Not really a post

This is here just to set up labels for later use.

The Valley

Wednesday, February 1 - We have arrived at the Bentsen Palms Village RV Resort in Mission, TX.  We weren’t supposed to arrive until the 6th, but they had an opening so we decided to come early.  This is definitely not the type of place where we normally park. This is a RV Resort, but the price isn’t bad at all.  The things we have are cable TV, wi-fi, swimming pool, hot tub, and planned activities.  The people here are happy - you can tell because they smile and always speak.  Wednesday nights is margarita party so, of course, we took advantage of that.  Our LD friends, Jim & Gayle, did not know we were arriving early, so they were surprised when they saw our rig.  We met up with them at the party.  After the party, we soaked in the hot tub for a little while.

Thursday, February 2 - We went to HEB Plus grocery store, which is a very big store.  But since the ‘fridge is still stuffed we could only buy the essentials.  Tonight was card games at the Rec room, so I played Mexican Train Dominos and Don played bridge.  It was a fun evening and we are beginning to meet some people.

Friday, February 3 - Not a busy day.  We went to Wal*Mart and did a little sightseeing.  Again, soaked in the hot tub.  We could really get use to this.  We did not participate in any group activities tonight.

Saturday, February 4 - A very good day.  It started off with coffee and donuts at the Rec  room.  I have been looking forward to returning the RGV (Rio Grande Valley), which is not a valley at all.  Then we went to the Flea Market.  This place is very large and sells everything.  Lots of RV stuff is available and we may get a custom front window screen made.  We bought a couple of games, more knives and fresh vegetables.  The radishes are very large, but the cauliflower is the largest I have ever seen.  We bought 10 lbs. of oranges for $4.00.  Lots of “Winter Texans” go every week to get their vegetables.  We had our daily soak in the hot tub. We went to the Rec room and played Card Bingo.  We didn’t know what it was, but Jim & Gayle told us that if you have drinks, it’s lots of fun.  Card Bingo, in my opinion, is more fun than regular bingo.  There were 84 people playing.  Each person takes $2.20 in nickels, dines, quarter and a dollar bill.  I won the first hand, which was 84 nickels.  Now the question is what do you do with 84 nickels!

Sunday, February 5 - It’s a rainy dreary, gray, overcast, cool day just like winter.  The forecast is cool and cloudy the rest of the week. Everyone says how nice it was in January. And so it goes.

We went to the Activity Room and Jim & Gayle came so we could teach them how to play Mexican Train.  It was a good time and we will play again.

Monday, February 6 – We planned to go to the animal rescue place where Gayle volunteers and walk the dogs. She called and said the rain made the road mushy. I did not want to wash the Jeep, so that will wait until it dries out.

We went to the Mission library and picked up a few books. After a short visit from J&G, the day was over. Where does the time go?

On The Ranch

Saturday, January 21 - We arrive at Bill & Ruby Cope's cattle ranch. We are once again "camped" in their driveway where we have water, electricity and good friends.  We met them at South Mineral Campground in Silverton, CO a couple of years ago and they said, "come see us."  Well, of course, we did! We have had a good time getting to know them and spending time with them. They took us to Don Pedro's in Cuero for dinner. The food is good and the margaritas are better.

Sunday, January 22 - We each did some puttering around with household details that must be taken care of, whether at home or on the road. It's fun being on the ranch, cows walking around and there's also a goat, but he is fenced in. If you go over to him, then he talks to you, baa baa baa. We've decided that with rain coming, we will probably be here a few days longer than we planned. Ruby fixed us lunch of brisket, pinto beans, potato salad, slaw and pecan pie. It was yummy.

Monday, January 23 - The main thing today was getting me a haircut. I should have done it before we left, but just didn't get around to it. This cut seems pretty good. That's the thing about traveling, you might get a good cut or you might not, just depends on how lucky you are. Don started cooking spaghetti sauce for tomorrow's lunch. We are trying to have our big meal at lunch and a light dinner. We played cards while the spaghetti sauce simmered.

Tuesday, January 24 - Today was clean the oven and stove day. It's just like at home, but a much smaller space. Now the space in Koko is more manageable and I can find what I need. Even though we took a couple of short camping trips and stayed in the RV while waiting to get the house ready to move in, it's just not the same as being on the road. Now don't ask me how it's different, it just is somehow. Winchester the goat got out of his pen, so he was allowed free time. It was so much fun watching him. The dogs "chased" him and then he chased the dogs. And goats can really jump. The problem was that he wanted to get on the Jeep and if not the Jeep, then he decided it would be fun for him to come in the RV. Goats are fun to watch, but I really don't want one.

Wednesday, January 25 - It rained a little last night and then again this morning and then cooled off. We played Mexican Train before lunch, then Ruby made a good lunch for us. And this afternoon it was time for more Train. We have certainly had a fun time with Bill & Ruby. Hopefully they will come to the Valley for a few days next month.

At The Beach

Thursday, January 26 - We arrived at Mustang Island State Park in Corpus Christi after a few stops.

One of the stops was in Goliad, TX and their courthouse is just gorgeous, probably the most ornate we have ever seen. I don’t see how we can possibly get anything else in the refrigerator.

We eye-balled the mission and presidio in Goliad. Everyone knows about the Alamo, few know about Goliad. Look it up.

The Cope’s told us about a grocery store that was a “must” in Beeville, TX, so we stopped and bought a delicious steak and some barbecue sandwiches.  Also, Ruby gave us homemade smoked sausage and organic lettuce plus some sweet tangerines from their tree.

We are parked next to LD friends, Ted & Liz Houghton.  When we arrived they were sitting outside enjoying the warm weather.  As soon as we got set up, we joined them.  The park is really a parking lot with water and electric hookups.  The main thing is sunshine and warm and an easy walk to the beach.  I did a “happy dance”.  Wonderful to sit outside and have cocktails.

Friday, January 27 - After breakfast we took a 1.5 mile hike on the beach with Ted & Liz.  When we got back I felt so good I did another “happy dance”.  We sat outside and read and had cocktails.  It’s a little windy but not bad.

Saturday, January 28 - We went to Port Aransas and took the ferry to Aransas Pass to buy shrimp.  We bought two pounds of large headless shrimp, which we will have for dinner tonight.   Since we were close to Rockport (about 18 miles) we drove to Los Comales Restaurant for lunch.  It was good two years ago and still is.  Next we drove to Ingleside to Grannie’s Tamales.  Of course, we bought more tamales - six with cream cheese and spinach, six with cream cheese and jalapenos and a dozen with pork.  Now the refrigerator is absolutely stuffed.  We have a lot a eating to do now.  It’s much windier today but we hope it is good weather to go to the Star Gazing program on the beach tonight.  The shrimp was delicious and we don’t have any leftovers.  Finally took a pain pill for my foot.

Sunday, January 29 - My foot was bothering me quite a bit last night and I could not stand up to watch the Star Party and today I am definitely staying off of the foot.  We had lunch and were getting ready to nap but I smelled smoke.  About that time Liz came over and said there was a fire, so of course I had to get up and go look.  The grass behind some campers was on fire and some campers had their hose putting it out.  Park rangers arrived and got their shovels and then the fire department came and took charge - lots of water and digging in the sand.  But the fire was very quickly put out, thanks to the quick action of the campers.  I bet someone threw a cigarette out and with the dry brush and wind it spread quickly.

Dinner was a mixture of the tamales and they are very good.  I think my favorite is the cream cheese and jalapenos.  The jalapenos are not hot but just taste very good.

Monday - January 30 - Today was laundry day.  We went to Port Aransas to a very nice Laundromat.  It was quite busy and I am sure everyone in there was RVers.  There was a used DVD store where we bought 10 DVDs for $20.  We watched The Caller but it wasn’t that good - we rate it C/C+.  Photography was A.

Tuesday, January 30 - said goodbye to Ted & Liz this morning.  It has been a very boring day.  We did nothing.  My foot/leg is still bothering me. One good thing is that we get to go to Mission, TX a week early.  We arrive tomorrow and it’s margarita night so hopefully we will get to meet some people there.  And we will be there for the Super Bowl Party.  

GO BUMBLING

TO WANDER AROUND WITHOUT PURPOSE (I love the term.  We actually do have a purpose - go where it’s warm in the winter and go where it’s cool in the summer)

Thursday – January 12 - We decided Wednesday that we had no reason to put our trip off another day so we decided to leave Thursday instead of Friday the 13th. We had a goodbye dinner with Alecia (she makes a fantastic lasagna), Lee and grandchildren Wednesday night. Alecia and I were going to a cooking class but they changed the menu and we weren’t interested so we did a little shopping, had lunch and were back home and on the road by 1:15. We haven’t driven after dark since before we retired, but decided it was only a 4 hour trip, it was very cold and we needed hookups. So we made the supreme effort. And we are very glad we did. We got the last campsite at Davis Bayou Campground at the Gulf Islands National Shore in Ocean Springs, MS. Monday is a holiday so we knew the CG would be crowded.  Great price, W&E, for $8.

Friday – January 13 - We had a wonderful day. We did a little exploring, stopped at Rouse’s Supermarket. It is a Louisiana grocery store and we really like it. But the wonderful part started at 3:00 when we went to Dave & Judy home. Judy was my college roommate at Alabama. Our friends, Ken and Nancy, from Mobile came over for dinner. Nancy was a bridesmaid in our wedding. That tells you how long we have known each other. Judy and Dave cook and I do mean cook. If you leave their home hungry, then it is your fault. We had appetizers, and lots of them. Dave grilled some delicious steaks and chicken. We had salad, baked potatoes and Nancy brought some wonderful marinated vegetables. And if that wasn’t enough, we had dessert. It was chocolate cups, filled with your choice of unique ice creams and a hot chocolate topping.

But we did more than eat and drink. We haven’t seen them in about three years so we had a lot of catching up to do. A wonderful way to start our trip.

Saturday – January 14 - We had one of our laziest days ever.  We got our coffee and snuggled back into our beds.  Finally had breakfast at 9:00, very late for us, then more coffee.  We did not get up and moving until 11:00.  After lunch and nap we went back to Judy and Dave’s home.  Dave wanted to watch the football games, so we had hors d’oeuvres once again, but added Bloody Mary’s.  Then we had spaghetti with very good Italian sausage, followed by key lime pie.  But most of all, Judy and I talked and talked and talked!  Being with someone you knew when we were young just makes the years disappear.  Thank you Dave and Judy for feeding us so well.  And thanks to Nancy and Ken for driving over to spend time with us.  Special thanks go to Dave and Don for putting up with lots of giggles.

Dorothy is a happy camper.

Sunday – January 15 - We arrived at Stacey’s home (Don’s cousin) and then headed to the New Orleans fairgrounds for a horse race.  Stacey had a horse running.  We had not been to a horse race before.  I liked the name of one of the horses (Fancy Feet) so I bet on her and won a little money.  Horse racing could be addicting and it’s more fun than the slot machines.

Moak Farms 55 South

Koko has passed two milestones – we have now spent 800 nights in her and the odometer just turned over 50,000 miles!

Monday – January 16 – Before we got away, we found Stacey’s Senor Seabolt, to make some requested pictures for Stacey Kate.

Moak Farms Champion Senor Seabolt at left

Today we made the 3 hour drive to Lafayette, LA.  We are camping at Acadiana Park Campground.  It’s a city park and it’s pretty good.  There are 57 campsites and only 4 campers here.  We made another trip to Rouse’s grocery store to get some homemade Italian sausage.  I keep buying stuff, but we have not had a meal in Koko until tonight.  Our refrigerator and freezer is stuffed.

Tuesday – January 17 – Bands of light rain are forecast today, so we decided we could stay put and eat breakfast at Prejean’s. I had Prejean’s Napoleon A tower of delicacies- a crisp polenta cake sits below a plump crab cake, crowned with a poached egg, drizzled in hollandaise sauce and laced with fresh shrimp and smoked tasso. Don had, Breaux Bridge Benedict Grilled butter biscuit, homemade boudin patties, topped with two poached eggs and smothered in crawfish etouffee.

Wednesday – January 18 – We left around 9:30 for the drive to Pearland, TX (which is just outside the I-610 loop in Houston) to spend a few days with our friends, George and Betty Schaeffer, whom we first met on the Lazy Daze Baja Caravan.  The drive on I-10 and I-610 was not bad as we had thought it would be, so we arrived in good time.  We had a nice visit and I enjoyed fixing dinner for our hosts.  Betty made a very good cake.  We are "camped" in their driveway.

Thursday, January 19 – we went into Houston, George driving of course, to the King Tutankhamun exhibit.  I had wanted to see it years ago in New Orleans, so this was our chance.  We really enjoyed it, but we had expected to see the sarcophagus that had been in New Orleans in the late 1970's, but it was not at the exhibit.  We did learn more about Egyptian history.  Maybe the Egyptian government doesn't allow the very priceless irreplaceable items to go on tour now.  Afterward we drove to The Pit and had a barbecue lunch.  Since we were all new, the owner came out and talked to us a while and gave us a tour of the barbecue pits and told us how the meat was cooked.  He also gave us a bottle of his barbecue sauce.  Another fun day, but I was very tired by 8:30 and we retired to Koko.

Friday, January 20 – We didn't leave this morning until almost noon going to TopWater Grill in San Leon on the bay.  We all had a good seafood lunch and then we had a tour of the area.  We both got a little nap this afternoon.  Of course, we enjoyed the hospitality of the Schaeffers again for cocktails.  In the years since Baja, we have seen George & Betty several times during our travels and have really enjoyed getting to spend more time with them.  They are wonderful hosts.  Hopefully we will see them again on the road this year.

Saturday, January 21 – We are headed two hours west to near Victoria to stay with some RV chums for a few days.

GETTING READY TO LEAVE

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

2011 was our year to stay home and get things accomplished. We sold our home in Hoover in August and bought one the next day that we really like in Montgomery. It’s close to our daughter and her family. It is so nice to be close to family after so many years. Our favorite thing about the house is that it’s one level. We are settled in our new home, Christmas is over, and it’s time to get ready to travel. We have missed being on the road. The goal is to leave around the middle of January and take a meandering trip to Alamo or Mission, TX, visiting friends and relatives along the way.

Before we can leave, I have to clean KoKo. Even if you don’t go anywhere, you still need to vacuum, dust and wash things. It’s going to be easy to pack this time because I only have one small step to get outside to KoKo. I am really getting excited about the trip.

My goal is to be stress free during the packing process, which I think will be easily accomplished.

Not that I’m counting, but it’s 13 days until we leave.

How New Mexico Looks To Us

This photograph was taken by Elizabeth Coachman on a NM road. To us, it captures the essence of the magic of the state. Can’t wait to return.