Very thought provoking

Even though my picture didn't turn out as good as I would have wished, I'm posting it here. As you can see on the picture, it was a cloudy day - again!

Monday, March 27, 2006

For Morgan

Hi Morgan,

Your Pop-pop and I went for a ride today to South Padre Island. It reminds me of Gulf Shores with all the high rise condo's and souvenir stores. Near the end of the island there is a equestrian (horse) center. We stopped to have a look and I took these pictures just for you. I know that you will enjoy seeing them.

We miss you but will see you at Uncle T's wedding next month.






This is a Texas Longhorn Steer. See how big and sharp the horns are!














I knew that you would really like this picture. If I go back, I'll take some more pictures of the horses for you.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

We Moved - Again!

Yesterday we moved from Victoria, TX to Port Isabel, TX. The drive here was uneventful with the exception of a accident we passed.

We were told that Mexicans come across the boarder to purchase vehicles to take back to Mexico. Well, we saw many vehicles being towed by another on our drive south. When we arrived in Harlingen we saw two vehicles that will not make it to Mexico. I guess the driver zigged when he should have zagged and overturned both vehicles with the towed one getting the worst damage. Just down the road we passed a convoy of about five others pulled off the road - waiting. Guess they were all traveling together. From what we understand, they come over in one vehicle with 5 or more drivers, find cheap used cars, pay cash and then transport them back across the boarder to resell.

The landscape driving south was mostly cattle ranches - very large cattle ranches! And, flat land - so flat that when you looked off in the distance you saw mirages.

The campground we are parked at is called Park Center. Well, it's not what I would have preferred in that it's an old park with very shallow and narrow sites. I guess you have to take some not so great with the good. Our friends picked this one and while I would have liked one with more amenities (swimming pool etc.) it is very close to the water. Port Isabel is on the bay, just before crossing the bridge to S. Padre Island. Anyway, we will be here until approx. the 15th of April when we will begin our trek toward Louisiana and our son's wedding on April 22nd.

After we finished getting set up, Dean and I went off in search of something to eat. We found a nice Italian restaurant not far from the campground and had a very good meal. After, we walked to the Chamber of Commerce office and picked up some information on things to do in this area. We would like to do a dolphin watch cruise and I would like to ride a horse on the beach - keep checking back to see if I do!!!

First picture of the area is below - the Port Isabel Lighthouse. It reminds of the lighthouse in Biloxi, MS. This one is open to the public and you can climb the steps (all 76 of them) to the top. Would like to do this as I'm sure the view is fabulous from the top. I don't have the history on the lighthouse yet but when I do I'll edit it in, so check back.


More from Port Isabel, TX in a couple of days......

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Side trip to Port Lavaca and Port O'Connor

This morning we bid farewell to Terry and Dale. Really sad to see them leave us, but I know that we will see each other again down the road.

This afternoon we went with Mickey and Patti for a drive to Port Lavaca and Port O'Connor. There really wasn't anything significant about either place other than we did check out a couple of campgrounds. At Port Lavaca, we ate lunch at a seafood restaurant - Dean and I both had the catfish and oh boy, they raise them big here in Texas. It said three fillets and they were equal to at lease 6 Alabama size fillets. I also ordered some boiled shrimp that I shared with Mickey and Patti. Everything was good and we will have the rest of the catfish for dinner tonight.

After eating we drove to the lighthouse. It's quite different. It had been on pilings in the middle of the bay and now sits on land by their convention center. The construction is quite different for a lighthouse as it's only three stories high and is hexagonal. It was built in 1858 and remained in service until 1943. Picture below is how it looks now.


Port O'Connor was not at all what I had expected. It is basically a "summer" place. Most everything was deserted. There really wasn't much there, a few gas stations, restaurants, and boats and that was about it. They did have a nice fishing pier and park area on the bay. We also saw a pretty patch of Texas Bluebonnets. The pictures follow (check back as pictures will not load right now).

After we got home, the call came that we have been waiting for. Our refrigerator part is in and they are coming tomorrow to fix it. Hopefully nothing will happen to delay us as we are scheduled to depart for one of the boarder towns on Thursday. I'm ready to move on...

Sunday, March 19, 2006

A Day Exploring Goliad, Tx

Yesterday, which was Saturday, March 18th we started out by visiting downtown Victoria and Trade Days at the town square. The weather was iffy and I was afraid that it would get rained out, but only a few very light sprinkles fell so it didn't seem to stop the vendors from setting up. I was disappointed as far as what the vendors were selling - mostly jewelry and candles. I don't need any jewelry and thanks to my son and daughter-in-law, I have an "inside" supply source for candles! There was one vendor that had plants and they were beautiful. Here is a picture of some of the flowering variety.




After the Trade Days we decided to drive over to Goliad, Tx. to the state park and Mission Nuestra Senora Del Espiritu Santo De Zuniga or Mission Espiritu Santo. This mission was constructed in 1749. The mission was active until 1830 when declining Indian population, lack of money and political turmoil in Mexico forced it to close. After decades of neglect the Texas State Park system acquired the site and under took restoring the Mission. It is a big contrast to the other missions that we had visited in San Antonio in that it's white.


I'm adding a couple of pictures of the mission. The first one is the church and the second one really caught my interest since it actually has a skull and crossbone above the side door of the church. I was told by one of the volunteers that it is called the funeral door. This is the only door that a corpse could be brought in and out of for a funeral service.


After we finished touring Espiritu Santo we drove back to town (Goliad) for some lunch. The restaurant was on the square and in a very old building that had a metal tile ceiling - very ornate. Didn't take a picture inside, but here is one from across the street. It is the corner building...


Goliad has a really neat town square. Most of the buildings surrounding the courthouse are original and date back to the late 1800's. Unfortunately, I have more pictures than I can post here, but will try a couple. The courthouse itself is a beautiful building and was constructed in 1894. There is so much history in this area as far as the American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo cultures are concerned. Goliad also had their "wild west days" so to speak. In front of the courthouse is a tree called the "hanging tree" where law breakers were delt with immediately after sentence was passed - no appeals back in those times!

Notice the little building squeezed between the larger two - guess they wanted to get on the square also, regardless how small or maybe that was all they could afford? The buildings on each side were build by the same person, one year apart.


Here is the "hanging tree". There is still a rope hanging from the tree - anyone want to try it?

We returned home tired after doing a good bit of walking, but really enjoyed the day.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We are parked at Dad's RV Park in Victoria, Tx. Nice little park and close to everything. Victoria is a historic city and claims to be the oldest city in Texas.

We arrived yesterday after about a 2 hour drive. We were following our friends that were using their GPS system and it took us through town, not the best route when towing. But it ended well with all three rigs making it to the campground without problem.

We've had a little setback though. Wednesday evening I had began to notice an ammonia smell in the 5th wheel. Thursday morning it was stronger, but since we were packing up and moving we didn't investigate. After arriving at Dad's RV Park and getting set up, I noticed that the smell was still evident. Dean didn't smell it, so I got Dale to come over and verify that there was an odor. Confirmed! Her husband said that an ammonia smell usually comes from the refrigerator when it's leaking - just what we needed to hear. We checked the temperature of the refrigerator and sure enough it was warming up. The campground recommended a RV repair shop and we called and surprisingly the service technician was here in about 2 hours. Sure enough, there was a leak. Anyway, long story short, we are now without a refrigerator until at least Tuesday. The good news is that the parts needed are under warranty, so all we will have to pay is the cost of labor. It's really an adjustment to be without a refrigerator though. Funny how we miss what we don't have!

Dean and I drove through town today looking for a church to attend on Sunday and found two so now we have to make a decision of which one. One is downtown and a older building and the other is in a housing area and newer construction. Eny, meany, miney, moe - I'll let you know. (Sure hope that is spelled right, but you get the drift - LOL)

We are planning a side trip to Goliad and to Port Lavaca/Port O'Connor this coming week. Tomorrow is Market Days for Victoria with approx. 150 vendors in attendance and we are planning on going to see what they have to offer. Not sure what else we may do while in this area. Stay tuned for coming attractions........

Monday, March 13, 2006

San Antonio Mission Trail

Yesterday afternoon, Dale, Patti, Dean and I visited the San Antonio Mission Trail, minus the Alamo. The picture above was the first mission we visited named Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion or Concepcion for short. This was one of the largest that we visited as far as the church portion is concerned. The other buildings built with a mission were not evident here. This building is still used every week for Mass. The acoustics in this church are equated with the Morman Tabernacle.

Here we are, the three women at the well at Mission Concepcion - right to left - Patti, Dale and yours truly.


Above is San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo or San Jose. These missions were all constructed in the 1700's. Mass was in progress when we visited San Jose so we were unable to go inside the church building. The picture below shows some of the bastion or walls of the mission. It was where the Indians were housed and the stone object you see is a oven. There appeared to be one oven for every 5/6 "houses". This mission was more complete in that the whole wall is intack. This mission is nicknamed the "Queen of the Missions."


The next mission is San Juan Capistrano or San Juan. This one did not have a lot of the original building left, but did have most of the wall. A interesting fact about the missions is that they all owned ranches which would include up to 3,500 head of sheep and nearly as many cattle. The ranches were close by the missions. All the missions were build by Spain in an attempt to stop French encroachments from Louisiana.



The above picture is inside Mission San Juan. Notice the purple cloth spilling out of the urn - it's Lent.

Lastly is San Francisco de la Espada or Espada. This mission is the southernmost of the San Antonio Chain of missions. Again, this is still an active church and there is a small convent attached to the church which was part of the original mission but, of course, has been remodeled with modern conveniences.


One last picture taken inside Espada. Each window had a clear glass urn with dust in it and the message for all of us to remember...

I would encourage you to do a internet search on San Antonio Missions to find out more information about the missions and their way of life.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Another Day

Sunday morning, about 7:25 am, sitting at the computer watching the sun rise in the east. The temperature is already 72 degrees, so I guess it will be another warm day. No complaints here, I'm tired of the cold.

We are just south of San Antonio in a really nice campground. We left San Marcos on Thursday and met up with two other fulltiming couples, Mickey & Patti and Terry and Dale. We first met them at the pre-escapade get together at Rend Lake, IL., last September.

The campground where we met in San Antonio was close to everything, but was also the pits! Terry and Dale have a 40 ft motorhome and had a very difficult time finding a place to park it, this after they were told by the manager, you'll have no problems. Everyone decided one night there would be enough so Friday morning we all came to Braunig Lake RV Resort where we will be until Thursday.

We have a unobstructed view of the lake which is full of ducks. See above picture. This campground is a very active one. Friday night they had a BBQ dinner with all the ice cream you could eat for dessert. Ummmm. Sat. morning they had biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast and last night they had a make your own sundae fest. Can't afford to stay here to long - to many calories!

Dean and I haven't done any "sightseeing" since we moved here. We have been to San Antonio before and don't want to fight the traffic in town. We are going to drive the mission trail either today or tomorrow. Beyond that I'm not sure what we are going to do. We were talking Six Flags to see if the "old man" from their commercial is there, the zoo or maybe Sea World.

Stay tuned to see which we pick.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Sunday, March 5th, we drove to Cedar Park which is northwest of Austin to ride a steam engine train to Burnet, TX and back. The ride there was an experience in itself. The traffic around Austin is absolutely the worst I've ever driven in and of course the speed limit was 70 mph with everyone doing at least 80 - 85!

The steam engine was down for repairs so we had a diesel engine pulling us. We traveled in the club car which was air conditioned and had table and chair seating. Very comfortable with large windows for viewing the passing scenery. The train ride was interesting with our attendant giving us a lot of information about the history of the train line and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, the town of Burnet was big dissappointment. The brochure provided by the town of Burnet indicated a lot of little stores that would have provided an entertaining afternoon browsing through if they had been open. Alas, all but three were closed! About 45 minutes before the train departed Burnet, the local theater company put on a wild west skit which was very cute and loud, what with all the gun fire. It was the typical good guy (sheriff), bad guy, saloon gals skit. They did a good job and the kids that were there seemed to really enjoy it.

Below is a picture of the train as it sat in Burnet.

















During the past couple of days we have driven through San Marcos and New Braunfels just taking in the sights. Lots of buildings that date way back. The picture below of the First United Methodist Church in San Marcos is my favorite. The church is a restored Gothic Victorian style and has served a congregation with a history of unbroken continuity since 1847. I sure wish that we could have attended church there so I could have seen the inside. The stained glass windows are so pretty, I can only imagine how they would look from inside with the sunshine streaming through them.

Tomorrow we are off to other places. We haven't decided we to yet. Stay tuned....

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Luckenbach, TX

We found it! Luckenbach, TX that is. I can see why they say that so many visitors miss it and have to turn around. For one thing, when the highway department puts up a new sign at the intersection where you turn, someone takes it as a souvenir. The town, which consists of about four buildings and says it has a population of 3, was having a Texas Independence Day festival today. The festivities included a trail ride of about 100 horses, a chuckwagon team that was cooking up a pot of Texas chili, and music - country of course. We arrived to late to see the trail ride begin and left before they got back. We did have a bowl of the chili and ohhh, it was good. True Texas chili does not have any beans in it - meat only. I was talking to one of the cooks after we ate and he gave me a pack of the seasoning that was used. I will be trying it real soon - yes, I do cook occasionally.

Here is the proof that we were there. The Post Office is now the General Store. Dean bought a hat and I got a fly swatter - what's wrong with that picture?


































The picture above shows two other buildings that make up Luckenbach and some of the crowd.

After leaving Luckenbach we went to Wildseed Farms east of Fredericksburg. If you are into yard stuff, including plants, pots, and things, this is the place for you. They also have two gift shops, one with breakable stuff and the other with food stuff. In the shop with the dish wares etc., I looked down at a table that had table runners on it and saw a cat, that at first I thought was one of those full size ceramic cats - but no, it was real! This was the second store that had a live cat that apparently has free roaming rights, the first was in Luckenbach at the General Store. Anyway, there were so many pretty things, I'm so glad that I don't have a brick n stick house anymore, I would have gone broke buying. A lot of the items had Bluebonnets on it. Unfortunately, we are here to early to see them blooming - darn! We did buy a jar of "Wickels". These are pickles that have a hot spice added. The name came from Wicked pickles. If you ever get to this area of Texas, this is a must stop. Be sure to have a dish of the home made peach ice cream and if one dish isn't enough, you can get a refill for only 25 cents. Below is a picture of the Wildseed Farm. Notice the cactus in the foreground.

That is it for today. We are off to bed early as we are taking a train ride tomorrow and need to get up early.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Gruene and New Braunfels, TX


Today we went to Gruene which is pronounced as Green, Tx. It is an old town that has a few of the original buildings still standing. The first settlers came in 1845 and of course their name was Gruene. The two most interesting buildings (to me) are the General Store and the Dance Hall. It is said that the dance hall is the oldest in Texas and was built for the farmers in the surrounding area to have a place to gather for fun on a Saturday night.

The general store is in the foreground while the dance hall is inthe background.

Another building of interest was Catus Jacks. We did not go in as they sell antiques but the building itself it different - tin sides. And as you can see in the picture, a tin roof that has gotten very rusty!

After walking through town and buying some homemade dried sausage for Dean and some Cinnamon Honey Butter for me we decided it was lunch time.

There are several restaurants in town, most all of them in old buildings. We decided on the Gristmill River Restaurant which is in a old gristmill that dates back to the 1870's. You can tell the old parts of the building - it creak's! The weather was so beautiful today that we decided to eat on the terraced balcony overlooking the Guadalupe River. What a nice dining experience it was. I'll not go into the food except to say that it was Texas size servings and delicious. I highly recommend eating here if you are ever in Gruene!

After lunch, we drove into New Braunfels to Landa Park. A really pretty city park with water, ducks, geese, more ducks, birds, more ducks - get the picture? At one spot we saw some young men jumping off a rope into the river - burrr. It wasn't that hot today and the water was cool.


After a busy day with a lot of walking we came home and relaxed - that means took a nap. Ahhh the perks of being retired!

Tomorrow we are heading for Luckenbach, TX. for the Texas Indenpendence Day Festival. Will include it in my next post.